Aussie Build Thread

[bikeboy]

...and this will be mine:
I've put it in the "fighter" section for the sake of labelling it :-\

Also in Vic.

 

[Staffy]

...and this will be mine:
I've put it in the "fighter" section for the sake of labelling it :-\

Also in Vic.

I had the same problem. My CX is in the Bobber section simply because i won't be fitting rearsets, it won't look cafe at all, it won't be naked....

 

[Bondy]

I havn't started my thread yet but I am currently building in WA:

81 XS400 Cafe

69 T125 stinger Cafe

73 RD/TA 125 Road racer.

if there is any interest in seeing them I will look at starting a thread for the two cafe's if not it will just be the end of the build.

Cheers

Bondy

 

[spider-man]

This is a great idea - Spidey is in NSW

 

[rat_ cxn]

and i be in south australia

 

[Chainblock Dave]

Ok guys, as threatened the Banville Villam. Villiers 9E motor, in need of derious rebuild, bantam frame, early BSA forks (incomplete), currently A7 tank (but might build a squarish tank based on the early BSA's etc)... it just gets bizarrer and bizarrer!

Oh yes, the seat and frame are home shed fabricated.

 

[rat_ cxn]

love it

 

[Rocker]

Building my second Yamaha XS250 Cafe` Racer... and a SR185 custom for the Deus buildoff.... do those count? LOL ;D

 

[vjmwau]

I'm in QLD, theis is my projects page, some are cafe, some are not.
http://auction.netbikes.com.au/vjmw.php?page=myprojects

 

[bikeboy]

I'm in QLD, theis is my projects page, some are cafe, some are not.

Good to see you here over here Chris. Nice work sneaking that beesa in there. Does the vjmc know about that one ;D

You get lots of inspiration from these guys.

cheers
ian

 

[Rocker]

Hey Chris... *waves* How's the wrecking over in Mt Gravatt going? Hope you're doing alright these days...

In the meantime... I'm not sure if anyone remembers... about 6-7 years ago, used to be able to buy 20ltr barrels of Methylbenzine from Autobarn.... seems to be a "restricted substance" these days... does anyone know where I can get my hands on some of this wonderful octane booster? LOL... *wink wink* *nudge nudge* *under-the-table-bizness* LOL... seriously.. I want some... or Avgas... Mmmmm... Avgas..... that wouldbe fantastic! (yes.. I know it's illegal to purchase without permit...) but, Methyl...? Come'on! They used to sell it in Autobarn for christs sake! Are we heading backwards....? Any takers? PM if you wish to remain anon LOL

 

[Rocker]

Building my second Yamaha XS250 Cafe` Racer... and a SR185 custom for the Deus buildoff.... do those count? LOL ;D

Lo-and -behold.... new photos from the current XS250/400 build... enjoy!

what a 250 piston looks like in a 400 barrel

400 vs 250 comparison

crusty old 400 top end with only 9000 miles on it... apparently.. farm miles? LOL

after a good backyard sandblasting

baking the fresh VHT paint

old crusty forks

many hours later... some wire wheel, wet-n-dry, and mucho polish and cutting back

some lovely fork boots and some paint.. final polish... like new

old wheel and brake disc

hand-painted and polished wheels... couple hours on the drill press later... drilled disc ;D

Sprocket comparison... old 15t vs new 18t

old 44t vs new 36t... yeah.. I know.. it'll be geared really high.. but i'll be able to keep up with the bigger bikes on the highway.. and go slowly up hills hahaha :

new stacks

self explanitory

new BSA racing style single seat. Fibreglass of course.... took the easy way out and bought one :

that's just for starters.. more to follow.... eventually LOL

 

[bikeboy]

got some good things goin' on there. Love that seat.


ian

 

[Rocker]

got some good things goin' on there. Love that seat.


ian

Cheers mate, yeah, it is the nicest seat for the XS400 cafe.. and the XS has this weird hourglass shaped rear end rails.... so there's not much that will fit it anyway LOL. Just lucky I guess. Ran the same seat on my last XS250 build.. just fits it lovely.. real balanced look. and the hump has the right arc to make it look a little faster than it is
Cheers for the kind words Ian

 

[liam]

hiya Oily Rag, dead keen on heaps more info about the 250-400 engine upgrade, i've got an xs250 that i'm working on, and i'd love to know what i shouldn't spend money on in case i decide to change the head over in the future ie: what parts need to be swapped over. are the exhausts the same?
anyway, would be a good idea for you to start your own build thread in the main/non australian section, you'll get tons more people checking it out.

 

[Rocker]

hiya Oily Rag, dead keen on heaps more info about the 250-400 engine upgrade, i've got an xs250 that i'm working on, and i'd love to know what i shouldn't spend money on in case i decide to change the head over in the future ie: what parts need to be swapped over. are the exhausts the same?
anyway, would be a good idea for you to start your own build thread in the main/non australian section, you'll get tons more people checking it out.

