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Post by donkeychomp on Dec 12, 2018 21:34:21 GMT 1
I've finally got enough parts to start this ever so slightly bonkers idea. What with the little RD almost done and Elsie needing an entire engine I thought I'd try and find a frame to bolt my growing collection of forks, wheels etc onto. Was looking on eBay every night for something but they were all too expensive for me until a drag bike frame popped up with an opening bid of £40, RD250C I think he said. Collection only, so I contacted him and he said delivery was £25. I bid £41....and won it! The only bidder. As you can see the rake has been altered by heating and bending the frame a tad...and rad mounts fitted so an LC engine (or whatever) can go in at a later date. A LOT later date lol. Then I get a call from Peter (reedpete) and he says he has an engine I can use, but it needs cleaning on the inside. A deal was dealt and he popped over yesterday. With his help (ok ok mainly all him) we split the engine and yanked out the crank. I am now cleaning it all up and I'll nail it back together later on. The frame as it transpires is a RD400 Daytona one...worth considerably more than the £40 I paid for it! I have a YZF 125 rear end for this and a Mito front and they bolt straight on. Probably going to get rear shock mounts welded to the swing arm and have a twin shock set up rather than monoshock. I also have some foot pegs, a choice of 2 seats and a Mito fairing...might use the top part only we'll see how it goes. Will probably use the Gamma carbs (ta Veg!) on this bike for now as the LC ain't going anywhere and the Allspeeds I got from Dusty. Need a Mito front wheel or any small ish front end and a fuel tank. Would like an RD one but again anything will do and it only needs to hold a small amount of petrol. I plan to enter the Super Twin GT bike class, basically for all twin bikes and you set the time you think you'll do the 1/4 mile in (half an hour?) then race against similar machinery. You need a licence (£48) and a doc's certificate saying you are fit (sorta) and of sound mind (doubt I'll pass then) then you get to demonstrate you can actually ride (yes!) and do burn outs etc and a 1/8 mile run (this is not at the doctor's btw) then after 2 actual races you get a full competitors licence. Also need racing leathers (check) a BSA approved lid (check) leather boots and gloves (check) and the willingness and ability to make a total arse of yourself (check). More to come as I attempt to rebuild the engine and source the parts! Alex
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Post by 4l04ever on Dec 13, 2018 11:27:58 GMT 1
Good plan! :-)
You are starting with a heavy frame, but sounds like you are doing bracket style racing, so not so critical.
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Post by yamark on Dec 13, 2018 14:56:26 GMT 1
Proper bonkers Alex - I love it
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Post by philmill on Dec 13, 2018 15:27:00 GMT 1
Alex, this is going to be a fun build, I'll be watching with interest.
Phil
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Post by donkeychomp on Dec 13, 2018 21:36:48 GMT 1
Cheers lads. It will be a fun one to make. But I am making life difficult for myself as I plan for this to have a day time MOT! But for now let's get it running and have a practice at a nearby abandoned landing strip...
Alex
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Post by veg on Dec 14, 2018 8:29:11 GMT 1
Alex I do love your enthusiasm good luck with the build. 👍
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Post by 4l04ever on Dec 14, 2018 14:37:48 GMT 1
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Post by donkeychomp on Dec 14, 2018 22:50:43 GMT 1
Thanks Veg! Looks like those carbs will finally see some action.
Saw that on eBay. Mine will look nothing like it lol!
Alex
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Post by dusty350 on Dec 15, 2018 9:01:29 GMT 1
Mmm.. Ive got a nice Tz alloy tank in the shed that would fit that frame 😉
Dusty😊
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Post by veg on Dec 15, 2018 11:08:39 GMT 1
That’s almost worth it for the wheels and motor alone
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Post by donkeychomp on Dec 15, 2018 23:01:59 GMT 1
Get thee behind me Dusty...but I know that tank and am sorely tempted... I've started to clean up the crank and the engine internal casing. Going to finish it with a Dremel polishing part. And the Mito front end. It needs a tidy! YZF rear end. That wheel is manky but I can sort it out. It has new bearings in it so shot blasting is a no-no. Been offered a couple of tanks now at very fair prices. Not sure to go for a cafe racer look or something totally modern. The seats I have are pretty trick and there is that Mito fairing as well...however that adds more weight. So perhaps a minimalist seat, no fairing or just a tiny one would be a better choice. And there is the small matter of Dusty's tank to consider... Alex
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Post by LC_BOTT on Dec 16, 2018 9:29:02 GMT 1
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Post by donkeychomp on Dec 18, 2018 21:18:04 GMT 1
Following some sage advice I left the crank in paraffin and then dried it. Doused in oil and all good to go and back in the casing. Saw Dusty the other day and he has this TZ ally tank I wanted to see if it fits... Like a glove. Better than this... So if I go for a period tank I need a period seat. The ones I have are far to modern so I'll keep my eyes peeled for on. Also borrowed an LC front wheel (cheers Dusty). Had to remove the discs to get it on but I almost have a rolling chassis now, just need to clean up and paint the rear wheel. I have a couple of tyres to go on that and I'm hoping a 150 section will squeeze on! Alex
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Post by veg on Dec 19, 2018 10:00:43 GMT 1
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Post by donkeychomp on Dec 19, 2018 20:09:55 GMT 1
Yes mate that's the kind of seat I'm after but without that odd gap at the back! I want to mount a rear light in there. Meadspeed sell 'em but I am hoping something crops up on eBay...
