Manky Monkey Motors

Thought I'd show you a pic of new forum member Archie's XS650 Yamaha chop project.
Cool huh.  8)
It'll be on show on our pitch at the Basingstoke Transport Festival this Sunday.
Welcome aboard young Archie.  ;)

Suprisingly, Archie also happens to be a dab hand in the kitchen. He's promised to fill Tom's pick-up truck with chocolate chip muffins on Sunday. Probably.   :)

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I like that

nice,  is that the stock tank?

Standard Harley Sportster.

very nice   ::) ::)

woooaaaaaah you snuck that in! I feel violated! No one wants to see a scabby xs! lol.

started as
(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/DSC00074.jpg)
was a free frame, but scabby hardtail which didn't fit the back wheel anyway, so it went and got re hardtailed to what it is now.Check the photos below for progress? Can't really call it that.
(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/DSC00077.jpg)
(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/1.jpg)
(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/DSC00079.jpg)
(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/DSC00134.jpg)
(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/xs1.jpg)

Headlight on and made up a sidemount today, so rear lights on too, with numberplate so people can trip over it in the workshop

I'll be doing that tomorrow then.

Gotz a edd Loite dunn oi

(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/1664d07f.jpg)

Lookin rather good, Archie!

loving the look of this bike   :)
Whats the front end off?  ???
Got to say i like the low pipes the best

Side mount number plate bracket made & tried in place. Might need beefing up a bit or bracing in some way. The rear light's a reproduction Vincent one.

do know why but i always feel they look better on the right side of a bike , dont know why , there alot of left handedness in my family maybe thats what it is  :P

The MSVA manual actually says that if a side mount plate is fitted there should be space for a duplicate plate on the other side of the vehicle to comply with visibility requirements, (you're supposed to be able to see the plate & rear lights from up to 45 degrees from either side of the back of the vehicle).
Plenty of people fit them though & I've never heard of anyone having problems. They do usually end up on the left.
Biggest problem I've found is that they catch the wind like a sail. My last one was made of 3 or 4mm steel plate & kept cracking it's mounting tabs. In the end I had to brace it with a short strut off the frame. You can buy some nice American made ones that are curved from top to bottom to follow the curve of the wheel & mount to the wheel spindle. Ground clearance when cornering might be an issue though, but there aren't any corners in the States!

Originally did have it made up for the right, but looking to redo the pipes to sit on the right and didn't want it melting!

I've got a massive dent in my tank! Loadsa filler came off!

(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/dent.jpg)

You can see the dent pretty nicely here. Also had a grumble, due to my sprocket carrier being machined down too much, so now I need a spacer behind it. ho hum hey!

The dent just adds character!

leave it raw! go rat-chop!

haha yeah it does!

Gonna leave it ratty to begin with but will make it look nice eventually.

cover all the bare metal, including the exhausts in jenolite then run a blowtorch over it all. Goes a lovely shade of "aged". Saw it done on a bike before and it looked the dogs dangly bits.

As much as I do like the bare look I have something else in mind

(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/2e5dd8df.jpg)

My bed now smells like hot metal / weld lol

Exhaust bends huh?

or the new cooling coil for the workshop still ;D ;D ;D ;D

Archie & loony have been getting creative in the workshop today.
I'm not sure of the history of this bike, but it arrived at loony's place with a part built high level exhaust. Nice enough but it fouled on the kickstart & would seriously burn the rider's legs. So they chopped it up & re-worked it, using sections of the original pipe plus some of the new bends.
Somehow they've managed to keep the whole lot within the lines of the front down tubes, which looks very tidy. With the pieces of the exhaust jigsaw tacked together, it can now be taken off the bike, fully welded & smoothed out. Archie plans to wrap the finished mild steel pipe in heat resistant racing bandage. They've still to decide how to finish off the open pipe ends. 

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There now follows some gratuitously arty photos, courtesy of Mssrs Lunatic & Archie...

Original high level pipes were concieved by myself without reallythinking. Much prefer these ones and should be more user friendly.

Have you got that daft photo of me stood on the bike? Was interested to see it in full size lol

No I haven't.  :P

I'll email you & Loony the originals when I get a chance mate.

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Check the gut in the first one :-X that's what working office does to you

 ;D And you need to pull your jeans up  ;D

NAh rolling moonies to passers by ftw. :)

lol

Yeah so I know not a lots been going on for a while. Combined with me being broke all the time and my engineer flipping his bike a month or so ago and only now just allowed to leave hospital I ain't able to get it done in time for hayride. Managed to make a new super sturdy sidemount and clean up the rear caliper and that's about it. Payday next week though so sorting out the electrickery that's needed and getting some zorst wrap.

Does anyone know where you can get it for a reasonable price? Everywhere I look is really really pricey.

In the meantime I'll leave you with a pic of the old mans new toy.

(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/e302d4be.jpg)
 ;D

thats an interesting machine Archie  ;D ;D

Yes. It was good to meet you yesterday.

Not quite the traditional chop, but still hartailed lol

Exhaust wrap

e-bay for starters I guess, but I've used a company called Frosts www.frosts.uk for a really good tank sealer (they're a UK outlet for an American compnay called Eastwood I think) and they do a kit, its designed for a car but if you found someone else and split the cost?? (£52, see copy of description below)

Worth bearing in mind the tape width may vary depending on who you get it from.


Wrap the exhaust to cool the engine bay, deaden noise and help exhaust extraction. Kit includes 15 metre roll of 50mm wide white wrapping and 8 clips. Will cover most 4 cylinder engines. Can be coloured with our high temperature exhaust paints.

that's cool will have a look. Found a specialist company and they do a kit, but its like £100 and I probably wouldn't need it all. Think I need to figure out how much I need first I guess

cheers for that

When I did the last one with exhaust wrap I used a normal bandage wrapped around the exhaust to measure exactly how much I needed....saved me a few quid...Voodoo.....

Mate, I've got about 5-6m (approximately) of white, self adhesive wrap kicking about! Yours if you want it!!

I used it for this bike, and seemed to work great!!

Clive

Mate that'd be SO good and would mean I could crack on next weekend too. Where are you based? Quite local aren't you  :)

 :) I cant believe the generosity of people on this site
Kudos to you Clive  8)

Clive is in Andover...so localish still.....Voodoo....

Aye it is a massive help mate. Andovers pretty easy from mine (baughurst) just a hop over kingsclere and down the whitchurch road (fast) ;D

Strange, wherever I live it seems to be local!! :D :D

PM sent buddy

Mate I'm so stoked right now. Let me know what you like to drink and I'll get you some beers or if you wanted cash that's cool as well!

Won't be able to get it till after thursday as that's payday and haven't got the jungle juice to get to work let alone a nice jolly out to the countryside, if that's cool?

also

can I fly a helicopter if I come over? Long shot I know

Now, did I say ANYTHING about payment!!!! :D I said it's yours if you want it!!;D ;D ;D

I should be around all weekend buddy!

Clive

Oh yeah, no flying!!! ;D

Nope but it's rude to not ask. Let me get you some beers or wine or some milkshakes?

and do you have a shop thats for local people only ? 

(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/d0095af8.jpg)

Cheers Clive! Ends sticking out of one but it looks a bit gnarly so quite like it. Also stainless cable ties are sh1t!! You can get them so tight but not tight enough to go tight.....

That's gonna be one seriously LOUD motorsickle!
So you found Mr Clive's paintshop then?

Yep, the only green house in the village

Was it airbrushed?

only the details - windows, doors etc. It was very confusing as there wasn't actually a garage, just a life size replica painting of a garage.

 ;D

 ;D ::) ::) ;D

Chain on, coils mounted, reg rec here. Someone come and wire this for me, while I make them tea.

Ive just gone back a few pages....the old mans toy looks great...can we have a few more pics and a bit of a write up.

Runs. Sunday could be a very real possibility.

Hurrah!
Sunday being the 50 or so mile run down to the Sussex coast for the Brightona bike meet. I hear Tom & Loony are following in Tom's Chevy truck as back-up. Hell of a first ride Archie. Good luck.
-so what's it sound like with those ultra short, straight through pipes then? (kinda loud I'm guessing!)

