MotoFiaccone RD400 Chopper/Cafe build--for real this time.
- Thread starter chrisf
- Start date
Discount? A decided no. Don't get me started on those guys. The frustrating thing is that they have always treated me well and priced things well in the past. With the exception of powdering over places they shouldn't, they do good work.
Thanks for the compliment.
Mysta: I bought much one the single pieces at the Ace in Coppell, near the office. The rest of the stuff I get at metric and multi-standards near Texas stadium. They have awesome prices, but anything under $25 must be paid in cash--something I usually don't carry.
Swing by tonight or sun to check stuff out and drop off the frame for welding.
--Chris
Thanks for the compliment.
Mysta: I bought much one the single pieces at the Ace in Coppell, near the office. The rest of the stuff I get at metric and multi-standards near Texas stadium. They have awesome prices, but anything under $25 must be paid in cash--something I usually don't carry.
Swing by tonight or sun to check stuff out and drop off the frame for welding.
--Chris
I worked like crazy on Saturday, but of course have little to show for it. I’m at a bit of a stopping point right now because the moron powdercoaters decided to tap out my swing arm bushings—which is fine—then lose them (which isn’t). I eventually planned on upgrading the swing arm bushing to bronze; I just didn’t plan on doing yet. Order part three placed with HVC Cycle.
The first thing I did was reassemble the front wheel (not shown). I was stupid and installed the 16 little bolts backwards. So it looks like there is a likelihood I will get to do it again.
These are pics of the back wheel though, assembled properly this time. It doesn’t look so bad at all. You can also see the chain-side of the wheel. I had the sprocket powdered black. We’ll see how long the powder stays.
Then there is the close-up of the driver’s controls. These are the ones I chopped up. Seems like an easy install, no? Well, installing these means pulling the engine. This took quite a bit of time, but in the end, look really good.
Then there is the front wheel installed. I used the gators off my CL350. I thing they look awesome. I do need to chop an inch or so out them so they stretch a bit.
These rest is self-explanatory. The brake-side passenger pegs took my daughter and I an hour to reassemble…and made me late to my Valentine’s dinner reservations.
There is still an issue with the front wheel, so I'm going to try to sort that today, get the gators cut and installed, reinstall the handlebars and controls...whew. We'll see.
--Thanks for reading, Chris
The first thing I did was reassemble the front wheel (not shown). I was stupid and installed the 16 little bolts backwards. So it looks like there is a likelihood I will get to do it again.
These are pics of the back wheel though, assembled properly this time. It doesn’t look so bad at all. You can also see the chain-side of the wheel. I had the sprocket powdered black. We’ll see how long the powder stays.
Then there is the close-up of the driver’s controls. These are the ones I chopped up. Seems like an easy install, no? Well, installing these means pulling the engine. This took quite a bit of time, but in the end, look really good.
Then there is the front wheel installed. I used the gators off my CL350. I thing they look awesome. I do need to chop an inch or so out them so they stretch a bit.
These rest is self-explanatory. The brake-side passenger pegs took my daughter and I an hour to reassemble…and made me late to my Valentine’s dinner reservations.
There is still an issue with the front wheel, so I'm going to try to sort that today, get the gators cut and installed, reinstall the handlebars and controls...whew. We'll see.
--Thanks for reading, Chris
So after a long weekend's work, this is what I've got. I bolted up the headlight and it looks pretty good. Tonight, I'll drill the holes for the side blinkers.
I also have a lot of the hand controls in position. I think they came out pretty well themselves. There was a small spring in the bag of hand control bits that I cannot figure out where it goes.
Finally, there this the bike as she sits. The box of parts is quickly dwindling. Yet, still there is much to do.
Thanks for reading.
--Chris
I also have a lot of the hand controls in position. I think they came out pretty well themselves. There was a small spring in the bag of hand control bits that I cannot figure out where it goes.
Finally, there this the bike as she sits. The box of parts is quickly dwindling. Yet, still there is much to do.
Thanks for reading.
--Chris
One quick question for you yammy builders--specifically you XS builders. Pouring over my wiring diagram, it looks like my coils need to ground to the frame, presumably through the mounting bolts. My setup looks EXACTLY like the setup run on the XS bikes. Soo..
