Re: 1978 Honda Twinstar CM185t: The Black Pearl

[Koestum]

Made a latch at lunchtime to secure the fuel tank to the bike, planning on doing it with a couple springs.

 

[Koestum]

Working out the seat and aluminum electric box. Getting ther

 

[trek97]

Cool

 

[Koestum]

I really started rethinking the Chinese eBay carburetor, especially since the throttle cable comes out straight up instead of curving forward like the original so I spent about two hours cleaning, rebuilding, & setting up the old carb.


I used as many of the original bits as possible since they were mostly in good shape. Surprisingly the floats look like new and we're only slightly out of adjustment.

I love the old carburetors... so simple to clean & adjust.

We just need a dab of locktight on the choke screws and it's ready to reinstall.

 

[Koestum]

Oh, and started another seat hoop, this one more angular. I kinda like this one better than the rounded hoop.

 

[Uncle Daymo]

Hey mitchellsk nice looking ride mate! I'd love to see some more pics and updates if you have any. I've been working on an 81 CM200T for the past couple of years and she's ready to ride but I just need a not-butt-ugly seat and some semi-knobby tyres. Just wondering exactly what tyres you are using? I'm pretty sure both the 185 and the 200 use the same size rims/tyres being 3.00-17 on the front and 3.50-16 on the back. So far they've been kinda hard to come by in a matching set so if you or anyone has got any advice I'd greatly appreciate it. Not brave enough to cut the frame yet for a smaller seat but with the current global situation it seems I may have some extra time on my hands. Thanks for your time, cheers!

 

[trek97]

Yea work boy...what you been doin? Get to work on this thing.

 

[Koestum]

Just wondering exactly what tyres you are using? I'm pretty sure both the 185 and the 200 use the same size rims/tyres being 3.00-17 on the front and 3.50-16 on the back. So far they've been kinda hard to come by in a matching set so if you or anyone has got any advice I'd greatly appreciate it.

Hey thanks Daymo, sadly no new progress to show yet but the raw tank is getting a nice patina

For tires I'll have to check when I get back home but I think I got them off BikeBanit.com , it's been a while

200cc should be the same size tires.

Wash your hands often my friend I'll check out your bike amd thanks again.

 

[Koestum]

Yea work boy...what you been doin? Get to work on this thing.

Ya, ya, ya... thanks Trek97

 

[Koestum]

Got some new mufflers a couple months ago & forgot to update the build.

Would have liked something shorter but this is the best I could find at the correct inlet size.

I only need a bottle of argon and then I can do some welding for brackets & seat support to get the project moving again.

 

[Koestum]

BTW, is the later 250 Nighthawk engine a direct swap for the 185? They seem to have the same mounting points and I'd be happy to swap that engine and harness to gain the 12volt electronics.

 

[Luugo86]

Nice work man, definitely following this space for updates. I really like the tank.

 

[ex119x]

I like the shape of the mufflers, but they are way too long. Could you shorten up the head pipes by about 4 inches to get the length of the overall system right?

 

[Koestum]

The thing is they pass through very limited space so if I move the tapered mufflers forward they just get bigger at the pinch point. In this pic you can see the brake lever is right up against the pipe already.

I looked for months but couldn't find any shorter mufflers at 1.375" inlet and didn't want to use those fugly inlet spacers.

 

[Maritime]

You can adjust the brake lever and stop to allow the fatter part of the pipe to sit there.

 

[Koestum]

It's pretty tight on the left side too though, the kickstand is already on the muffler.

If I bend the muffler mounts inward more I might get a little extra room to move them forward.

 

[Maritime]

that side's a bit more work I see.

 

[ex119x]

Sometimes we just need to learn to live with what we have. They are a nice shape and are mounted well, so that is all good. They also will not look quite so long when you have the seat and tail piece on there. If the rear cowl extends just past the rear axle, it will help the visual balance of the mufflers. Keep going it will be fine.

 

[Maritime]

Another option would be to add a bend and upsweep them. It may look great. I have those pipes on my GL and upswept them and I think they look great that way.

 

[Maritime]