Well, it's started. Engine's not done yet, no no no; but even if it still leaks oil and is a bitch to start, by the time I finish the project I'm beginning here it will just be in character.
This thread is going to be like a log, or journal. I know a KB blog would be slightly better for this, but nobody would ever read it and all I really want is to be loved
Well anyway, I've begun. Got two packages today; a pair of classic bar-end mirrors from the USA via eBay, and a pair of GB400/500 clip-ons via Trademe.
The bar-end mirrors are lovely. They arrived first, so I fitted them to my original bars. I had to cut holes in the grips and pull a plug out of the left bar (the right plug disappeared after my crash). I flipped them down, so the mirrors were hanging below the bars for a really low profile. Very pretty, I thought; however the glass was that horrible magnifying stuff, so the single cylinder thumps made them next to useless at low revs (not that I use mirrors much; I turn my head mostly).
While I was down in South Auckland getting some machining done on a tap, I picked up my package from the post-office. GB400/500 clip-ons; the left one bent. This was an arsehole of a job. Dropped the forks down the triple clamps so I could sneak the clip-ons in-between the clamps, got them on, tightened them up -- oh shit, they're too big! Rode somebody else's mountain bike down the road (cor! hard work) and bought a can of Coke, which I couldn't drink; emptied the can, then cut it up for use as a shim for my too-skinny forks (thank-you Zen and Art! One of the few practical things in that book). I don't like it; it seems dodgy, and isn't quite thick enough -- I had to do a few loops of aluminium can, and I can tighten the locknut all the way up without too much sweat. However the bars seem secure. They're way down the forks, otherwise they interfere with the indicators -- further than I liked. Took the bike for a spin along `my' waterfront (GiJoe knows it now) -- you feel like some Manx lunatic even below 70kph. Awesome sensation of speed, and very flickable. I can see I'll look like Quasimodo after a few kms, but hell, I'm young.
I've read on the internet about shimming clip-on bars with proper shimming metal. You can buy it in sizes. I want some of this stuff -- where can I buy it in NZ? And does anybody know how wide CB250RS forks are? I don't have calipers, and used dress-makers tape to make an inaccurate circumference which gave me about 33mm or something. Haynes makes no mention.
So yeah, I've got the first few things on my list done. Next up is a headlight and instrument cluster; the square ones looked period along with the rest of the bike and the old bars and mirrors, but now they look quite ridiculous. My research suggests a CB250N headlight would work quite nicely. Saw a gorgeous replica Smith Chronometric Speedometer on Trademe (quite a few on eBay too), but the price was astronomical. Don't think I need a rev counter; I know the noises and pitch of the engine, and it gets quite breathy up top anyway, so I'm in no danger of red-lining the engine without knowing it. Will of course need some little indicators too, which I think you can attach to those universal headlight mounting brackets (which clip on to the forks, too) I'll need for a headlight.
After that; the seat. This will really transform the bike's looks. Of course, with that, comes a lot of work -- tail light, indicators, number plate, mudguard (do I need one?). At some point I'm going to dump the battery. Oh yeah, pod filter and exhausts. Bidding half-heartedly on some Dunstall replicas on Trademe. Hope I can nab them for cheap. Bike's already lean as it is, so I'll really need to do some carb work. Maybe get an XR250/350 carb? Lots of jets and things for those. Would get a Keihin FCR if I were a millionaire.
P.S. Yep, I'm wearing that `Hallenstein's' jacket I crashed in infamously, but no, I didn't wear that on the bike. Save your safety nazi comments -- Quasimoto has had me kitted up on his purse for a while now, bless that man!
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by xerxesdaphat
. What do people recommend for making an `expander' or whatever like this that is thicker (say, 2 or 3 times thicker) than aluminium coke can? Maybe I should resell the clipons -- the left one is slightly bent (although I just adjust it further forward and it's perfect), so I got them for quite a good price I thought -- then buy some proper ones. I think my forks might be 32mm?
Bookmarks