Quite unsociable. It's coming back to the workshop for a bit of finishing before Sunday though. Need brackets and tightening up etc.

Had a worrying text from dan saying she's done, she bites.

Your bike bites?! Yeah, that's worrying!

Just meant don't lock your leg when kicking it or it'll break your knee. Brilliant.

Sundays probably not happening. Needs to go to be jetted and stuff.

My ankle aches. It bit me.

Muppet.  :P

Were you stoked on how loud it was andy?

Told you it would be! Wait till I get mine built -I'll show you how it's done.  :P

(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/caa53a32.jpg)

lol.

Turns out it doesn't like being cut in half.

Fired & ran briefly, but hasn't breathed again since.

 :D :D :D :D :D :D try getting bitten by a Panther mate, they don't break your knee just shatter your leg and shorten it by a few inches ;D ;D ;D

Iron head sportster threw me up in the air and onto a windowsill of the pub with the end of the throttle pressing into my gonads, now that`s a kickback lol

 ;D

New headlight bracket, knocked up by Mr Lunatic. He started with a simple T shape, made from 2 bits of steel strap welded together -then decided it needed some fettlin'. Young Loony has a bit of a thing for filling everything with hotrod holes. A splash of chrome & that'll look rather spiffing.

Mr Archie hasn't done much to his XS in the last few months & with the damp & freezing weather we've had lately it's grown a new Winter coat -kinda reddish brown in colour. Some would call it characterful patina. Others call it rust.
Mr Lunatic's arty shot.

RUNS!!!!!!!!!!

Oooh, nasty. I think you can get tablets for that now.

Yeah but.

IT RUNS!!!!!

Jenolite and a blowtorch, I know I`ve said this before but it really does look the dogs dangly bits

Tighten everything up and mot first!

(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/b1bbd690.jpg)

Love the look of it buddy! Just leave it as it is!!!

MoT'd yet?

Nope skint  >:(

End of the month possibly!

Also please note that in the pic its not on a side stand, but resting on the crest of the driveway.......

did u manage to get all your electrics in that fake oil tank????

yep and a fuse box, a battery, a battery tray and a skateboard wheel chain tensioner runner thing. It's not running electric start so it's only 3 wires or so.

That was the worst 20 miles of my life! Fuelling really really badly. Just in to fail it's mot

Failed!

Fork seals burst - in hand.
head bearings loose.
Dip beam not working.

Buttt only running on 1 cylinder. had to ride it home with the choke on! First 40 / 50 miles done on it though.

Vibrating through the bars and pegs massively so now my knuckles hurt (pleasant).

Hopefully should be nicer when it's running right, but if not, give me my fighter back!

At the start of the day all happy and positive
(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/077078b8.jpg)

this evening after 30 seconds fettling. Fork seals tomorrow
(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/eca29fa7.jpg)

mutter mutter grumble grumble

If you go off it, you can always donate it to me buddy, as it has to be my favourite bike I've seen in a long time!!!!!!! :)

I'll tell you what, let me mot it first and get it running right.


Thennnnnnn I'll probably say noooooo! Lol.

That front end will drop straight into a zephyr 550 frame, which will take a gixxer 750 oil boiler, which'll take a zxr 400 rear end with some mods, and a zedbutt seat......

sounds like a new project forming Archie   ;) ;) ;) ;)

That's what I was planning before this one lol. I had a zephyr 4 and had the front end sorted to go in that and had a back end sorted, but the engine dropped it's valves so shifted it fast. It was really nice and in old wakasakie z900 colours - dark green and yellows

it's great.

Went on a weekend away with hewlett packard and came back to find our mate Dave and my dad with the XS's guts out.

They'd sorted the timing - it was 10 degrees out so we have both cylinders. My god she sounds fierce! Throttle is quick responsive and smooth now. This has also cured the leaky carb as it's using the fuel.

head bearing issue sorted. Dip beam fixed (it'd rattled the wires off the switch).

only issue is i think the reg rec is working too well and over charging the battery. Blipping the throttle took it to 15.5 volts - daves advised it should be about 14.

obviously need to go away on a bender more often!  8)

Good news Archibald!  ;D

I have a vague recollection that my old XS650 pushed out 15v. Mine was an import one and they have day time riding lights so that might be why.

Don't have an answer but these may be of use....... or confuse you to hell!! :D


http://www.xs650.org.au/xs650%20tips.html#Check Charging

http://www.650motorcycles.com/BulletinBoard/viewforum.php?f=2

http://www.650motorcycles.com/BulletinBoard/search.php?fid[]=2&sid=0f40d3dd366cd1bc2d9d69e3bf3f682c

http://xs650temp.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=Charging&action=display&thread=3461

http://www.650central.com/tech/tips.htm

http://www.xs650chopper.com/2011/01/xs650-banshee-charging-system-swap/

Neat little LED display for the bike ??
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/KOSO-Digital-Volt-Voltmeter-Battery-Meter-Gauge-Silver-/260780647352?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item3cb7bce3b8

Cheers for that. Definately confused. I think the battery is pretty fubared from where it was sat for so long, so 1st step is maybe a new one.

The banshee conversion looks way interesting.

Roll on payday!!!!! Arghhh it's just sat there waiting for mot. Might cave and opt for an electric start to clean up the engine in the future. It'll also help to save my already knackered ankle, which I snapped years ago - anytime I get a kickback it makes it hard to walk on for about a week.

Re kickback - I had a relatively new XS in around 1982, and more recently another XS (This one's about 35 years of age) and don't recall either kicking back (but I'm using old Brit stuff as my ref point here!).

Many of the XSs seen for sale nowadays have had the electric boot removed, often because of their reliability.

Now your timing has been sorted, I'd expect it to behave pretty well. You could always fit electronic ign to help things further, but at the end of the day, if your ankle is saying 'no', then the leccy start has to be the way.  :)

Yeah everyone keeps calling me a girl about it, but I'll get a pic up of the bruise on my leg from a short one. Looks like it popped a load of blood vessels round the knee.

I know the guy who the engine came from was into his grasstracking, but I'd be surprised if it's been played with.

Some of the grasstrack brigade really used to make these old lumps tramp on.... like making them over 1000cc in the outfits (Wasps etc)  :D

Yeah - there's a halco xs on the bay at the moment. This one will probably need a trip to dynotech to get the jetting right for the filters and pipes so will get a printout then.

This is about 2 weeks old now, starting to go down. Think it's from a short stroke getting me. Scars from getting caught in a barb wire fence up an Italian mountain as a kid.

(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/1b5ca1af.jpg)

Motorcycles kicking you back is to be taken seriously! as many years ago my Velocette kicked me back and broke my knee cap! Its also worth remembering that unlike the Japanese offerings, old Brit. singles invariably had valve lifters to ease the situation, plus magneto ignition with manual advance and retard!so you could retard the spark for starting, so there you go, advances, what advances? still I got it wrong that once with painful consequence's!!!....Morrag

Had a lovely Bonnie chop once, on the road for three weeks and stalled at some road works, kicked back, blew back through the cabs (velocity stacks!!!!), petrol pipes went up in flames etc etc etc........................................"nice" man from the water board, digging up the road, came to my rescue with a dry powder fire extingusher.............................had to strip the whole engine down to get all the powder out, it even got into the big end shells!!!!!!!!!!!! ??? ??? ??? ???

Morrag that sounds immensely painful.

1 week till payday so hopefully that will be it! Mot done and then tax it and have some 2 wheel fun for summer. Maybe paint it at some point as well.

Had a Bonnie in the early 80's which I bought fire-damaged - blown back through the carbs and ignited the air-box, loom and seat.... bit of a mess but very salvageable, and at an affordable price. Luckily no dry powder to deal with.

