OOh interesting, all the bikes that caught my eye when I was looking for inspiration were twin shockers.....

I'll check that out tomorrow. The thing is , I REALLY don't want to spend a lot on the build, as it's probably not going to be a bike that I'll keep, I just want to learn something about motorcycle engineering, how everything works, the pitfalls to customising, all that guff!

Of course all that could change if I fall in love with it !

I forgot to mention that if you deleted the monoshock and installed twin shocks, the twin shock XR200 swingarm is a bolt-on deal.

Here's what I mean: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=12613

That's a VERY handy thread, good work sir. Any updates?

I'm not confident enough to go that far yet, and I can't weld, but I'd really like to see if you've gotten any further on those bikes yet?

Not yet. Bro-in-law and I were hoping to work on the bike over Christmas, but there was no time. He's gonna try and get back to my place in January, and we'll hopefully get back on the project.

http://i1349.photobucket.com/albums/...ps2pzgxfnb.jpg

Just an update, for anyone who's following this thread, I've decided on the tank and bars, but I can't get her started... (see other thread!) I still need to source an 18" front wheel, but with the tank decided upon, I can plan out the fabrication of the seat and try to hide as much gubbins underneath it as possible...

I really want to make sure it's running right at every stage of the build though, so I know that if suddenly it's NOT running, the cause is whatever I've JUST been messing with!

Ok - more "progress"!

Started to strip all the electrical gubbins from their lazy assed untidy frame mountings and grind off all unnecessary bracketry to clear up the magic triangle..

http://i488.photobucket.com/albums/r...psyuyn25ef.jpg

And started to fabricate a template for an under-seat tray to house aforementioned electrics, including the battery.

http://i488.photobucket.com/albums/r...psqyuuaevj.jpg

Here's the tray bent into shape.. (from a piece of rusted steel I found in a skip)

http://i488.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps1axceglp.jpg

And in situ...

http://i488.photobucket.com/albums/r...psezkbtgue.jpg

Decided on the tank to use, but it had a massive dent in it, and an opening at the back end that needed filling..

http://i488.photobucket.com/albums/r...psnh1ftp8w.jpg

So cut a metal plate to fill the back opening of the tank and cracked open the stinky filler..

http://i488.photobucket.com/albums/r...psyk8jqagw.jpg

Started fabricating a wooden ply base for the seat, and ground off a good 8 inches of frame from the back of the bike.

http://i488.photobucket.com/albums/r...psignzyfw8.jpg

And messing around with foam (cut out of the original seat foam of course)

http://i488.photobucket.com/albums/r...psq7ywq7op.jpg

Cut a recess for the cheap chinese ebay light and number plate bracket to fit into.

http://i488.photobucket.com/albums/r...psrygffv21.jpg

And where I'm up to right now, started stitching my own seat cover out of an old tan leather (real leather) sofa cushion cover I found rotting in a customer's garden.

http://i488.photobucket.com/albums/r...psqgwbiuf3.jpg

I know it still looks rough as hell, but I've never done anything like this before and I'm pretty chuffed with the way it's going so far. It's really taking shape, and what's more is that I've spent under £50 so far, with the only expenditure being a new gel battery and the back light... Anyone wanna sell me a front light dirt cheap?

I realise a 'street tracker' look might not appeal to most, but I like the way it's going!

Thanks for posting the update. You are making good progress. :)

Love it! I agree with you on cleaning up the triangle. The welds are just awful on these frames, aren't they? I have tons of grinding to do on my project.

absolutely love your ideas bro!!!! looking forward to seeing more progress!!!

What is the tank from?

good question!

it was kickin around in a car importers place along with a couple of other m/cycle bits and bobs, origin unknown I'm afraid!

Our local bikemonger reckons it might've been an old quad bike tank or something similar... Cute though innit!

street tracker sounds good to me. do you have a picture of the whole bike as it looks now? are u going to keep the handlebars?

It really has a nice shape for the look you're after. :tup:

Oh, I forgot... A couple of other things altered so far... I've relocated the ignition to just underneath the tank, with a custom bracket made from another scrap bit of metal..

http://i488.photobucket.com/albums/r...psj6qg4epv.jpg

Here's how it looks with the tank on...

http://i488.photobucket.com/albums/r...psgpta2koq.jpg

And I made a new bracket for some tiny clicks a mate gave me... (not entirely sure they work yet, that could've been a waste of time!)

http://i488.photobucket.com/albums/r...psbuhzpura.jpg

I'll take a picture of the whole thing soon, just glueing some leather right now!