Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Cafe Racer




Triton built by Von Daz. This is actually a slimline frame that was widelined to take a Trident triple engine. In typical Von Daz attitude, he purchased the 68 Triumph front hub and started to build this bike around that!







How about it. Marks' Dad built this awesome Commando as a gift for his 21st Birthday. The bike came in for tuning, electrical work and check up. Birthday presents don't get much better than this.









Not your average Triton. Commando frame, Atlas swingarm, custom Manx style tank, swept back pipes with reverse cone shortys and much more. Powered by Triumph 650 pre-unit with a slick shift gearbox. Lot's of work setting up this outfit and it goes like a rocket. We sold this one to Ricardo who uses it as a daily rider.










Silver red 650cc pre-unit 4 speed, 1 3/4" drag pipes, reverse cone shortys, 564 alloy tailight , GT 4 leading front end plus more.
Blue 750cc pre-unit 4 speed AMC, slight rake with Triumph 2 leading front end, Dunstal Kit, mud slinger rims and the list goes on. 












This is Theos' rare and desirable Ducati 750ss. Beautifully restored, maintained and ridden.












Little but packs a punch. I don't know FA about Bultaco but i for one was impressed. These things are awsome!









My old 1964 Norton 750 Atlas. It was in a sorry state when i aquired it and took a lot of work to get it to this stage. I didn't really get a chance to enjoy it because Jeff C. made me an offer i couldn't refuse and a week later the bike was sold.



      Classic Italian Cafe Racers







         Ducati 250 Mark III














        MV Agusta 175cc












          Gilera 300 Extra











        
              Gilera 124 sei giorni









 
 
 
 
          MV Agusta Raid
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 






            Moto Guzzi Lodola

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Hippy Killer Honda 750 Four Chopper.




Another Matt J. build commissioned by Emil from Industrial Strength.
This is probably the neatest Honda chopper i have seen in a while. This long, low and mean highway star is a genuine chop bought back to life and modified just that little bit more to what you see here.
Believed to be a rare All Souls Choppers frame holding a 750cc honda 4 cylinder engine.















Front end old skool narrow springer that Emil managed to snap up but it was in a sorry state. Matt explains how much work has gone into the front end to get it working and looking this good. " I had to make new bushes, a top plate and make everything fit".  Front wheel is 21" with mini brake drum.














Narrow pull back bars, twin rectangular step down headlights, Amal levers and a 4" short stem mirror all add to that period appeal.












Metal flake paint, jelly bean green grips and rubbers, cobra metal flake seat, Diamond petrol tank, hand made sissy bar, modified Harley rear gaurd, 16" rear wheel and the list goes on!





                            
                                               I haven't ridden it yet but i hope to soon!

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Motorcycle wheel/tyre maintenance and useful tools

Here are a few tools and tips that may help you.

Probably the most neglected and yet very simple task to perform is regular tyre pressure checks. Whether for road, track, trial or dragstrip racing, tyre pressure plays a crucial role when it comes to performance, braking and the overall handling of your machine. Here are two tyre pressure gauges that will help analyse the correct air pressure for your application.



 ^ TOOL, TYRE PRESSURE GAUGE, DIAL 0-30 psi.
Perfect gauge for competition trials etc, featuring knock shield rubber, hose and static dial and air release button.



^ TOOL, TYRE PRESSURE GAUGE, DIAL, 0-60 PSI
Conventional gauge for road use, featuring knock shield rubber, static dial and air release button. Accepts both Schrader and Presta type valves. 
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For tyre removal and fitment correct levers will help make life easier and also reduce risk of tube puncture. Three levers are commonly used to remove and re-fit tyres. The size and shape of the levers vary and preference depends on the individual. Rim protectors are also a must, the last thing you want is to scratch or dent your rims when doing tyre changes



^ TOOL, TYRE LEVER, 9-1/2", ALLOY
Flat bar design. Good size to keep in your emergency tool roll when out riding or for general home workshop use.



^ TOOL, TYRE LEVER, ALLOY, STRAIGHT, 400MM
Heavy duty straight design. Extra leverage length for general home workshop use.



^ TOOL, TYRE LEVER, ALLOY, CURVED, 380MM
Curved end design. Extra leverage length for general home workshop use.