A bike dealer I knew had a 14:1 compression Triumph that had featured on the front of Classic Bike or similar. Managed to kick that into life, but not sure if by luck or judgement  ::)

The old Brits (esp singles) often had the carb pointing outwards and away from the flammable bits..... did they know something ????  ;)

Right, that's made my mind up,an extinguisher 1st on list as soon as my new garage is built Started last Sunday,had Joyce on the mixer and achieved quit a lot in 3 hours before my lunch,pics to follow if any interest  :D

yep interest in garage ,, as i,m doing the same  but just found out the hard way that my back is now to  knackered,, to lift the prefab panels  :( :(

Yup, my ol' 650 Bonny once gave me a wake up call when leaving home for work at 5 in the morning. It spat back through the carbs & set fire to the fuel line. Woke me up very quickly!
One of my XS650s had a habit of "hiccupping" when sat at junctions etc. It was fitted with K & N air filters, meaning the carbs weren't supported by the air box -like Archie's. I'd be sat at the traffic lights, trying to look cool, & it'd cough -& blow the carbs clean off their rubber manifolds. Very uncool!

Ditto with the Virago for a while............................ :D :D :D :D

I'm getting rid of my prefab garage and building a much bigger(and hopefully better) one from concrete blocks,Easy for me as I'm a bricklayer  ;)

Me and Joyce last Sunday morning  :)

You're building a new house, just for your bike Fred?
I see from your other thread that you've joined the XS club.
At this rate, new forum members are going to have to own either an XS650, or a Reliant trike. I think we've cornered the market in both!

But what about the Viagra takersowners????????? ;D ;D ;D ;D

Aye, Viragos too then.

Well we have both  ;) The white building(on the left of shot) is a prefab garage that's going so I'll have room for trike,bike and Joyce's car

Riiiiiiiiiighhhhht...

Anyway! Proving exceptionally difficult to insure. I cancelled the policy I toon out with ebike as they royally hacked me off. Due to being 23 and having a radically modified motorcycle no one is willing to insure me even though ive been on the road since 16 and have got 3 years no claims. After losing some a while back.

Waiting to hear back from some places, but not Looking good.

Archie, is the insurance 'issue' for the XS? (sorry, got a bit lost as you mentioned another bike too).
I did mine through Footman James, helpful and reasonable, could be worth checking out???

http://www.footmanjames.co.uk/

The alternative, since you're waiting to hear back from places, is to wait about 20 years, so you're an 'old' geeza, and it'll be cheaper (assuming motorcycles are allowed on the highway that is!!)  ;)

Aye it was for the xs.

Ok cool I'll give them a shout too. Biksure who're Basically Flux have quoted £444 tpt and £800 odd fully comp ???

Reckon that's all the bikes worth....

Footman won't cover me as I'm under 25. FCKING BULLSHT!!!!!

Mmmm good luck Archie I use Bikesure but I also am an old person so it's fairly cheap.

Got a quote from westhill which came in at £324, but only covers it 3rd party fire and theft.

Will do some more shopping around I think! For an old heap like this I expect it to be under £300! My zx7r was only £400 a year with 1 less years no claims.

ooohh... lotsa pennies !!

I'm not gonna justify the costs at all, but one of the things that determines the price is the damage a bike can do, as opposed to what the bikes worth.

So if you hit a valuable motor, or heaven forbid, a person, the damage done is irrespective as to whether the bikes a cheap old rat or a mega bucks machine............

Yeah, the claims for theft would be differnet, but injury is a biggy (see the thread about ins and taking pillions... http://www.mankymonkeymotors.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=9547.0   started today).

Quite often, being in a recognised owners club can help, as can age (sorry Arch!), or maybe having passed an advanced course, and often the age thing (being older) means (hopefully) a bit more experience and no-claims, but, in technical speak, they have us by the short n curlies.....

I guess I'm fortunate to be an oldie (now), so the cost isn't too bad, but going back to about 1978, I had a Z400 Kawasaki (4 stroke parallel twin, a slug of a bike) and was paying around £200 !!!) so I guess I can say 'been there' .....

There are some specialist companies on the web/specialist mags for customs etc, but whether they have an age restriction or not I guess can only be found out by getting on the dog.

Good luck bud !  ;)

Oh aye I know the price is down to what you can hit and not the damage to you.

Just the age thing of 25 hacks me off - I've learnt to rode on little bikes and progressed to bigger stuff. Some one whose done direct access and over 25 on a litre sportsbike or whatever they ride will be covered everywhere with no road experience, yet my 7 years counts for jack apparently.

the biggest factor in my insurance since i crossed the 25 barrier is location. it made a huge difference on our last shift.
also garaging

Good point Chewie....

Where ya live has a lot to do with it.

Re 'location' - I've had insurance in the past that says if the bike is at your home address, it has to be in a garage/shed between certain overnight hours for the insurance to be valid.

Not allowed to leave my trike outside the house has to be in the garage or its not insured.

My step-son recently insured his car, and a month later,moved house 6 mile away.When he phoned the insurance company to inform them of his change of address,they said,"Oh ! that will change the price of your insurance" she went away,came back and said "We owe you £230 ! He was well pleased .When you think his insurance was £800 and then they normally charge for addmin about £30-£40,he had a big chunk back plus he has no garage and parks on the drive !!

yep.

bikes in a locked garage.

moved from RG postcode (reading, one of the worst) to GU (surrey / guildford postcode).

Hasn't made a sh1ts worth of difference lol.

You lost your licence a few years back didn't you Archie? That'll make a big difference surely?

Nope had it revoked. The points were sp30's and are now off so completely clean licence.

Question.

Insure bike?
Pay off some debt?
Buy wheels for the rod?

Insure BIKE!!!! ;D

Sorry to be the boring old fart but if the debt is costing you i would pay that off but thats just the way im made  :)

That's just it. Managed to kill my overdraft which was a grand. Now nothing.

Still owe the bank 750 in the form of a loan. Basically this month I've got a small amount of bonus coming which would insure the bike, but also halve the loan. :-/

but there again it's summer and no bike on the road.....

Look into my eyes, you are feeling sleepy, you are now fast asleep. All you can hear see(?) is my voice, when I clap my hands you will wake up with only one thought in your head "I must Insure the bike", you will act on this thought immediately and without delay, sunny days are there to be ridden, sunny days are there to be ridden. One two three "CLAP"....................................Feeling better now are we? ;D ;D ;D ;D

I must insure my bike ...
Hang on. I haven't got a bike.   ??? Well, not on the road anyway.
Go enjoy the Summer while you can Archie.  ;)

Spent some time one the top yoke today

We lopped off the ignition mounts and it left some metal that needed cleaning up

(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/0496e8a4.jpg)

After first attempt and bored for the first time

(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/3831150d.jpg)

Then found some more enthuisasm

(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/48cfb873.jpg)

Then got bored of filing it down so went and watched "black death". it was rubbish.

A shot of inside our garage

(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/cac9cbc1.jpg)

Nice looking boomerang you've made there Archie.

Come home to find me yoke finished.
(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/a942a4f9.jpg)
(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/dfe2d0ea.jpg)
(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/25acdb07.jpg)

I was going to see about getting the front plated back in, but think it looks cool as it is. But also looks like a bum.

elephants bum !!!!! ......................................I`ll leave by the back door (is that another bum joke?)  ;D ;D ;D ;D

You got magic pixies in your garage that build your bike for you when you're away Archie? Can I borrow them for a while?

awhile,, ;),,,, the maky one say,s!!!!!!!!!!!!====================== he means ,,,,,A LONG WHILE,,,, ;D ;D ;D ;D

I shall let them live in my tool box & feed them Jaffa Cakes. They'll be very happy there.  :)

bw careful you dont end up with gremlins

If you do never get them wet or  feed them after midnight  ......    ;D

  ..  Hagar  ..   ;D

They'll starve then.........

No insurance yet. Fcking work didn't pay in my bonus which would cover it....

Still no bonus. Apparently work has been paying me it wrong for the last 6 months so maybe a bigger payout coming.

