Topic: CB500/4 racer to roadie conversion/Australia

[ziokahn]

G'day Kemp, was told front brake is TZ but more likely off a Suzuki GT750  based on some research. Carbs are stockers re jetted and your right 599cc based on some calculations.

Thanks Neevo rang OldGold and they recommended FJS engineering out at Blacktown. Tried looking them up through Google to no avail. I'm on the case. Wasn't Chivo's out at Granville by any chance?.

Retro thanks mate, will give them a buzz. My brothers got some property out that way so maybe I can ask him to do a drop off if I can afford their services. Their work looks pretty trick.

Again thank you very much gentlemen.

[neevo]

Thanks Neevo rang OldGold and they recommended FJS engineering out at Blacktown. Tried looking them up through Google to no avail. I'm on the case. Wasn't Chivo's out at Granville by any chance?

The best engineering places tend to not have websites/Facebook/twatter, old skool craft with old skool clients

If Old Gold recommended them I would be happy to take my parts there, they have always impressed me and the main chap at OG used to race CB400F's and used a few "enhancing" tricks over the years so probably knows a few good chaps that can hop up a motor.

Chivo's doesn't ring a bell, probably spent an hour trying to find the name of that place today but no luck

[ziokahn]

I hear you mate. I'm guessing word of mouth is all you need when your good and you've been around long enough.

Just checked Chivo's address and it's Holroyd not Granville.

I'm going to have to bust OG's chops again tomorrow and grab their number. I did ask if they could supply it but was told to look it up. They seem a bit rushed these days.

Just spoke to an old mechanic mate of mine who did his apprenticeship on Honda fours and he's referred me to Action Cranks in Newton rd Wetherill Pk. Let you know how that goes.

[Retro Rocket]

I hear you mate. I'm guessing word of mouth is all you need when your good and you've been around long enough.

Just checked Chivo's address and it's Holroyd not Granville.

I'm going to have to bust OG's chops again tomorrow and grab their number. I did ask if they could supply it but was told to look it up. They seem a bit rushed these days.

Just spoke to an old mechanic mate of mine who did his apprenticeship on Honda fours and he's referred me to Action Cranks in Newton rd Wetherill Pk. Let you know how that goes.

I always try and find guys that did their years fettling these old bikes, there's still a few around. That engineering shop i pointed you towards make rods and everything, their work looks superb although i have never used them myself, I'd ring them and have a chat, can't hurt...

[ziokahn]

I plan on giving them a call. Your right their work looks amazing. That 750 punched out to over 1000cc is awsome. I think I will lie down before I ask them the price. I guess when you specialise you can charge what you like. Thanks again for the contact mate. Cheers

[neevo]

Holy sheet! How cool is that work at Robinson!

You don't need 2 kidneys ziokahn let us know how the chats go, always good to spread the word about what these places are like for those of us that need serious motor work.

[ziokahn]

I'm gonna have to sell more than my kidney by the looks of it!!

Serious motor work that is.

I'll let you know how I go.

[ziokahn]

Update on crank lightening and balancing

Was refered to Bob Lee at:
Action Cranks
Unit60  93-97 Newton Rd
Wetherill Pk NSW
9756 3840

Unfortunatley Bob is recovering from an operation and is off the tools this present moment. He refered me to

Russell Richardson
Dominator Engines
22 Guernsey St
Guildford NSW 2161
9681 3462

Quote $400. Russell recomended keeping the stock crank in to maintain better torque. For the road that's probably more important. His concern was the wear on the shaft on the stock crank. Plan for now, keep a stock crank in her.

Robinson Precision Engines quote $360.

Another call out to forum members.  Any cranks in good nik for sale?.

Feel free to send me a personal msge to discuss details and pricing.

Cheers

[bwaller]

I think that's true about removing weight off the crank. Lightened should "spin up" quicker but may need higher revs to compensate for less torque. A little extra crank mass will help pull the bike off corners.

Mind you I'm not an expert, not having ridden with both options. However I listened to a couple tuners I trust that recommended leaving the crank alone, especially in a middleweight. I race one of these and it revs very quickly anyway. It's probably easier to race, so it ought to be easier to ride on the street as well.

I'd like to try two engines with similar top ends, one with a lightened crank, one stock to see if it was immediately obvious. I'll probably never get the chance!

