VINDICATOR - 60's style Cafe Racer TR1

The Tracker is moving along nicely now - I should have all the parts back in the next couple of weeks or so to have a rolling chassis. Then that can move up to my garage and the Vindicator parts moved in to the Man Cave. Just need to find the engine plates !!! ::)

Gate "door" all finished now [ except for draught proofing ] and it's all working out pretty well. I need some more direct light - so up the car boot sale tomorrow to see if I can find an old style Anglepoise lamp. ;)
 
Another three weeks or so and the KZ can move back to the garage and the Vindicator frame and parts can move into the man cave ready for detailing.

I managed to box up all the scattered parts for the build, then realised I hadn't completed my self debate about which carbs to use ! I've totally given up on Amal now -THREE YEARS SINCE I PLACED MY ORDER. ::)

I think it will be Mikunis, unless some ex. Duke Dellortos come up at the right money - unlikely.

That should fit in nicely with AC and myself getting back to starting work on the Virago Cafe Racer project - a lot of the parts we're developing [ ex. Vincent style Siamese exhaust ] will also fit the Vindicator.

In retrospect, I SHOULD have concentrated on one project at a time !! You'd think I'd have learnt by now .................... ;)
 
Lookin very good man!

Been searching trackers for a new XL350 (hot shoe) street tracker and landed here. I dig the tail light immensely... just cant remember for the life of me what is from? FZ? anydangwayinhell you might share?

By the way those stories cost me a whole nights sleep... hadn't laughed like that in a long time, very emotional read at times. I have a few of my own, maybe I'll get the nerve. :eek:
 
Tune-A-Fish said:
Lookin very good man!

Been searching trackers for a new XL350 (hot shoe) street tracker and landed here. I dig the tail light immensely... just cant remember for the life of me what is from? FZ? anydangwayinhell you might share?

By the way those stories cost me a whole nights sleep... hadn't laughed like that in a long time, very emotional read at times. I have a few of my own, maybe I'll get the nerve. :eek:
Click to expand...

TAF ..... get the nerve mate, IF these tales aren't told, they're lost forever !

The Tail Lamp is a replica - "Shotgun" and readily available on E-Bay etc. I think I paid about £20 for mine 4 years ago. And very good quality too.

I have to admit that the whole japanese scene flew swiftly by me and I barely know a Fireblade from a whatever. They all look the fargin same to me anyway ! I can only tell what make they are by the colour - If it's Green, it's a Kawasaki, etc ............

I think you are correct on the FZ origination.

Glad you enjoyed the Tales.
 
OK, Vindicator time is here. 8)

The KZ will be ready to move off the bench in my Man Cave in 2 week's time, and then some meaningful work can start again on the TR1.

I've ressurected the carbs search [ Dellortos ] failing that it looks like Mikunis. Totally given up with Amal.

While I've had the downtime on the TR1, I've had time to locate all the parts that managed to get scattered around my garage.

Soon be 2016 ......................... ::)
 
So - the Flat Tracker is STILL on the bench ................. combination of waiting for other peeps to fulfil promises etc. and waiting / looking for parts.

However, seeing all these superb Virago and TR1 builds has embarrassed me sufficiently to get on with the Vindicator.

I'm sorting out the best frame to use this weekend and I'll get it de-lugged etc ready for paint.

The forks are already assembled as are the wire spoked wheels / brakes. I've had all the fixings bright Zinc coated [ should have been Gold passivated, but that's another story ], and I'm busy collecting all the scattered parts so I don't have the same grief I had with locating the Flat Tracker parts !

I'll get my pal AC to make up the rear hoop for me as my welding skills are still abyssmal.

He's back burnered the Virago Cafe Racer build in favour of the BMW Oilhead CR we have ben working on [ nearly finished ] - so I'm hoping to score the Vincent 'esque exhaust we had made up for it.
 
stroker crazy said:
So many projects, so little time!

Good see the Vindicator under way again.

Crazy
Click to expand...

yes precisely ....... when I stockpiled my "projects" years ago, the reasoning was that I probably wouldn't be able to afford to buy the basic donors 10-15 years down the line. That part of the equation worked well ............. then came the big "Three score and ten" a year back and you suddenly realise there's a great deal more behind you than in front !!! I did have a cull a few years back, realising that there was no way they would all [ 9 bikes ! ] get completed [ funds and time ] - AND still be fit and able to enjoy them on the road. So now it's just the three bikes, one Rod [ Vanguard Estate ] and the Reliant Scimitar GTE which will also be getting the full monty treatment.

