Like I need a hole in the head - my new project (#3) - 1978 SR500
- Thread starter Tim
- Start date
rockcitycafe
I make things.
Re: Like I need a hole in the head - my new project (#3)
if you really don't need it, I'd be happy to remove it for you ;D
looks like it will be a killer ride, singles are so cool! you should do some sick exhaust for it
if you really don't need it, I'd be happy to remove it for you ;D
looks like it will be a killer ride, singles are so cool! you should do some sick exhaust for it
Re: Like I need a hole in the head - my new project (#3)
ive never seen a manx exhaust setup like on a scrambler. i already have one brit/alloy tank/manx inspired project (search for my xs650 project if you have a few hours to kill reading the thread).
gonna first get this one fired up and on the road. it might be too nice to really muck around with, but then again...
im leaning towards changing the rim color. gold looks nice on these red sr500's and is reminiscient of the gold magnesium (?) mags on the ducatis of the 70's.
and prob change the frying pan signals, foam grips gotta go... mild cafe treatment with the clubmans already there i guess.
just a more comfortable bike than my rediculous xs650 and sportier for city riding than my bmw r75/6. nice city bike.
ive never seen a manx exhaust setup like on a scrambler. i already have one brit/alloy tank/manx inspired project (search for my xs650 project if you have a few hours to kill reading the thread).
gonna first get this one fired up and on the road. it might be too nice to really muck around with, but then again...
im leaning towards changing the rim color. gold looks nice on these red sr500's and is reminiscient of the gold magnesium (?) mags on the ducatis of the 70's.
and prob change the frying pan signals, foam grips gotta go... mild cafe treatment with the clubmans already there i guess.
just a more comfortable bike than my rediculous xs650 and sportier for city riding than my bmw r75/6. nice city bike.
Re: Like I need a hole in the head - my new project (#3)
So I got to see the bike tonight - looks pretty good! All there, including a complete tool kit. OLD Michelin M45 tires, 1987 Student Parking sticker from University of Waterloo on the tank. Original paint all round in good shape. Not perfect, but really nice.
Optimists we are, we tried to fire it up
Cleaned the mouse nest out of the airbox, hooked up a battery, squirted some gas and kicked it over but nada.
Good news is ALL the electrical works, including all the lights and idiot lights too. Rear brake light switch is probably hydraulic (need to confirm) and wouldn't work as there is no brake fluid in it.
Should be a fun little scoot for the city and just big enough for longer runs in the country too. Nice and skinny for my narrow one car garage which is a bonus.
Meant to bring my good camera down, but forgot, so we're stuck with the phone camera shots.
So I got to see the bike tonight - looks pretty good! All there, including a complete tool kit. OLD Michelin M45 tires, 1987 Student Parking sticker from University of Waterloo on the tank. Original paint all round in good shape. Not perfect, but really nice.
Optimists we are, we tried to fire it up
Cleaned the mouse nest out of the airbox, hooked up a battery, squirted some gas and kicked it over but nada.Good news is ALL the electrical works, including all the lights and idiot lights too. Rear brake light switch is probably hydraulic (need to confirm) and wouldn't work as there is no brake fluid in it.
Should be a fun little scoot for the city and just big enough for longer runs in the country too. Nice and skinny for my narrow one car garage which is a bonus.
Meant to bring my good camera down, but forgot, so we're stuck with the phone camera shots.
Have you tried starting one of these before? There's a bit of an art to it (I've got an XT500 )
The rear brake switch is manual, not hydraulic. On the XT it sits behind the motor up against a rear frame cross member and is hard to spot (and harder to get to). Have a look under the brake pedal and you should see where the spring leads to the switch (if it's there).
Looks pretty nice ;D
)The rear brake switch is manual, not hydraulic. On the XT it sits behind the motor up against a rear frame cross member and is hard to spot (and harder to get to
). Have a look under the brake pedal and you should see where the spring leads to the switch (if it's there).Looks pretty nice ;D
Have to dig into it a bit more - check the de-compression lever mechanism to make sure it isn't stuck open, check the compression, put in a fresh plug, check timing etc.
This will likely be my winter project - need to spend more time finishing up my XS650 this year so I can plate it and get at least a couple rides in on it before it turns into a 3+ year project.