Well work have overpaid me for the last 6 months. not that I can say I've noticed. They've written it off as I'm leaving for another job next week so pretty much knew they woudn't get their money back. But it also means they aren't paying me the 3 months of bonus I have actualy earnt. Which means no funds to get this on the road so no debut at the wheels at the white hart show. bugger. Anyway mentioned in an earlier post about my Zephyr 400 which this front end was for. Looked like this

(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/DSCF0911.jpg)

After I binned it in marlborough high street. Man I wish I could have done this bike how it was planned

Fitted one of these bad boys today
(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/2ba047bd.jpg)
Should help with the junk in the carb issue

Decided to leave it off the road till next year now. Too much going on and with the beetle build hitting the stage where it needs more money spent I can't justify the 500 or so this needs.

I might possibly sleaze up mr L to do the Tins over the winter though.....

"Sleaze up"?   ???

Yeah feed him junk food breakfasts and buy him paint

Nothings happened with the xs for a long time, but the below came home today and it is truly awesome to ride. No suspension sag so when you open the throttle it just goes! And goes like stink! 108bhp at the wheel which ain't too shabby.
(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/ee72d094.jpg)
(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/06c6da4d.jpg)
(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/fe1eed57.jpg)

that back end looks well

Looks great....so lets have a full description plz.

Zrx1100. One off frame and other bits. Buell tank. Car wheel. Zx6r front end.

Speed Triple rear hub?

Nope.

Honda vfr750

And that rear wheel has been narrowed.

Nope.

It doesn't look that wide considering it's a car wheel.

............

It's got a 240 section tire on it lol.

So. been a few bike things going on - My dad has got his on the road, and a mates is in the process of being hardtailed.

I hopped into the garage as I'm not down on the V'rod today, even though it would be a lovely day to be workshoppin. There have been a couple of little bits that needed sorting, first one being the rear guard. When a mate made it, he didn;t make captive nuts on the inside and there is feck all room to hold a nut in place while struggling to get a bolt in. So I whipped it off and stuck some on.

Poor unloved bike and me old mans other rex in the background
(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/0eb78fab.jpg)
guard off - this is made from a bit of metal I robbed off Si at attitude customs in southampton. it's been split and re welded down the middle as well as pie cut and shaped.
(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/4a0bf88a.jpg)
Not the worlds prettiest or best welds, but solid and not going anywhere. The wire feed on my dads welder is broken too, so was coming out a bit fast.
(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/8332b7cb.jpg)
I then had to chop some bolts up as I only had 1 that was the right size.
(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/a48401d3.jpg)
Back together
(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/de67f48f.jpg)

The other niggle I had was to do with the chain adjusters. I had some threaded tube made up to mimic old harley style of adjustment where the bolt pushes the spindle back. originally the bolt in there was really short so I bought 2 more which were way too long. So I trimmed those down as well.

before
(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/42879705.jpg)

After - not much difference but a bit more visually pleasing.
(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/a46c7892.jpg)

It needs a new battery and some insirance and then i will put it in for MOT again. Hopefully at the end of this month.

Then after shake down and summer it will get stripped, coated and rebuilt. Can't wait to have it on the road. Thinking back, it has been over 2.5 years ago that I sold my 750 fighter, so can;t believe I can remember how to start a bike, let alone ride one.

Glad to see things moving again with this project Archie this is one of the best looking bikes i have ever seen and im a little envious to be honest  :)

Nice to see the XS again Archie. It was indeed a lovely Spring day down at Loony's workshop today.
So are you bringing the bobber along to the Basingstoke show this year? If so, that'd be 3 chopped XSs on our pitch -yours, Tom's & mine.
For my own peace of mind I think I'd put a locknut on the other side of those chain adjuster bolts by the way  ;)

archie that looks the dogs danglies,  ;)

Cheers! It'll get there at some point I imagine andy

First insurance quote through. May be insured this week.

Hurrah! ...how much?

£371 all mods declared. only on a 4k policy and TPFT

Don't know how they are going to measure the mileage though when I don't have a speedo.

Don't know who you've tried for the insurance, but it could be worth trying Footman James
http://www.footmanjames.co.uk/classic-bike-motorcycle-insurance

or Adrian Flux
http://www.adrianflux.co.uk/motorcycle-insurance/

Tried a couple of the big guys and it was about £600.

How would the classic policy people be with the mods?

Who designed the ruddy battery box / tank / chain thing.

What a pain to get the battery out.

you should try getting mine out Archie , i have to remove my air filters and exhaust  :P

 :D

I think Footman James were 'modification friendly' from what I can remember - give 'em a bell, its the only way to find out..............  ;)

Can't recall exactly about Adrian Flux, but I suggested them both of them as I was playing around looking for insurance on a modified XS once upon a time, and those names rang a bell.

Better to try Bikesure - which is adrian Flux but somehow operate differently.....  Bikesure insures trikes and Adrian Flux doesn't.

I'm with Bikesure - though I get a regular newsletter from Adrian Flux...   ???

Flux is the parent company. Bikesure wanted about 570 when i phoned them 6 months ago.

just insured quad 3oocc with bike sure / adrian flux.   260 quid for me and 25year old son. hows that compare?

Sounds pretty good. Flux said the mods were pretty extreme hence the high price

New battery coming Wednesday. Insurance tomorrow, mot soon after.

New found excitement!

nice one Archie

insured!

who did ya for in the end, and how much?

went with westhill - guy was really switched on and helpful so he got the business.

Should be MOT'ed by tomorrow and battery should land tomorrow. Tax it thursday / friday and "hopefully" be on it at wheels day

hi Archie , well done, how much did they charge ? . i still have a 14 day cooling off period with bike sure

mine was £371 3rd party fire and theft. 4000 mile policy, but I don't have a speedo  ;)

I'm 24 with 3 years NCB and had my licence since 2009 (should be longer but I lost it in 2006)

So if you're a bit older with more NCB should come in cheaper?

New battery installed!

Fires up but don't stay running!

My ears hurt.

Easy fix! Idles and everything! Nailed back together!

Whey!!!

What was the fix then lad?
So is that all the paperwork done now, ready for a road test?

Carbs make a big noise when they pop off don't they.

It's not fuelling right and I couldn't get the carbs back on.

Taking the car tomorrow now which is a shame.

Shakedown 1 - failure, with me pushing it back for a mile and a half.

Possibly the wrong carbs for the year of engine as they are a bit tight to get in.

Retards (snigger) probably not right hence the hesitation on the throttle

All part of the fun of customising Archie -keep telling yourself that while you're pushing.
The Mikuni carbs are designed to be suspended between the inlet manifolds & the original airbox, (between the side panels). By taking the airbox away, they now just hang on the rubbers & only take a bit of a mis-fire to "burp" themselves right off.
Mine used to do it when I was sat at traffic lights -not cool.
See you at the show tomorrow.

Mmm needs a trip to Dynotech I think.

Pod filters and straight through pipes probably no good for the jets it's on

You thinking of selling this Archie  ???

Nooooooooo!!!! Haha. Not yet anyway!  :)

Needs some ridings first and paintings first.

Shakedown 2 success. Was furking about trying to make anbracket to hold the carbs on until it humped me off enough I welded a tab to the spine of the frame and to the carbs top plate. Went up to the fleet lions classic show to see what would happen. It's only 2 miles from home if that so perfect!

Fuellings not right still and will put it down to the jetting as even with the choke on it's struggling to idle and round roundabouts I'm slipping the clutch to stop it cutting out. Guess it could just be the idle needs winding up again.

Got to the meet and hid it in the corner away from the old stuff and instantly got swarmed by people. Managed to get away and just kept glancing over every now and again and it constantly had people round it. The best bit was a family of Gurkhas taking pictures of each other with it. So I guess my bike is going to crop up on someone's facebook somewhere.

(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/fd45a4fd.jpg)
(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/6f35460c.jpg)

I got back and it had cracked my pigeon sh1t welds off the carb tops so needs redoing until I can be bothered to do something else better to hold them on.

Overall not a bad ride. Not as bad as I expected - The springs on the seat absorb a lot of it. It just seems to vibrate through the bars really badly.

