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So here's the background story. I bought a '78 Puch maxi earlier this year and spent the fall rebuilding and modding it. I did a cafe style with it and loved the looks. It was the perfect 'campus cruiser'. But alas, a phone call from the DMV detective ended with my Moped being hauled off by the 5.0. Turns out the guy who I bought it off of had stolen it, lucky for me the he gave me my money back when the DMV started snooping around his place. This left me with the desire for another little motorcycle project. A few weeks later I found my soon-to-be 1972 Kawi G3ssb 90cc on craigslist for $200 and grabbed it.
Lately I've just been taking parts off and cleaning them, or leaving them off to lighten her up. The less weight her little rotarty valve 2stroke will have to pull, the better. The past few days I've been working on a cafe style seat for it. So far I just have the foam and seat base, spackle and fiberglass to come the next day or so. Also just ordered some IRC NR53's to give it more of a street look/performance. Immediate plans are to finish the seat, get some clubman type low handle bars, and take the rest as it comes.
Yup that is a stache on the Puch! I just put one on the Kawi as well
Mitey F, your builds are great. I was actually the guy who e-mailed you a month or so back in search of the wiring diagram. Thanks for noticing my build. This is my first one (if you don't count the Puch) and its a blast so far.
As far as an update, I just spent a few hours working on the handle bars. All the wires were routed internally in them, so it took a bit of undressing and rerouting to get them free and in good positions. I used the same bars from the Maxi actually. Here's a shot of how she sits, new handle bars and some spackle make a nice improvement!
Yeah I'm pumped to keep working on it, it's been really fun so far. I just added some more curves on my seat. I flared out the flat sides with some foam to mimic the tank. I'll put some pics up tomorrow.
So on another note, when I bought the bike it wasn't running. After buying a battery and redoing some wiring, it started right up. Lately when I take it down the street for a little cruise, it eventually just bogs down and dies. After a minute or so it starts right back up. I've heard this could be caused by the condenser heating up and shorting itself out. Does this sound correct, or is something else wrong?
That's almost exactly what mine did. I replaced the coil, points and cursed a LOT, and it turned out it was the condenser. I'd toss in a new one, they're cheap and a quick solder job. Looking good!
Just got a first layer of fiber glass on the seat. I'll post some pics later. Its coming out great, I'm glad I did a last minute flare out on the sides of the seat (as pictured below)
So I took a little break from my seat while the fiberglass dries and I installed my new tires. They're 3.00x18 IRC NR53 if anyone was wondering. What a simple job (after getting the right tools of course). I borrowed some metal tire levers from a friend of mine. The only annoying part of the swap was undoing all the brake cables, splines are a PITA. Anyway, I'm really happy with how they turned out, now if only I could go riding!
Here's a shot of the old dried up knobby next to the new rear:
Meaty front:
Some bright NGK stickers for a Japanese Racer type look. A donation from the good guys over at 'The Daily Rider' in Burlington VT, a local motorcycle restoration/modification shop.
Has anyone seen these weights used before? I had to take some off to balance the wheel, but the lead is so malleable it was a simple job.
Hey so its been a little while since I've posted but I thought I would share an update. I've got the seat mostly done now and have added a few other little touches. Here is the process of finishing the seat:
Smoothing out the seat:
Needed some leather for my seat pad... found a couch on the side of the road...
Starting to make a template and think about a seat pad.
Test fitting a prototype..
A little color..
Bam!
My artsy shadow shot!
Nice Butt!
Thats all for now, its juuust starting to be beautiful out here so I need to finish and get her on the road! Need to make a taillight for it and fix my headlight. I turned it on and I think it just immediately blew out, I dont know if I have a too powerful battery or just shocked the 1970's bulb...
Thanks man! Yeah I love these tires, they were cheap and they look great IMO. I just painted the numbers on the tires for an old school racer look. Check it out down below. Nice bike! These are fun old girls huh?
I did use the parts that make the hinge underneath the seat. They bolt to the bottom of the stock seat pan. I just bolted them to a piece of plywood and built it up off of that.
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