[Retro Rocket]

 I had a GPX 750 race bike that had a heavily lightened crank, everyone said that Paul was mad for having as much as he did Taken off the crank and that it would have NO torque, {the engine work was done by a HRC mechanic out here on an exchange type deal} It was simply the best bike i ever owned and was without doubt the fastest and best handling, very well set up, I should have never sold that bike, the GSXR1100 was what i bought next and I only had it 6 weeks before it was stolen...  Ivor, if you've done a bit of Racing in NSW you may have heard of Greg Avery.? Its was his race bike, I bought it and put it back on the street, after the 1987 Castrol 6 hour where it came 9th outright and 3rd in the 750 class behind Robert Holden, Aaron Slight and Peter Guest, Karl Schmidt, great bike...   Went off track a bit there  , if you don't plan on lightening the crank think about having  it blue printed and balanced...

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I had a GPX 750 race bike that had a heavily lightened crank, everyone said that Paul was mad for having as much as he did Taken off the crank and that it would have NO torque, {the engine work was done by a HRC mechanic out here on an exchange type deal} It was simply the best bike i ever owned and was without doubt the fastest and best handling, very well set up, I should have never sold that bike, the GSXR1100 was what i bought next and I only had it 6 weeks before it was stolen...  Ivor, if you've done a bit of Racing in NSW you may have heard of Greg Avery.? Its was his race bike, I bought it and put it back on the street, after the 1987 Castrol 6 hour where it came 9th outright and 3rd in the 750 class behind Robert Holden, Aaron Slight and Peter Guest, Karl Schmidt, great bike...   Went off track a bit there  , if you don't plan on lightening the crank think about having  it blue printed and balanced...

I have often heard the words, "I should have never sold that bike," and from the description I can feel the regret!  This makes me cringe at the idea of selling one of my bikes!

I am encouraged since I have an in-progress 750 build with a slightly lightened, but balanced crank.  I've been wondering about the torque loss.

I agree that if even if you do NOT lighten the crank, balancing is a great idea.

[Retro Rocket]

When i finally get there  My 1000cc bike will have very little lightening of the crank, I want a good flywheel effect for low end torque and having a lightened charging system already takes weight of the bottom end...   I am a firm believer that cranks have a "sweet spot" when it comes to lightening them, go under that and its ok, go past it and there's no going back at all, crank becomes anchor...

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

When i finally get there  My 1000cc bike will have very little lightening of the crank, I want a good flywheel effect for low end torque and having a lightened charging system already takes weight of the bottom end...   I am a firm believer that cranks have a "sweet spot" when it comes to lightening them, go under that and its ok, go past it and there's no going back at all, crank becomes anchor...

I love reading about those MR 1000cc billet special block builds.  Where are you at progress-wise with yours?

[Retro Rocket]

When i finally get there  My 1000cc bike will have very little lightening of the crank, I want a good flywheel effect for low end torque and having a lightened charging system already takes weight of the bottom end...   I am a firm believer that cranks have a "sweet spot" when it comes to lightening them, go under that and its ok, go past it and there's no going back at all, crank becomes anchor...

I love reading about those MR 1000cc billet special block builds.  Where are you at progress-wise with yours?

No where near...   Still waiting on parts in the USA being shipped so i can start the first of 3 builds, 1000cc is the 3rd... Money is very tight at the moment so i'm anxious to start the first bike and get it sold, that should fund the rest of the other 2.... Its a never ending juggling act.....

[ziokahn]

Thanks for your advice gents, very informative. Blueprint and balance stock crank I think will be the go.

Mick I do remember Greg Avery. Extremely fast. Can't remember if it was Formula Xtreme in the late 90's early 2000's that I had the honour of being blown into the weeds by himself and other guns. Didn't he run something special in Forgoten era?? Some legendary names there Holden, Slight and Guest amongst others. I'm sure most of us have let go of something special through the years that come back to haunt be it women or machine!. Look forward in keeping track of your 1000cc special build when it get's on he way.

I do need some more advice pls. The current stock crank has a bit of wear on the shaft. The tuner from Dominator Engines warned me that there may be a possibility of loosing oil pressure as a result of too much clearence and therefore starving the top end of oil. Not healthy. He mentioned he could linish the shaft smooth but there maybe a possibiltiy that I would require an over size main bearing. I have spoken to a supplier and have been told nobody supplies one. Is there a possibilty of fittng a shim? I am also thinking a crank shaft that is worn and therefore uneven can not be blueprinted. Am I right??.

[bwaller]

Right on all counts. No oversize bearings, no shims, just replace the crank. If you can't find anything local, I likely have one here. Shipping will be the issue.

[ziokahn]

Thanks for the quick reply and generous offer mate cheers.

I'll start my hunt tomorrow. Don't think I want to run the risk and run the current crank.

Thanks again.

