Flat Track Replica xt500 project

**Badcat** · 17th December 2005, 06:04

I spoke to steve at F1 yesterday.
progress on the bike has been slow, and it's not going to be ready until january.
aside from my obvious disappointment (it's been in hamilton for 6 weeks now), a little more time to consider has given me time to slightly change some things while it's been away and do now some things that i thought i might do later.
so, here's the status:
seat unit is being mounted this week after some changes to the frame.
the aluminium swingarm is on the bike with new OEM bearings.
the front end is cut down and the fork outer tubes are away getting anodised black.
the YZ triples are away being polished.
i've decided to not install the SR intruments onto the YZ triples, as they are huge and heavy. i want a very simple look so and going to get steve to make some mounts for just the headlight and run a digital speedo, like a panoram. this will also get rid of the speedo calibration problem i'll have with a different sized front wheel as with the panoram you simply feed in the circumference of the new wheel and it's done.
it will also eliminate the traditional speedo and tach cable (sr has a mechanical tach). i will end up with the panoram and a digital tach in the long run.
i'm also moving the ingnition key switch off the triples to under the tank.
so that should tidy and modernise the front end a lot.
so that's it really - hopefully i'll get the bike back with all the suspension work and the new wheels and brakes sorted mid january..

here's hoping....

k

**Badcat** · 26th December 2005, 07:09

well - not much to report , but i scored a pair of adjustable konis on tardme a couple of days back, so that saves me buying ohlins (i hope).
hopefully get the bike back in jan.....

**HenryDorsetCase** · 3rd January 2006, 21:53

Ive really enjoyed this thread because I am about to bid on an XS650 on tardme.

I have in mind a hardtail bobber with springer front end (or cut down dirtbike... that was an excellent idea BTW) (at this stage... its all very vague...) sort of like a lot of old Triumph and BSA choppers were done like in the 70's .

I realise that isnt your cup of tea probably but I have really enjoyed following the story of your trials and tribulations....

keep it coming, Im looking forward to the punchline... i.e. when its up and running.

Cheer

**Badcat** · 3rd January 2006, 22:36

Originally Posted by HenryDorsetCase

Ive really enjoyed this thread because I am about to bid on an XS650 on tardme.

I have in mind a hardtail bobber with springer front end (or cut down dirtbike... that was an excellent idea BTW) (at this stage... its all very vague...) sort of like a lot of old Triumph and BSA choppers were done like in the 70's .

I realise that isnt your cup of tea probably but I have really enjoyed following the story of your trials and tribulations....

keep it coming, Im looking forward to the punchline... i.e. when its up and running.

Cheer

is it the blue and silver one in otago?
that looks pretty nice.
i want to do a twin next - but will do a more modern motor perhaps - maybe TRX850 yamaha.

as for the XS, take a lool here:
http://www.650motorcycles.com/xs650links.html
loads of inspiration.
and if you have any questions - PM me, i've learned shitloads.

k

**Marley** · 19th January 2006, 08:34

Looks like a great thing to do. I'm looking forward to seeing the finished bike.

I was wondering, when you're planning a bike like this, do you work out all the angles like rake, trail, etc. first, or can you assume that it'll work ok since it's based on existing standard frame parts?

Is there any guarantee that it won't handle like crap?

Also, do you do the wiring yourself?

**Badcat** · 19th January 2006, 10:04

Originally Posted by Marley

Looks like a great thing to do. I'm looking forward to seeing the finished bike.

I was wondering, when you're planning a bike like this, do you work out all the angles like rake, trail, etc. first, or can you assume that it'll work ok since it's based on existing standard frame parts?

Is there any guarantee that it won't handle like crap?

Also, do you do the wiring yourself?

no - F1 engineering are adjusting the suspension length to ensure the geometry is all good.
there's little wiring needed actually - as i'm using a late model donor.

ken

**SixPackBack** · 19th January 2006, 10:05

Originally Posted by Badcat

no - F1 engineering are adjusting the suspension length to ensure the geometry is all good.
there's little wiring needed actually - as i'm using a late model donor.

ken

Must be nearly finished now Ken, how about some photos

**R1** · 19th January 2006, 13:48

Man, i just read all 5 pages of this interesting thread stopping my self from going to the last page to have a look at the completed bike and found it's not FINNISHED!!!

hurry up man...

but seriously looks like a fun idea, wouldnt mind another project....

**Badcat** · 19th January 2006, 13:59

Originally Posted by **R1**

Man, i just read all 5 pages of this interesting thread stopping my self from going to the last page to have a look at the completed bike and found it's not FINNISHED!!!

hurry up man...

but seriously looks like a fun idea, wouldnt mind another project....

yep - still waiting for F1 to complete the suspension work....
as soon as it's back - there'll be plenty of pics i promise.
and if you think YOU want to see it complete - think how it must be for me....

k

**Badcat** · 19th January 2006, 18:20

just spoke to F1 engineering.
front end is shortened, anodised and triple clamps modified to fit the SR frame new steering stops made and all good. front end is on the bike!
the rear subframe is shortened and the seat unit is on and solid.
now it down to fitting the new wheels and the disc brake master cylinder and pedal fabrication, sprocket and chain.
they are also moving the ignition key switch to below the tank, and fitting the new Koni rear shocks and the white bros CRF 450 exhaust and either re-bending the stainless header or making a new one (after i deliver the parts next week that is)
it looks like it's 2-3 weeks away now.
lots of progress!

k

**Badcat** · 24th January 2006, 15:06

well - i dropped off the final parts this morning - the konis and exhaust - some chain tensioners etc.
the bike looks INCREDIBLE, and is about 1-2 weeks away now..
steve still has to fabricate the rear brake master cylinder mounts, mountg and align the rear wheel, and modify the rear caliper mount.
also now the exhaust header and the new white bros exhaust.
also sprockets and chain etc, and new banjo bolts with brake light switches.
then it's details and the bike is ready.
we decided to keep the original clocks and headlight for the moment, as it was easier to remountg these than to screw around.

pics attached...

**Badcat** · 24th January 2006, 15:10

oh, and most of the parts are just sat on the bike for the pics.
and the shocks in the pics aren't the ones i'm using.

the think that really shocks me is how much shorter it is, and the forks are a matt black anodise, they look bad ass.

i have to find a front guard now - i may use an acerbis supermoto one yet, need to see what it looks like.

oh, and it looks all wrong on the suspension, as it's on the centre stand.