Hi all, thought I'd introduce myself. My name is Colin and I live nr Oxford UK. I've been dicking with cars n bikes for a good few years now, 45 to be exact.
I'd owned a '82 CBX550 for nearly 20 years before hacking it about a bit.
That's not why I'm here though. I had acquired a bare Honda 400/4 frame which I got a V5 in my name so I could play with it.
I fancied a bit of ringadingding in my life so thought to build myself a two stroke flat tracker style run around.
I love a rummage around a swapmeet, and found a pair of Paoili forks and Honda NSR125 6xspoke alloy wheels....which was a start.
A facebook deal landed a Suzuki SB200 engine inc carbs, needing a crank rebuild.
A quick fit up looked promising, engine mounts weren't too far out, infact the rear upper was the same and the front just needed mounting plates cutting out. The underside mounts will need some work but nothing too involved...so it was good to go on the concept.
Needing a tank I fancied the look and style of a Honda CB200, loving the chrome strips and padded centre section....which would run into the seat I had in mind nicely.
Microns turned up next, they're for a 350LC but I think I can make them work?
Now this is where it get tricky....the NSR wheels are staying, but trying to make them work with the Paioli forks - disc/caliper alignment mounts all conflicted and meant engineering beyond my simple garage/shed means....so, NSR125 forks were drafted in to KISS....and a few attmepts at taper bearings sees them fitting a treat. The entire front end is NSR and should work well.
So, I now have the basic layout, including the seat unit. Did I mention the Suzuki GS1100E alloy swingarm? This is lovely piece of kit and it was defo going on whatever it took. It took a custom spindle turned out of stainless and slimmer needle rollers as well as a small cut across the spindle width to fit the 400/4 frame.
I now need rear spindle (Yamaha Diversion 600) tophat spacers making up to complete the rear end. A brake torque bar to secure the rear caliper and a brake pedal too.
Bars, levers and switches are sourced and should work, tank is close to being mounted along with the seat unit which will have a removeable padded seat (in mid blue suede) to acces oil tank and battery.
Due to the footrest placement being out of line with the kickstart swing, I thought to find a starter motor kit.....I actually found a GT200 engine, complete except for the barrel (which I have) along with 22mm GT carbs and 5x speed box of course. So full GT spec lump which worked out well.
Here's a few random images to bring you up to date, thanks for reading so far.
I plan on updating this thread as I go....I'm pushing this build to have a finished, running MOTable bike by Spring 2020. Lots to do as each part really needs to be thought through....one off builds are very very work intensive as I have found to my cost haha!
That's all folks.
I'd owned a '82 CBX550 for nearly 20 years before hacking it about a bit.
That's not why I'm here though. I had acquired a bare Honda 400/4 frame which I got a V5 in my name so I could play with it.
I fancied a bit of ringadingding in my life so thought to build myself a two stroke flat tracker style run around.
I love a rummage around a swapmeet, and found a pair of Paoili forks and Honda NSR125 6xspoke alloy wheels....which was a start.
A facebook deal landed a Suzuki SB200 engine inc carbs, needing a crank rebuild.
A quick fit up looked promising, engine mounts weren't too far out, infact the rear upper was the same and the front just needed mounting plates cutting out. The underside mounts will need some work but nothing too involved...so it was good to go on the concept.
Needing a tank I fancied the look and style of a Honda CB200, loving the chrome strips and padded centre section....which would run into the seat I had in mind nicely.
Microns turned up next, they're for a 350LC but I think I can make them work?
Now this is where it get tricky....the NSR wheels are staying, but trying to make them work with the Paioli forks - disc/caliper alignment mounts all conflicted and meant engineering beyond my simple garage/shed means....so, NSR125 forks were drafted in to KISS....and a few attmepts at taper bearings sees them fitting a treat. The entire front end is NSR and should work well.
So, I now have the basic layout, including the seat unit. Did I mention the Suzuki GS1100E alloy swingarm? This is lovely piece of kit and it was defo going on whatever it took. It took a custom spindle turned out of stainless and slimmer needle rollers as well as a small cut across the spindle width to fit the 400/4 frame.
I now need rear spindle (Yamaha Diversion 600) tophat spacers making up to complete the rear end. A brake torque bar to secure the rear caliper and a brake pedal too.
Bars, levers and switches are sourced and should work, tank is close to being mounted along with the seat unit which will have a removeable padded seat (in mid blue suede) to acces oil tank and battery.
Due to the footrest placement being out of line with the kickstart swing, I thought to find a starter motor kit.....I actually found a GT200 engine, complete except for the barrel (which I have) along with 22mm GT carbs and 5x speed box of course. So full GT spec lump which worked out well.
Here's a few random images to bring you up to date, thanks for reading so far.
I plan on updating this thread as I go....I'm pushing this build to have a finished, running MOTable bike by Spring 2020. Lots to do as each part really needs to be thought through....one off builds are very very work intensive as I have found to my cost haha!
That's all folks.