Do the coils need to be grounded to the frame? If so, I need to sand some of the powder.
I asked my two stroke buddies, but got mixed reviews.
--Thanks, Chris
Do the coils need to be grounded to the frame? If so, I need to sand some of the powder.
I asked my two stroke buddies, but got mixed reviews.
--Thanks, Chris
mine ground out on the support brackets. if you clean up the inside of the hole that mounts the brakcet and then hook up the ground to that bolt you should be ok... sometimes you still have to go though the powder a bit... it is a pain in the ass, if you use a dremil to sand it down be sure your at a low speed and it will go though it fairly easy.
Last night, my wife had to work late, so I dropped the kids off at their dance class—meaning I got some garage time to myself. The first think I did was bolt the battery box in. God I hope this works.
Next came the electronics tray, which I feel came out pretty nice.
Finally, I bolted on the little side blinkers I got off eBay. I bought these before I sent the bits out to powder, but they arrived late. I was surprised to see they only had a ½” of bolt, and because of the shape of the headlight bracket, it made mounting them difficult—that is, until I came up with my cunning plan. First I drilled a 1/8” hole, and eventually stepped up to a 10mm hole on the outside. On the inside, I needed to be able to access the bolt (RD400 owners know what I’m talking about). So I drilled a ¾” hole with my hole saw, then threaded in a loooong 10mm bolt. I had just enough space to put a wrench on it.
At any rate, I’m pretty happy with the results. Tonight, I’ll bolt up the carbs and start positioning the wiring harness. Aesthetically, it looks a little dusty, so perhaps I’ll rewrap it in electrical tape.
--Thanks for reading, Chris
Next came the electronics tray, which I feel came out pretty nice.
Finally, I bolted on the little side blinkers I got off eBay. I bought these before I sent the bits out to powder, but they arrived late. I was surprised to see they only had a ½” of bolt, and because of the shape of the headlight bracket, it made mounting them difficult—that is, until I came up with my cunning plan. First I drilled a 1/8” hole, and eventually stepped up to a 10mm hole on the outside. On the inside, I needed to be able to access the bolt (RD400 owners know what I’m talking about). So I drilled a ¾” hole with my hole saw, then threaded in a loooong 10mm bolt. I had just enough space to put a wrench on it.
At any rate, I’m pretty happy with the results. Tonight, I’ll bolt up the carbs and start positioning the wiring harness. Aesthetically, it looks a little dusty, so perhaps I’ll rewrap it in electrical tape.
--Thanks for reading, Chris
monteboy84
Rowdy Rookie
Looking great, I love the clean look you have going with the satin black and stainless bolts. Very nice work.
-matt
-matt
Milenko stopped by yesterday to drop off perminant dark welding mask. I have the fancy kind that goes dark when the arc strikes. My 13 year old wants to learn how to weld, so I figure she can wear Milenko's mask and watch for a bit. Then she can practice while I reassemble. I don't want sparks flying everywhere, so I figure I'll start her on the TIG. If she can get that, the other processes are easy.
Anyway, I finally got my swing arm bushings. I assumed these were off-the-shelf bronze bushings that have been turned to spec. Looking at them, I think they are actually bespoke items; a nice piece of kit. Though not shown, I took a BFH and pounded them in. Kidding. I actually got all the powder out. tapped them into place with a rubber hammer, then used the swing arm bolt to cinch them in. I still have the last 1/2" on each side to go. These things are TIGHT.
That's it folks until Monday. My PC at home shit on me, so I do all my updates at work. Monday should see the bike back on her wheels and wiring in place. I might even make the gauge cluser mount, but doubt it.
--Thanks for reading, Chris
Anyway, I finally got my swing arm bushings. I assumed these were off-the-shelf bronze bushings that have been turned to spec. Looking at them, I think they are actually bespoke items; a nice piece of kit. Though not shown, I took a BFH and pounded them in. Kidding. I actually got all the powder out. tapped them into place with a rubber hammer, then used the swing arm bolt to cinch them in. I still have the last 1/2" on each side to go. These things are TIGHT.
That's it folks until Monday. My PC at home shit on me, so I do all my updates at work. Monday should see the bike back on her wheels and wiring in place. I might even make the gauge cluser mount, but doubt it.
--Thanks for reading, Chris
