CAFE CREME - BOARD.....TRACKER
- Thread starter beachcomber
- Start date
My thoughts exactly Unc !!! The bike is in much better shape than I anticipated and now I have the full story needs further thought. The bike was bought new by the Father of the guy I bought it from. When he was forced to stop riding he rode it into his son's garage and parked it for the duration until I bought it.
However, you know me .... it couldn't remain standard !
Thoughts are - mild Street Tracker as I already have a modified XR750 seat unit with tail light and a set of Renthal bars. I also have a matching 3 spoke rear wheel [ EBay £15 ] which I bought as a J.I.C. last year.
IF that goes ahead, I will reconsider a Yamaha Virago 250 lump as i would really prefer air cooled anyway to lose the radiator and pipework.
First step will be to get it running, but the PO assures me it was in excellent mechanical condition when parked up.
However, you know me .... it couldn't remain standard !
Thoughts are - mild Street Tracker as I already have a modified XR750 seat unit with tail light and a set of Renthal bars. I also have a matching 3 spoke rear wheel [ EBay £15 ] which I bought as a J.I.C. last year.
IF that goes ahead, I will reconsider a Yamaha Virago 250 lump as i would really prefer air cooled anyway to lose the radiator and pipework.
First step will be to get it running, but the PO assures me it was in excellent mechanical condition when parked up.
Attachments
Sounds sound, but don't do what I do and start removing parts and then see another bit that really needs to be removed to clean it and while you are in there might as well cut a bit off here and add a bit there, and.... You may have the same "can'tleaveitaloneitis" that I suffer from. I have enough projects in hand that I could be busy until I'm 200 years old and that's pretty unlikely to happen, so I need to dump a few and clear some mental space.
May I suggest that you start with a few pictures of the bike from each side and sketch in CAD (Crayon Aided Design) the seat and see how much more you would need to change to make it into a simple project rather than a full on re-imagining.
Air cooled V twin for the other bike is a much better idea. I like that. It better fits the concept and is easier to implement.
May I suggest that you start with a few pictures of the bike from each side and sketch in CAD (Crayon Aided Design) the seat and see how much more you would need to change to make it into a simple project rather than a full on re-imagining.
Air cooled V twin for the other bike is a much better idea. I like that. It better fits the concept and is easier to implement.
Hearing you Teazer ...................... story of my life - not leaving things alone !! When I had the previous VF400 I did try the XR750 seat on - no problem as the stock seat just clips off. It actually looked quite good and would only require some mild hacking of the side panel to get the "flow". It would be relatively straightforward - the Renthals would require bar mounts attaching through the top yoke, but I have several good sets of risers from various butchered BMW Kay projects. Yep, I'll do the CAD, but it's almost as simple just to plop the parts on. That fugly square headlamp has to go, but they are fetching silly money for the bikini fairing and indicators - so that can go.
You are quite correct re: the air cooled Vee twin for the Boardtracker - I DID buy a 125 Virago for that very reason, but decided it would be cruelty to small engines to ask it to haul me around. However the 250 would be OK - 535 would be better, but unfortunately shaft drive. It MIGHT work aesthetically with an open driveshaft.
Know of any medium capacity air cooled Vee Twins ?? Hyonsung do a 250 twin ..... but don't know anything about them. The Virago is fairly straightforward to fit a blower in the Vee as I was planning with the VF400.
There's quite a few twins, but shaft drive and / or liquid cooled.
That's a fair point .... especially now I'm reduced to a sylph like 14.5 stones !!!! I've located an engine in the Midlands, complete less carbs - guaranteed as a runner for £240. When I called them they said that was less starter and side covers [ !!! ].
I told them I'm only interested in it complete as is [ has downpipes as well ] ....... waiting to hear back.
I should get than money back on the spare VF400 lump I got along with the first bike.
Convinced of Redditch .
Attachments
Can't get my breath how light and compact the lump is ! Does anyone know the actual weight ? The 125 Virago is a relatively heavy best for the 125cc's to lug around [ 300 + lbs ? ], I'm aiming to add lightness and looking for a target of 200lbs 'ish.
Urgently in need of a V5 with a frame of course [ nudge nudge, wink wink ] preferably non age related but pre MOT requirements as a 1900's style Boardtracker with open pipes might not pass !!!
Urgently in need of a V5 with a frame of course [ nudge nudge, wink wink ] preferably non age related but pre MOT requirements as a 1900's style Boardtracker with open pipes might not pass !!!
Hearing you on that. Correction - the pix re-arranged themselves - it's actually the last pic for the position of the SU that's grabbing me at the moment.
Yes, sympathetic use of Brass around the project. I have many Brass period accessories that I bought some years back when the idea of a Boardtracker swam into view.
