The Bikeshite Thread

[castros_bro]

Lordy lordy - Look who's back

 

http://www.heskethmotorcycles.co.uk

[DodgeRover]

It looks like the end of the road for my much-crashed CBR600F. I low-sided it at a track day last year, and although I broke my arm the bike seemed to come off fairly lightly with just a broken brake lever, mashed bar end and mucho cosmetic damage. However, I've been getting it ready to go back on the road this weekend and one of the forks is quite clearly bent. I've tried all the usual alignment tricks and have totally disassembled the front end, but it's buggered.

 

As it was probably worth £500 tops in running order it's really not worth fixing (it needs a tyre and front discs too,and the bodywork is dreadfully hand-painted in black enamel).

Can you have the tube rolled back straight? Last time I had one done it was about £20.

[Jazoli]

It looks like the end of the road for my much-crashed CBR600F.  I low-sided it at a track day last year, and although I broke my arm the bike seemed to come off fairly lightly with just a broken brake lever, mashed bar end and mucho cosmetic damage.  However, I've been getting it ready to go back on the road this weekend and one of the forks is quite clearly bent.  I've tried all the usual alignment tricks and have totally disassembled the front end, but it's buggered.

 

As it was probably worth £500 tops in running order it's really not worth fixing (it needs a tyre and front discs too,and the bodywork is dreadfully hand-painted in black enamel).

 

 

Secondhand forks are peanuts on ebay, I'll make you a very insulting offer for it but you had better have the lube ready

 

Edit, not quite peanuts but they are not an awful lot.

[Tamworthbay]

I would be interested in a cheap project, not sure how I would get it up here though.

[andy18s]

Up where from where?

I'm running from Cheltenham to N Staffs beginning of next week with an empty vivaro van.......

[Fat_Pirate]

I would like to see the back of it, but the insurance cancellation fee is almost as much as I paid for policy so it may as well hang around earning me NCB.  It really is shagged though; it feels very loose and worn, which doesn't match the ~27K on the clocks (I've got a 70K VFR which feels super tight in comparison).

[strangeangel]

Buy a similar model and use that one for spares?

[richardmorris]

Councils are wankers. I've been meaning to visit that place for ages, it's meant to be brilliant.

 

It's full of old bikes and associated tat (valuable memorabilia). If you do go ask for Jerry.

[xtriple]

 very nearly bought a Hesketh a few years ago when they were being made 'cottage industry' style. Always adored them and I wanted a red one with wire wheels instead of the Astralites. In the end, I bowed to 'peer pressure' from the editor of the mag I was writing for at the time who said they were; 'utter fucking shite and sounded like a skeleton wanking in a tin' That, plus the price which was eye watering and a wife who was giving me 'that look' was enough for me to chicken out.

 

Still regret it.

[Tamworthbay]

I would like to see the back of it, but the insurance cancellation fee is almost as much as I paid for policy so it may as well hang around earning me NCB.  It really is shagged though; it feels very loose and worn, which doesn't match the ~27K on the clocks (I've got a 70K VFR which feels super tight in comparison).

Well if you change your mind, or when the insurance is up give me a shout.

[DodgeRover]

Does anybody recognise what else these were fitted to other than Merlin/ Cagiva trials bikes, i need 2! It reminds me of a moped one:

 

and from the side

 

[They_all_do_that_sir]

New levers, grips and bar ends

 

Sent from my D6603 using Tapatalk

[Dave_Q]

This is almost one for the stupid question thread seeing as I could google it myself, but anyway.

 

I've just acquired Cavcraft's Vespa. It's a T5 classic with the T5 engine removed and (I think) a standard PX125 engine instead. 

 

How to make moar fast for less $$$?

 

If I get an expansion type exhaust like this what else do I need to do? Rejet the carb or is a bigger one needed?

 

Am not looking to go mental with big bore kits etc, but a bit more oomph might be nice.

 

Thanks.

[wuvvum]

 

 

On a more serious note, I've always thought an expansion exhaust wouldn't really suit a Vespa engine.  One of the things I like about Vespas is that they're amazingly torquey and flexible for a two-stroke - I would be worried an expansion exhaust would make it peaky and ruin the rideability, especially with the vast chasm between the gears on these things.  Vespas aren't meant to be fast anyway.

[Dave_Q]

You're probably right there, I've been reading and the shape of the torque curve goes from a flat line to one big spike with an expansion exhaust. 

 

I'll wait till I've done a few more miles on it and got accustomed to the power before tearing it to bits.

[Fabergé Greggs]

This is almost one for the stupid question thread seeing as I could google it myself, but anyway.

 

I've just acquired Cavcraft's Vespa. It's a T5 classic with the T5 engine removed and (I think) a standard PX125 engine instead. 

 

How to make moar fast for less $$$?

 

If I get an expansion type exhaust like this what else do I need to do? Rejet the carb or is a bigger one needed?