This will likely be my winter project - need to spend more time finishing up my XS650 this year so I can plate it and get at least a couple rides in on it before it turns into a 3+ year project.
Maritime
Over 10,000 Posts
Nice Find Tim. I was looking at one of these but it was a non-restored showroom condition bike with like 3000 km total and the guy wouldn't go lower than 3000 for it. It would have been get on and ride but I didn't have that kind of $$. I am still looking for one in Project condition.
Cheers
Cheers
Well I happen to have 2 VM36's sitting around doing nothing at the moment, but they don't have the starter/choke circuit on them. I was going to use them on my XS650 but swapped to my VM34's with the chokes instead.
Maybe I'll give one of them a shot. Will have to research the jetting/slides etc.
Maybe I'll give one of them a shot. Will have to research the jetting/slides etc.
Nice find Tim! Congrats! ;D
You had me a little frightened when you were talking about the exhaust!! It sounded like you were gonna have a "Noel System" on it!! : :
I'm sure you'll massage it into a really cool ride! 8)
You had me a little frightened when you were talking about the exhaust!!
It sounded like you were gonna have a "Noel System" on it!! : :I'm sure you'll massage it into a really cool ride! 8)
I'm pretty settled on a plan now for the bike, but like all plans, it may change.
Once I get it up and running and safetied, I'll promptly take it apart.
The frame etc. will be powdercoated in a metallic copper color, along with the fork lowers, triple tree, brake rotor and various frame brackets.
The tank and wheels will be painted an off-white - MINI Pepper White or something similar. Tank will have pinstriping or something to pick up the copper color of the frame. I'll do the brake calipers in white too. Wheels and caliper will be powdered, tank painted to match.
Seat will be a minimalist affair in brown leather/white stitching. Bobbed fenders, small tail light perched on the rear fender. Probably a smaller 4-5" headlight, clipons or superbike bars - not sure how aggressive I want the riding position. Probably superbike bars as clipons without rearsets just seems wrong, and I don't need rearsets on this.
Might replace the tank with something more angular and smaller. Vintage looking tires if I can swing it, or probably better modern rubber like my Avon's.
No frame mods, and the seat will accomodate 2-up riding. Some minimal performance mods - dual disk brakes, maybe improved oil flow (apparantly one of the things to do to these engines).
And of course rebuild forks, wheel bearings, tapered steering bearings, bronze swingarm bushings (or might use my fancy box swingarm with needle bearings), eliminate battery with capacitor, move electronics to a fake oil tank under the seat or something etc. etc.
Once I get it up and running and safetied, I'll promptly take it apart.
The frame etc. will be powdercoated in a metallic copper color, along with the fork lowers, triple tree, brake rotor and various frame brackets.
The tank and wheels will be painted an off-white - MINI Pepper White or something similar. Tank will have pinstriping or something to pick up the copper color of the frame. I'll do the brake calipers in white too. Wheels and caliper will be powdered, tank painted to match.
Seat will be a minimalist affair in brown leather/white stitching. Bobbed fenders, small tail light perched on the rear fender. Probably a smaller 4-5" headlight, clipons or superbike bars - not sure how aggressive I want the riding position. Probably superbike bars as clipons without rearsets just seems wrong, and I don't need rearsets on this.
Might replace the tank with something more angular and smaller. Vintage looking tires if I can swing it, or probably better modern rubber like my Avon's.
No frame mods, and the seat will accomodate 2-up riding. Some minimal performance mods - dual disk brakes, maybe improved oil flow (apparantly one of the things to do to these engines).
And of course rebuild forks, wheel bearings, tapered steering bearings, bronze swingarm bushings (or might use my fancy box swingarm with needle bearings), eliminate battery with capacitor, move electronics to a fake oil tank under the seat or something etc. etc.
locOleoN
Is that the best you got? OK.. now my TURN...
Tim said:
Passed the deal?.. I found it, negoiated and hammered the final price down, Met with the guy, paid the guy, got all the paperwork, set up the pick up date & time, and basically brokered and packaged the whole deal for ya.. all for the cost of an XL Double Double at Tim Hortons this thursday!!..
I want my coffee!!.. ;D