[Retro Rocket]

Mick I do remember Greg Avery. Extremely fast. Can't remember if it was Formula Xtreme in the late 90's early 2000's that I had the honour of being blown into the weeds by himself and other guns. Didn't he run something special in Forgoten era?? Some legendary names there Holden, Slight and Guest amongst others. I'm sure most of us have let go of something special through the years that come back to haunt be it women or machine!. Look forward in keeping track of your 1000cc special build when it get's on he way.

Yes Greg is a gun, no fear, he was actually offered the ride with TKA that ended up going to Aaron Slight. They changed the rules in Forgotten Era because no one could catch him.    Drop member Dave500 a pm and see if he can put you onto a crank locally...

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?action=profile;u=14739

[ziokahn]

What bike did Greg run in Forgotten Era. I'm racking my brain but can't remember.

Thanks for that lead. I'll forward Dave a msge through out the day.

Cheers mate.

[Retro Rocket]

What bike did Greg run in Forgotten Era. I'm racking my brain but can't remember.

Thanks for that lead. I'll forward Dave a msge through out the day.

Cheers mate.

GSX1100 with RG500 {grand prix bike}suspension parts

[neevo]

Loving all this talk of motor tweaking. Would love to know more about blueprinting, what's it do and how much is it generally?

[ziokahn]

Gday Neevo I'm sure one of the forum pro's can explain it in lay mans terms. I am far from one, very far actually, so I've posted two links if your keen on having a read. In terms of price, I'll get back to you with that.

http://www.custompistols.com/cars/articles/balanced.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engine_tuning

[trueblue]

In the truest sense blueprinting is ensuring that all the measurements are exactly as the blueprint for the engine dictate without any error for tolerance. Without having the blueprint at hand the best you can do is match the parts exactly. It works better for some engines than others. I used to have a vp crapodore that had a blueprinted 3.8 v6 in it. Other then that it was completely stock. I bought it from an engine builder who liked to tinker. That thing was insane, it would leave cars with more performance oriented engines in its dust and pulled hard till I lifted at 220kph. That chassis was never intended for those speeds. I don't think you would gain a lot from a blueprint alone in one of these engines. They are pretty reasonable from the factory, but as part of a package it would be worth it.

[ziokahn]

Loving all this talk of motor tweaking. Would love to know more about blueprinting, what's it do and how much is it generally?

What bike did Greg run in Forgotten Era. I'm racking my brain but can't remember.

Thanks for that lead. I'll forward Dave a msge through out the day.

Cheers mate.

GSX1100 with RG500 {grand prix bike}suspension parts

In the truest sense blueprinting is ensuring that all the measurements are exactly as the blueprint for the engine dictate without any error for tolerance. Without having the blueprint at hand the best you can do is match the parts exactly. It works better for some engines than others. I used to have a vp crapodore that had a blueprinted 3.8 v6 in it. Other then that it was completely stock. I bought it from an engine builder who liked to tinker. That thing was insane, it would leave cars with more performance oriented engines in its dust and pulled hard till I lifted at 220kph. That chassis was never intended for those speeds. I don't think you would gain a lot from a blueprint alone in one of these engines. They are pretty reasonable from the factory, but as part of a package it would be worth it.

There you have it mate. Cheers True Blue.

Neevo, went out to Carrington products today and put my order in for headers. Four pipes in stainless, 8 bends with 4 flanges. $375!. Bargain. Only issue , there's always one or two, pipe 2 and 3 have an extra kink to clear the oil cooler. Carrington can't put the bend in, so I'll make a trip out to Laurie and Dave Alderton in the hope they can help me out with the added bend and welding of the flanges. Laurie and Dave are masters in wheel, disc and frame straightening. Located in Smithfield. Laurie is an old dirt biking legend and still quick as hell. They have helped me out in the past straightening out a few components.

[neevo]

Neevo, went out to Carrington products today and put my order in for headers. Four pipes in stainless, 8 bends with 4 flanges. $375!. Bargain. Only issue , there's always one or two, pipe 2 and 3 have an extra kink to clear the oil cooler. Carrington can't put the bend in, so I'll make a trip out to Laurie and Dave Alderton in the hope they can help me out with the added bend and welding of the flanges. Laurie and Dave are masters in wheel, disc and frame straightening. Located in Smithfield. Laurie is an old dirt biking legend and still quick as hell. They have helped me out in the past straightening out a few components.

Told you.. Carrington!

I'm out there next month getting them to bend my headers. Shame about the kinks around the oil cooler as I was going to do the same with mine, funny they cannot do the kink, what was the reason?

Were you thinking headers like this (with the kink in 2-3):