Ok chaps, big u-turn ahead.
In the light of facing a bigger investment than expected on a suitable power plant, I've decided that if I'm spending that kind of money I want the bike road legal. To get my current chassis registered would require a rash of tests, inspections and certification that are not financially viable.
So ..... I've sourced a '74 Honda CD175 frame and swinging arm that has a V5 (title)
This means that not only is it road tax exempt, cheap historic insurance but also can have old style black and white number plates (registration plates)
I've gone for this frame because:
All the Honda bits I've already collected will fit.
It's a strong frame with some v handy mounting options and shouldn't get the flexing I feel on my trials frame ( CB/CG family) at the swinging arm pivot when I push it hard cornering.
The steering head is comparatively low so my leading links will fit.
The cradle is large enough to accept a variety of the small generic Honda based engines.
So long as the chair chassis is bolted on and not welded to the frame it is classed as an accessory and won't need an engineers report (££) however with this frame I can make it structurally very strong.
With a 250 single engine fitted in place of the standard 175 twin I may have to have the engine mounts inspected for the insurers but that is no big deal.
If I can find them I'd like to use a standard CD tank, seat and side panels as they are a design classic. It's quite hard to source CD mudguards now because the were a bit of a water trap and most have rotted out.
It's been a hard decision to make because a lot of work has gone into the project and will now be scrapped but there's no point having a toy and being restricted to paying out track fees every time I want to play.
Wotch this space
