Beachcomber's TR1 - now "Cafe-Creme" Boardtracker 'ish

Yeah, Holland got hit even harder in 1953 (much harder), enough reason to take water very, very seriously, so we are pretty much up to speed as far as high water is concerned, though you can't exclude everything.

The Wehrmacht did the same in Holland: They inundated large parts of the southwest so they could protect the Schelde, denying the allies the use of the harbor of Antwerp.

With some research it is not that hard to predict how far floods will reach and how they can be prevented/mitigated, so maybe you could convince some government agency to hire me, that would be a nice challenge ;)


This is a current list of Virago's on the most popular online market:

http://www.marktplaats.nl/z/motoren/motoren-yamaha/virago.html?query=virago&categoryId=710


Not that many cheap ones for sale at the moment, but with some waiting and some patience you should be able to pick one up between 500 and 1000 euros.
 
miob said:
Yeah, Holland got hit even harder in 1953 (much harder), enough reason to take water very, very seriously, so we are pretty much up to speed as far as high water is concerned, though you can't exclude everything.

The Wehrmacht did the same in Holland: They inundated large parts of the southwest so they could protect the Schelde, denying the allies the use of the harbor of Antwerp.

With some research it is not that hard to predict how far floods will reach and how they can be prevented/mitigated, so maybe you could convince some government agency to hire me, that would be a nice challenge ;)


This is a current list of Virago's on the most popular online market:

http://www.marktplaats.nl/z/motoren/motoren-yamaha/virago.html?query=virago&categoryId=710


Not that many cheap ones for sale at the moment, but with some waiting and some patience you should be able to pick one up between 500 and 1000 euros.
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As usual many thanx for the headsup ......................
 
Refuckinsult,

Finally found a guy that does axactly what he says he's going to do !!!

He's agreed to make my frame and any other parts I need.

He's a coded TIG / MIG welder and a keen biker - in fact he doesn't even own a car [ from choice ].

I'll be busy making patterns for the engine plates that will be mating up to the rigid [ Voodoo / Willow style ] frame.

Undecided on the headstock. There's a new law in the UK that if a bike / car is registered 1959 or earlier there's no annual road tax to pay and no requirement for an annual safety check [ MOT ]. Just insurance, which would be "Classic" anyway due to the age. Sooooo - maybe an old derelict Bantam, C15 or similar for the headstock and V5 [ title ] and build the frame from that.

I've found a guy with all the relevant drawings for the Vincent Girdraulics, maybe look at having a set made by lazer cutting the "blades" from steel and covering them in sheet alloy - don't know. Plenty of options on forks / wheels.

At least that is the last major hurdle for the build sorted. He's checked the la Francaise Diamant tank and says he can tig that [ or braze if I want ] with no problem.

I also bought a neat detailing spray gun courtesy of E-bay for £10 [!! ] brand new and with accessories. That'll do nicely for all the wrinkle finish items.
 
another small step forward.

I was discussing my plans for Cafe Creme with an old pal yesterday and he reminded me that he was once the UK importer and distributor for Russell Hosing.

He spent a lot of time with Drag Racing and Endurance teams advising and plumbing up special requirements and prototypes.

He still has all of his hose making equipment as well as a lot of fittings and hoses....... AND he's agreed to do all of the plumbing requirements for Cafe Creme free of charge. I only have to pay for any hardware that he doesn't have in his stash.

All round 2013 looks like being a good year !
 
Why am I ressurecting this Back burnered / abandonded / culled project ??

Well here I am - contemplating life and all it's mysteries and trying to make sense of the projects I MUST get finished before it's too late - when my old pal at RAM calls ....................."You remember that "Cafe Creme" Boardtracker / Willow style bike you abandoned, well I still have my TR1 sitting here" .................

"How about helping me out - oh and by the way - remember that "commercial" 535 Virago version you worked on - we could do that as well".........

The difference is here that HE has all the facilities, space, specialised labour, oh yes - and money to carry it through. Don't worry - the Vindicator will NOT become a Boardtracker - still on course to be finished this year as a 60's Cafe Racer ... however, a 535 Virago Boardtracker does make exceptionally good sense - apart from any additional expense !

And of course I still have all those brass and copper parts and the la Diamant Francaise tank !!! ;)
 
Well this project IS a goer.

Plans all laid and rough mission statement made.

