Bmx wheels fit perfectly!
Friday, 17 May 2013
Pint pot racer
Seems to be quiet on the build front at the moment.
Finished up work early this afternoon, so like the project butterfly that I am; my eyes wandered to this old mower and autocycle frame...
The plan is one I made a couple of years back, a mini board racer. Originally I wanted to do this for last years hayride, but the drags were changed... Anyways, today seemed a good day to clear my head and get some chop therapy...
Even manged to get a little tank made for it..
Need to find some BMX wheels for it, then work out a clutch.
Finished up work early this afternoon, so like the project butterfly that I am; my eyes wandered to this old mower and autocycle frame...
The plan is one I made a couple of years back, a mini board racer. Originally I wanted to do this for last years hayride, but the drags were changed... Anyways, today seemed a good day to clear my head and get some chop therapy...
Even manged to get a little tank made for it..
Need to find some BMX wheels for it, then work out a clutch.
Monday, 13 May 2013
Summer sale.... VL Frame and Springer, Invader Wheels, Bates Style Seats
Time for me to have a clear out I'm trying to pull some money together to buy a running bike, and get my head out the clouds with all my projects. I only try and buy nice parts, so wont be selling them for a pittance, but I'm welcome to decent offers.
First up - VL frame and springer. Frame is in great condition, there is a repair on the gearbox cradle, but other than that is in great shape. the forks are nice also, a bit of pitting on the fork legs, but what do you expect for an 80 year old?
Looking for offers around the £2k mark for both, or will split the frame and fork if you fancy... Was bought to modify so I could put my old Knuck motor into, but I didnt have the heart to cut them!
Really nice Invader wheels, 16 rear, 19 front. Imported these in from the states a while back, and they are in great nick. I also have an ironhead Brake / Sprocket setup that goes with these wheels. All parts for the sprocket and brake are brand new out the packet from W&W (you can imagine the cost). I believe there may be a cam and the brake lever missing, but there are new pads, springs etc for it.
Looking for offers around £600 for them...
Last up for now - Bates style saddles - re-pop one made by Caulfield - looking for £70 a piece for them...
Gimme a ring on 07540 722 423, or email TC@Customxs650.com
Slow progress
Slow progress...
fitted the second set of baffles. Certainly helped with the noise.
Still not running off choke though...
made a cage for inside the leather box to try and organise the wiring....
Also checked the timing and cleaned the carbs.
Oh, and got some higher bars the other day that are in much better condition. Fitted them...
My over active coils are at it again, so going back through the wiring next time out.
I wonder if its lack of power from batteries (although I am not running that small one yet...)
fitted the second set of baffles. Certainly helped with the noise.
Still not running off choke though...
made a cage for inside the leather box to try and organise the wiring....
Also checked the timing and cleaned the carbs.
Oh, and got some higher bars the other day that are in much better condition. Fitted them...
My over active coils are at it again, so going back through the wiring next time out.
I wonder if its lack of power from batteries (although I am not running that small one yet...)
Thursday, 18 April 2013
Run you bitch!
The big day today, got the running circuit wired up and attempted to get the bike running. After a change of coil I managed to get it running on 1 cylinder. It actually fired up really quickly- no choke, and a bit of throttle....
Smoking quite heartily on the running cylinder, and can't work out why the left one isn't firing (there is a spark)....
Smoking quite heartily on the running cylinder, and can't work out why the left one isn't firing (there is a spark)....
Monday, 15 April 2013
Thursday, 11 April 2013
Love / Hate
I may now be a married man, but it wont stop me from finishing this damn bike - its a continual percentage game with this thing - the difference between loving and hating the bloody thing. Today i'm running at about 87.6% love for it, so its a good day!
I've got a couple of days free after an unusually manic start to the year, and a diary after this weekend that doesn't leave much time for bikes. I was hoping to have wiring on today - but as ever - things didn't quite go to plan....
First up I fitted the Doherty throttle on the bike - wasn't impressed with it at all really - looked too big, and the build quality wasn't that good to be honest. Remembering that I had the Super Practic B in the shed - I slapped that on, and it instantly looked ace. Nice and old looking to match the bike. Still finding the cable is sticking loads - anyone got any ideas about that?
Next problem - that brake Linkage I made the other week....
If it had been working in tension, it might have worked, but with the pedal pushing on it, there was no way it was going to work in that thickness of metal.... I thought about the different ways I could do it, and maybe use the oxy-acetylene to bend a thicker version out of stainless..