 

Am not looking to go mental with big bore kits etc, but a bit more oomph might be nice.

 

Thanks.

 

my PX came with one very similar to that- It makes a highly entertaining sound though does get a bit tiring if being used daily. As mentioned above, they shift the power way up the rev range which doesn't really work on a Vespa without other mods. If you wanted to get DIY though you could do some DIY porting to match it up a bit. 

 

The best bolt on compliment is a SIP Road 2 pipe which let's it rev a bit freer, but also adds a dollop of mid range torque.. They start off deep but quiet sounding, but soon the wadding gets oiled up and they end up making a bit of racket too. You should only need to go up 2 sizes jet wise. 

 

Beyond that, the next step is the LML 150cc cylinder kit which is £80 for a fake or £110 or so for the "real" one. Apparently they too add a dollop of torque. You'd need to go up a couple of jet sizes again. 

 

If all is standard, your jet should be 98 or so. Get a set from KMT on ebay, they do a set of 98-104 or something for £15.

 

Oh, one more thing, you need to drill out your air filter a bit if it isn't already, Google "heart shape filter"..

[Gingerwomble]

For sale!!!!

1999 bmw R1100R with 42k on the clock, it has official bmw handguards and factory fitted ABS and heated grips. It has a dominator aftermarket exhaust and rides brilliantly I'm just looking for a new bike and need the money from this to fund that, I can send hq pics to private message or email £1750 ono and open to offers

[hairnet]

had similar

 

 

 

 

in other news booked a trip to the north of scotland

 

keith huntly braemar aberfeldy (the big green bit )

 

 

 

 

[Gingerwomble]

Bike is in Aberdeenshire

Well I'm not far from Keith Huntly at all about 15-20 mins driving time. They are nice bikes to ride I just want a change

[They_all_do_that_sir]

Took the bike on its first run of 2017 yesterday. Twas only a commute but still put a smile on my face.

 

It's uncovered a few niggles, most of which I was aware of and won't take much sorting:

 

Rear brake is almost non existent. Needs a good bleed just.

 

Carburettor setup still isn't 100% at quarter throttle. I've tweaked the pilots a bit richer which has helped loads and balanced the carbs but it's still a bit lumpy and horrible. Anything above quarter she goes like a train, pulls nice and smooth. I've ordered new float valves as according to the owners group they are very sensitive to these being in good fettle, if even one isn't great you'll get poor running under 3000rpm.

 

On top of that sometimes after stopping for lights etc the revs don't drop to idle, they drop to nothing and the bike cuts out. Happens after a prolonged run of speed, if you gradually slow down and feather the throttle it doesn't cut out. I have a theory it's the float bowls not refilling quickly enough. Might be helped by float needles. Will check float heights...

 

As the carbs will need to come off again to sort these they'll get (another) clean and I'll double check the inlet rubbers etc are sealing properly. The problem here is it's a pressurised system for the ram air so it's all a bit sensitive on being just so.

 

There is a really annoying buzz at certain rpm from the dash surround somewhere. It's driving me crackers.....

 

The throttle is sticking. Not so bad that it's dangerous, just that it doesn't snap closed as quick as it should. I'll sort that when the carbs are off

 

That should keep me busy!

 

 

 

Sent from my D6603 using Tapatalk

[PiperCub]

This is almost one for the stupid question thread seeing as I could google it myself, but anyway.

 

I've just acquired Cavcraft's Vespa. It's a T5 classic with the T5 engine removed and (I think) a standard PX125 engine instead. 

 

How to make moar fast for less $$$?

 

If I get an expansion type exhaust like this what else do I need to do? Rejet the carb or is a bigger one needed?

 

Am not looking to go mental with big bore kits etc, but a bit more oomph might be nice.

 

Thanks.

 

You could put a Yam LC motor in it - it's been done!!

 

On a serious note, tuning two-strokes is easier to do than with four-strokes, but harder to do properly. You can go down the expansion pipe/carb jet/porting route and this will give results but to get a nice tuned & ridable two stroke it's vital everything that's done works in harmony - not against each other. Being an LC owner of 25 years, I've seen vast numbers ruined by idiot 'Tuners' who haven't a scooby-doo what they are doing (prob read an article in Performance Berks mag or the like and suddenly they are Stan Stephens!). What I'm saying is it's very easy to fuck it up in a big (read expensive) way. 

 

There is loads of info out there so do research it, folk have been tuning Vespas for decades and will give you info on where to begin. Probably the best thing to do is ensure the squish clearance (dist bet piston crown and the head) to get best C/R, then smooth the ports but don't alter the dimensions/heights without advice - the usual 'Raise the exhaust port' bit is fine if you want all the power in the top 2000 revs and unridable without slipping the clutch elsewhere.

