There are an awful lot of really nice looking bikes on this thread!
I posted this little mini build on the nominations page and thought voters and others may appreciate it here too.
Mine was my very first build. I've done a ton of restorations and race builds, but they've all been cars. Mostly British, but I started in vintage Porsches.
I paid a few hundred bucks for it, and it was literally in baskets and hadn't run in years (most likely decades). I slapped as many of the parts to make it look like a motorcycle again and snapped a couple photos.
I was pretty excited about the whole thing, but had no idea what I'd gotten myself into.
Disassembly began, starting with building the J-hook to use a hoist to pull the engine from the frame (thanks to this forum). Then started pulling part the engine.
After a bunch of research, again thanks to this forum, I went with the 836 kit from CruizinImage in Japan. I had the head machined by a rockstar local machine shop, and the cylinders bored based on the clearances recommended on the forum.
Then the prep began for reassembly.
Got a tank to replace mine that was pretty rusty (thanks Steve-o).
And started the assembly.
Installed with CycleX valves/springs/retainers.
A lot of elbow grease into removing 40 years of grime.
Rebuilt with Progressive springs.
Installed brass bushings.
Welded up the loop for the beautiful seat.
And the parts just kept coming!
I took the entire frame down to bare metal to remove any corrosion at all.
Then covered it in POR15 chassis coat (which has worked great - super tough stuff).
The whole bike got All Ballz bearings.
Coming together!
All new wiring harness.
More rebuilt bits - restoring these parts was actually pretty zen.
New CycleX shocks.
Completely rebuilt controls (again with help from this forum).
All new electrical from Hondaman, Rick's and my own work.
Then I studied for about two weeks. I tried to learn everything I could about the PD 42 carbs. I rebuilt, rejetted and reset them. With APE pods and a 4-1 exhaust, they work beautifully. I also got new rubber boots which I HIGHLY recommend. Worth the $100.
I endd up with the Delkevic exhaust after talking with them and doing a bunch of research on several other options. I couldn't be happier with my choice. Love the sound, well built, light, fits the passenger pegs and the center stand.
After some final tweaking, I made my first ride - shocked by how fast even under part throttle and under 5K for the break-in!
Then I settled on a color. I went with a slightly metal grey. It looks like a gloss grey, but when the sun or light hits it just right, you can see the metal in it. On top of that, it's a 2016 MINI color (which gives a nod to my background). This was the first ride to work.
Since then, I've just been riding it! I love the bike. Everywhere I go, other people love the bike too. Harley guys, Sportbike guys, grandmas doing shopping, little kids, teenagers on skateboards, everyone.
Thanks so much to everyone who has helped (and continues to help) me with this build. It is a real honor to be nominated for BOTM.
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