on/off Rat build (with apologies to Doc's dirt rat LOL) - Page 7

Weldangrind · 04-27-2012, 11:16 AM

Do you plan to remove the gold anodized finish?

gloud · 04-27-2012, 11:22 AM

No I am just going to get a matching rear rim. Won't look stock but will be less maint with the anodizing. (and more than a few of my MX bikes had gold rims. My Maico 490 for example. (I really miss that bike, (power wise) but starting it was a real bother. It kicked back like a mule. I may try to find it this year.)

Weldangrind · 04-27-2012, 11:34 AM

if you don't mind a mild hijack, I have some questions on that topic. Son of Weldangrind and I are planning a Supermoto build, and we have a set of USD forks with a 17" front rim, but it's too narrow for our liking. If we used your zip tie trick, do you think we'd be able to transplant the existing spokes to a slightly wider 17" rim? Do we worry about spoke count only, or is there a potential for dissimilar spoke nipple angles? Thank you.

gloud · 04-28-2012, 05:47 AM

The angle might be off a little. Mine thankfully was close enough. But the quality of the replacement rim was only OK, I was less than impressed with the weld seam and Final machine work on the rim. I was able to get it trued but with a decent quality rim the trueing would have been much quicker.
As such I may just paint the rim silver and not replace the rear rim.

If you are going to use a donor rim from a already laced wheel try to match the spoke pattern as close as possible.

Weldangrind · 04-28-2012, 03:32 PM

Thanks for the tips. I'll be sure to start a thread for the project and photo-document everything.

gloud · 04-29-2012, 06:38 AM

The only thing I had to tweak was the shifter (extend it and move it out from the case more) and the rear brake pedal so it would clear the pipe.
I added my $20.00 windshield I picked up at a swap meet this spring and Rode it for the first time with the tank on lol..

Overall very happy, it rides and handles better than it did on the test rides,
(a true front wheel and new tires and serviced forks help on that front.)
the gearing is about right, I dropped the rear sprocket down to a 45 tooth
with a 16 front I think and it is happy putting along at 50 with low revs.

After I shot these pics I adapted an old rear rack I had around to fir the XL. (still get to mount that today.) So I get to go back to commuting with the bike as I sold my Yamaha two weeks ago.

FastDoc · 04-29-2012, 11:19 AM

WOW! :P

Outstanding work. The Chinamotor looks right at home in there! With the extra few cc's I bet it will perform just like it did whwn it was new. I'd like for Little Sweetie, my 1972 CB175, to meet your XL!

Weldangrind · 04-29-2012, 12:37 PM

Really impressive work! Thanks for the pics. Please show us the new rack, once it's installed.

gloud · 04-29-2012, 01:05 PM

Thanks guys, See Doc you are not the only overly anal person in the shop lol..

I will get some pics of the adapted rack it was originally for my old Yam R5B (earlier RD350) and I have had it hanging on the old shop (On mom's property) Wall. Glad I kept it as it saved me fab time from building a whole new one. I spray painted it till I get the Powder coating setup I am lusting after..

Off to do some test riding (Yea thats the ticket LOL)

katoranger · 04-29-2012, 04:32 PM

Looks great. Another old Honda saved by China power.

gloud · 04-29-2012, 05:17 PM

I cut 4.5" out of the front of the rack and moved the rear mounts.

Took a 45 mile test ride and it ran well. came home and did an oil change and swapped in synthetic and topped up the tank with 93 octane. that really smoothed out the engine on the top end (I had regular in it before and it pinged a little). And it improved the shifting also.

I also had to swap out the new aftermarket front brake pads (drum brakes) as they where horrible. I swapped back in the OEM ones after cleaning them up and scuffing the drum up again, then lubed the cable (New OEM ).

Got it to stop decent (almost able to lock the front. ) I am going to find some OEM rear shoes as I suspect they will also work better.

