Howdo!! Always wanted a cafe style racer, used to love the look of the old Triton's and having seen the Norton cafe racer (Nicest bike at the NEC IMHO ) I've decided to cobble together all the bits I have been collecting. 900SS engine (Cheers Imola) currently stripping down then painting. 900 I.E frame (Cheers Gillan), monster 696 swingarm, carby tank (Would love a Norton style tank....maybe later???) Radical seat, stubby end cans with either monster headlight or V-rod. Cheers Pablo
Howdo!! Well drilled out the crankcases to accept the 12mm ST3 engine bolts. Rear cylinder off and just cleaning up ready for paint and shimming (Good job as one of the half rings had broken - so all gaskets and stuff ordered - Cheers to Nelly@Cornerspeed). Dragging all the boxes out to see what I have and haven't got Bidding on a 600 flywheel & may fit a set of JE pistons while it's in bits Few bits...............
Yep, I'll be keeping an eye on this. How about making your own tank with fibreglass? That's certainly something I'm considering for the Guzzi.
How do you insure a Cafe racer? Any mods sir? Yes everything. I've been tempted at doing something similiar but once it's ready for the road who insures this type of build?
Auldgirth!!! Thats where my Aunt and Uncle live. A couple of houses and a pub. Great couple of bends before you get there from Dumfries. I'll be there soon in the new year. I might just take a wander over.
I insured my bike through Bikesure, which is part of Adrian Flux. They've years of experience insuring special cars and bikes. They needed a full list of mods and then photos of the bike. Mine has frame, engine, suspension, and bodywork mods, to name but a few. It costs me only a few quid more than a stock bike, on a limited mileage policy. The more miles I do, I can up the figure, simple ;-)
Good luck, I know no one who has actually got a tank from them, always a year wait list and still doesn't turn up. Shame as they look decent and decent price
+1 for bikesure, thats who i will be using too. A good mate insures his Aprilia Mille engined R1 through them for less than he can insure a stock R1
We use Bikesure for our Blood Bikes, so top blokes. On a personal note, got U turned on at the weekend, bike already away for repair, no hassles.
I've had two tanks from there, both only 4 or 5 week turnaround.. though that was a few years ago, and it may have helped that I went up to see him. Looks like he's trying to sell the business, and his website has a few tanks for immediate sale. I've also got a café tank made by T A Baker, who have a good selection and a quick turnaround compared to the Tank Shop.. Tab 2 Classics| T A Baker | Alloy Motor Cycle Fuel Tanks | Ducati Fuel Tanks | Honda Fuel Tanks | Yamaha Fuel Tanks | Suzuki Fuel Tanks | Triumph Fuel Tanks | Norton Fuel Tanks
Bright Ideas Club! Well got the Monster 696 swingarm and it slots straight on to the back of the 900SS engine, will need to machine the actual bolt as it's to long (Normally has the footpegs connected). Initially when I Mk1 eyeballed the fitment I thought the only mod I would have to do is alter the swingarm fixing point on the frame, However it's to far offset.......bugger. Rear section of frame was due to be altered for the Radical seat but looks like a bit more work maybe required Not sure if the cast swingarm can be welded???? Therefore moving the swingarm point across?? Will be touching base with Steve Bailey I need to measure up a 696 shock and take a few pics of the top section of frame. Will also need to swap out the rear wheel bearing for 25mm....if possible. Just stuck the SS tank on to have a look.
