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Messages - redcoat

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1
British Bikes / Re: building a fake '08...need advice
« on: October 10, 2008, 06:46:38 PM »
Those would be the pictures directly above your question. Maybe it isn't such a great fake after all. But I get enough questions about what year the "old Triumph" is...

Justin

2
British Bikes / Re: building a fake '08...need advice
« on: October 09, 2008, 08:18:15 PM »
in mexico

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British Bikes / Re: building a fake '08...need advice
« on: October 09, 2008, 08:16:45 PM »
completed with tank rack

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British Bikes / Re: building a fake '08...need advice
« on: October 09, 2008, 08:14:59 PM »
I'll try adding pics again

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British Bikes / Re: building a fake '08...need advice
« on: October 09, 2008, 08:13:45 PM »
All good ideas! But now I can't decide. I was looking for a name for the faked brit bike, and still haven't got a name, or tank emblem for it. It's been nick-named "Marvelous Motorcycle", but that's sort of 1910 when the names were mostly adjectives, Superiour, Rex, . Maybe I should call the 1905 fake the Marvelous Motorcycle (built by R. Smith and sons, lower sheeps bottom, Warwick) and you could help with a name for the 1950/60 one. Thrush and Grudge are good...

Here's some pics. Black on black doesn't show much detail though, but the gold transfers look good, as does the tank "bag rack". I think it's mostly the angle of the exhaust headers, rubber knee pads, bag rack and front number plate that throw people.

A fun bike. Wish I'd left the big windscreen on for the trip to Mexico. 5000 unfaired miles left me with bleeding lips for weeks, sandblasted face and an aching neck (wind blast).
Justin

6
British Bikes / building a fake '08...need advice
« on: October 08, 2008, 05:02:34 AM »
I posted some months ago asking for (and got) advice as I was turning a ratty old Honda 400 into a bike that could be mistaken for a 50's 500cc Triumph at 50 feet or 50 mph. It worked WAY better than I thought!

Anyhow, my next project is to fake something really old, like 1903-1908 ish.

I have an old heavy bycle frame, with wide rims and balloon tires. Sorry, no girder forks or archaic suspension. I have an 80cc single cyclinder engine from China. I intend adding a "flat tank", copper pipe fuel line, and old brass amal in line filter, a bulb horn, rear rack etc. If you have suggestions for more stuff, let me know!!

However, the first thing is the frame, the foundation I'll build on. It needs repainting which will be done by Mr. Rattlecan.

Question: Most images I can find of vetran bikes are not in colour. Should I go gloss black, semi-gloss (to look older) or some deep green or other? I was thinking deep green and gold lettering. Send me suggetions- there isn't a vetran bike near me I can inspect for 6000 miles.

Lastly, a name. I need to come up with a fake maker. Majestic? Marvelous? Grudge?

I'll let you know how it comes along

Justin

7
British Bikes / Re: serious question folks-endurable carb ideas
« on: June 03, 2008, 09:19:06 AM »
I'm serious with the question. Anybody? Any suggestion? What is the opinion on the one used on the Enfield 350 bullet?

8
British Bikes / serious question folks-endurable carb ideas
« on: May 19, 2008, 12:14:55 PM »
I have a Honda 400 twin. It's 30 years old, and parts are just starting to become a problem. I have 7 more of these bikes, plus spare engines. I intend to ride them till I die.

I also have a Matchless with a wonderfully simple monobloc carb.

What I want is the simplicity and economy of a single monobloc carb, but on the 400 twin.

Looking 30 years into the future, there will be people keeping old brit bikes going, but probably not my CB400.

Therefore- if I were to consider a simple, endlessly fixable carb- with parts likely to be available through an enthusiast group- which carb should it be?

Consult the book Durable Motoring, about how to have a Morris 1000 last a  lifetime, if this idea interests you.

Justin

9
British Bikes / Re: BSA Bantam bottom end
« on: May 07, 2008, 02:11:52 AM »
Thanks for your replies folks! The present owner swears he ran it with 20:1 gas/oil. I am not convinced. Anyhow, thanks for your ideas- the stellite sounds good if needed, and a regrind and oversize bearings sounds the easiest.

Last question, start it to hear the banging myself, or pull it apart and look for the source? A running, rattlling engine is easier to put a stethescope up to! But if I cause further damage...

Justin

10
British Bikes / BSA Bantam bottom end
« on: May 04, 2008, 03:08:49 PM »
Greetings all,

A first post, and I'm begging for advice:

A local bike shop has a Bantam (shocks at the rear, not plungers) that looks like it has had some time and money spent on it. The shop owner says the previous owner had "everything done with the engine- head and barrel off, barrel bored, new piston, new rings yad yada". Put it together, started it, and it went thump thump thump from the bottom end. He claims the new top end produced compression too high for the bottom end to handle.

Now, I'll admit I'm in the colonies, and I don't know much about 2 strokes, or old British bikes. Seems to me that at the least it's toasted bottom end bearinsg and possibly a damaged crank shaft.

Questions: Suggestions as to what caused this in the first place?

Does the story ring true?

If the bottom end is knocking, is it much to pull these engines apart?

How expensive is (and how hard to find) a crank shaft?

Regards,

Justin

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British Bikes / Re: Heated gloves
« on: May 04, 2008, 04:08:13 PM »
Late response, so I suppose it won't get read, Just joined the forum. Thought I'd add this:

I've ridden year round on the west coast of Canada for 20 years (except when I'm in the UK), and by far the best way to keep your bare hands warm to the freezing point is to use both Hotgrips wired into your bike- 30watt draw I believe- same as the low beam anyway on my bike, and ATV Logic bar muffs, or what ever you call them where you are- I've heard elephant ears and others. The bars heat up, and excess heat warm the air trapped in the bar muff, so both sides of your hands stay warm. Of course, a large plexiglass windscreen works wonders for hands and the rest of the body.

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