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Post by sidney81 on Nov 15, 2019 22:54:35 GMT 1
Hi Everybody, Im Chris, I've been lurking on here on and off for over 10 years now. I picked up an old RD250E from a guy i know, it's been off the road since 1987 it is in quite a state so I have decided to make a bit of a special out of it. I do tend to like things a little different. I've been chatting to Dusty, he mentioned i should start a thread. I have a few pictures of how far i have got with it. I'm collecting bits albeit on a budget so far I have an Yamaha XS 400 Import Swingarm & LC monoshock, TZR 250 forks & wheels i will be cutting 50mm off the fork tubes. Anyway here's a few pictures !! Thanks Chris Bike by Chris Jay, on Flickr IMG_20191101_164637 by Chris, on Flickr IMG_20191101_164646 by Chris, on Flickr IMG_20191107_173336 by Chris, on Flickr IMG_20191107_190920 by Chris, on Flickr IMG_20191107_191649 by Chris, on Flickr IMG_20191107_181242 by Chris, on Flickr IMG_20191114_201407 by Chris, on Flickr IMG_20191114_201416 by Chris, on Flickr IMG_20191114_203341 by Chris, on Flickr IMG_20191114_203356 by Chris, on Flickr IMG_20191114_211208 by Chris, on Flickr IMG_20191115_194526 by Chris, on Flickr IMG_20191115_195115 by Chris, on Flickr Progress So Far Of THe Mashup
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Post by sidney81 on Nov 15, 2019 22:59:12 GMT 1
Swingarm by Chris Jay, on Flickr This is the swingarm XS 400 import, i wanted a box section arm and this fitted the bill. Had to cut and lower the top section.
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Post by andy748 on Nov 15, 2019 23:30:41 GMT 1
Nice project Chris, i look forward to seeing the updates on this one, enjoy it mate. Andy.
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Post by sidney81 on Nov 15, 2019 23:43:55 GMT 1
Nice project Chris, i look forward to seeing the updates on this one, enjoy it mate. Andy. hi andy thank you ,looking at the pegs /rear sets next !
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Post by andy748 on Nov 15, 2019 23:59:55 GMT 1
Hi Chris, just check the swinger won't foul the frame rails when fully compressed, might be the pictures but it looks close to me? The welding looks superb by the way. Andy.
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Post by sidney81 on Nov 16, 2019 0:04:07 GMT 1
Hi Chris, just check the swinger won't foul the frame rails when fully compressed, might be the pictures but it looks close to me? The welding looks superb by the way. Andy. hey its ok thats why i made the shock plate adjustable incase .i have 90 mm of travel it looks worse than it is . but good point andy
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Post by JonW on Nov 16, 2019 0:22:25 GMT 1
Ohh that's some lovely welding! nice project.
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Post by donkeychomp on Nov 16, 2019 0:29:15 GMT 1
First pic! Ye gods. Later pic...top work!
Alex
ps love the calendar
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Post by dusty350 on Nov 16, 2019 8:18:20 GMT 1
Hi Chris Great to see you started a build thread Your fabrication work is awesome - this will be a really nice special when it's done Having the adjustability on the top shock mount is a good idea - gives you lots of options if you change components later on. The aircooled frames are great for modding, and again, gives lots of possibilities for tank/seat changes. We all love pics, so look forward to your progress Regards Dusty
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Post by mouse on Nov 16, 2019 9:05:58 GMT 1
This looks great, different too! Keep going
Mouse
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Post by steeley on Nov 16, 2019 9:13:07 GMT 1
Nice project you have there . The start off point looks a lot like some thing a mate and myself took on years ago. Only the tank on our 250e you could put your hand through the rust hole on the left hand side. Nice welding by the way. I am a have ago to the best of my ability welder but think i do a decent job. If you want to make it more interesting engine wise give me a pm.
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Post by sidney81 on Nov 16, 2019 9:30:15 GMT 1
morning guys ,thanks for the positive words although im open to criticism and diffrent ideas its all a learning curve thats the way i see it . as for the welding fabrication i do it for a living so second nature to me i suppose ,im lucky i can use the work shop and all the gear etc all helps . next is pegs rear sets .thanks chris
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Post by veg on Nov 16, 2019 10:29:42 GMT 1
Wow great work so far really looking forward to seeing this progress.