Hiya Liam... LOL.. Yeah, I know about your XS250 project.. you been emailing me all week about the carbs LOL All good.. just being funny. Yeah, I think I should migrate a personal build thread over in the main.. good idea mate! Cheers!

I'll email you and we can discuss your upgrade options. I'm putting on a 400 top end... from what i can tell from the microfische.. the OEM numbers are the same for the cam, valves, valve springs, lifters (otherwise known as "rockers")... the pistons have the same stroke length, the only thing that you change is the barrels, head, and pistons. Of course, the other problem you get then is trying to fit the 400cc CV34 internal jet sizes into the smaller CV32's, but as I said... it's all a matter of what you want to achieve. I wanted a XS250 that was different, as my last XS build wasn't quite hitting the mark I'd like. I have to lift my game. The good news is, out of all the motors I ever had to work on (which is limited mind you), the XS250/400 is the most basic motor, in fact, it's a great starting point for you, and the top end swap is a cinch.... just remember you will have to get all the roadworthy/compliance BS done.

Other option, if you'rejust on 250 license, flow and polish the head, higher flow mufflers, and the carbs jetted and cleaned, some pods, and the electric ignition. Then go down just few teeth on the rear.... other wise you will be sitting on the freeway in 6th gear doing 105 km/hr, reving it's nuts off and not going anywhere past there. LOL ;D

The only main difference between the 250/360/400 XS's... was the barrels were sleeved for different sized pistons, and the squish area increased with bigger valve tulips. Apart from that, essentially the same bike. give or take 20 HP :

 

[liam]

have i messaged you about this before? i can't even remember. i may have i guess.. anyway, if the only difference is internal bore then i'm not that worried atm, just want to get this one on the road, finish the cb350 and then i can sort out the power or lack of in the 250. i was thinking of getting some custom pipes welded up though, and wasn't sure whether to use the stock header bends or get less restricted ones made up. or even if it was worth spending money on a 250 with so little power.

 

[Rocker]

have i messaged you about this before? i can't even remember. i may have i guess.. anyway, if the only difference is internal bore then i'm not that worried atm, just want to get this one on the road, finish the cb350 and then i can sort out the power or lack of in the 250. i was thinking of getting some custom pipes welded up though, and wasn't sure whether to use the stock header bends or get less restricted ones made up. or even if it was worth spending money on a 250 with so little power.

LOL.. if your last name starts with "Mc" then yes... we have been emailing for over a week in regards to your mechanic and the carb situation... Unless there is another Liam with a XS250 also who is also asking the same questions as you... then, that would be one hell of a coincidence! LOL ;D Life is often stranger than fiction.

Oh, you can get plenty of power from a 250... you can almost double the stock horsepower just by doin the carbs, pipes and and ignition. Just remember, more petrol, more, air, more exhaust.. cover those three and you can make most small engines better instantly. There are double walls in the exhaust headers of the XS... so, you might be best to cut them off just after the first bend near the flange, and re-work your pipes from there, that will help a little, but the muffler will need to have some proper baffles in them, to create enough back pressure to run right (as well as being legal LOL). You could do all that for under $300 depending on who you get to do your pipes for you. That will be the tricky bit. Also, as I suggested, also do the rear sprocket, as there are too many teeth on it, you will have trouble sitting on over 100 no matter what you do to it... been there, done that, now, the first thing I do when working on an XS250/400 is order a smaller rear sprocket That will gear it up... so your mods will be usuable at least. Otherwise, if you just want a back-street racer for kicking around the 'burbs just go up a couple teeth on the rear, and the mods you make will be even more noticable, because you will accelerate quicker, but you sacrifice top speed. Those are the things you need to consider.

But, sure, you can get good power from your bike for a little bit of cash, no problemo. I went from a beast of a 900 Fireblade to riding around on an XS250... and i had a blast still Pity you don't live in Bris, I'd rebuild the carbs for you and make you some pipes since I just got my TIG...

 

[liam]

LOL.. if your last name starts with "Mc" then yes... we have been emailing for over a week in regards to your mechanic and the carb situation... Unless there is another Liam with a XS250 also who is also asking the same questions as you... then, that would be one hell of a coincidence! LOL ;D Life is often stranger than fiction.

yep, i'm another Liam with an xs250. have been meaning to message you hence why i wasn't sure whether i may have done so weeks ago and forgotten about it.

 

[Rocker]

yep, i'm another Liam with an xs250. have been meaning to message you hence why i wasn't sure whether i may have done so weeks ago and forgotten about it.

Holy crap ay?! That's mental LOL.. stranger than fiction.. like i said. LOL. Sure, message away bro Or just email me.. save me having to log in to reply. Cheers.