Vertical twin motors tend to vibrate a little! so you should use anti vibration mounts for your carburetors, "Silentbloc" bushes in prefabricated holders work fine. You should also keep in mind that the simple carb. is not an instrument of the Devil, and if you just stick to the very basic principles of carburettor set up, particularly with respect to the effect of main jet size, and its relationship,and overlap to the remaining carb. functions, the need for costly, and often pointless Dyna-whatsit set up becomes irrelevant. You will do no better than acquiring a copy of a very old book called "Tuning for Speed" which should reveal all. I should add "very old" in terms of you youngsters, whereas for me I still have the copy I purchased in the 50's!!! say no more.........Morrag

I do believe it should be simple - straight through pipes + free flowing filters = bigger jets needed?

The joy of it going to Dynotech is it goes away and comes back fixed and lovely with a rolling road printout.

Two reasons come to mind, its cheaper and its very satisfying!!.....................Morrag

Nice to see it out & about at last Archie.
A previous girlfriend, with no interest in vehicles, couldn't believe how much of a stir the trike caused wherever we went. I thought everyone got that!
Lookin' good matey.

You had a girlfriend with no interest in vehicles?????   No wonder she's 'previous' !

 ;D Lasted 10 years Bobbi. Mid-life crisis. I threw it away. Long story.  Hey ho.  :-X

I think most of us have stories like that!

 ;)

So just down another run.

It wouldn't start on the kick (probably would have if I wasn't such a girl) so I was like ah feck sakes. Grabbed the boost pack and attached it to the live and off it went.

Grabbed some fuel and some shopping and forgot I was on the bike. So off I went with some shopping swinging in the wind on my handlebars - what a sight!

It kicked over lovely at the petrol station and riding it is such a funny experience at the moment due to the power delivery. Struggles a bit and then it's howling off and away!

Major test completed. The fleet speed bump test. I used to ground my car out all the time down the high street and was worried about catching the underside of this and coming off. Not a problem at all and was getting lots of looks. 2 drunk bastards outside wetherspoons were giving it large at us, but harmless enough.

On the way round my throttle got a bit far on the turn - you could turn it a 1/4 and there was no power delivery at all. Got home and it turns out it shook the tensioning screw out. Not sure how to overcome that one but we will!

I was a bit worried too as it had cracked my bracket I made holding the carbs on due to my terrible welding skills, but they didn't come off so that's good. I'll redo it before Sunday though.

All fun at the moment!

I'm jealous Achie! I wanna get mine on the road now!

It's all fun and games hammering past the traffic at mk10 until your gear lever snaps.

That'll show me to hooliganise.

all you need now is a vehicle with no interest in girls see how she likes it lol

I've got several vehicles with no interest in going.
Yup, Mr Archie brought his chop along to the Basingstoke Festival of Transport today. I know these first few journeys are called Shakedown Runs, but seems every trip's costing him a couple of busted bits at the moment! Don't worry mate. I've been there too.
Missing engine bolts & broken exhaust on the way there. Broken gear linkage on the way home. Fortunately we were able to rescue him in my rental van & ferry the XS back to Loony's workshop for repairs.

Yes thankyou for that rescue, although I was quite content sat on the pub wall watching everything go past.

Felt like a right cock after hammering past all the traffic (including or own BG) to the lights and then breaking it at the lights.

I think it's gonna be beautiful fun to ride when the fuellings sorted out, but the run back was just a pain after a while. Spent most of it riding with one hand on the choke to give it enough fuel.

I was going to strip it down come winter, but might do it a bit earlier, to just get it finished nicely and decide what to with it. I'm pretty tall (not massive) and even with the forwards I started to get cramp in the back of my legs so can probably do less miles than I want to on it. From basingstoke to my place is about 25 miles and that was just getting to be a chore to ride, but I know when fuelling right it will be different.

But I do also like to go quick, and riding again makes me realise the unhinged bit is still very much alive in my brain, so something fast again would suit me a bit better, but also get me into trouble.

At the end of the day whatever happens to this motorsickle I can chalk it up - I built a custom one off bike (albeit with the help of some good friends), that was good looking, attracted a lot of attention and at the age of 24. I guess some people don't achieve it in their entire life.

I did see you stopped on the corner and wondered if something had come unstuck but there didn't seem much point in my stopping when there were much more useful folk around!

Its no bother  :D

A picture from Nick on here

(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/xs1-1.jpg)

You can see the Awe in the small child / person face as he looks upon it.

Little does he know!

You nicked Nik's pic.
Must find out how he makes his shots look like that.
Mr Tony Oily Bike would be the man to chat to about tuning XS650s.

That kids face is like hes about to say "how fast does it go mister"

Me and mr oily had a big chat.

Nick uses lightroom on his MacBook to tweak em about I believe.

Macbook? That's posh.

Aye. Me other halves got one too. Quite nice but all the buttons are wrong so a pain to use at times.

I've got shirts like that.

That'll be the ones for lady folk with them on the wrong side.

 ;D
Don't know if they're still going, but back when I used to ride bikes regularly, there was an all female bike club called The Melon Smugglers.  :D

The answer to thats "Quite, but not for long"

i bet you had many hours of fun/entertianment looking for and at the melons  ::) ::) ::) :D :D

Did someone mention MELONS!!!!! ;D ;D

,,,,,BIG  ,,,,,JUICEY,,,ONE,S,,,,,,,

 :P :P :P :-*

Drilled my petrol cap last night to see if that will help with things.

Not vented Archie?

Nope, so could be why it's struggling to supply the fuel quick enough

Had to recover my battery tank cover thing after it chucked itself down the road today. Nearly got run over. What do they think a rather large person with their hand up in the middle of the road means.

Pulled off my exhaust which is cracked too to try and glue it back together. Thinking of mounting it to the other with a little bracket as the underside exhaust is rock solid - no movement at all so could put a captive nut on the inside or outside edge and then bolt a bit of plate on to stop the top one moving.

Anyway me holes seemed to make it not have suh fuel issues, but low down it's really struggling and burping so need to address that. Will probably do it after phunkie highboy's show on Sunday.

Couldn't you hinge the lid on the end of the fake oil tank/battery box Archie? Then you could fit a latch of some sort, (I bought a glovebox lid lock for the Pop but won't be using it). I thought the 'zorsts were already bolted together. A wise precaution.

Dont know about hinging it. The sides/caps are thick enough but the actual tank is only mm's thick - hence it splitting in a couple of places. I was thinking about external latches but not sure how to pull it off.

Maybe an "over centre" catch down each side?

http://www.merlinmotorsport.co.uk/p2054/OVER-CENTRE-CATCHES-(PR)/product_info.html

That's the kinda thing I was thinking of - like the beer bottles?

Lower engine mount bolt back in. Engine didn't look like it had dropped, but it was quite a pain to get it back in.

Let's see if that helps with the vibrations or makes it worse.

Maybe you need locking bolts on your engine mounting bolts?

They are nylocks. The nut got loctited on anyway.

I guess it's just generally shaking off the bits that weren't tightened up properly anyway so it's good to have it highlighted.

LOL!

Forgot to say. Got round to fixing me cracked exhaust, mr L welded it up for us.

But then the curse of my luck struck. Exhaust no longer fitted - looks like it had dropped slightly when being fixed and was now catching on the frame (not a lot of room in there) out came the grinder and no she fits lurrvly.

The top pipe is a lot stiffer now, but still moving a bit, so I've wrapped some copper wire round both pipes for now and that's holding it tight.

Pipes will get remade and rewrapped when it's stripped down.

Sigh.

Got 10 miles lost the battery box cap on the other side. Man building a boat rescued me with some duct tape.

Played around having fun. All good.

Got 2 seconds down the road on the way home, lost the petrol tank cap. Back to the workshop for a spare.

Riding down the dual carriageway is a pain as it doesn't get enough fuel, think my tap knackered or even the fuel filter is affecting it, by possibly causing an air bubble and not letting the fuel through?

BUT

Got down the a roads cruising in top gear about 45 I guess maybe faster and it was awesome. Headed down the back roads and great fun. Even managed to pull a steve McQueen esque jump by accident.

Carbs leaking again.

Lots of fun times today.

Rode down to the show in Hartley wintney with my dad and got a recorded 85 on it before a car got in the way.

