Back on this one too! So much getting done with the quarantine here in Michigan. This is week 5 for me and I have to say, I have gotten more done in 5 weeks than the last year on other projects.
My last update was early May for this one and it has made its way to the forefront of the project list, along with my second race bike, in the Hi-Po forum.
The engine that I raced my first year in AHRMA was the stock '76F engine that came from my original '76F, which also wore this bodywork. The frame is now part of my Vintage Speed Part Mashup project that has a number of Rickman items and a bunch of vintage parts "flare". I found a '76F frame at Mid-Ohio without title for $40 a couple years ago, and went through the process of getting a Michigan title and here we are.
I have installed a set of Tarozzi rear seats make for the 75-75F. I'm not in love with how far out the right peg sits, but they do look good and they feel nice sitting on the bike with the superbike bars, which have a bit more rise due to the GL1000 top triple tree.
The front end is pretty well wrapped up, with a set of 12" Mark Zero rotors, Spondon calipers, held together with custom bearing hubs and caliper brackets. The brake lines from Earls are also fitted and run through a GL1000 splitter mounted on the front of the bottom triple clamp.
I picked up a valve cover with cam tower hold downs a couple years ago and figured it would look the part on this machine so on it went. I cut down each m6 set screw so the same thread was showing above each nut, think it turned out pretty sweet. I also added a full compliment of SS Allen bolts for the case halves and all the covers. I will replace everything I can with SS Allen head from back to front.
Engine wise, it will remain stock for now since a PO threw a drive chain and welded the case halves together. The engine ran great before I raced it and when I raced it so I really have no reason to get into the bottom end. I may refresh the top end with an overbore and a mild cam, but that's it. Ignition wise, I have an ARD mag that I (who guessed it?) picked up at Mid Ohio a few years ago. The mag came with two sets of housings, one that is on the bike now, and one made from 2 that was extended and has since been broken. It looks like everything is there minus a set of wires. I still plan to send it out and have it checked over and will go from there. Too cool to let it sit on a shelf.
I didnt care for the current offering of oil cooler adapters available today so I made my own. New made ones are designed for a spin on filter and most have NPT fittings, neither of which I wanted for this build. This plate will have -8an fittings running through crimped black nylon lines to a small Setrab oil cooler mounted in the space between the horn and exhaust. With the shutdown, the weld shop isnt open so getting the fittings welded to the housing will need to wait. Everything fits up nicely with an F2 oil filter bolt. I also cut down a stock filter housing to remove the fins and with the sandwich plate, looks nice and clean.
The MotoGP Werks exhaust that I picked up from a forum member is now on the bike. The header fits great but with the rearsets on the bike the rear of the exhaust exits at a weird angle. My plan is to get a few mandrel bends and make a new slip on that will more tightly fit the side of the bike and not stick out the 10" it would if I did nothing. Once I can get back to the weld shop that will be all done and ready for the vintage Yoshi can that will be going on. After fighting to get that all apart, I have done a light rehab on it by cleaning up the canister and end caps. It will all get riveted back together along with the original badge.
Last update for now is rear brakes. This was the first AP caliper that I picked up years ago at Mid Ohio for like $20. It will go on an AHM inspired caliper bracket that was used by the AHM Superbike team in the early 80's. I will be using the stock rear master rebuilt and a SS line to match the front.
