Just picked up this oldie from a mate of a mate for £100 so it looks like I have a new project. Might as well build a cafe racer. Not been run in a few years but all present and correct. Already started stripping it and buying stuff.
That looks in really good nick. I reckon you could just as easily give it a deep detail and turn it around quickly - provided you don't want your own racer. And . . . I reckon you'll be friggin' blessed. You'll chuck a new battery in it and it'll effortlessly start up and run perfect.
Already started spending mate. I’d actually like to build a Cafe and see what these beardy types like about them. May even be a keeper, who knows?
The pics are a little forgiving, there is surface rust on the tank, the subframe looks tired with heavier rust and whilst it could be turned around and probably sold for around £800 (I’ve been offered £250 as is), I genuinely want something to play with.
Got home last night and popped to Halfrauds today to collect my LifePo4 battery. £70 was the cheapest online for the ER5 but with my trade card it was only £57 in store. Had to be ordered in though. Picked up a chain monkey gift set whilst I was there, should have been £70 reduced to £40 and paid £32 with the trade card. Contents included, chain cleaner, lube, chain brush, chain monkey adjusting tool and chain laser alignment tool!! Stuck some fuel in the remote tank, new battery on and turned it over for a while and up she went! That was enough of an excuse to start ripping it apart. I cut off the back end of the subframe ready to weld on a loop once the seat arrives. Then I removed the exhaust, cut off the fixed pipe and rewelded a section of pipe back on ready for the exhaust can when it arrives. I also removed the shocks and fitted the China cheapies I got which has lifted the back end but there is no damping with them, it’s all spring! Not a problem as I have a set of Speed Twin shocks coming from the bay of flees.
That's what I'm talkin' about!! Good result Mr Toy. I might let you know that the beard's coming along nicely, thank you very much! On the other hand, I am overly distressed to see a prestige MV Agusta mat going to ruins beneath a Kwaka.
It might be prestige but it’s certainly not pristine!!! Given to me by my mate as his dog had chewed off the corner!
Today I welded a short section to the collector to accept the new end can when it arrives. I’ve bought 2 actually, one HP Corse Hydroform and one M4 stubby, both from China and both copies. Will make up my mind once they arrive. Don’t see the point of spending good money on branded items when they’re just straight through pipes. Also removed the bars and fitted clip-ons, then dropped my top yoke to my tame machinist to shave the risers and ignition lock housing and headlight mount off (I hacked the posts off the yoke with a grinder first to make things easier). It’s just a waiting game now until I can start fabricating the subframe as I’m waiting for the seat unit and other bits. Took me a bloody hour of hacking with a grinder and mole grips to get the front guard off as the bolts had all seized in the fork legs. All off now though. I might order all the brake spares and fork spares so I can rebuild them once I’ve had them powder coated.
Today’s work was replace the shocks with the Triumph ones (the mounts are huge, frame modification required!!) cut out the subframe top tube, replace it with my new one. Thankfully the seat arrived so I could get on with it. Darren got my shaved down yoke back too. Been a busy day but I pleased with the outcome.
This is going to be one quick turnaround for a project bike. Certainly no dithering going on. And seemingly, no plans and specifications - all in the head I guess. Congrats and kudos to you! (By the way, the beard's coming along nicely)
Haha, cheers Nige. Darren turned up this morning with my spigots (slugs) so I made a start and drilled through the main frame. Plug welded Stubs fitted and subframe adjusted for length Annoyed at the gaps but it is what it is. Multiple passes then smoothed out Fuel tank outlet mod Other side view Plenty of meat The look I’m after
Cheers @Brom66 it helps when your enjoying the task in hand. Waiting for my 25mm tube to be delivered on Weds before I can take the subframe any further. Also waiting on my filters before I can brace the front of the frame.
This is really looking the part now, amazing how changing the bars and a new subframe and seat can change the look of a bike so drastically!! Top job mate
Cheers Paulo. Nothing wrong with the standard bike but it’s just so vanilla. The ideal canvas some might say.