Then left with big Darren and nick and Marcus and hit up some back lanes. Slight annoyance of tue bike turning itself off about 5 times but all fun and games :-)

Then when mucking about round Basingstoke ran out of fuel. Me and Darren chilled while the rescue squad went and got some fuel for me. Kicked over fine and lovely, brilliant!

Hit the dual carriageway, wound it on and all fine and then nothing. No acceleration and sounded like it was on one cylinder. I imagine running out it sucked some junk through and blocked one of the jets? I'm going to pull the carbs off and take the jets up to Dynotech to grab the next size up and then rebuild them again.


Getting there slowly!

Just been down to dynotech to check out some new pilot jets and have a chat etc.

The pilot jets that came out of mine are 25's and they only had some 37's in, which is a mssive jump hike in size, so thought those would be no good. Further looking shows that the jets that came out of mine have been bored out in size and were bigger than the 37's.

So plan of attack I guess is get some standard jets and see if those help.

At least you'll have a known starting point then Archie.

So this happened today. Blew my diff on the car.
(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/7cc196db.jpg)

So got home and pieced the bike back together. Fired up first time. Got a mile down the road and it spat it's tank cap off. That's 2 now. Got 3 miles down the road dropped to one cylinder but still ran ok, just slower.

Got 20 miles down the road ran out of fuel.

Got rescued and it started first kick. Sorted what I needed to do and rode all the way home. On one cylinder.

I love my xs325, even on one, it's still fun. BUT SERIOUSLY SLOW.
(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/dc10a47b.jpg)

Just keep the other cylinder as a spare Archie.
How did you kill another the Golluf?

Bet he was doing naughty things..............

Nope.

Sat at a junction waiting to pull out believe it or not.

So.

It's snapped an engine mount bolt, it snapped the reg rec bracket. It tore out the chain tensioner which resulted inthe battery spinning upside down, melting and tearing off a terminal.

The battery / electric box is f**ked from the vibrations and it being ally as well so needs replacing.

It broke down on the way home and would not start, which I guess is tied in with the battery.

Pretty pissed off with it, not interested and fed up of taking it out to only worry about getting home.

If anybody had something 2 wheeled and fancied a swap try me. Would need to be 750cc minimum and road going.

I sympathise.  You just get fed up of never knowing if you'll get where you're going. and when there, if you'll get home.  I've always said I wouldn't part with Gertie but if I got a decent offer.....................

What about pound notes Archie ?

No! Not giving up!!!

Can't give up.

Must.try.harder

keep at it young-un!! ;)

Its been rescued up me unit thanks to big darren.

Pulled th battery out and it is pretty haggard from ending up upside down.

And the loom has had 2 wires cut through which run off out the fusebox and towards the coil, so guess that's why it had dropped to one. So hopefully an easy fix.

The battery tank box is pretty ruined and needs replacing. Even though I don't like them that much I think it will just get a square box on the frame rails at the bottom.

Then "loony"' is going to modify my tank for me to take an airline fitting as the standard tap is too restrictive and a high flow tap is well into the 100's. So once thats done if shouldn't starve the carbs anymore. I was a bit worried about not having an on/off switch but you can get inline fuel taps for about a tenner and that'll do the job nicely.

Just need to get holiday out the way and slowly start doing it I guess.

I'm also going to rewrap the pipes as well as possibly making them a bit longer with a couple of kickouts.

(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/380ACC96-BF86-46B1-9F9E-2FF6ED5CDAFD-201-000000F0A070A4AA.jpg)

I,me sure it will be stunning once those jobs are done

Maaaaayyybbbeeee. We shall see. Just a bit annoyed by all the constant issues and now this summer is over, so any shaking down will be done this winter, in time to sort for next years stuff.

Oh I know JUST how you feel!

(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/F71F3443-5D06-4BD8-B6BD-83F2E562CDE8-268-0000004C93193988.jpg)

Ive told you a million times Archie water is no real substitute for petrol

 ;D Maybe that needs a little explanation!
The fuel  tap was too close to the top of the engine. Archie wanted a Pingle high flow tap but they're silly money. Solution- an airline fitting & an in-line fuel tap from an online bike shop. Weld the airline spigot into the tank in place of the tap, short length of fuel pipe, then the tap, then more fuel pipe to the carb. Less than a tenner.

Safety advice-
never weld a fuel tank without at least thoroughly flushing it out with water first. Petrol fumes are more explosive than liquid petrol, so even after you've drained it, there may still be a chance of it going bang. There are other ways of doing it, but water is simplest. Archie's tank was flushed with a hosepipe for half an hour, then checked by gingerly dabbing the filler cap with a burning rag on a stick! Yeah, we're all about workshop safety.  :P

Didnt blow up did it!  ;D
I have practice with welding explodey stuff now having done more than 5 bike tanks and 2 tanks for the pop! You've just got to be super careful!

Or hand the rag on a stick to Archie.

(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/D8AE8C68-13F7-4471-A294-5D70D4D7D073-295-0000005B54ADE5C4.jpg)

;D ;D ;D

So I am losing my work at home job at the end of December and it looks as if I'll have to start commuting again.

The other half has passed her car test today and is making noises about wanting a car instead of getting tue train to work. The plan was to borrow the money and buy myself something a bit lairy to drive, kill the credit card and sell this car to buy her something smaller.

So now that won't be happening.

Chances are I'll be working somewhere I can't drop her at the train station, so she will need her own transport, which means this car needs to go to sort her one out.

SO.

If someone had something they would want to swap I am interested.

This is MOT'd but is currently on sorn. It was running, but isn't at the moment. It needs a battery and the loom fixing as well as something to house it in. That's it then she's a goer.

Literally just at initial feeler at the moment, so may change my mind if I hopefully don't need to get rid of it.

I like big naked stuff - TL's, smashed up sportsbikes, retro muscle etc.

What have you and try me.

So... you're selling the XS Archie? For the benefit of the readers, what sort of price are you looking for?
Congratulations to the young lady on passing her test by the way!

I absolutely love this little bike

Me too, always have!!! ;D

Any chance you know what wheels they are Archie, and more importantly, if there are wire-spoked direct replacements?

Sooooo tempted to offer my Gixxer for this, been umming and aaahing for ages, and still not sure!!!

Haha!

I did think about seeing if you were interested and to sweeten it I was gonna tell you to keep the bodywork to sell on.

But hoping to keep it - had an interview somewhere local that went well.

The whole front end is zxr400 mate so just standard for those forks.

Rear wheel is a zx6r wheel - 160 section. The Cush drive/ sprocket carrier has been machined down for clearance though. And the hardtail was built around the back wheel.

Not much help mate!

Oh and th front end had the headstock stem has been swapped out from a zxr item to a Kawasaki zephyr item as that's what the front end was originally for.

Okay buddy, just thought I'd sort of ask!!!

Hope the job comes off buddy, and you get to keep it and get it back on the road!!!

(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/C540E73B-A056-4C46-B7AD-7D86BA7C555F-658-000001723103EFD4.jpg)

Oh YES..........PINK........thats just wot that little beauty needs! ;D

heading for the Salt are we Archie?  ;)

For the worlds slowest Japanese record!

If anyone was going to fair an xs, zxr400 plastics are pretty much the right size

Pink eh! Very macho!!
I actually like it myself, honestly. Must be in touch with my feminine side.

(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/40244089-682D-4780-BB87-DDCDB9F2BFA1-1134-00000436C2A23823_zps892a13d5.jpg)

(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/3B3A0DB1-77D0-44BB-AAA7-DEE1E1A74487-1134-0000043727C354F8_zpsf3dd6a27.jpg)

Tom's, mine & Archie's XS650 Yams.
So what's the collective noun for a bunch of those? An excess of XSs I guess.
Love your kickstart/sidestand Archie!

