CB250RS café racer project

[NordieBoy]

The XL500-engine will fit without any daubt: it has been done before!
As the engine is "longer" though, you have to adapt the cylinderhead to frame pillars.

And drill the frame and use the engine mounting bolts from the 500 (bigger diameter).

I think.

That's what I was told when I wanted to "upgrade" my XR250.

They may have just been trying to put me off though as the bike is fast enough as it is

[Wobbles]

Met up with Mylittletony the other week and had a blast up to the Ace caff in London.
Great to meet up and have a jaw about the little RSs.
Funny how much attention our little bikes attracted seeing as how much exotica and 'worthy' classics there were. Think we both felt quite stoked about it

Anyway - took a couple of shots on the Chelsea Embankment on the way home - you can just make out Battersea power station in the background.

Good to meet you Tony mate, hope to see you again soon

[mylittletony]

Ha! Thanks for posting the pictures Hilton, mine are still stuck on my ancient camera phone! Good to meet you too.

Yeah, I was quite surprised how much the old boys approved, although yours was rightfully getting more love - pats on the back for us!

Unfortunately mine's getting parked up for a while as I'm off on holiday then hotel-ing at my folks for a bit.

Might be time to get a suitably styled tank on, anyone know of an older vintage Honda one that fits easily (bobber-ish style)??

Tony
(joint founder member of the elite London CB250rs owners club )

[Buddha#81:Me]

The XL500-engine will fit without any daubt: it has been done before!
As the engine is "longer" though, you have to adapt the cylinderhead to frame pillars.

And the bottom of the tank? I looked into this for a post classic race bike but was warned the extra power can affect the handling.

[Taz]

And the bottom of the tank? I looked into this for a post classic race bike but was warned the extra power can affect the handling.

What handling????

Here's my CB250RS, I put an extra cylinder on it and turned the engine 90 degrees in the frame.

http://i692.photobucket.com/albums/v.../smguzzi02.jpg

[maybegunnadoo]

Ok,

Frames all done and ready for the paint shop. I've sourced a lovely '78 (?) CB350 tank which I hope will fit. I've decided against clipons and want some nice cafe bars - anyone got some or know where I can get them. Colours will be Ducati red with white ventral and black pinstripe, I'm making up my own indicator units with LEDS and moding the electrics to all fit under the ducktail. I had a real win and discovered a Haynes manual in perfect condition in the local library. Went down on a quiet day with the trusty camera and hey presto a complete manual AND I also got the XL500 as well. I've attached some of the performance data, and the difference is not that much at all. I can't see the 500 engine overpowering the frame especially as there will be less weight overall....Anyway thats a while away. A couple of Q's.

Wheres the best shop in OZ for the new parts.

Can respoking be done one at a time or do you have to to do it all at once.

What tone does a spoke correctly tightened make. (fuk I sound like Yoda)

How do you remove the cush drive rubbers, the 500 manual has better instructions but says you must use a propriety tool ie pay your Honda dealer.

[maybegunnadoo]

Look what I found, I full service manual, follow the link. It's not the best and is in 3 languages but is a lot more comprehensive than the standard Haynes one. http://www.megaupload.com/?d=GO5D1KHA

[maybegunnadoo]

Feel like I'm talking to myself however.... I foung some Marzocchi Strada Ag rear shockies in really good trim. I've got a rebiuld kit coming for them and have modifyed them to fit on the lugs. The issue is that they are approx 1cm+ longer than the standard FVQ. Anyone know what effect this will have besides lifting the rear? Also could be some chain clearance issue as well. But they look shit hot! I've also decided against clip ons and am fitting some 'clubman' style bars as this will hopefully negate the need to move the pegs back. One last one, what weight fork oil, 5 or heavier and has anyone shimmed theirs or changed there spring?

[CookMySock]

Nah its interesting, mate. Keep posting!

Steve

[Latte]

Raising the rear will steepen the fork angle. This is supposed to quicken the steering which might be a good thing on a bike with relaxed geo. Wether you'll notice the difference though.......

[CookMySock]

Wether you'll notice the difference though.......

You may not notice it puttering around, but at larger speeds and angles of lean the bars get really sensitive and light, which is kinda weird cornering it with fingertips.

Steve

[maybegunnadoo]

Wot a victory today, cortesy of my friendly bearing/seal mob I managed to replace most of the seals in the Marzocchis. Then of course discovered that the bladders were U/S. ( This was after accidently dropping the body and rendering the top into a bloody oval! why can't it al be straight forwards!!! Anyway I managed to make up a tool to remove the top cover of the shockie and get to the bladder. The feeling of success was so overwheming that I then put the new head bearings on and fitteds up all the new round headlight. Then went and did most of the front wheel....Wot a fukin' great day....

Anyway for the uninitiated out there I discovered a wonderful website called 'garage night' where a bunch of Aussie blokes (not yanks....hooray) fix there bikes using whats at hand and beer. It is a brilliant resource and I take my hat off.

the bike will be red with a white cental stripe and bleck pin striping. Also will have 'MV' decals and 'Moto Morso' insignia to reflect the manufacturer...Tastfully done of course

[CookMySock]

for the uninitiated out there I discovered a wonderful website called 'garage night' where a bunch of Aussie blokes (not yanks....hooray) fix there bikes using whats at hand and beer. It is a brilliant resource and I take my hat off.

This could be a good resource for KB, as its rather difficult to show newbs how to do things over the internet.
I'll review it fully and post in a new thread about it, unless someone beats me to it.

BTW, congrats of your day of progress! It's a great feeling getting ahead.

Steve

[Kickaha]

Wot a victory today, cortesy of my friendly bearing/seal mob I managed to replace most of the seals in the Marzocchis. Then of course discovered that the bladders were U/S.

You can still get new bladders for them here, you will have to buy the whole kit, I think it took about 2-3 weeks from ordering to arrival

[maybegunnadoo]

I've known about the kit, but the priority is not spending vast amounts on items that can be fixed. I managed to get all the seals for the total of $20. The bladders both have tears in them so I have glued them with swimming pool repair glue (bostick0. I used this to replace all the valves on my kitesurfer and it will hold a lot of pressure. I then had a brain wave and went and got a tube of Sikaflex. This is a form of ultra-silicone, that sticks like sh*t to a blanket , is incredibly flexible and very tough. So I hope I have created a bladder within a bladder that will maintain the required pressure. the shockie usese between 28-43 psi but as it is a very light bike hopefully all I will need is the small amount.

Also due to funding I was unable to purchase new spokes and the old ones were petty ratty. I cleaned them up as nuch as poss and investigated some form of aluminium paint for them. None were very good as they all have that dreadful silver look. I then checked the contents of the shed and discovered an old can of Ormanoid. This is a tar and aluminium based roof sealant. I maneged to strain off a lot of the tar mixture and wass left with a form of pure paintable aluminium! Needless to say the old spokes have come up like new and will last until funding is at a better level....

Off to the wreakers now to dream at bits'n'pieces....