The KZ is not far off now in terms of costs or time [ March ?], but that won't mean I can't be getting on with the Vindicator - initially working on the parts I already have to hand.

Then we'll be into Vindicator pix again !!

BTW - this was my last Scimitar GTE project - 502ci Ford + Powerglide and 3 stage NOS





 
Really dig that chassis design, would love to have that monster block 502 in a certain 95 F250 Crew Cab... less the high rise and giant valves maybe :p
 
The KZ750 has come to an involuntary halt while I'm waiting to source the shim / cups that go on the end of the swingarm [ grease retainers ] and sorting out the fork stanchion top nuts ..... frustrating. :mad:

So next week the Vindicator frame comes back out of hibernation in my garage into the man cave - at least I can be getting on with that while I'm waiting for the KZ parts.

However - I now have an "extension" to my workshop and doubled the size of my spray booth - just to make you all jealous ........... ;)

MrsB was wondering where the green kitchen cupboard doors have disappeared to ............



Note the special dust absorbent material used to line the spray booth - there's even an additional 6' fluorescent light in there now !

 
Well, that went well .....................not.

I thought that a call out to various mates and a trawl of E-Bay would net me the missing swingarm shims/grease seals......no.

I had just resigned myself to having to make something up using engine core plugs or simailar when I was looking for the various cables for the bike to check their condition. Look in one of three boxes marked "KZ750 Parts" - and there lurking in the bottom were the missing shim / seals !! Cleaned off and GTG.

Still leaves the fork nut issue to be resolved, but at least I'm a step closer.

So now the rolling chassis really can be assembled and the KZ moved off the bench and replaced with the Vindicator parts !
 
Due to potentially life changing circumstances I am having to abandon various car and motorcyle projects.

I am offering them first to forum / club members as the builds have been well documented with pictures.

[ UK based of course ]

ALL are to be termed “projects” to be completed. Most parts have been bought new where required or refurbished. ALL will require some smaller parts to complete.
It would be great to see at least some of them completed before it's too late. All are unique in their own way and once completed would not be seen as someone else's makeover.

This is a deeply regrettable situation as these projects have been my ongoing passion for the past 4-5 years. Bikes in general for almost 60 !

BMW K100 Streetfighter – unique bodywork 98% complete

Yamaha TR1 1960’s style Café Racer. Most parts prepped, renewed ready for assembly. Includes very expensive Grimeca 4LS front brake / hub, alloy rims and stainless spokes [ 2 x wheels - all new ]

1955 Standard Vanguard Estate – restore or Hot Rod.

I also have my Kawasaki KZ750 [twin ] Flat Tracker, but as that is amost complete, I'll endeavour to finish it off and have some riding pleasure while I can, however it will have to be sold sooner or later.

I will list the bikes / cars separately, but of specific interest here is the following – see the related build thread and pix for details.

All will be open to sensible offers – failing that they’ll go on E-Bay [ UK ]. There's a 9 months + time frame for this - so I won't be giving the stuff away.

I'll still be around the forum for the foreseeable and will make a big effort now on the final Tale and getting the "Book" into shape.
 
Such a shame, but hey life, health and fitness comes before any toys eh???

Might be up for the TR1 when the time comes???? Got plenty on my plate at the moment, but look me up when the 9 month deadline is approaching?

Best of luck for the future
 
Well this sucks for sure, and if I was across the pond I would definitely entertain one or two of the projects. Hope you can stick around for a while even without the projects as an excuse, there is the lounging section to just shoot the shit in for sure. Hope the health issues don't get you too down and you stay around for as long as you can!

Cheers

Maritime
 
so sorry to hear that mate,come as quite a shock as we havent spoken for a while
i might be interested in your projects, just fire some pics over.
if the kz750 is quite close to finishing,and you cannot get it done quickly, get it shipped up to me and i will get it finished for you so you can have it ready for spring to ride
tony
 
Really sorry to hear about illness. Your tr1 was the reason I got onto this forum and I learnt a lot about my bike from your tales. Hope you get what needs to be sorted ,sorted.
 
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