GWS SPECIAL RT Build

GRP over Foam . I'm using GRP over foam to sculpt the front end bodywork on the trike. It's a lot of work and takes ages but without the space to make moulds and store them I have little choice. Once I am happy with the shape and it is glassed over the foam on the inside will be removed and sanded down to about 5mm and a layer of grp will be added to encapsulate the foam completely. As you can see there is a lot to do as yet but I am hoping for a Spring 2018 debut for the trike and can't wait to get out and have some fun.

I've not blogged for a bit but now my new trike project is about half way done i thought i'd add some pictures. Over the next few weeks the trike will have the chassis painted and it will be put back on a set of wheels so we can get the cockpit and seats kitted out. I have all of the brake lines and a hand brake to sort out along with the clutch slave cylinder and fittings to buy as yet but once that is done I'll be doing a track session to see how it runs and handles. Once that is all sorted it'll be time to sort a body shell out and get the lighting sorted as well as the mirrors.

The VFR as it arrived at my shed, It's 25 years old, the plastics are all knackered at the rear end as is the left hand fairing panel but I have a few bits and bobs lying about so it'll be getting the treatment. Standard is not something I can be comfortable with anyway so having to do the work is not really an issue It's a bit crusty under the plastics but apart from the engine cases the corrosion isn't as bad as I first thought so I may just leave the engine in for now. The carbs need a good clean and it needs wheel bearings, tyres, chain and sprockets brake lines and pads and a lick of paint once the rear of the bike is finished off.  I've used a sub frame from a SRAD 750 and the plastics, I've also used some of the original Honda plastics and the two will be bonded together to create a new rear end for a single seat set up. This is not going to be used on the road much and will never carry a pillion while I own it. I have a trike project on...

https://www.facebook.com/MikeAustinsZX12R Going Drag Racing!

It's been a while. Personal stuff and my health have been slowing me down but this week it changes. I have a new ( to me ) lathe and mill arriving and the garage is almost set up for whatever Mikey and I decide to do in 2015. Theres talk of drag racing, Mikey and I recently went to Blackpool to buy a ZX12 R for him to race. I'll be doing logistics and spannering on the bike. I'm not well enough to race so it's the next best thing as far as that's concerned. Have a splendid week one and all

Been at it for a bit again today. Slow going , the fibro and sciatica are kicking my arse at the moment! I've stripped out the front end and have a bit to do to get them ready to refinish. I have to get new top stanchion guides and I'm replacing the seals and dust covers. I could do with new stanchions but the pitting is not going to affect the stroke as it all seems to be at the top between the clamps. It's almost stripped down to the bare bones now. I used to be able to pull a bike apart in a day, not as quick these days, I'm already into week two but It's coming apart nicely apart from some really seized swing arm pivots. I'm getting some new ones turned up and drilled for pulling when I need to lubricate them. I had to drill the centre of the pivot for a 6 mm bolt, the one Kawasaki put in when they built it was off centre and only a 4 mm thread. The 4 mm bolts were just not up to the job so I did it my way. Which worked first time on both sides. ...

I've had a manic few days with one thing or another so imagine my frustration at coming across the first seized bits on the strip down. The swing arm pivots were stuck more than a very stuck thing. They are drilled an tapped by the factory but it's done off centre and only for a 4 mm bolt to go in. The idea being that you'd bung a bolt in and pull the bearing out. I've had to drill and tap the centre for a 6 mm bolt and use a drilled steel plate to make a simple puller. A bit of heat and a tap with the hammer before  the application of a bit of brute force with a socket had the bugger out first go. I'll have to get a new set of bearings, the old ones are totally knackered but it's a small thing and on a bike this old I'm surprised I've not had a few more be a problem. You can see the hole that the factory did and see how it being off centre may cause issues when trying to pull the bearing. I drilled it in the middle so that it didn't pull fro...

I've managed to secure a Kawasaki VN 750 shaftie at the right price and given that I've not had a ride for six years this year I've decided to put the RT project on hold and do a simple conversion on the VN with a swing arm type rear end. I can't do the RT to the standard I'd be happy with at the moment so will look at that once this is finished. It's not been abandoned, just delayed. I've started to strip the bike down and will be going all the way so to speak. The bike has been laid up for a fair bit and the last time it was started was November 2013. Most of the work will be cosmetic apart from the back end and adaptions. I just think it makes sense to change the wheel bearings, the corroded fixing and it definitely makes sense to clean and paint both the frame and engine. The exhaust is going to be wrapped so won't need too much work apart from being shortened about 4" to allow for the axle centre being in the same place as the bike running...

I've decided to have another look at the chassis. It's going to be way too heavy for the job I have  in mind. I'm going to use what steel I have to improve the storage in the shed and then start again with some steel tube for the bulkheads, it'll look a lot tidier too. More when it warms up and I can do a bit more than two minutes in the freezer. Note to self, if you ever buy another garage ,DO NOT buy a steel one!

Just to update this blog. I've not given up I'm just having to deal with some other stuff at the moment and will be back at it in the spring with a major re-design and better running gear. Regular updates will resume in the spring!