It's a black one

[Kendog]

It was interesting to read the description of my previous bucket plan.

Those that know me know I am not a mechanical type, preferring to get things serviced or repaired by others. I am also lazy so the thought of building a decent bucket did not really appeal to me.

So the plan was to let someone else do the hard work and buy a ready done bucket. I had my eye on a couple on Trade Me, but they had older engines that may need work to keep them going. So a new plan was formulated to get a Loncin engine and 'simply' put it into a frame and get riding.

That was sooooo not the right plan for a 'ready done bucket' Even after countless hours I still had so much more I wanted to do to get the bike right.
On the positive side, I have learnt so much over the past year. But I was over it

I was thinking about what to do next, keep working on the Loncin or get something else. I had been contemplating picking up a FXR, stripping it down and turning it into a bucket.

Then I saw a black FXR on TM. All the bucket building work was done, just put numbers on and go racing. Perfect. A little bit of research and it turned out Bren chch was selling it. Ironically he had sold me the RG frame I used on the Loncin bucket a year ago. There is a great thread on FXR150.co.nz showing the building of it and Brendan sent me some more info via email. After one night sleeping on it I hit 'buynow' and it was mine. Three days later it was in my garage

So, this is how I wanted my bucket to be last time round. Took it for a ride down a quiet road, felt really good.
First time on the track was the 2 hour endurance event. I felt a lot quicker than the last bike straight away, but had carb issues (it fell off three times )

Since getting it I have added a RS tail (I need to get some gloss black paint for this), replaced the exhaust (thanks Sketchy and Skunk for your help), added clipons, replaced the throttle, swapped the rear slick for a wider one, braced the carb , swapped the front and rear sporckets, new chain and added nylon to all the right places.

Spent yesterday on the track with F5Dave giving me some very helpful riding tips, thanks Dave.

The more I ride this bike the more I like it. Bring on Taupo.

[Skunk]

Bastard. A grade for you!

[James Deuce]

Dude, Bren is the man. I saw the secret workshop when I was down in Christchurch in August and I can safely say that any performance issues will be in your head.

I just had an idea too.

Hang on, I need to book a ferry trip........

[Kendog]

Bastard. A grade for you!

A quick bike does not make a quick rider, I still have much to learn.

[woodyracer]

A quick bike does not make a quick rider, I still have much to learn.

but a quick bike makes a slow rider faster

[Henk]

Kendog

I went in with the same "Buy something done" attitude and bought a CB125S for cheap with the idea that I didn't want to spend a heap of time and coins building a bucket only to find that buckets weren't my cup of tea. Did one practice day and one race meet and two months after I bought the old nail was the proud owner of a crash damaged FXR as well. Then I started on the conversion.
Bike collected on tuesday, raced that weekend with the headlight and tail light replaced with duct tape and some nylon fitted. a month after that the build was almost complete with a tailpiece and number board from Hazzard and a fair bit of work with an angle grinder, GSXR wheels fitted and the hmurphy pipe mod. The following month a GN carb had found it's way into the mix via trade me and the pegs got raised thanks to some scrap ali in the garage. Job now pretty much done.
To anyone considering getting into this game I'd recommend the FXR conversion, it has to be about the easiest build out there, all you really need to do to have a bike that you can go out and play on is some quality time in the shed with a grinder.
I had thought that I was no faster on the FXR than on the old girl, just felt more comfortable on it and riding it is easier with no 20 year old gearbox quirks and missing the throttle that has to be used as a switch on the cb due to the cavernous hole in the mid range. Then bloody Sydwyz put a stop watch on me on Sunday for some obscure reason and showed me that I've gone from high 36s to mid 32s. Looks like the FXR just threw me out of the B grade.

[nudemetalz]

Well done, Nigel.
The bike looks fantastic !!!!

Good luck for Taupo.

[F5 Dave]

Is that your back yard view? I feel a BBQ coming on if it is.

Was a pleasure at the track, gave me the chance to fix the float height issue I'd introduced on the dyno & some time to think about my own riding. Did you get back to the track Wednesday? If not just keep thinking about those things & practice in your head.

What was the result of the 'breather' pipe? Vacuum hose or genuine breather?

[Trudes]

Yes, well.
FXRs still suck, real men ride two-strokes.
Anyway...... you're definitely more comfortable on this one and Dave's tuiton is doing something, you were fair hooning around yesterday and looking real smooth and settled.
I agree with Skunk, I reckon you'll be hard to beat in B grade next year..... A grade here you come!

[nudemetalz]

HOWEVER....I hear there's a mighty force coming next year to topple everyone over in B-Grade on a nice light blue Loncin/RGV....

[Kendog]

Is that your back yard view? I feel a BBQ coming on if it is.

Was a pleasure at the track, gave me the chance to fix the float height issue I'd introduced on the dyno & some time to think about my own riding. Did you get back to the track Wednesday? If not just keep thinking about those things & practice in your head.

What was the result of the 'breather' pipe? Vacuum hose or genuine breather?

Unfortunately that is not our view, but the new houses going up there will be very nice.
I was on the track again on Wednesday, was great being able to practice what we had discussed again so soon.

I am still looking into the carb.

[jasonu]

What's that clamped to the right fork? Surely not a catch bottle right next to the front wheel.

[kiwifruit]

Looks mean, good luck for Taupo

[Pumba]

What's that clamped to the right fork? Surely not a catch bottle right next to the front wheel.

My guess would by nylon track crash protection

[jasonu]

Na man have another look. It looks like a bit of alcathene pipe strapped to the lower fork. I am stuffed if I can figure out what it might be fore. Certainaly not track protection.