Messages

Hi
This build has moved on a bit since I last posted. It's a runner now, with a new, pattern loom fitted. Fired 3rd kick and sounds sweet.
I picked the paintwork up last week. Just need to fit the seat side strips, bleed the brakes and oil pump and it's done !

20210530_212357 by dusty miller, on Flickr

Dusty

Pipes are on !

20210320_115205 by dusty miller, on Flickr

20210319_130616 by dusty miller, on Flickr

:cheesy:

If you buy the Koso Mini 3 unit, it has 2 temp take offs, so you can cycle between both cylinders;

20201206_205315 by dusty miller, on Flickr

;D

The new Allspeed pipes turned up, so I fitted those with new brackets so they could bolt to the redesigned rear set back plates. Also made a bracket from 3mm ali for the rear master cylinder, plus fitted the rearset pegs and controls;

20201209_125401 by dusty miller, on Flickr

;D

Ypvs engine in an Rd250d frame from 1977;

20201017_112340 by dusty miller, on Flickr

Dusty

Hi
I fitted some billet catch tanks to replace some plastic Honda items that were not quite what I wanted. When I had my 400 swingarm made, I asked Garry at Metmachex if he could knock up 2 tanks - 1 for coolant overflow on the left side, and an identical one on the right that will act as a  reservoir for 2 stroke oil to feed the pump. Really pleased with how they turned out;

20201017_103137 by dusty miller, on Flickr

20201022_160437 by dusty miller, on Flickr

I added a couple of clear sight tubes so I can keep an eye on coolant and oil levels, with one way valves at the top so the tubes can "breathe".

Dusty

My current project is a European 400E engine in a 250D frame. In fact, my last 400 build 11 years ago was the same. It slots straight in, with no modding needed.

Dusty ;D

Hi Gary
Hope you are well mate

Dusty ;D

Regards Metmachex - a quick history. Bill Ryde was/is the owner and founder of Metmachex. He has a son - Dean Ryde, who worked with his Dad in the firm. They did general engineering work as well as Motorcycle swingarms. Dean is a great machinist, but most of the welding was done by employee Garry Gratton. Dean is quite a difficult person to deal with to be honest - I bought my first swingarm from him in 2015, and he was an arse when the spacers were wrong. Got sorted in the end. In 2017, Dean left to start his own business - Billet world, but his Dad wouldn't let him carry on with the swingarm side, instead selling that to Garry, and his missus, Tamsyn. As said, Garry has been welding since he left school and started with Bill. Garry and Tamsyn are a joy to deal with, and my hybrid 400 swingarm is just stunning. I took the frame up to Derby when I collected the swingarm, and Garry did some minor alterations whilst I was there. Couldn't be more friendly and helpful, and I doubt you will find a better made swingarm anywhere;

20200712_124039 by dusty miller, on Flickr

The cross section;

20200712_124524 by dusty miller, on Flickr

20200714_122516 by dusty miller, on Flickr

I took a plastic catch tank with me as I wanted something a bit nicer. He knocked these up for me;

20200718_152651 by dusty miller, on Flickr

And due to the wider Rgv wheel, and subsequently wider swingarm, we needed to extend the top shock mounts. He did these on his lathe and welded them onto the frame;

20200712_112736 by dusty miller, on Flickr

20200712_121338 by dusty miller, on Flickr

20200714_122443 by dusty miller, on Flickr

Bill Ryde still runs Metmachex engineering, but the swingarm side is a separate entity.

Dusty ;D

Metmachex, in the Uk, make some stunning swingarms, both standard fitment and bespoke to suit whatever you are building. Whenever I start a project now, I always budget for a Metmachex swingarm. Light, super strong, awesome looking too. Eccentric adjusters on these arms to suit Rgv wheel in an Lc;

20171015_161428 by dusty miller, on Flickr

Standard fitment Lc wheel, with straight pull chain adjustment;

20190325_163451 by dusty miller, on Flickr

Lc arm to take Rgv wheel with straight pull adjusters;

20190831_093607 by dusty miller, on Flickr

And the first Rd aircooled arm to take an Rgv wheel, with straight pull adjusters;

20200812_142049 by dusty miller, on Flickr

Great people to deal with - Garry and his partner Tamsyn. Garry has been welding swingarms since he left school, and is a top guy ;D

Dusty

The head bolts were on my other 400 when I got her back. So I didn't buy them, but I did swap them over for this engine. I've looked for another set but never found anywhere that does them, yet. You can get them easily for Lc's and Pv's, just not aircooleds

Dusty

Engine in today

20200812_142125 by dusty miller, on Flickr

And her stablemate got a glimpse  too;

20200812_142536 by dusty miller, on Flickr

;D

Hi
It's an Rgv front end with billet yokes to suit the Rd headstock and Rgv forks. You can use standard Rgv yokes - you would just need a 5mm spacer underneath the lower taper bearing on the stem to get it to work. The billet yokes have adjustable lock stops - the standard yokes would need them re siting for the Rd frame. It's up on it's wheels now;

20200811_130034 by dusty miller, on Flickr

20200811_131455 by dusty miller, on Flickr

20200811_130049 by dusty miller, on Flickr

Dusty ;D

When it's up on it's wheels, the engine is ready to go straight in. Still a lot of parts to source, and all the paintwork to get done. I did a twin tap conversion on the tank to do away with the rubbish cross over tube at the front underside. The tail cowl needs cutting too as I plan on recessing the tail light with a bespoke bracket that I have a template for. Building a bike from just a frame is a ridiculously expensive way of doing it !!

Dusty ;D

Frame just back from powdercoating, so I can start adding the parts I've already refurbed;

20200725_165023 by dusty miller, on Flickr

Wheels went for coating today, so hopefully have a rolling chassis in a couple of weeks.

Dusty