After the theft [ ! ] of my 1910 La Francaise Diamant tank we've had to rethink fuel. Current idea is for a 2 gallon period fuel can mounted behind the engine as the actual fuel cell with a dummy tank cover over the 100mm x 50mm top frame member. Similar idea to my Glemseck Cafe Racer. All the electronic squitter, battery, fuel pump etc. will be hidden under the tank. I found a suitable base dummy tank [ Fi-Glass ] on Ebay and that will serve as a basis to get the actual shape / size we need.
Attachments
I stripped the intake manifold off the Virago - good news, the manifold [ OEM ] is made from alloy, not plastic like the repro items. Just so happens I have an SU 1 1/4" alloy intake flange, so relatively simple to get a simple bend made up to attach carb to existing manifold.
The frame kit is here now and they even cut the axle slot to suit my hub. I have the 100mm x 50mm ERW box for the top frame member, so I'll be able to start mocking the parts up soon.
I found a 90 degree alloy bend which is perfect for the OEM intake manifold to the alloy SU carb flange. No need for an expensive manifold fab ! My friend Brian has THREE 1 1/4" SUs all stripped and cleaned for spares.
I bought a small Sonic cleaner some time ago and Brian has been trialling it on the SU parts - works a treat. Also it's just large enough to get a bare DCOE carb body in for treatment.
My 21" rim and TS125 rear hub are now on their way for a wheel bulid. As I already have the 21" front the plan is to strip the bearings out and have them powder coated [ Cream ] . I scored big time with the rear hub complete AND soda blasted included the brake plate and axle for £25 ! Just missing the brake shoes - brand new from Chinabay £6.95 !!!
I found a 90 degree alloy bend which is perfect for the OEM intake manifold to the alloy SU carb flange. No need for an expensive manifold fab ! My friend Brian has THREE 1 1/4" SUs all stripped and cleaned for spares.
I bought a small Sonic cleaner some time ago and Brian has been trialling it on the SU parts - works a treat. Also it's just large enough to get a bare DCOE carb body in for treatment.
My 21" rim and TS125 rear hub are now on their way for a wheel bulid. As I already have the 21" front the plan is to strip the bearings out and have them powder coated [ Cream ] . I scored big time with the rear hub complete AND soda blasted included the brake plate and axle for £25 ! Just missing the brake shoes - brand new from Chinabay £6.95 !!!
unclerob
Been Around the Block
Looks like I might be doing some posts here soon TJ!
A friend of mine runs a Sunday morning bike meet up and this turned up ......
Its a Snake Motors Kitano K16 imported from Japan and seriously considering building a similar style frame either to take the 125/250 Virago motor or possibly a Sportster!
A friend of mine runs a Sunday morning bike meet up and this turned up ......
Its a Snake Motors Kitano K16 imported from Japan and seriously considering building a similar style frame either to take the 125/250 Virago motor or possibly a Sportster!
Join the club !!!!!!!!!
Hey Unc, amongst your Virago stuff haven't got a set of coils and the short ignition loom ? The guy I bought the engine from "has been looking but not able to find".
The plan of using the OEM intake [ new one ordered ] and a 90 degree copper plumbing fitting works !!
Actually I've ordered a 45 degree as well. That theoretically wilol match the SU float bowl angle - 45 degrees !
Just need a super duper glue now. Unless ..... can copper be soldered / otherwise stuck to aluminium ?
The plan of using the OEM intake [ new one ordered ] and a 90 degree copper plumbing fitting works !!
Actually I've ordered a 45 degree as well. That theoretically wilol match the SU float bowl angle - 45 degrees !
Just need a super duper glue now. Unless ..... can copper be soldered / otherwise stuck to aluminium ?
Apparently copper and alluminium can successfully be soldered - so that's plan A sorted for the intake.
I mocked the 90 degree elbow up with the carb and float at the correct angle .... perfect.
The rebuilt wheel turned up courtesy of Paul at PW Wheels [ great job ] and I'm now very glad I went down the 21" rear route.
The 18" alloy rim - even with tall profile nobbly tyre just didn't look right.
I was penny pinching, but as ever - it needs to be done right to look right. And I can sell the Honda off road wheel complete to recoup a fair chunk of my outlay.
Happy now and I even scored a brand new nobbly tyre to match the front for £35.00
I mocked the 90 degree elbow up with the carb and float at the correct angle .... perfect.
The rebuilt wheel turned up courtesy of Paul at PW Wheels [ great job ] and I'm now very glad I went down the 21" rear route.
The 18" alloy rim - even with tall profile nobbly tyre just didn't look right.
I was penny pinching, but as ever - it needs to be done right to look right. And I can sell the Honda off road wheel complete to recoup a fair chunk of my outlay.
Happy now and I even scored a brand new nobbly tyre to match the front for £35.00