One other thing I need to change is the color of the instrument cluster the aluminum reflects way too much sun. so it is going to be painted black.

Weldangrind · 04-29-2012, 11:20 PM

That rack looks right at home. What brand of aftermarket brake shoes were they? I can't remember if I asked you before, but where did you get those rear shocks? What brand of powder coating setup are you after?

SpudRider · 04-29-2012, 11:53 PM

The entire bike looks beautiful!

You did a good job on the luggage rack.

Spud

davidsonsgccc · 04-30-2012, 08:34 AM

that bike looks sweet. it makes me want to redo my cb125 again.

gloud · 04-30-2012, 09:11 AM

SOK brakes. Horrible I think I could have stopped it better using an old leather belt glued to the shoes. I got them from Ebay. OEM were twice as expensive but I guess I should have known better. I still need to replace the rear and will go OEM Honda. I know they work.

I have heard good things about the powder gun from Eastwood so I will likely get their kit. To start off with I will get an old oven But I would like to build an oven big enough for a frame. (I have seen plans online Using oven elements for heat) But that is down the road.

The shocks are ebay specials, RFY (china) They actually work very well and I got them for 90 shipped. (scratch and dent sale they normally go for 110.00 shipped. ) The xl uses the same size as an RD350. I knew about them and was willing to try them as an RD I fixed last year for a guy had them and they rode decent. (Not as nice as Works shocks but they arn't 500.00 either) they are rebuildable also. (Important for guys like you and me. )

Had a great ride to work, Only issue was very minor, I need to adjust the idle mix. When I sit idling for a few mins it revs up a little. (lean I think)
Other than that it worked great.

04-27-2012, 11:16 AM	#91
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	Do you plan to remove the gold anodized finish? __________________ Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer
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04-27-2012, 11:34 AM	#93
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	if you don't mind a mild hijack, I have some questions on that topic. Son of Weldangrind and I are planning a Supermoto build, and we have a set of USD forks with a 17" front rim, but it's too narrow for our liking. If we used your zip tie trick, do you think we'd be able to transplant the existing spokes to a slightly wider 17" rim? Do we worry about spoke count only, or is there a potential for dissimilar spoke nipple angles? Thank you. __________________ Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer
	0

04-28-2012, 03:32 PM	#95
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	Thanks for the tips. I'll be sure to start a thread for the project and photo-document everything. __________________ Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer
	0

04-29-2012, 06:38 AM	#96
gloud Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Westhampton Mass USA Posts: 155	Finished! The only thing I had to tweak was the shifter (extend it and move it out from the case more) and the rear brake pedal so it would clear the pipe. I added my $20.00 windshield I picked up at a swap meet this spring and Rode it for the first time with the tank on lol.. Overall very happy, it rides and handles better than it did on the test rides, (a true front wheel and new tires and serviced forks help on that front.) the gearing is about right, I dropped the rear sprocket down to a 45 tooth with a 16 front I think and it is happy putting along at 50 with low revs. After I shot these pics I adapted an old rear rack I had around to fir the XL. (still get to mount that today.) So I get to go back to commuting with the bike as I sold my Yamaha two weeks ago.
	0

04-29-2012, 11:19 AM	#97
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	WOW! :P Outstanding work. The Chinamotor looks right at home in there! With the extra few cc's I bet it will perform just like it did whwn it was new. I'd like for Little Sweetie, my 1972 CB175, to meet your XL! __________________ Happy to serve.
	0

04-27-2012, 11:22 AM	#92
gloud Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Westhampton Mass USA Posts: 155	No I am just going to get a matching rear rim. Won't look stock but will be less maint with the anodizing. (and more than a few of my MX bikes had gold rims. My Maico 490 for example. (I really miss that bike, (power wise) but starting it was a real bother. It kicked back like a mule. I may try to find it this year.)
	0

