new build -lots of questions

hello mcbob! a sure bate to use when asking for advise is to post some pictures of the stuff you got, try it and you shall see! good luck

AWESOME bike. Check the priceses some times it cheeper to buy a copleat kit then indivual parts.......Curt

Welcome to the place McBob

I'm not familiar with the Honda as I've not had one, but I did want to mention that while the gearing supplied with the SBP jackshaft will be in the ballpark... the ratios you'll be most happy with isn't really something that can be advised as it's far too dependent on the specific build and your riding environment & preferences. No worries tho, as they use a 5/8" keyed shaft, swapping out gears is both easy and inexpensive and the parts are commonplace. Dialing in the gearing "perfectly" for your needs may take some experimentation, but it's so easy and has such an interesting results I figure it's all part of the fun lol

I'm flattered my ol' Rollfast helped your decision somewhat, I personally find the drum brakes both ascetically appealing on a vintage bike such as yours - but I also greatly appreciate their reliability & lack of maintenance needs. I would however recommend against a dual pull brake lever if you were thinking of one as I've never been quite satisfied with it's lackluster results - I'd far rather be able to apply greater force to the front brake than have it split 50/50 between the two on such a heavy bike *shrug* jus' a preference ofc & I think you'll be happy with the 90mm front vs my 70.

"Are the alloy rims worth the weight loss?"

This is a bit of a tricky question... worth the weight loss? On such a build as this, perhaps not. While "every ounce counts" a vintage bike is already so heavy such considerations might be like getting a diet soft drink with the triple quarter pounder w/cheese heh - but that's not to say a quality double walled aluminum rims don't have their advantages...

I ran the original steel rims my Rollfast came with only for their vintage appearance, they haven't the flat sidewalls for rim brakes that most/all modern rims have. While incredibly strong - they are somewhat flexy despite having been relaced with stainless 12ga spokes in a 4x pattern. Under "normal" riding conditions they're about bulletproof, even after 4000+ miles on our rough roads I still haven't needed to true them - where the problem arises is during a "high speed" gradual, prolonged turn... with a long curve in the road I believe the rear rim begins to deflect slightly out of true, resulting in a disconcerting oscillation, much like the dreaded "tank slapper" on a motorcycle with an out of balance front wheel - but the rear of the bike in this case ofc.

While not a huge problem as you really need to be moving while under very certain conditions and I could be mistaken (it may be tracking or even the tire) - you might want to consider the heaviest/widest double wall aluminum rim appropriate for your bike as they are far more rigid than any steel rim, the weight saved a secondary but welcome fringe benefit.

Jus' some thoughts

we seem to be on the same page as your bike sounds like the one I want to build. Must be in the Wisconsin water. errrr beer

its going to be a nice bike when its done
did you order a honda engine or a Hueshang?
what trans did you go with the 100T 4G?

yea i want to get myself a HS with the 100T 4G when you get the parts from AGK let us know how they work

My advice is to restore but yet motorize it at the same time, you have a nice piece of history and I wouldn't use that tank, get a Sportsman Flyer tank that attaches behind the seat a couple of dog collars to give it a vintage look that it is held by straps and keep the beauty of the frame you could even get the Faux tank that came with that style of bike( an in frame tank similar to the Phantom with a horn)

McBob,lookin good should turn out sweet!!

McBob,
Don't know how I missed this one... What a nice build you have going. That Pullman head badge is perfect. I have a similar build underway also using a 51 cantilever Schwinn frame. Mine is not trying to be historical, but is very much a nod of appreciation to the old Whizzer motorbikes I coveted as a boy. My build thread is called "kindalikeawhizzer".

I like the look of your fatty tires. Mine are 2.4 wide Cyclops. Your fender choice was good, too. The green & cream color scheme is going to look great. You've put a lot of thought and research into your project and it is already paying off. I'd like to see your first launch as you ride off into the sunset on your one of a kind Pullman, smiling, smiling. I think it will pull you just fine!

Whereabouts are you in Wisconsin? I'm a hundred miles inland of Duluth/Superior on the Minnesota side. Be nice to take our 51's for a ride sometime.
SB