I really decided to do this as the bike was so cheap to buy and with a 40k 500cc commuter level bike being worth less than a grand it seemed the only way to add value was do do something unique.......then I started and as it has taken shape I’m sorta proud of my work thus far and I don’t think it’ll be sold once complete as it’s my creation. (Unless someone offers me silly money for it! )
I also want to try and do this on a budget and maybe even using cheap Chinese parts where I can trust the quality (ie. no structural parts like wheels)
As it was found just before new year 2020.
Shortly after getting it I sourced a Lithium Ion battery for it as I knew these things were light but were far from cheap! The Shido battery weighs 0.8kg as opposed to just under 4kg for the old lead acid one. I found one in Halfords for £67 with my trade card (May have been £57???) It also has built in short circuit protection, maintains its charge value until almost flat (lead acid just gradually gets less and less until its flat at around 11.2v), barely needs charging, but needs a little thought if you are going to use one (you cannot charge it with a maintenance charger which puts a battery through a desulphation phase) but any loss in charge can be topped off to full within about 15mins of riding as opposed to hours on a regular LA battery.
Anyway, back to it....I stuck the battery on with my Sealey remote tank full of old fuel (the diaphragm in the petcock is goosed so using the tank was no go). I turned it over a few times and eventually it fired into life and slowly cleared its throat until it was idling nicely!
I also want to try and do this on a budget and maybe even using cheap Chinese parts where I can trust the quality (ie. no structural parts like wheels)
As it was found just before new year 2020.
Shortly after getting it I sourced a Lithium Ion battery for it as I knew these things were light but were far from cheap! The Shido battery weighs 0.8kg as opposed to just under 4kg for the old lead acid one. I found one in Halfords for £67 with my trade card (May have been £57???) It also has built in short circuit protection, maintains its charge value until almost flat (lead acid just gradually gets less and less until its flat at around 11.2v), barely needs charging, but needs a little thought if you are going to use one (you cannot charge it with a maintenance charger which puts a battery through a desulphation phase) but any loss in charge can be topped off to full within about 15mins of riding as opposed to hours on a regular LA battery.
Anyway, back to it....I stuck the battery on with my Sealey remote tank full of old fuel (the diaphragm in the petcock is goosed so using the tank was no go). I turned it over a few times and eventually it fired into life and slowly cleared its throat until it was idling nicely!