1974 Kawasaki G4TR 100cc bucket racer project

[GroovyAardvark]

BLOODY PISTON DOESN'T FIT!!!!

Emailed the ebay seller who claims that it would fit, and advertised it as a NOS 1970-1975 Kawasaki G4TR piston 50mm diameter.

It is 50mm across alright but all the internals are wrong!! I cannot attach the damn thing to the rod!

Waiting for his response. He better give me my money back or even better a replacement that actually fits. If he does not go for it, does anyone have any experience with Ebay buyer protection? (it says in his terms of sale that exchanges/refunds must happen within the first 14 days which this certainly is not)

If you look closely you can see the pin bore is a different size. (Ignore the piston ring mix up)

OLD

NEW

OLD

NEW

 

[VonYinzer]

Wow... Thats bullshit man. Good luck dealing with EBay though. They usually arent very helpful.

 

[JustinLonghorn]

Shitty deal, man.

I like your digital calipers, though.

 

[dcmspikes]

you might be able to make the holes bigger to match original

 

[Mitey F]

Can't wait to see this getting done... got a G3SS build myself http://www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=20174.msg209943#msg209943

Although by the looks of it she won't be as nice as yours when you're finished!

 

[Rocan]

you might be able to make the holes bigger to match original

badddd idea boring out connecting rod. also the piston would simply smack into the head! its the wrong piston, and cannot work, period.

 

[GroovyAardvark]

Ebay seller got back to me and will go for the refund on the piston, he is looking to see if he has a correct piston in stock in the meantime, but no news yet. I am relieved he will at least give me my money back.

Mitey you have got to be kidding! Your G3 looks awesome man, its already leaps and bounds ahead of me in terms of progess and style! I have always loved the tank on that year, looks killer in Kawi green. I will definately be checking in on your progress often!

 

[GroovyAardvark]

As she sits now. All moved into the bedroom of my new place. I miss the garage

Currently having tire issues. Tires are 51mm wide, rims are 60mm wide from outside to outside, 43 from inside to inside. Sort of sucks, I love these tires but they seem to be too thin. Thoughts?

New piston on the way, and I am currently tipping my toes into the icy waters of 'learning how to polish'

 

[Big R]

Is that a 1.6 or a 1.85 wheel? And what size are the actual tires? Check this page out :

http://www.hagon-shocks.co.uk/WheelTab.htm

 

[GroovyAardvark]

rim is a 1.6 I believe, tire is 2.25. When I originally looked it up when buying the tires it seemed like it would work. Now seeing them, I have fears. I suppose I won't be able to know for sure until they are inflated. I did a heck of a job scratching my rims getting the old tire off.

If I am reading that chart you sent me correctly this set up should work?

Thanks Rich

 

[GroovyAardvark]

Tires mounted and forks replaced thanks to the awesomness of bobdot.
Picking her up in a few days, and then I drive from Philadelphia to San Francisco on Saturday. Crazy...

 

[JustinLonghorn]

Driving to San Fran? You moving there?

 

[VonYinzer]

Hes on the road as we speak I believe...

 

[GroovyAardvark]

Hey guys,

Yes, the wife got into grad school in san francisco. Thus I have completed the 7 day road trip over. I have arrived first with a trailer full of our stuff (which was quite the ordeal for my crappy 4 cylinder truck!) and am trying to get a job and apartment set up before she arrives via plane with our fat cat.

This area is AWESOME for riding bikes, and the weather alone has been worth the move I think! Although I do miss Philly a lot, losing all of my friends and knowing my way around etc, I can tell this place will be a lot of fun. I have seen a few nice cafes and vintage bikes already. I saw a R65 (dream bike) out the front of a dive bar so of course I went in and had an awesome time with the cool people inside. By the way this bar had a urinal running the entire length of the bar. So yes....you didn't even have to get up to piss. NOW THATS A DIVE.

Here is a photo of the current kawi mock up. (Kawi is in storage right now along with the rest of our stuff)
Many thanks to bobdot for putting all this together for me in prep for my move.

 

[JustinLonghorn]

Well sir, the Kawi looks great.

Enjoy the year long riding weather and the laid back attitudes, sir. The east coast misses ya.

 

[Maritime]

Hey Groovey, congrats on the move and the bike is looking cool. Enjoy the sunny side of things. There are a few member s here from that area. I would post up to meet them.

Cheers,

Maritime

 

[PHeller]

I thought the trough was for spitting into?

 

[VonYinzer]

Looks good my man. San Francisco is an awesome place. Have to admit, Im a little jealous.

 

[GroovyAardvark]

Ladies and gentlemen.

White lightning (Yes, I have decided on a name!) is now FINALLY back in build mode.

After many delays, from moving, money, lack of space/garage and just plain old laziness and inexperience she now has a new temporary home with Josh of Veloce Meccanica fame.

AWESOME DUDE, who is doing all of the fab and electrical work for me. I cannot sing his praises loud enough. Those of you who have had work done by him previously will know what I mean.

This bike has been sitting in an attic or under a cover in a public parking garage for so long it is ridiculous. I decided I needed to get something done, and I sure as hell couldn't work on it myself in my current living situation. I need to get this thing titled and registered in California ASAP. I also need to RIDE something ASAP as the weather is now fantastic and I am losing my mind. Even with its BEASTLY 100cc, it will still be better than nothing and the east bay area is awesome for some zippy little rides.

My loose plan at the moment is to get it together, titled and registered (quite the process for a 2 stroke in California it seems) and ride it. It will probably be Frankenstein-ish for a while, but depending on funds and other things going on in my life I may (hopefully) get it painted along with my coveted dream full fairing.

Here are a couple of recent photos from Josh.

Pretty much how she looked when she arrived at the shop. Tank now discreetly mounted.

Rear end work. Frame cut, shortened and welded to fit angle of seat. Seat cut for mounting. Some clean up, and under seat electronics compartment being built.

 

[Big R]

That's awesome news man! Glad to hear you are back at it.