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Thanks guys, for now I'm more concerned with getting her running right again. There is a crack on the exhaust thread on the left cylinder which making her run very rough. Both carbs have been set the same, sync'd and everything yet the right plug looks perfect and the left is black.
We've got a pretty good guy over here who can repair the thread for a good price which will be cheaper than sourcing new heads off eBay so I'll save my pennies and get that done. At the same time I'll probably get new valves, seats and springs just to be safe. Once that's done I'm getting some clipons sorted and I can finalise all the handlebar controls and the Acewell wiring tidy-up. I also need to tweak the brakes as I only thew them together, there's currently zero stopping power in them, but that's not an issue with the bike not running at present and we're in the middle of a very wet winter anyway!
After all that's done I'll worry about the cafe style tail and tank!! Youy may well be right Sam, especially as the XS will require new mounting points welding to the frame and I don't have the funds for a complete teardown and powdercoat.
Still plugging away, it's winter here in Australia and working outside sucks in the cold!
So far I've purchased a set of clipon's and got them fitted, also bought a left switchblock which will replace the awkward stock ones and I'm just working on getting some new levers with built in front brake switch and then I should be good to get her in for some head work.
Thanks! Some of the bigger mods coming later when all running issues are sorted. The hubs haven't been coated, I want to let them patina gradually over time, although I will clean them regularly, I'm not a fan of the over-clean aluminium look that seems common now.
This weekend I'll be putting the rest of the hand controls together and trying to adjust the drum brakes.
Ok wired up the main acewell harness and made it all up into a nice loom and routed into the headlight bucket, also moved the independent charge light and the front indicators to the headlight bucket too. I did however notice that the tail light is on despite the ignition being off so I'll need to check that out.
So far it's much tidier, but I still haven't sorted out the LH hand controls, still not sure if I can pull that one off!
Getting there slowly, I'm a complete noob to all thing electrical so it's taking longer than expected.
Ordered a pair of these bolt-on exhaust clamps from MotoWorks. They should fix the issue I'm having with the left cylinder running rich due to a cracked exhaust thread.
Once these arrive and I get them installed I'll send her off to a local vintage bike shop and get them to check over all my work and lengthen/shorten the throttle, brake and clutch cables. I've managed to put everything back together (wheels, brakes etc) but I'd like a pro to check it out and make sure it's safe as this is my first build. Hopefully it should be done in time for the Distinguished Gentleman's Ride which is on Sept 28th in my city (Perth, Australia).
Alright she's off with the pro's to check over my work, shorten the cables and give her a bit of a tuneup and then I'll finally be back on the road! Hopefully only another week or so away. So excited!
I'll post up some glamour shots when she's back on the road, and then again when I've done the subframe and seat mods.
Got the bike back from the workshop who did a great job tidying up my loose ends and checking over everything to make sure it was safe. Managed to get out on a brief shakedown ride (to get fuel!) and was really happy with the new clipons and the riding position in general.
The front brake however is verging on dangerous in it's current state. There is next to no stopping power at all so I'm going to have to investigate that. We have a big ride 100+ bikes at the end of the month so I will need to get that sorted before I can take part.
Not a massive visual difference, but here's what it looks like at the moment. The new bars and controls are fantastic, heaps comfier and the riding style is quite nice although the clipons are not quite symmetrical yet..
Excuse the lack of fenders, and the wonky tail light...I'm in the process of acquiring a new rear fender and I'll put the stock front fender back on for now.
Thanks, I'm in no-man's-land at the moment...the DoTheTon crowd aren't interested because I'm not doing a monoshock and/or USD fork conversion : and the BMW community doesn't like amount of aftermarket parts on her. ???
Thanks all, not finished yet but our season has just started in Australia so I'll probably ride her as-is for this season and then consider more mods. I would like a shorter subframe and a neater seat though so I'll see if I can squeeze that in before summer hits properly!
Nice work! The bike is looking great. I'm partial to BMW's as well. I have a 1975 BMW R60/6 cafe racer, so I'm keen to see your progress. Go man, go!
If you feel adventurous, you can consider lightening your flywheel. This will unlock the performance of that 600cc engine. The stock flywheel is great for cruising the highways, but it's an anchor for cafe type riding. Just a suggestion. Looking forward to more progress, and perhaps lending some insight.
Well I've been too busy riding, and not enough modding!
Put a good few hundred KM's on the bike now and absolutely loving it! I was going to hold off further mods but I couldn't resist getting that seat swapped out and the subframe shortened. Here's the mockup:
red = new tidier subframe
orange = hugger/fender
purple = plate
Who says the DTT's not interested ????????????? There's been loads of real nice Airheads on here, and yours is the latest to come along. Some of us [ ie - me ] are children of the 60's and appreciate a Cafe Racer as it would have been in the day.
R1 Forks and cast wheels and all that bollox are fine for today's crop of special builders - they're nice too, but old dog new tricks etc.
Ha thanks guys, I'm just messing. I'm not too fussed about the lack of followers because I know where I'm going with the build but it's good to know people are following along. Hopefully I'll have some better pics up in a week or two!
Brakes are giving me headaches ever since the hubs were blasted, might drop them down to our local BMW specialist and see what he reckons. I'd like to keep the drums because everyone seems to throw discs on builds nowadays...however at the moment I'm toast if any cars pull out in front of me! Spent 3 hours fiddling with the various adjustments following 4 different tutorial's from the various airhead forums and still no improvement.
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