Benno

Carbs arrived! Just missing one part now. The fuel line that comes out of the fuel tap is 5.9mm (15/16"), while the ones that go into the carbs are 7.9mm (5/16"). I need a 'Y' or 'T' adaptor with a smaller input and 2 larger outputs. Any ideas on where I might get one of these from? Would prefer one part that does the lot instead of a 5/16" splitter and separate size convertor, just more joints and places to leak.

Been doing a bit of tinkering with this thing. Got all of the wiring sorted, ended up pinching a few parts that came off the Kawasaki. Installed a new speedo, looks pretty good. Got a cable made up by E. Parrott and Son in Chch, would highly recommend them. Great price, great quality outcome. Surprisingly the speedo even seems to be relatively accurate! Debating if I need any lights for neutral, oil, indicators etc, if so where do I mount them. Any suggestions? Got a clean sheet WOF today, pretty stoked for a bike that has been off the road since 2009! Next job is to have a go at improving the tune on it, good thing it came with a set of jets.

I live down the end of the same street as you (Wainui Street right?) and have an impact wrench that might be helpful, flick me a PM if you want to borrow it man, would be keen for a yarn too

Similarly, are clear brake lights allowed? No doubt there is some regulations crap about them, but has anyone got through WOFs sweet with them? Like this http://www.aliexpress.com/item/universal-New-LED-Motorcycle-Bike-Quad-ATV-Brake-Running-License-Plate-Tail-Light-Rear/692615661.html?tracelog=back_to_detail_a

Cheers guys, I guess I'll just hope for the best then, worst case I can swap on the originals for a WOF

Are smoked indicator lens's fine in NZ? Looking at getting some new indicators for it, quite like the look of these: http://www.aliexpress.com/item/motorcycle-Smoke-Lens-Aluminum-Turn-Signal-for-Yamaha-FZ-MT-TDM-TNT-TRE-V-max-XJ/2025353243.html

Don't really mind the wheels at the moment, might look into converting to spoked in the future but happy enough for now. Will probably spend money on things like a nicer seat etc before I think too much about wheels. These have quite a wide frame really, makes things a little tricky in regards to fitting a sweet seat. Thinking I might go for a slim bratstyle type when I get round to it

Tried a little persuasion by smacking the screwdriver with a hammer? Don't belt the shit out of it, but while applying a twisting torque with one hand to the screwdriver give the screwdriver a bit of a whack. I've had great success freeing things that way in the past. Applies a force in a different direction which can help to loosen it a bit. Worth a try at least perhaps

Picked this up for a reasonable price. Reg is on hold, so don't need to fuck round with getting it re-vinned this time. Similarly to my Kawasaki it doesn't have the original air box so currently runs pretty average. Mufflers sound pretty sweet. The guy I bought it off had a flatmate with the same bike who had re-jetted his carb and went pretty awesome and he included a full set of jets for it so hopefully I can sort something out to get running a bit better. Wiring has all sorts of issues currently, I'm planning on re-wiring most of it, patching up crap doesn't really appeal. Not too sure what my plans for it will be yet, it is kinda tempting to just fix it up and flick it on as-is but may well end up keeping it as another project.

Shit yes! Mikuni VM32's ordered, thanks very much man! Hadn't seen anything in my emails about it yet either actually

The springs in the rear were a little soft, so it was pretty slammed 4 up. Rear sway bar is now missing a little material haha. Ran like a dream the whole way back to Christchurch though.

Do they do free international shipping too? I got an email the other day about free US shipping, sadly doesn't help much http://www.dimecitycycles.com/dccdiatribe/

So the crappy carbs on this are pissing me off quite badly. I've decided to replace them, probably with some Mikuni VM32's. I'm currently looking at getting the dimecitycycle ones that a pre-jetted for 400-600 twins in the hope that the jets are a better starting point then stock (http://www.dimecitycycles.com/vintage-cafe-racer-caferacer-bobber-brat-chopper-custom-motorcycle-carburetor-parts-mikuni-32mm-mikuni32mm-honda-cb350-cb360-cb450-cb500-right-side-carburetor-001-166.html). Any better options or advice for these?

I can probably even give you a ride if you want, just chuck me some fuel $$

Yeah the more I think about it the more I like the idea of black decals. I'll have a chat to you about them when I see you next Hogan haha.

Cheers guys. Satin black stripes would be pretty cool actually, any thoughts on style? I was originally contemplating something similar to the factory setup with a thicker gold stripe then a thin pinstripe above, similar to below

Got the tank all stripped, bogged and painted. Quite a dark green with a bit of gold. Thanks heaps bubblegoose, it looks amazing. Now debating whether I want to get some stripes for it.

If you haven't already taken the crank out, I would do so before hammering away on the pistons, it will be a lot easier to free one up then 4 together. Or try kytelers strategy first perhaps

To be honest, it looks to me a lot like all of the bores will be pitted from rust anyway, needing bored out and new oversize pistons. You might still need to soak it to help to get them out, but I would not have any problems with just bashing the shit out of the pistons with a hammer or something until they come free

//oldschool.co.nz/index.php?/topic/34643-how-to-add-pictures-to-the-forum/ this might help with to post photos perhaps. I'm pretty sure that a M15 piston would fit without any problems. A mate of mine has rebuilt a few of those engines though, might be worth messaging him for advice perhaps https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jonnys-Speed-Shop/

Got spark or fuel? Very hard to diagnose without knowing exactly what is going on. Pull a plug, hold it up against the block and get someone to crank the engine to check. If there is no spark, check to see if the plugs are wet suggesting there is fuel

Finally got the seat fitted up, stoked with how awesome it looks. Thanks again to Jonny for helping to fit it up and Lewis for making it. Did a bit of a celebratory burnout too haha https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=292547277612135&set=vb.198565763676954&type=2&theater

It looks like most of the Honda horizontal type engines really, sadly it's not genuine or even have any markings on the block like a honda one would

Simple way to check if it is the alarm causing issues - completely bypass it. I'm assuming that you are still running a stock ignition system, which has the coil ballast in the line? If so, you need to get a ballast resistor from somewhere to temporarily use. Connect a line directly from the battery + terminal via the ballast resistor to the + terminal of the ignition barrell. This way if there is any issues further up the line they will be bypassed. If that works, you then know the issue is between the ignition switch and coil. If still problems, coil, points or condensor are fucked.

So I have made a bit of progress on this lately. Modified the frame and cover a bit to accommodate the engine, then made up some engine mounts. Just need to get these welded in at some point. After seeing some inspiration from Vintage Grumble above, I got quite keen on the idea of some go kart wheels on it. After talking to my mate Hogan (427carguy) it turned out that he had some spares I could borrow. Fitted the front almost perfectly, just needed a tiny bit of spacing with some washers to fit. Need to get some hubs and axle for the rear still. Pretty damn happy with how it looks though!