Alex
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Post by Tobyjugs on Dec 22, 2018 12:43:14 GMT 1
I like the last picture. The stance is good. Have you though about trying to get a skinnier front wheel?
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Post by donkeychomp on Dec 22, 2018 22:54:02 GMT 1
Yes I have and it looks like an entire YZF front end might have to be sourced. About the same price as a Mito front wheel! And there is yet another snag...there are no Mito speedo drives anywhere. I already need one for the LC. Not sure if I can get an LC drive bored out to fit or just have a spacer made up and use a digi speedo...
Alex
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Post by JonW on Dec 22, 2018 23:19:43 GMT 1
Use a cheap GPS speedo perhaps?
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Post by JonW on Dec 22, 2018 23:24:26 GMT 1
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Post by dusty350 on Dec 23, 2018 10:56:01 GMT 1
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Post by donkeychomp on Dec 23, 2018 23:43:11 GMT 1
Thanks Jon interesting stuff there.
Yes please Dusty!
Had a look at YZF front forks and not a one that isn't bent or rusty or needs seals etc...so I have my beady on a Mito front wheel for £30. Might go for that. Make up a spacer and maybe just use a sodding mountain bike speedo to get it through the MOT lol.
Alex
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Post by donkeychomp on Jan 1, 2019 20:54:15 GMT 1
Got some cans of spray paint from the local pound shop...I wanted to see what the frame would look like in red. I like it so later on down the line it may (or may not) get powder coated. Respray cost a whopping £2... Still torn between a classic look or something more modern. The little seat was donated by Dusty (muchos gracias amigo) and the HUGE one donated by Peter (danke!). With the TZ tank on it works nicely, but I do have another tank heading this way, a smaller curvier one and I'll see what that looks like with the small seat... Whatever happens both tanks are going to be used eventually and that ally TZ tanks is the business! Alex
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Post by dusty350 on Jan 2, 2019 9:01:55 GMT 1
Hi Alex Looking good mate. The frame looks great in red - very "Tz" I think, and I reckon the seat looks good too. I think the seat needs to look smaller than the tank to get the most from the look of the tank, if you know what I mean - the second seat looks huge. I think I would reshape the lower edge of the seat I gave you to blend it towards the tank if it were me. And making up a decent pad with a ply base will be easy with such a flat base to the seat. The aircooled frames really lend themselves to a café racer build - easier than trying to do it with an Lc based bike for sure. This could be a really trick looking special Dusty
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Post by donkeychomp on Jan 2, 2019 23:13:44 GMT 1
I agree Dusty the period bits do suit it a lot better than the modern counterparts! I'd like to get the tank and seat dead level somehow. Might do a bit of shaping by adding some more fibreglass or perhaps some concealed brackets or spacers to lift the seat a little. I have made a start on repairing the little dings on the TZ tank, and that 'sticker' is a water slide decal!
Alex
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Post by donkeychomp on Jan 3, 2019 23:59:52 GMT 1
The engine is going back together. I had to take the crank out for a second time as I neglected to spin the bearings whilst it was in the paraffin as Peter reminded me! So, re cleaned, soaked in Motul, back in, sealed and bolted up. I need to get some longer allen bolts but so far so good. The barrels got a damn good clean too... Then the bolts. One done, seven to go lol! Alex
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Post by donkeychomp on Jan 4, 2019 23:29:51 GMT 1
Started the forks today. They don't leak and work fine but there is a little pitting and I think I can get rid of that. Then there is that wheel...it's cleaned up ok and in this pic it looks great in primer but there are still blemishes so I'll get the wet and dry out again! If I had a tool to extract those bearings it would make life so much easier but they cost a bit! Ordered a YZF front wheel for a bit of symmetry. Only snag is the wheel spindle size. Rather small on a YZF, very fat on a Mito! Might need to get the spindle hole widened so I can use Mito bearings etc. Alex
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Post by donkeychomp on Jan 7, 2019 23:53:43 GMT 1
Had a go at the rear disc today... Despite my best efforts it either needs a skim or the nearest bin and a better one found! Piston circlips arrived so one piston is on... and the bottom yoke got a polish, top one painted in gloss black. Alex
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Post by donkeychomp on Jan 9, 2019 22:56:51 GMT 1
Got the forks back on and for a giggle put on this 15" spoke wheel a neighbour gave me. No idea what it's off but spoked wheels would really look the dogs on this bike! Alex
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Post by donkeychomp on Jan 12, 2019 23:26:01 GMT 1
Made a start on the seat today. Primed it (to show up any imperfections clearly) and glad to see there are hardly any. Then tried a larger spoked wheel...enduro drag bike anyone? Then the rear wheel got a coat of gold... Alex
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Post by Tobyjugs on Jan 12, 2019 23:34:51 GMT 1
I love the silhouette of the Purple Popsicle
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