(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/7911C7AD-E21C-4216-B62A-71B4A4084BFE-1409-0000054299BD37C7_zpsb3f1a194.jpg)

(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/C642400C-2557-4CC5-B359-9FD8F05791C4-1409-00000542A41FA21C_zps061de9cb.jpg)

Made a new battery/lec's box with the help of Marcus

(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/5B2769B5-A0E7-4027-B2D7-DEFD310C82E7-5552-00001228099365DA_zps8b121ee6.jpg)

(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/3F9232A9-EEEE-4497-B244-A6A1908DD66F-5552-00001228110FD448_zps350c4088.jpg)

Just need to get it on the bike now

So my girlfriend decided to leave last weekend and its given me the kick up the ar5e to get this done. So Darren moved it down the road for me this week and I'm doing the little jobs that need doing to get it running in the evenings after work. There's a few annoying ones, but doing a couple each day will soon see them done.

So far I've mocked up where the battery is needs to go, chopped out some frame that was in the way, sussed the broken wiring (hopefully), bolted the engine in, remounted the carbs and made up a fuel line with an inline tap to hopefully stop the poor fuelling issues.

Here's some pics

(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/2882E5C6-891F-46FB-BB66-79868CCDDF3D-2095-0000037BDC6C85DB_zps58219313.jpg)

Pretty much the same as before, but now made of steel and going to be mounted on 4 tabs so should be solid!
(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/DC5F791C-1E6A-44B4-9702-A69849370325-2095-0000037BE4EBD4BD_zpsc2f5b927.jpg)

And my fuel line I made
(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/0B9DF3CD-5870-4BBE-AEAF-5BBFBCF20653-2095-0000037BF1F9AB3E_zps17e846f4.jpg)

More progress tomorrow hopefully.

Got my battery box on today. Was hoping to get the wiring fixed and see if it would crank, but I can't find the keys anywhere. Bugger.

(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/C1CD273B-B991-42B8-B6A9-EC934F7F7E64-5921-00000BCE0436A9C3_zpsef57330c.jpg)

(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/5063105C-488E-48E0-B982-D5229333F6C1-5921-00000BCE0C66E4D1_zps06f81ea0.jpg)

(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/1CB3E816-5F8C-4204-9A09-E4A8D4C58742-5921-00000BCE145E480E_zps13c4056f.jpg)

(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/81CB422D-EA82-48BC-986F-1C8F0FC08D58-5921-00000BCE21AEF538_zps0aef1c74.jpg)

Picking up another xs lump tomorrow too so will put that to one side for something else.

And the more I think about it the more I want mid mounted controls. I think it would make it a bit easier and more enjoyable to ride.

Found my spare key today at my folks place

And picked up another lump for cheap today

Lump of what?

Cheese of course!   



Sheesh...........................

And me being Welsh,Thought he meant Coal. ::)

Had it cranking today. Just need to get some fuel and see if it fires

See if it fires? Ahh, you're right. Must be coal then.

It might be coal,but it won't be Welsh Anthracite.

Chucked some fuel in and off she went.

Now I need to split the loom to get it into the box.

Loud. So loud.

Yup, you're definitely riding at the back when the XS groovy gang hit the road mate.

Yeah?

You'll have to catch me first.

Now now children  ::)

well. he does have 2 engines

Shouldn't be hard to catch you Archie -I'll just follow the trail of discarded parts.  :D

LOL

 ;D

-just sayin'.

Ew.

Picked up another frame today to go with me other engine.
(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/427D6BB8-68EA-4777-937E-6E9A61068B8E-12890-00001B7C7CE0CCD7_zpsc633be3a.jpg)

Summit like this maybe
(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/EEC5AFB1-A539-4237-8000-F67D133DA01D-12890-00001B7C84CB0BE2_zps47a69f5a.jpg)

Yeah summit like that. Made with stock stuff. Yeah summit easy.

That looks cool. Not sure you've got the hang of this customising thing though. You're not supposed to return them to original spec.

 :D

(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/E393FB1C-ACB9-47F1-8101-C3A1C9E21AB9-15052-00001FB34F311859_zpsa462dc85.jpg)

(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/A6BF30A4-EC95-4AE3-9C12-179BE5FF848A-15052-00001FB35A416527_zps38643c90.jpg)

Needs a trip to a dyno and possibly a split coil to smooth out some running issues

When starting your motorcycle after a lengthy lay-up, great care must be taken, being sure not to over rev the engine to avoid long term damage to ageing components.

.

.

.

Aging components! Sounds painfull. He don't look that old.

nah thats a textbook backyard dyno
clutch and chain- A ok!

Pikied a swingarm and some shocks today

(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/FC32DF0B-6A81-4286-B6AC-5D28CC0B76C1-201-0000000E8DB48EE6_zpse96b67fa.jpg)

Pardon?

I didn't pay fo nuffin

Aah, I see.  :)

Got the new girl in the air and delugged it of its pillion pegs, centre stand mounts and some random bits off the back

(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/5D50741F-DD71-4C5B-9E82-2A5B9131F5C0-201-000001C36B2091F0_zps5a8465e1.jpg)

You seem to be good at gettin' stuff for nowt'............wish I had that kinda luck! :(

Nah my luck suffers in other areas though

Yeah, he's ugly & he smells funny.  :P

i funnkinn hates pikies

Yeah, I don't like pixies either.

Yeah - bits keep falling of his bike.......   :-\

On ebay

item number 281224688235  ;)

i,d have it ,, but, i think her indoors would kill me if i put it in the kitchen and thats the only place left wheres theres enough room ,, :)

Cheers mate.

Breaking up with a g/f combined with a new job while trying to hold onto somewhere to live means this is no good sitting around.

There is something else to build though and this should leave a bit of free cash for some bits for that.

Oh and a guy viewing it tomorrow.

Had an offer within half an hour, so hopefully be gone by tomorrow.

Over its reserve so definitely going

has it sold  ;) ;)

Yep it's gone to Kent.

Thing was a pain in the ass right till the end. Fired straight up when I hit the unit, but when the guy came it wouldn't fire due to the wiring coming apart and lost me £500 on the sale.

Kind of glad it's gone.

bummer about the wiring  but hey,,,, NEXT PROJECT ,,,,, ;)

That's it. 3 in the unit waiting

Bars for the new one

(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/10AF0329-EEC6-46D4-BD58-B620211A7DF1_zpskdqekoao.jpg) (http://s1019.photobucket.com/user/archie_837/media/10AF0329-EEC6-46D4-BD58-B620211A7DF1_zpskdqekoao.jpg.html)

Hard to make out the bars from the advertising!!!! ;D

Very familiar view out of the windows. :)

(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/A1EB79D1-B313-4BA6-8B79-CD2A2499605F_zpsfw8dluck.jpg) (http://s1019.photobucket.com/user/archie_837/media/A1EB79D1-B313-4BA6-8B79-CD2A2499605F_zpsfw8dluck.jpg.html)

Just need machining out a lil but for a jap spindle

Had a moment of confusion today. I'd had in my head about building another bobber.

And then this happened

(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/ED02AAFB-CD90-43D5-896A-6961457C460C_zpsgappgmnx.jpg) (http://s1019.photobucket.com/user/archie_837/media/ED02AAFB-CD90-43D5-896A-6961457C460C_zpsgappgmnx.jpg.html)

Then this

(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/D2B0CA00-5CC3-4890-94D2-95AEC493D346_zpsndowyv78.jpg) (http://s1019.photobucket.com/user/archie_837/media/D2B0CA00-5CC3-4890-94D2-95AEC493D346_zpsndowyv78.jpg.html)

(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/57B16692-E5E4-4559-AE2F-3C62EE3B342B_zpsezuysbou.jpg) (http://s1019.photobucket.com/user/archie_837/media/57B16692-E5E4-4559-AE2F-3C62EE3B342B_zpsezuysbou.jpg.html)

But on the drive home i got back in my head that it will be easier to bob it. The back wheel doesn't fit in the swingarm anyway.

Plus I have another xs stashed waiting to be bought which has period good bits on - marzocchi shocks, piper 2 - 1 etc

Pulled a favour and got the axles machined for the spindle.

You can see how much wider it is compared to the standard swingarm.

(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/2E877D44-D6E1-4356-996A-6990AED5A3E9_zpsiugul80h.jpg) (http://s1019.photobucket.com/user/archie_837/media/2E877D44-D6E1-4356-996A-6990AED5A3E9_zpsiugul80h.jpg.html)

Need to figure out the spacers on the spindle too as I've forgotten how it goes together.

