Brat/rat first chop

[Maritime]

That looks good. The bars, light and even the gators look "Right". Hansom young man helper too. Mine helps occasionally but not into bikes much yet and at 15 may never be, I have hope that my Daughter gets the gear head bug and helps dad, she's only 15 months though so won't know for a little while.

 

[SquidHunter]

Thanks! I think the final product will be pretty standard. Nothing too crazy, I really just wanted everything to be put together well. My painting skills really are lacking, however, so I’m certain it will have to be redone at some point later down the road. I’m not sweating it though. Pretty paint jobs are secondary to performance and safety at this point. I’m itching to get my frame back so I can button up the final touches. I’m actually looking forward to sorting out the electrical, taking my time, simplifying, and routing everything in an orderly fashion.
I’ve already started soldering connections for the parts I want to be serviceable like lights ignition and charging. I know the extra effort will pay off. Wheels..... I’m still beating my head on the table, but I’m going to end up building a set. I’m just going to have to do it. Switching to aluminum rims will shed a good bit of weight.
Not expecting to crush any land speed records, but I think it will be fun to ride for sure. It’s already light enough to pick up. Loosing a few more pounds wouldn’t hurt though.


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[SquidHunter]

Finally got a couple good coats on the rear hub and primed the front hub. Monday I’ll have the new rims and spokes.

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[SquidHunter]

Fresh pads and new springs for the rear

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[SquidHunter]

Trying to go with all new everything. I’m thinking on these I’ll end up swapping with stainless

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[SquidHunter]

Here’s the general idea for the rear drum. Going black on black and then I may throw in some subtle touches of black.

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[SquidHunter]

Wheels and spokes came in today. Surprised at the quality. Went with mikes xs. Both aluminum wheels and stainless spokes and nips. I’m almost tempted to keep the polished aluminum, but I know how that will turn out. So first I need to paint before assembling

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[Maritime]

You're in Bama right? Kiley (Kanticoy) is too and he uses Shark Hide on polished alloy and it keeps it shiny for seasons on end. I'm about to try it too after seeing some of his bikes in person that he used it on and road a lot without a lot of upkeep on the polish. It's for boats that live in salt water. Might look into it if you want to keep the bling on the wheels.

 

[SquidHunter]

Pretty sure I’m going to paint them. I think it will look better


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[Maritime]

black hub, black hoop and stainless spokes does look good.

 

[SquidHunter]

black hub, black hoop and stainless spokes does look good.

That’s what I’m thinking. I’m committed now. Already started scuffing the polish. I need to pick up some more primer, but hopefully I’ll be spraying them this weekend. That puts me about 3 weeks out on complete wheels. I’ll get my truing stand by next week. I’m planning on mounting a vintage style tire, but didn’t realize these were shouldered rims. Will it make a difference? Look better or worse? I’m not necessarily set in my ways. I just want to get it right


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[Maritime]

IDK what the difference would be shouldered or not, just size the tire for the rim size/width and it should fit and look fine. Don't try to squeeze a too fat for the rim width tire. And please don't use firestones LOL.

 

[irk miller]

It doesn't look like you have a shouldered rim. The stock Takasago spokes rims are shouldered.

This is shouldered:

Not shouldered:

 

[SquidHunter]

Ahhhh, I’ve got it all backwards then. Figures. Who has a good size chart I can look at?
Rear is 16x2.5, front is 19x1.85
Definitely going with a vintage looking tire because it looks cool. The modern compounds get pretty good reviews, and I’m not crazy aggressive in the turns and I’m not planning any track days. I do, however, need it to look really cool on the internet


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[Jimbonaut]

If they come in the size you’re after then maybe consider some Dunlop K70’s. They have a vintage look and hold up really well. I had some on my cb750 and man I tore the internet apart with those things


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[Maritime]

+1 on K70's and Dunlop should list the appropriate rim widths for the size of tire you want to use.

 

[3DogNate]

K70s look the part and actually perform pretty well in all conditions. Very much unlike other vintage looking choices. Another +1.


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[SquidHunter]

Inching closer. I got the back rim prepped and painted. I installed the new bearings in the rear hub. I’ll let the paint cure for 48 hours then lace up the rear. My truing stand came in, but it looks like it’s going to be too short. I can still use it with some modifications.

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[teazer]

Dunlop K70s? You have to be joking, right. It's not like they were fitted to almost all street bikes back in the day now was it? Oh yes.

Almost every British bike manufactured back in the day came with those tires and they were perfectly adequate for normal riding. Modern tires such as Avon AM26 or Bridgestone BT45 are so much better that we expect pour street tires to be better than what we all used to use back in the day.

It's things like the Cocker/Firestone rim protectors that have no place on a bike that is likely to be ridden at much more than walking pace. They do look fine on a 1920's car though.

BTW, that is one sexy looking wheel truing stand.

 

[SquidHunter]

Well, after researching the matter, for hours on end, I’m very limited on the tires I can choose anyway...... unless I use a tubeless tire and run it with a tube. That’s not going to happen, main reason being I’m not comfortable making that decision. The k70s aren’t available in a 16inch, so that leaves me with Coker, Avon’s, or Stinko classics. I’m going to end up running the stinkos. I run the tubeless on my CB750F and I’m fine with them(especially for the price). There’s one other brand IRC, I’ve never heard of them. The tread looks 70s correct and the reviews are good, but I’ve used shinkos.

Keeping my fingers crossed. Hopefully they put everyone on covid19 lockdown, and that will give me some time to finish my wheels. I’ve got everything set and ready go


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