^ TOOL, WHEEL RIM PROTECTORS (SET)
Protect your rims from scratching and denting whilst you change tyres when using levers.
Excellent for emergency tyre changing when out on the road and also for home workshop use.
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Spokes can also be tensioned to acheive true running. With the wheel off the ground and spinning on it's axel, use a dial indicator to check for trueness. Using a spoke spanner to tighten or loosen the spokes, adjust the wheel untl true.



^ TOOL, SPOKE SPANNER, 6-WAY
Compact tool bag size for touring or home workshop use.
Sizes : 1, 3, 5, 6, 4, 2



^ TOOL, SPOKE SPANNER, 8 PIECE SET, PROFESSIONAL.

Features anodised alloy handle with both ends threaded to take inter-changeable bits.
Sizes : 5.4mm, 5.6mm, 5.8mm, 6mm, 6.2mm, 6.4mm, 6.6mm, 6.8mm
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And finally an incredible product that is a must when doing tyre changes.



^ TYRE BEADING WAX, PROFESSIONAL, BY TORSTEN.

As used by the professionals when fitting tyres to rims. A fantasitic product that will make you wonder how you managed without it.

* Helps ease tyre onto rim with minimal effort.
* Reduces stress on tyre when fitting.
* Locates bead onto rim edge when pumping tyre for true fit.
* Does not corrode metal or react with rubber and other components.

(NOTE: the use of other inferior water-based products will increase the risk of rust and corrosion to rims and spokes).
Convenient pack size, a must for any home workshop.

How it works:

When fitting tyres to rims or wheels:

*Apply Torsten Tyre Beading Wax liberally with a small brush onto tyre bead.
*Fit tyre onto rim.
*Place tube inside rim then close final bead using rim protectors and tyre levers.
*Pump tyre to approved rating and visually make sure bead seals to rim.
*Wipe with cloth.

One jar, Net wt. 165g. Jar dimmensions : 65mm x 75mm

All these great products and more available through Trojan Classic Motorcycles.
http://www.trojanclassics.com/

NOTE: The above descriptions are intended for product demonstration purposes only. If you are unsure about the correct fitment of tyres, please seek assistance from a qualified person.

Saturday, January 8, 2011

'64 t'biRd gEnuiNe KuStoM oLd SKooL ChOp !!!

                                                xxxx POISON xxxx

This 1964 Triumph Thunderbird was modified in 1971 and basically has not changed much since.
After spotting an ad back in 2005, i made the call and arranged to inspect the bike. As it turned the current owner purchased it from the first owner (the guy who kustomized it) and had all intentions to restore it but as we all know sometimes it just doesn't happen.
The bike sat idle in a shed for 3 years covered in dirt, dust, surface rust, cobwebs, and dog hair.
I think if i didn't buy it and it sat a little while longer, it probably would have been beyond repair or destined for the scrap heap, as the man's wife was pushing him to dump it.
There aren't too many 'original' period Triumph choppers around anymore so i restored it how it was.
Below is a brief look at the work undertaken when it fell into my hands back in 2005.



The plan was to restore the bike but not to a show finish. All major parts were removed for cleaning and inspection. I was confident the engine would start. The engine had good compression and seemed to turn over fine. The gearbox shifted and turned smoothly. I decided to leave the engine and fix everything else.







Trying to keep the bike original was hard work. Rather than replacing parts i instead restored what i could. Headlight, front brake calliper, speedo, handlebars etc were saved but the headlamp brackets were done for. I replaced them with these John Tickle cafe ones.













Paint on tank and guard were not show, but buffed up good. Frame was re-painted. Carby rebuilt, oil tank was also saved, new oil/fuel lines, new kicker and a fresh top up of all the essential life giving liquids.








The original rear rim and hub were too far gone so i re-built a new hub from the 'spare parts box' and decided to go for SS spokes. Good as new! Re-padded the seat, fixed the bitchpad and polished that chrome!
New battery, reg/rec, electricals and we're almost there.
Brake master and caliper rebuilt and a new SS brake hose now fitted.












With all final checks done it was time to kick it in the guts and go for gold.

The bike started first kick, spewed a bit of oil out of the breather and settled in. A bit of fine tuning and i was over the moon as i was expecting at the very least it may need a top end rebuild. I took it out for a test run and everything was perfect!
























The bike's name is Poison, it's very reliable and certainly a blast from the past to ride!!