After thinking long and hard - the action on the pedal was really working in the wrong direction, so a pivot would be ideal to transfer the Push to a pull action....
Long and the short is that i made a new linkage, Leaded bronze bush with a stainless steel axle running through it. the bottom lever was made from an old spanner, and the top was attached to a sleeve that I turned up and cross drilled to lock in place.
As ever I feel like i'm re-making things over and over. but hopefully now I'm making things to stay...
I've ordered some rose joints that will be used to connect the levers up, tomorrow will be more drilling for them in the levels, and then (hopefully) a spot of wiring!
I've got a couple of days free after an unusually manic start to the year, and a diary after this weekend that doesn't leave much time for bikes. I was hoping to have wiring on today - but as ever - things didn't quite go to plan....
First up I fitted the Doherty throttle on the bike - wasn't impressed with it at all really - looked too big, and the build quality wasn't that good to be honest. Remembering that I had the Super Practic B in the shed - I slapped that on, and it instantly looked ace. Nice and old looking to match the bike. Still finding the cable is sticking loads - anyone got any ideas about that?
Next problem - that brake Linkage I made the other week....
If it had been working in tension, it might have worked, but with the pedal pushing on it, there was no way it was going to work in that thickness of metal.... I thought about the different ways I could do it, and maybe use the oxy-acetylene to bend a thicker version out of stainless..
After thinking long and hard - the action on the pedal was really working in the wrong direction, so a pivot would be ideal to transfer the Push to a pull action....
Long and the short is that i made a new linkage, Leaded bronze bush with a stainless steel axle running through it. the bottom lever was made from an old spanner, and the top was attached to a sleeve that I turned up and cross drilled to lock in place.
As ever I feel like i'm re-making things over and over. but hopefully now I'm making things to stay...
I've ordered some rose joints that will be used to connect the levers up, tomorrow will be more drilling for them in the levels, and then (hopefully) a spot of wiring!
Thursday, 14 March 2013
The Great Sticker Swap of 2013
Right then Blog buddies - Instagram seems to be taking a grip over blog land at the moment, but I know there are still you die hard Blog fans out there...
I've got a load of Deathcat stickers to give away - all you got to do is email me your address to TC@customxs650.com and i'll post you them. International sticker whores - yeh you too!
cant say fairer than that - free shit.....
Now if your a nice Blog reader you'll help a man in need - sent me some stickers back! I've got this dented old tank to cover, and at the moment its a bit half arsed!
I've got a load of Deathcat stickers to give away - all you got to do is email me your address to TC@customxs650.com and i'll post you them. International sticker whores - yeh you too!
cant say fairer than that - free shit.....
Now if your a nice Blog reader you'll help a man in need - sent me some stickers back! I've got this dented old tank to cover, and at the moment its a bit half arsed!
Wednesday, 13 March 2013
Wiring progress
Another couple of hours under my belt this morning. Work to do this arvo unfortunately! (he says as updating his thread)
Made a start on the wiring, front headlamp is sorted, flash works of the micro switch on the handlebars. Need a new horn to put on, but that should be the front complete.
Also assembled the brake light for the rear - I bloody love this thing. should really make the back of the bike. Trying my best to make the wiring as neat as possible on it all. Think i'm gonna have to have a look at the light again, I don't think its going to be properly grounded at the moment due to the powder coating...
Took a bit of an arty shot when having a coffee break....
I had an issue with where I originally intended to mount the reg rec. I had made mounts for it under my battery tray, but I felt it was a bit vulnerable under there, plus would take the full force of all the road salt etc...
As I had mislaid one of the rear engine mounts prior to powder coating I decided to mount behind the engine. Hope there isnt too much of an issue with it getting too hot - but time will tell....
Knocked up this mount from stainless plate
and this is where it will sit. I think its out the way of the chain, but i'll have to wait to 100% check that....
Made a start on the wiring, front headlamp is sorted, flash works of the micro switch on the handlebars. Need a new horn to put on, but that should be the front complete.
Also assembled the brake light for the rear - I bloody love this thing. should really make the back of the bike. Trying my best to make the wiring as neat as possible on it all. Think i'm gonna have to have a look at the light again, I don't think its going to be properly grounded at the moment due to the powder coating...
Took a bit of an arty shot when having a coffee break....
I had an issue with where I originally intended to mount the reg rec. I had made mounts for it under my battery tray, but I felt it was a bit vulnerable under there, plus would take the full force of all the road salt etc...
