Buying a "project" bike.

[Owen_N]

This should really be in the Bike Trader section, but you can't add general threads there.

I am having difficulty finding sources of semi or wholly defunct motorcycles.
(VS1400 Suzuki)
You can get some on Trade Me, with missing front ends, but I want, as a starter,
a complete but rough engine for measuring purposes, hopefully with rescuable
crank, gearbox internals, cases.

I plan to graft a complete new crank/engine assembly on to the main cases.
I think the VS1400 crank will be reusable, and the clutch, if I put heavier springs in it.
I am working on increasing capacity from 1400 to around 2 liters.

I am working on a plan to sleeve up the plain main bearings, as they may be a bit narrow,
as they have a full diameter groove up the center.
I can mount the camchain drive, starter gear, and alternator a bit more outboard to suit.
The extension sleeve will have a center disk, dowelled into the
old bearing inner end. The material should be soft enough to bore.

The VS1400 is a good choice because it has a good driveshaft length for the type of bike I
want. Eventually I would buy a "back half" bike and graft a new forward frame and front
end on to it.

Other Boulevard Suzukis could be used as a donor, if I could mate on the shorter
swingarm and driveshaft. I think the 1500 (long)shaft is a swap.
Kawasakis with the 100mm or close stroke are rather scarce.

A slight difficulty is that I want to lift the steering head higher than your average sportsbike,
to clear the engine. I think I can fit custom lower fork tubes to a USD front end,
but I suppose the tubes won't be cheap.
The new bike will be modelled on the Ducati Scrambler for sizes and layout, but with
2 rear shocks, water cooled, and with the radiator mounted vertically forward of the rear wheel.
The carb will be a 4-barrel, mounted in the center, with a small air box under the tank.
I think I can still get about 18 liters of fuel in there.
If anyone has any Ideas where else I can put ads for parts, let me know.
(apart from WTB, here)

--
Owen_N

[F5 Dave]

That sounds like a lot of work and money, and more money doing the redevelopment when stage one goes awry. Why not start off with something that isn't such a slug?

[Grumph]

That sounds like a lot of work and money, and more money doing the redevelopment when stage one goes awry. Why not start off with something that isn't such a slug?

+1

Better to start with something which is a lot more common too. Frankly, some of what you propose is only feasible if you are of the standard of Swarfie or Flettner on here - and have access to similar gear.

[AllanB]

Son of a Britten?

Sounds like a project of love as it will be a black pool for your wallet.

Try ebay for the bike or bits. You may find it is cheaper to buy an entire bike (slightly damaged maybe?) and bring it in than fart around in NZ for bits.

There are also USA sites that deal in damaged toys and the prices are very cheap.

[HenryDorsetCase]

the business model of motorcycle wreckers here is absolutely fucking stupid. Their stuff is too expensive. I mean, I get they are trying to run a business, but if I can source, import and even pay tax on shit and its still cheaper than a wrecker here - yeah nah.

Have fun with your project: you're doing it for the right reason, I trust: because you want to and like playing about in your shed. Because you are about to spend a shit ton of money, time, tears and sweat. You will never get your money back either so you better like what you want to build.

Why not just buy an up-spec Ducati Scrambler and spend the rest on Jack Daniels and hookers?

[RJC]

Why not just buy an up-spec Ducati Scrambler and spend the rest on Jack Daniels and hookers?

Universally good advice.

[Owen_N]

+1

Better to start with something which is a lot more common too. Frankly, some of what you propose is only feasible if you are of the standard of Swarfie or Flettner on here - and have access to similar gear.

Owen:
the VS1400 is probably the most common bike in the v-twin cruiser section!
Second-hand they seem to be asking around $ 5500 in good condition. Made from 1985 to around 2005.
Later called the S83. Changed to 5-speed in '87, same top and bottom gear.

It is not that slow- 58hp on the rear wheel. - better than my last bike.
I suspect I can increase that to 150 HP at the rear wheel-getting into superbike territory, even with
a 7500 rpm top limit.

It is comparable to a semi-race Orca or S&S big-banger, but probably more durable.

Cost is a major factor. I could easily cost myself up to $50,000 on a project like this,
so some economizing is required. I just decided to get the correct pistons (116mm) rather than reuse
Ducati ones.
I will try to get the piston/ring/pin set for under $500 per piston.
I may end up getting piston cast and machining them myself.
Chill cast L13 alloy should be strong enough! - shades of Burt Munro, hey!

I also need to buy a reasonable lathe,
-possibly $3000 worth? - so that will take a while to save up for, at $20 per week -150 weeks,
or 2.6 years. - I will look for a bit of part-time work to help save up.

--
Owen_N

[russd7]

sounds to me you have an inkling of what you are talking bout

[F5 Dave]

. . .
It is not that slow- 58hp on the rear wheel. - better than my last bike.
I suspect I can increase that to 150 HP at the rear wheel-getting into superbike territory, even with
a 7500 rpm top limit. . .

Oh well, that's cleared that up.

[Unsubscribe]

[HenryDorsetCase]

Oh well, that's cleared that up.

[Unsubscribe]

Ye of little faith.


BURN THE WITCH

[nudemetalz]

Sounds like you're looking at building a Suzuki version of one of these..

[Ocean1]

Sounds like you're looking at building a Suzuki version of one of these..

If you were going that far you'd go here, shirley?

[Owen_N]

Sounds like you're looking at building a Suzuki version of one of these..

Sort of- think Ducati Scrambler/Multistrada cross, with 45 degree v-twin looks. The Yamaha uses an untuned
cruiser motor, so is a bit underpowered. Very wide torque band, though.
The stagger-pin crank will make it sound a bit like a Ducati.
I have to use 2 rear shocks, though, so that I can get a radiator under the seat.
If you lay the shocks close to horizontal, you can still get quite a lot of rear wheel
travel. The shocks and springs need to be heavier, to suit.
The Panigale uses a single horizontal shock, set to one side.

--
Owen_N

[Owen_N]

If you were going that far you'd go here, shirley?

Looks very pretty!
I sorta go for the old-fashioned naked-bike look.
Think 1980s Triumph Bonneville.
Makes a nice change from narrow bars, and the "lean forward" look.
Of course, you will blow your arse off the back if you try to go ton-up
while sitting upright.

[AllanB]

Benelli ran radiators under the seat on a couple of their big bore bikes. Fans run overtime just for cosmetic looks. Honda ran them on the sides on the VTR.