alfalfa

I recently got the urge to get a bike back in the garage and start enjoying that small bike life again. Was browsing up a storm on FB marketplace, trademe etc but everything seemed to be either too fucked, moonbeams or in the South Island. Sitting on the couch one night with the Mrs I got the notification that a 73' YB125 was closing soon. Had a few bids already but was still only $550 or so. Chucked a bid on, few back and forths with someones autobid "just to see how high it might go" and I ended up winning it for $590. Whoops . Supposedly a runner, but has been sitting for a while and the key is lost. Has been registered previously but lapsed. Got in touch with old mate, bike was in Wellington so organised to go down easter friday and pick it up. Borrowed @anglia4's trailer and he decided to come along for the trip too, legend. Early morning hoon down to Welly, bike on the trailer, back to NP by mid afternoon. Got it into the garage and started taking it apart to see what is lurking underneath. Lots of surface rust Grimey build up on autolube pump. Carb looks pretty good inside though? Managed to get the exhaust header off without much trouble. Rings and piston looking good to me so I probably wont bother taking the head or jug off for now. Things to do: I have taken the ignition off and given it to the local locksmith to see if he can cut a new key that fits. The petrol cap has a lock on it too so I haven't been able to get inside that yet to see what state its in. I've taken the petcock off and there's no fuel in there so hopefully no holes. My big idea is that the fuel cap and steering lock and helmet lock were all keyed alike to the ignition but just used 2/3 of the 4 pins (or whatever) so if I can get the ignition key cut then I don't need to bang a screwdriver in and wreck the petrol cap. Worst case there seems to be NOS ignitions with keys and petrol caps on ebay indonesia for acceptable $$ so I will get one of them if no bueno with the locksmith. Fingers crossed he can because I don't really want to wait for Garuda Airmail to be able to ride it properly! I've got a new battery coming too. This model is electric start too which is lush/not in the spirit of old 2T at all . Questions for the hive mind: unsure what I should do (if anything) about the rusty bits. My initial thinking was to do a quick wire brush of all the loose stuff that is out of sight on the frame under the tank, seat etc and then brush on some rust converter to try and slow down/stop whatever is left. Mixed reviews on effectiveness of that stuff though. Would that be worth it or a waste of effort? Better off hitting it with a wire wheel to properly get rid of it then spraycan/brush on some rustkill primer and closest colour matching topcoat?

Imma be there and I have a surprise for y'all

Yamaha RD400 Land Speed Record bike. 164mph on the salt! http://www.2strokeworld.com/forum/index.php?topic=18252.0 Some awesome machine work in here. Keeps seizing. No worries, I'll just machine my own water cooled head

Back on the handling/steering angle chat: The front forks look like they are off a BMX, so you should aim to get the Headtube angle as close to stock for that BMX as you can. Bicycles are nearly always super stable, even at pretty high speeds (60kph+).

I'm going to agree with this

Our local Bunnings had a good selection of springs so keep that in mind if Old Mother Manu's is too saggy/sloppy/worn-out etc

Get a real grunty spring. You want one that you can barely move with your hands, cos it will probably have something like a 4-5x reduction on it at the end of the clutch arm.

Holy moly good work man!

Forget the Mini, how's Big Purps?

It doesn't look like you have much lean angle with those pegs. Maybe lift them up higher or make them folding? Dragging pegs and lifting the the front wheel is bad for your health, ask how I know haha

Mini apes or Z bars! Looking sweet!

Nice work, looking pretty good! Get some toe straps for more efficient pedalling and then it will be done

Looking good son! I can see that being uncomfortable haha. What are your plans for getting the power to the ground?

Belt driven air-raid siren on an electromagnetic clutch

Weld up some rusty chain fuck man why did we not think of this!

So mean!

Got side cover & oil tank back from paint, top notch work! They have been painted in white with a few licks of sliver & blue pearl. You don't really notice it until the light hits just right then this awesome little sparkle pops out. Dreamy. Old mate wants to wait a couple weeks for them to harden & cure properly then it will be sticker time, followed by a few more coats of clear to seal them in. Booked in for a re-vin on Tuesday morning, fingers crossed that there will be enough evidence to prove that it has in fact been registered in NZ before.

Yeah man, going for an original resto at this stage. Nats is going to be wild!

Fixed some shit last night: the indicator switch works, the horn works and the battery doesn't flop around and short itself out on the frame! Tank & side covers are at panel beaters. He found a shit load of rust pin holes in the tank so they have been welded up now. Will run a POR15 tank seal kit through before it gets any colour and the new decals on it. Photo with the tank & covers off:

Whaka yeah! The innards of sturmeys are amazing in exploded view like that

My god

Unsprung?

So long and thanks for all the sausage!

Good looking cranks! Loving the CL chainring too

Heaps of all of the above. We have loads of floor space in the maze/house that is the AGMC HQ. Tom has lotsa room too. Bring a mattress