A bare frame has been bought so we can iron out any potential problems before we start in on the actual donor.
 
applause.gif
 
yes - I was in a dark place over Christmas and the last 2 months after the passing of my MIL.

Not only was she a good friend, but only a handful of years older than me ............... concentrates your mind somewhat !
However, over all that bollox now and girding the loins ready to attack 2014!

Already made a good start with the Kay Fighter - after literally YEARS of being let down by SO CALLED FRIENDS who were going to weld brackets, make wheel spacers, etc. - I finally found a bloke who has the neccessary skills, but also does what he says !

He collected the Kay on Thursday from my pal's workshop and HAS ALREADY made and welded brackets for the seat, side panels and number plate, AND has the old forks off ready to swap in the K1100 / K1200S combo. Just waiting for ME now to get the tyres on the rims and up to his workshop.

He's also fettled the GRP seat and side panels - of his own initiative !

The 535 project has excited the juices as I know my pal has the money [ and skilled workforce ] to throw at getting all the parts - bidding on a suitable donor bike now.

You guys keep me going - thanx !!! 8) 8)
 
Donor bike has been bought - collection later this week.

Uggerly fucker £800 .[ $1200 ? ] and in the UK that's considered cheap !! £1000 + is normally the going rate.

 
Well it would have been if the bastard hadn't soldit for more money AFTER we won it !

Ill wind and all that, got a much better donor with all the OEM stuff, 8K miles and that arroived today with the spare frame. Already making plans.



 
Rich Ard said:
Are you working out of the RAM shop?
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Well spotted Rich ........... it is my "loadsamoney" pal AC who is bankrolling this project - my input is basically the style / ideas man.

The "loadsamoney" jibe is in jest - he's deservedly earned his money by hard graft and superb products. Which - BTW are being chronicled in the "Shelby Story" I'm currently working on for "Beachcomber's Tales from the Day".

Behind the bare frame are 2 of SIX C Type Jag reps he's currently building - plus TWO XKSS and two of his old D Types being converted to alloy bodies. Not bad for a bloke who was going to retire 2 years ago.

I've even talked him into finishing the TR1 Cafe Racer that I started building for him 3 years ago !
 
Work starts in earnest in a couple of weeks - the "day job" of building C Types has slightly interfered with the "important" work !

Initial plan is to remove all the frame components behind the rear downtubes together with the swingarm. Then the frame will be rotated anti clockwise [ counter ] by about 12 degrees to reduce the rake to something sensible.

The airbox section of the frame will be used to house the battery, electrics etc., and a two piece saddle tank used for the fuel.

The rear framework will be flowing lines - similar to the Willow / Voodoo bikes, whilst a cosmetic front downtube and under engine frame will be added to give "the look".

The OEM carbs seem to give problems - so that will be one of the first items to check out - a two into one manifold to take either an Amal or SU carb.
 
wynand2000 said:
Any progress here?
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Wynand - sharp turn right here !!!!

backburnered due to the ongoing heavy order base for the C Type reps - oh yes, and AC had to let the bike mechanic go. Being a manic depressive and working around machinery is not a good mix.

However . the good news [ ? ] is that the sideways swerve has meant that we can concentrate our efforts on the XV1100 Cafe Racer [ "Spirit of Brooklands ] which AC will market [ 12 per year ] as a limited edition series.

I still have all my own parts - we'll see how the current projects work out before I can commit myself again.
 
This must be hard...especially letting sick people out thje door like this...it`s an awful disease..

Hope you once will go on with your own builds, thought I read somewhere here you were retired a while back? Why don`t you take your own time after so long working for others?
 
wynand2000 said:
This must be hard...especially letting sick people out thje door like this...it`s an awful disease..

Hope you once will go on with your own builds, thought I read somewhere here you were retired a while back? Why don`t you take your own time after so long working for others?
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Yep - officially retired in 2000 ........... I help my long time pal Adrian [ Realm ] of 40 odd years as I was in the same industry [ Replica Sports Cars].

A couple of bad financial disasters wiped out my "retirement" fund and now my various projects are slowly progressing as funds allow [ E-Bay sales ! ]

I continue to help my pal out, mainly to keep my brain active - beats the golf course or fishing !

My main 3 projects - TR1 Vindicator Cafe Racer, KZ750 Flat Tracker and my BMW Kay Streetfighter - are still progressing, albeit slowly. But they WILL get finished.
 
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