End of the month should bring head bearings and engine bolts. Possibly tubing

First step to front end swapping

(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/9F1DDA39-278A-440B-BCEC-E0BA3FD85AA6_zps0jxqedqs.jpg) (http://s1019.photobucket.com/user/archie_837/media/9F1DDA39-278A-440B-BCEC-E0BA3FD85AA6_zps0jxqedqs.jpg.html)

Size difference

(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/7EC6B95F-E7A4-47DA-BD15-A62D64649943_zpsxzivs2im.jpg) (http://s1019.photobucket.com/user/archie_837/media/7EC6B95F-E7A4-47DA-BD15-A62D64649943_zpsxzivs2im.jpg.html)

So what are the 2 sets of yokes actually from Archie?

motorcycles?

Thanks Ben.  :P

Welcome to the family

(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/DCC4DB80-7860-4A17-B110-A27567B8D4DC_zpsewj05gvo.jpg) (http://s1019.photobucket.com/user/archie_837/media/DCC4DB80-7860-4A17-B110-A27567B8D4DC_zpsewj05gvo.jpg.html)

(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/D8E667EA-11A7-4E24-A876-B1ABD27BC4A5_zpsn2vjiv9n.jpg) (http://s1019.photobucket.com/user/archie_837/media/D8E667EA-11A7-4E24-A876-B1ABD27BC4A5_zpsn2vjiv9n.jpg.html)

(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/BEE71366-1938-4445-BF96-C34DE01E5885_zpscwnflejk.jpg) (http://s1019.photobucket.com/user/archie_837/media/BEE71366-1938-4445-BF96-C34DE01E5885_zpscwnflejk.jpg.html)

Picked up this one yesterday.

Has marzzochi shocks, a piper 2 - 1, electric ignition etc etc. Last on the road before I was born in 84 and the paperwork suggests I'm the second owner.

Has compression and the oil looks clean, so hopefully plugs and a battery will start it.

And I got it for free.

that's the best price  ;D

 :o
Cheap is good. Free is better :D

Looks brilliant Archie, quick wipe down with an oily rag and fresh petrol = good to go. It's such a survivor. Good to see the workshop yesterday as well :)

But will it survive Archie? ;)

 ;D

Problem is I like everything.

Except how it currently is really.

Makes sense to get it running first and find out what's what, but I hate the tail unit, the seats too squishy and physically it's too small really.

Just trawling pictures at the moment of xs's, but I think it would lend itself to a tracker style really well.

it would look far better in my garage  ;) ;)

I reckon so mate

strap it to a pallet and send it up to me then  :D

Strangely enough, I like the tail unit. my back likes a squishy seat and physically I'm smaller than you. All problems solved ;D

Battery time. Not been run since before I was born.

(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/F0DAF4FD-6608-4F9E-8616-0DCE7AD82CFA_zps8nzvlnpl.jpg)

All good. Lights and cranks over

Fun stuff probably worth something

(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/BE1988F7-DE22-4F03-B428-4B5FA2903A7E_zpszcrymvi2.jpg)

Next up get some fuel in here see if she goes

I wondered where the extra bike in the workshop had come from. I see you expanding the collection!  :D

1 out 1 in mate

Optimum is N + 1 with N being the amount of bikes you own

Had me tank welded the other day and is now fuel tight.

Where the fuel lines have gone hard and old I couldn't quite get them on the tank so tried to fire it up on carb cleaner. It was making all the right noises but not quite going, so I wrestled the lines on and threw some fuel in.

And away she went on the button. Wouldn't quite sit idling but I think that's ok for not being run for 30 years.

The piper system makes it sound pretty fierce and it skipped across the workshop backwards on the centre stand.

Next job is put the air box back together and seat on and see of she rides ok.

 ;D What I remember as being the latest must-have accessories, (like Piper exhausts), are now "old school". Jeez, I'm getting old!

For us it was Gold Star silencers, twin leading shoe brakes, Borrani rims and float bowl extensions on the monoblocks.
And you think, you're getting old. ::)  :D

Looks like that bike may be a keeper Archie. :)
If not you know where I am.

Oh dear, I remember them to ::) reverse cone meggies, getting a seat with a hump on it, ball end levers, and of course rear sets and clip on's, would love to build one again but most are out of my price range now.

For me it was a Norton Dominator with a Paul Dunstall conversion.

i remember my penny farthing, by christ that front wheel was big, pain when it got a splinter [not a puncture]

Nice to hear -

That's excellent news. The bike was completely stripped, frame painted and engine/gearbox rebuilt. New bearings where needed, new parts where needed and of course new gaskets. So providing she runs ok then a good clean is probably all she'll need.  Delighted she's gone to a good home :)

Hit the unit today to put back together -

I put the air box back on, but left the side covers off and swapped the plugs over for some which should be better to run it on.

Put some air in the tyres and away we went.

Thought I was going to have clutch issues as when putting it in first it would lurch forward and stall, but after the third time it didn't do it again, so think it wasn't moving properly.

Front brake was sticking slightly but that was the only issue. Got it up to third around the village and initially seems to be ok. Handles alright if turns in a bit quick, but thats due to the drop bars I think. Feels a bit bigger sitting on it which is good.

Runs a lot better with the air box on as well and sits happily idling for a bit. I imagine each time it gets started and run about it will free a load of stuff off so gets easier to start each time.

Only thing is that the engine seemed to get hot very quickly, but I didn't get up to any speed really so would Imagine that's normal.

Insured

Tenner a month.

Bargain!

Went through its mot no probs. needs a fork seal though.

Trying to tax it was a pain though. Couldn't do it online as it's not on the database anymore. No problem up to the post office then. I presented the log book to the girl on the desk to be greeted by a blank look. I got a snotty remark of there's nothing to scan you'll have to go elsewhere.

Down to the main office then. Presented all my documents again and once again a blank look, followed by a remark of you can't get tax without a logbook. The lady next to her quickly pointed out that the blue bit is the logbook. This was followed by lots of running around and I was presented with a logbook application form. Hey ho let's play ball and see what happens.

Filled in and went to give it back to be told the woman serving me had gone on her lunch. Great. Got my tax eventually at the new higher price. Turns out there's now 3 tax brackets for bikes as a pose to the 2 previously. I guess this ties in with the new 3 step licencing program.

First run out tonight to Alton cafe!

Fuel tank took £16 so very empty, but away we go. Met my dad at The Lord derby and we wormed our way through odiham to Alton. Lovely sweeping bends and the combination of skinny tyres and drop bars meant the bike wanted to change direction quicker than the road did.

Got to Alton, had a mooch and a chat and then went to leave.

On the way up I lost my indicators and other bits from the switch gear and put this down to a bad connection somewhere. Part of this was the neutral light. Pressed the button and the thing fired up in gear. Pretty sure it was left in neutral but worked its way into first while it was sat.

I managed to catch it, but looked like a right tit in front of everyone.

It then wouldn't fire on the button and quickly turned to flat battery. I think it's not charging properly, but the plan is to upgrade it to a li-on at some point.

30 or so kicks later it sorted its life out and fired up - so I nailed while I had the thing alive. Maybe a bit quick for the carpark but I needed to go before everyone saw my redface.

Halfway down the Alton road indicators and lights were back so I guess there was a bit more juice in the battery. And by the end of it the smoother riding style from 4 years back had returned. This one Definately likes a bit of back brake and slow into bend with a hard drive out. Skinny wheels are well wobbly though!

So just need to get that battery on charge and see if that helps as well as strapping the battery in tight as inthink it's jiggling a bit.

Couldn't get it to the ton though, but I imagine I was acting as a bit of a sail. Plus it's old and slow!

(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af318/archie_837/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-06/CCBBB634-0377-4396-9F66-1468CBFE9491_zpsxknjbrhz.jpg) (http://s1019.photobucket.com/user/archie_837/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-06/CCBBB634-0377-4396-9F66-1468CBFE9491_zpsxknjbrhz.jpg.html)

EURGH

Indicators gone, main headlight no longer works