Use a decent quality, proven exhaust and jet the carb to suit,again seek advice in which one as there are good, bad & shit around! (Noise seldom equals power - often the reverse). I'd stick with standard carb airbox but maybe with a free-flow filter if necessary as this will be more practical, quieter & won't suffer in the rain (as old K&N's used to). The look at some kind of electronic ignition if running points to keep the timing correct which is crucial on a two-stroke. Oh, and use good quality two-stroke oil, don't skimp.

 

A good quality big-bore kit can be a shortcut to much of the above tuning and can make for a more torquey motor (in two-stroke terms that is!) as well as more bhp and be nicer to ride. Again it all depends on getting a decent quality/proven item and as with any engine building work, put it together very carefully and be exact/fussy/clean.

 

That's all I can think of. 

[xtriple]

Back when I was at home (sad!) a neighbour had a Vespa or Lambretta thing. It was mint and a bit 'scooterboy' but nice non the less. He only had a CBT but wanted it faster (he had been riding for years but never done his test... common among the scooter fraternity so he said) so he bought a big bore kit and wanted help to fit it.

 

I have never worked on a scooter and not ridden them all that often either so I had a blat on it while standard and thought, to be honest, it was a hoot! So I agreed to help him with the engine. It was quite fancy and sounded Italian made and cost a fair bit but looked quality. Had to grind a load of fins off one side of the barrel to make it fit (which was in the instructions which surprised me) and then change a whole load of bits in the carb/air filter including jet.

 

Afterwards, once I'd spent ages getting the jetting right (I'm fussy!) it was a flying machine with loads of low down power and a nice kick in the mid range that seemed to keep on to the point where it sounded like that was enough revs to me. it certainly made it an interesting little bike to ride and it now felt like the engine was 'more' than the frame/cycle parts could cope with... if you gave it the berries that is. But, it didn't need to be ridden like that, just ride it on the torque and it was a happy little 'perfume burner'

 

I fully recommend a big bore kit but get a die grinder first!

[LostnotFound]

Have a picture of my TDR, for no reason I've done nothing on the rather long list that needs doing but as I had an actual day off when it wasn't pissing it down, I found a good excuse to go for a ride to get some steaks for dinner from a farm in a village a few miles away.

 

Don't be down Montytom, I was told to wait on doing my DAS as I'm a ham fisted idiot and pootle around on my own first. So much of this bike riding lark appears to be muscle memory that learning that at my own pace suits me (todays lesson, downshifting and braking at the same time can equal locking the rear wheel....), I do have no 'need' to pass tho, as I don't have a lovely big bike awaiting me so I accept why you wouldn't be as laissez faire as I am.

 

Basically I'm sure once you are out and about riding slowly around traffic etc... the skills required for MOD 1 will become second nature and you'll breeze it next time.

[Fabergé Greggs]

 Had to grind a load of fins off one side of the barrel to make it fit (which was in the instructions which surprised me) 

 

I fully recommend a big bore kit but get a die grinder first!

 

To clear the starter motor no? I think the casts for quite a few of the cylinders are from the kick start era.. 

 

Ditch it and kick start it like a man*

[Jazoli]

Have a picture of my TDR, for no reason I've done nothing on the rather long list that needs doing but as I had an actual day off when it wasn't pissing it down, I found a good excuse to go for a ride to get some steaks for dinner from a farm in a village a few miles away.

 

Don't be down Montytom, I was told to wait on doing my DAS as I'm a ham fisted idiot and pootle around on my own first. So much of this bike riding lark appears to be muscle memory that learning that at my own pace suits me (todays lesson, downshifting and braking at the same time can equal locking the rear wheel....), I do have no 'need' to pass tho, as I don't have a lovely big bike awaiting me so I accept why you wouldn't be as laissez faire as I am.

 

Basically I'm sure once you are out and about riding slowly around traffic etc... the skills required for MOD 1 will become second nature and you'll breeze it next time.

 

 

I like that, they can be little flying machines with a bit of tweaking, I had a few TDR250's when they first came out, awesome things.

[PiperCub]

Never owned a TDR250 but a friend had one so rode that a good few times, great fun and about the only bike I've ever been able to properly wheelie which is rather sad as I used to own a 1200 Bandit! 

[Eddie Honda]

It was mint and a bit 'scooterboy'

Skooterboy?

 

[strangeangel]

Off work today, nipped out to the shops on the Aprilia. Arrived, got off, deployed stand... CLANG!

 

 

Arse,

 

[Guest Hooli]

Replacement bottom yoke fitted. The threads to clamp the forks were buggered when drilling out snapped bolts about 8 years ago & had a temporary repair done...

 

 

New steering bearings too, the old ones felt fine but it turned out they needed doing anyway.

 

 

Oh & a snapped pry-bar in the scrap box is now a bearing drift to get the old races out, took 5mins with an angle grinder to adjust it to suit.

 

 

Will try to get the fork bottoms cleaned & the forks built tomorrow. Doubt I'll fit them as it's due to be pissing down.

[Guest Hooli]

No idea what's happened with that pic of the races, photophucket has lived up to it's name I guess.