As I had mislaid one of the rear engine mounts prior to powder coating I decided to mount behind the engine. Hope there isnt too much of an issue with it getting too hot - but time will tell....
Knocked up this mount from stainless plate
and this is where it will sit. I think its out the way of the chain, but i'll have to wait to 100% check that....
Tuesday, 12 March 2013
Cro clamp and bars
Bought a set of celebs clamps for the 45 a while back. Been putting off welding them until today.
Tank Fubar!
FINALLY! I got some time to work on the bike.
It was a bloody cold one today, didn't get above freezing, and was snowing, but I was determined to get some progress.
Got the carbs on, noticed the throttle assembly is knackered, so will need to fix that... Need to order some more jubilee clips for the air filters...
Thought best to get the engine in tight, went to put the head steady on; had to drill the mounts and the frame to get it to fit. I got it all on after a load of jiggling and fiddling, then went to put the tank on....
Holy shit, how did I miss this.... Hadn't tried the tank on with the head steady on!
FUUUUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCKKKKKKK!
Had to have a sit and a thing and a very hot strong coffee....
There was 2 options, make a skinnier mount, or change the tank....
Now I've heard a lot about head steadies not wanting to be too rigid. With the heat of the engine, everything grows and what not, puts stresses on the frame etc....
So even though it would be a ball ache, I decided to cut the tank!!!!!!!!!
I didn't want to destroy the paint, so would have to be as delicate as a mad man can be with a grinder and welder....
Marked up what I would need to cut and kept the tank on an old jumper so it didn't scratch too bad..
Took a while to cut it out, then clean all the paint off..
Made up some trays or inserts to put in the tank....
Then tacked and welded the buggers in place
Finally the tank was put on the bike, and hallelujah! The bugger now fits!
It's a bit 2 steps forward one back, but good progress none the less....
It was a bloody cold one today, didn't get above freezing, and was snowing, but I was determined to get some progress.
Got the carbs on, noticed the throttle assembly is knackered, so will need to fix that... Need to order some more jubilee clips for the air filters...
Thought best to get the engine in tight, went to put the head steady on; had to drill the mounts and the frame to get it to fit. I got it all on after a load of jiggling and fiddling, then went to put the tank on....
Holy shit, how did I miss this.... Hadn't tried the tank on with the head steady on!
FUUUUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCKKKKKKK!
Had to have a sit and a thing and a very hot strong coffee....
There was 2 options, make a skinnier mount, or change the tank....
Now I've heard a lot about head steadies not wanting to be too rigid. With the heat of the engine, everything grows and what not, puts stresses on the frame etc....
So even though it would be a ball ache, I decided to cut the tank!!!!!!!!!
I didn't want to destroy the paint, so would have to be as delicate as a mad man can be with a grinder and welder....
Marked up what I would need to cut and kept the tank on an old jumper so it didn't scratch too bad..
Took a while to cut it out, then clean all the paint off..
Made up some trays or inserts to put in the tank....
Then tacked and welded the buggers in place
Finally the tank was put on the bike, and hallelujah! The bugger now fits!
It's a bit 2 steps forward one back, but good progress none the less....
Tuesday, 5 March 2013
Ornamental Conifer
I met Nico last year in the Trip out, turned out we had common friends, and it got us talking. I'd seen his work, and been following his blog for a while. Being the Gentleman he is, he offered to do me a sign for Sarah and my wedding which is just a couple of weeks away. Just seen the pictures on his blog, and its awesome!
In the last 4 years or so, they guys I've met through the bike community have been a pleasure, willing to help, share, and generally be good guys.
Check out Nico's work on his blog Ornamental Conifer - a craftsman in a world of incompetents....
Thursday, 14 February 2013
Spring is coming!
Not much progress been made on the bikes, but a few things going on behind the scenes. Got an import xs650 which will be daily for the beginning of the year. hoping it will go down pendine sands too.
Things are getting a bit busy at the side of the house, much to the future Mrs P's dismay!
Also sorted a good laser cutting supplier. Tombo sorted out the drawings and picked up the adapter plates today - they will be made into adapters so i can run an amal Mk1 carb....
Wednesday, 30 January 2013
Chop therapy
Recently my life has been full of two things, work and weddings! Occasionally sleep and gym also, but nowhere near enough shed time.
Got back from London decent last night, so I seized the moment and got busy with a tank that has been hung on the wall for a couple of months...
It did look like a dinosaur head about half way through, but was well please with it.....
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