The Limey
Evil English Villain
As mentioned in my intro post, I've just started work on a 1991 Cafe type project.
I've had a think, and I'm pretty sure that no matter what I do it'll never look like it was made in 1960! However, the Cafe racer ethos appeals, and I've planned a machine that's going to be true to the ideals of simplicity, light weight, minimal bodywork, racy seating position, simple styling. I could so easily have gone the Streetfighter route, but I find the motocross-barred-erect-seat-unit-blingy-paint-in-your-face-look a bit hard on the eye (although I'm cool if you dig it!), so I'm after the simpler, more discrete, stylish look. Imagine that 1960 had taken place in 1991 and the boys have stripped a Fizzer to it's bare essentials for night-time blasts down the Western Avenue, and you'll be in the right place. Plans...
Performance:
Even on a bad day, its a sub 12-second, 140+ mile an hour machine. That's absolutely ample for someone who's knocking on a bit (like me!) in a country where the fastest you can legally go is 70. However, the engine will be checked over and rebuilt as required to ensure that it is running A1, and may be geared down a tooth.
Handling+brakes:
I'm a big chap, 6'4" and 265lbs. I do fit on a Fizzer quite comfortably, but my mighty muscled torso (or flabby spare tyre, as my Wife so unkindly describes it) is a lot for such a middleweight. Fortunately the previous owner as also a hunk like me and it's had a Haybusa rear shock conversion, so the featherlight Fizzer is an easy job for such a shock to manage. Forks are in good order, so I'll refurish and look at some heavier springs.
Brakes are 4 pot calipers on the front, and seem clean and free, so I may just rebuild and repaint. I'll keep an eye on eBlag for a set of 'blue spot' jobs, but I'm happy to re-use what I have.
Looks:
A lot of this will be determined by my wallet, as I retire from full-time work this year. Some will be by the limitations of such a machine itself. Nevertheless, the plan is retain the standard clip ons, bin the fairing, standard tank cover, R6 seat unit heavily modified and slimmed down to a) make it fit, and b) keep it looking subtle. Frame, wheels, engine, as much detailing as possible in gloss black,no fairing, 7" round headlamp, single speedo and wally lamps in the tank, topped off with I think the Martini Racing livery, white with the slim red and blue stripes - contemporary to it's era, but simple and uncluttered.
So the last few days I've...
Polished the supplied silencer. It was an easy win, and a good place to start...
Front mudgard/fender bobbed about an inch off either end, and prepped for paint. Can't bob such things too much over here of when one goes for the MOT (annual government roadworthiness inspection) the tester gets angry and is liable to foam at the mouth and not offer you a cup of tea while you wait...
Next I broke out a can of gloss Hammerite smooth, roughly equivalent to your Rustoleum, and attacked the starter, fuel tank stay, and exhaust collector hanger...
Then did the same to some engine mount spacers, clip ons and clutch lever...
Next off it was out with the metal polish to attack the heel plates and front fork brace. Stupidly I didn't photograph them before slipping them in a freezer bag and giving them a squirt of ZX54 ready for storage...
Today I've been stripping carbs. I was expecting some dreadful mess, but was pleased to find the slides aren't scored, the floats are intact, diaphragms are sound, needles and emulsion tubes aren't visibly worn. Very happy. A good clean inside and out, reassemble, and they'll be wrpped up and added to the box labelled "Thank F*** these Bits Are Finished!"
More pics as things slowly progress.
I've had a think, and I'm pretty sure that no matter what I do it'll never look like it was made in 1960! However, the Cafe racer ethos appeals, and I've planned a machine that's going to be true to the ideals of simplicity, light weight, minimal bodywork, racy seating position, simple styling. I could so easily have gone the Streetfighter route, but I find the motocross-barred-erect-seat-unit-blingy-paint-in-your-face-look a bit hard on the eye (although I'm cool if you dig it!), so I'm after the simpler, more discrete, stylish look. Imagine that 1960 had taken place in 1991 and the boys have stripped a Fizzer to it's bare essentials for night-time blasts down the Western Avenue, and you'll be in the right place. Plans...
Performance:
Even on a bad day, its a sub 12-second, 140+ mile an hour machine. That's absolutely ample for someone who's knocking on a bit (like me!) in a country where the fastest you can legally go is 70. However, the engine will be checked over and rebuilt as required to ensure that it is running A1, and may be geared down a tooth.
Handling+brakes:
I'm a big chap, 6'4" and 265lbs. I do fit on a Fizzer quite comfortably, but my mighty muscled torso (or flabby spare tyre, as my Wife so unkindly describes it) is a lot for such a middleweight. Fortunately the previous owner as also a hunk like me and it's had a Haybusa rear shock conversion, so the featherlight Fizzer is an easy job for such a shock to manage. Forks are in good order, so I'll refurish and look at some heavier springs.
Brakes are 4 pot calipers on the front, and seem clean and free, so I may just rebuild and repaint. I'll keep an eye on eBlag for a set of 'blue spot' jobs, but I'm happy to re-use what I have.
Looks:
A lot of this will be determined by my wallet, as I retire from full-time work this year. Some will be by the limitations of such a machine itself. Nevertheless, the plan is retain the standard clip ons, bin the fairing, standard tank cover, R6 seat unit heavily modified and slimmed down to a) make it fit, and b) keep it looking subtle. Frame, wheels, engine, as much detailing as possible in gloss black,no fairing, 7" round headlamp, single speedo and wally lamps in the tank, topped off with I think the Martini Racing livery, white with the slim red and blue stripes - contemporary to it's era, but simple and uncluttered.
So the last few days I've...
Polished the supplied silencer. It was an easy win, and a good place to start...
Front mudgard/fender bobbed about an inch off either end, and prepped for paint. Can't bob such things too much over here of when one goes for the MOT (annual government roadworthiness inspection) the tester gets angry and is liable to foam at the mouth and not offer you a cup of tea while you wait...
Next I broke out a can of gloss Hammerite smooth, roughly equivalent to your Rustoleum, and attacked the starter, fuel tank stay, and exhaust collector hanger...
Then did the same to some engine mount spacers, clip ons and clutch lever...
Next off it was out with the metal polish to attack the heel plates and front fork brace. Stupidly I didn't photograph them before slipping them in a freezer bag and giving them a squirt of ZX54 ready for storage...
Today I've been stripping carbs. I was expecting some dreadful mess, but was pleased to find the slides aren't scored, the floats are intact, diaphragms are sound, needles and emulsion tubes aren't visibly worn. Very happy. A good clean inside and out, reassemble, and they'll be wrpped up and added to the box labelled "Thank F*** these Bits Are Finished!"
More pics as things slowly progress.