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Post by Tobyjugs on Nov 16, 2019 11:24:05 GMT 1
I like these sort of projects. I will be watching with interest.
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Post by morgy on Nov 16, 2019 11:33:27 GMT 1
Loving the fabrication work so far... Nice welding as well!!
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Post by sidney81 on Nov 17, 2019 18:45:06 GMT 1
Hi guys, Not much to report, I've ordered a set of rear sets i think i can use on the bike i will just have to make mountain brackets and weld them onto the frame. I gave an old TZR fork tube to my mate, he works in precision engineering, he's going to cut 50mm off it and recut the thread for the fork cap (just as a trial). I'll just have to cut the spacer to suit and leave the spring its actual length. I think my biggest task will be the seat really not sure where im going with it yet as i dont even have a seat haha..also i've made a stainless steel shock pin i'll add a few pics. Thanks Chris IMG_20191108_153943 by Chris, on Flickr IMG_20191103_204336 by Chris, on Flickr IMG_20191105_210044 by Chris, on Flickr
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Post by steeley on Nov 17, 2019 19:44:11 GMT 1
Hi , the 250e myself and a mate built up/restored i fitted a pair of ypvs forks and calipers and went down the road of having the fork tops machined down to length and re threaded .
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Post by sidney81 on Nov 17, 2019 20:09:01 GMT 1
Hi , the 250e myself and a mate built up/restored i fitted a pair of ypvs forks and calipers and went down the road of having the fork tops machined down to length and re threaded . hi steeley...how did it turn out ? ive got a badley pitted pair just going to try it on ,then if good my new forks are getting the chop .chris
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Post by dusty350 on Nov 17, 2019 20:49:39 GMT 1
Hi Chris, Regards the seat, there are lots of options that work well with the a/c tank and frame. Race style seats look good but aren't comfortable for road use for long. They are good at hiding battery/wiring/electrical gizmos etc. The upholstered seat option is a better idea comfort wise, and could look trick, especially if you set your rear light into the frame loop. Hiding a battery will be a harder thing to do though, and a small Lithium battery will make life a bit easier in that respect. I once had an A/c with the battery fitted in the oil tank - very neat, but you lose your oil tank for holding oil It's good to have all the components for the bike to hand, and then you'll know what needs to go where. I know you want to keep the side panels, and I reckon a new plate/battery box mounted behind the left side panel may be the answer to keeping the lines of the bike clean. Whatever you decide, I bet it will look awesome Dusty
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Post by steeley on Nov 17, 2019 21:03:34 GMT 1
Hi chris , the fork swap worked out ok in the end . The bike was donated to us to bring back to life only if we retained the air box standard exhausts and twin shocks. Any way it took about 10/12 months to do i think about 2007/8. I don't put photo's up any more because of photo bucket f@ck over . The phone i have is ancient so have no interest to go down that route. Any way good luck with your project looking good so far.Oh the mate who donated the bike rode it around for a a few weeks . His verdict was it went ok but he thought it was over Braked .
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Post by sidney81 on Nov 17, 2019 21:42:29 GMT 1
Hi Chris, Regards the seat, there are lots of options that work well with the a/c tank and frame. Race style seats look good but aren't comfortable for road use for long. They are good at hiding battery/wiring/electrical gizmos etc. The upholstered seat option is a better idea comfort wise, and could look trick, especially if you set your rear light into the frame loop. Hiding a battery will be a harder thing to do though, and a small Lithium battery will make life a bit easier in that respect. I once had an A/c with the battery fitted in the oil tank - very neat, but you lose your oil tank for holding oil It's good to have all the components for the bike to hand, and then you'll know what needs to go where. I know you want to keep the side panels, and I reckon a new plate/battery box mounted behind the left side panel may be the answer to keeping the lines of the bike clean. Whatever you decide, I bet it will look awesome Dusty hi dusty , i did consider a stock seat and trimming \shaping the foam to give it some shape rather than flat like a board ...but you see the horribe frame underneath ie where the twin shocks went so i think il will cut that off and weld a clean frame loop in place ,i was thinking of making alloy seat base to suit then shape seat foam etc etc . good idea about the battery behind the side panel .i want to run the oil pump so need the tank ..