04-28-2012, 05:47 AM	#94
gloud Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Westhampton Mass USA Posts: 155	The angle might be off a little. Mine thankfully was close enough. But the quality of the replacement rim was only OK, I was less than impressed with the weld seam and Final machine work on the rim. I was able to get it trued but with a decent quality rim the trueing would have been much quicker. As such I may just paint the rim silver and not replace the rear rim. If you are going to use a donor rim from a already laced wheel try to match the spoke pattern as close as possible.
	0

04-29-2012, 12:37 PM	#98
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	Really impressive work! Thanks for the pics. Please show us the new rack, once it's installed. __________________ Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer
	0

04-29-2012, 01:05 PM	#99
gloud Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Westhampton Mass USA Posts: 155	Thanks guys, See Doc you are not the only overly anal person in the shop lol.. I will get some pics of the adapted rack it was originally for my old Yam R5B (earlier RD350) and I have had it hanging on the old shop (On mom's property) Wall. Glad I kept it as it saved me fab time from building a whole new one. I spray painted it till I get the Powder coating setup I am lusting after.. Off to do some test riding (Yea thats the ticket LOL)
	0

04-29-2012, 04:32 PM	#100
katoranger Join Date: May 2007 Location: Altamont, Kansas Posts: 15,103	Looks great. Another old Honda saved by China power. __________________ You meet the nicest people on a Honda Clone.
	0

04-29-2012, 05:17 PM	#101
gloud Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Westhampton Mass USA Posts: 155	rack I cut 4.5" out of the front of the rack and moved the rear mounts. Took a 45 mile test ride and it ran well. came home and did an oil change and swapped in synthetic and topped up the tank with 93 octane. that really smoothed out the engine on the top end (I had regular in it before and it pinged a little). And it improved the shifting also. I also had to swap out the new aftermarket front brake pads (drum brakes) as they where horrible. I swapped back in the OEM ones after cleaning them up and scuffing the drum up again, then lubed the cable (New OEM ). Got it to stop decent (almost able to lock the front. ) I am going to find some OEM rear shoes as I suspect they will also work better. One other thing I need to change is the color of the instrument cluster the aluminum reflects way too much sun. so it is going to be painted black.
	0

04-29-2012, 11:20 PM	#102
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	That rack looks right at home. What brand of aftermarket brake shoes were they? I can't remember if I asked you before, but where did you get those rear shocks? What brand of powder coating setup are you after? __________________ Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer
	0

04-29-2012, 11:53 PM	#103
SpudRider Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Idaho Posts: 25,054	The entire bike looks beautiful! You did a good job on the luggage rack. Spud __________________ Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894
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04-30-2012, 08:34 AM	#104
davidsonsgccc Join Date: May 2009 Location: Chickamauga, Ga. Posts: 278	that bike looks sweet. it makes me want to redo my cb125 again. __________________ my help may not be the best but it is free+-Seek ye first the kingdom of GOD
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04-30-2012, 09:11 AM	#105
gloud Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Westhampton Mass USA Posts: 155	SOK brakes. Horrible I think I could have stopped it better using an old leather belt glued to the shoes. I got them from Ebay. OEM were twice as expensive but I guess I should have known better. I still need to replace the rear and will go OEM Honda. I know they work. I have heard good things about the powder gun from Eastwood so I will likely get their kit. To start off with I will get an old oven But I would like to build an oven big enough for a frame. (I have seen plans online Using oven elements for heat) But that is down the road. The shocks are ebay specials, RFY (china) They actually work very well and I got them for 90 shipped. (scratch and dent sale they normally go for 110.00 shipped. ) The xl uses the same size as an RD350. I knew about them and was willing to try them as an RD I fixed last year for a guy had them and they rode decent. (Not as nice as Works shocks but they arn't 500.00 either) they are rebuildable also. (Important for guys like you and me. ) Had a great ride to work, Only issue was very minor, I need to adjust the idle mix. When I sit idling for a few mins it revs up a little. (lean I think) Other than that it worked great.
	0