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Post by sidney81 on Nov 17, 2019 21:45:28 GMT 1
Hi chris , the fork swap worked out ok in the end . The bike was donated to us to bring back to life only if we retained the air box standard exhausts and twin shocks. Any way it took about 10/12 months to do i think about 2007/8. I don't put photo's up any more because of photo bucket f@ck over . The phone i have is ancient so have no interest to go down that route. Any way good luck with your project looking good so far.Oh the mate who donated the bike rode it around for a a few weeks . His verdict was it went ok but he thought it was over Braked . hi thank you keep an eye out ill put some more pictures up when i make some more progress ,, chris
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Post by dusty350 on Nov 17, 2019 21:46:30 GMT 1
Yea, keep the pump if you can. I had the ugly twin shock mount part of the frame cut off mine for a much cleaner look, and more "mod ability 20190130_122248 by dusty miller, on Flickr
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Post by veg on Nov 17, 2019 21:51:48 GMT 1
When I built my yam xs650 street scrambler in 2011/12 I fitted the tank then put cardboard around the seat framework and duct tape then clingfilm and fibreglassed over it to make a seat base that I could then cut and trim to shape. Then I designed a seat and sent it off for upholstery it resembled a short 1960’s scrambler seat.
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Post by sidney81 on Nov 17, 2019 22:48:12 GMT 1
Yea, keep the pump if you can. I had the ugly twin shock mount part of the frame cut off mine for a much cleaner look, and more "mod ability 20190130_122248 by dusty miller, on Flickr cool ,good picture dusty i like that ill do something like that .. oh that calender on the wall (united welding) they are round the corner from my work we use them for our consumables ha ha
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Post by sidney81 on Nov 17, 2019 22:53:06 GMT 1
When I built my yam xs650 street scrambler in 2011/12 I fitted the tank then put cardboard around the seat framework and duct tape then clingfilm and fibreglassed over it to make a seat base that I could then cut and trim to shape. Then I designed a seat and sent it off for upholstery it resembled a short 1960’s scrambler seat. hi thats a good idea my brother works with fiberglass hes brillant at making moulds etc . he made the blisters for our tzrs and the rear middle bit inbetween the side panles ,cool
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Post by sidney81 on Nov 18, 2019 23:09:43 GMT 1
Hi everyone, I've been a kind of looking night, behind the right side panel i can make a new plate and set it back to take the battery CDI and Rectifier (hopefully). Move the flasher unit up under the tank out of the way. My 3.5inch rear wheel is here thanks to my mate Andy T. I have also worked out i can lose a lot more lugs off the frame i don't need. I will cut the frame at the back and weld my seat loop in and go from there with the seat i'll add a few pics. Thanks. IMG_20191118_192711 by Chris, on Flickr IMG_20191118_192706 by Chris, on Flickr IMG_20191118_201009 by Chris, on Flickr Screenshot_20191118-205643 by Chris, on Flickr IMG_20191105_210044 by Chris, on Flickr
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Post by dusty350 on Nov 19, 2019 7:18:47 GMT 1
If you need them, I can give you the dimensions of the lithium battery that a lot of us use now. It's physically smaller than a standard Lc battery, and is a 5th of the weight ! It can be positioned on it's side if necessary so helping you locate it in a tight space Dusty
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Post by dusty350 on Nov 19, 2019 19:49:27 GMT 1
Hi Chris This is what I'm using on the Café racer build; 20191119_180539 by dusty miller, on Flickr Height - 90mm Width - 120mm Depth - 60mm Weighs less than 500 grams Great for a modded bike due to smaller size, huge weight saving, and as there is no acid, you can lay it down, put it on it's side etc. Dusty
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Post by sidney81 on Nov 19, 2019 21:43:30 GMT 1
thats brilliant dusty thank you !it is very small would be perfect
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