Cafe Creme - my Boardtracker project.

[Beachcomber]

Now I KNOW I've jumped the gun, but as the tank was completely primered and flatted - couldn't resist trying out the Light Ivory I'd chosen to go with the Celeste Blue.

The photo's don't really do the colour justice, but I'll take pix again once the final coat is applied. It is meant to be a satin finish BTW !!

The splash of Blue in the first pic is the Celeste Blue.

Wheels / bars and NOS bottle will all be powder coated Light Ivory, evertything else Celeste Blue - probably !

 

[Beachcomber]

Nitrous Oxide - what Nitrous Oxide ?

 

[fasteddy]

NOS, for those times when you really want to get home quickly.

Steve.

 

[Beachcomber]

P.O.C. for the hand gearchange cross shaft.

Everything lines up OK, waiting for the 14mm set scews so I can attach the rose joints then I can start working out the various cranks and levers to get it all working.

 

[Beachcomber]

Might be a bit overpowering - I have a smaller one as well.

 

[Beachcomber]

Well the end of the month has come and gone ................. unfortunately the "rely on me I'll be there" welder hasn't.

The blue masking tape is now holding the rear frame temporarily in place so I can get on with making the cross frame braces and positioning the footrests, gear and brake linkages etc. VERY frustrating.

I had hoped that the frame would at least have been tacked up by now which would have allowed me to progress the other parts.

Just can't get the staff ...........................

 

[fasteddy]

That is all to familiar to most of us I think. The bigger and easier jobs get the look at first.

Steve.

 

[Beachcomber]

Steve,

the annoying part is that two of my so called "mates" are involved in these broken promises.

One owes me BIG TIME for favours granted to him.

I offered fuel and material expenses [ wire ] to both.

 

[Beachcomber]

Some time ago I asked if anyone had fitted an oil pressure gauge to the Virago 125 / 250 engine ............................... deafening silence - so resorted to what I do best, I developed my own.

After a lot of research into the oil system in the engine I finally found a suitable take off on the right hand side gallery feed to the rockers and top end.

In the end simples .... remove the blanking screw, drill out 7.5mm then tap 5/16" UNF to take the oil fitting take off that came with the kit.

NO , I don't need an oil pressure gauge, but I scored a period brass pressure gauge - brand new in the box for next to nothing.

I'll position it when the bike is finally assembled.

 

[fasteddy]

Your a trend setter for installing oil pressure gauges on Virago 125/225 engines here on the forum I would guess. You are now the official go to person. Period brass pressure gauge-brand new in the box for next to nothing. How often does a person get to say that?

Wonderful set up.

Steve.

 

[Beachcomber]

Thanx Steve, I honestly couldn't believe my luck.

It was listed under the wrong heading [ ebay ] and mine was the only bid at his start price !! Under £5.00.

I'm a design engineer by trade and passion - I'm intrigued with this little engine. I've done 4 TR1 [ Virago 1000 ] Cafe Racers, but this bike is a design exercise. hence the Nitrous , SU carb etc.

When funds allow I want to go big block ........ 250cc !!!! I'll use the 125 then to investigate the innards.

When the frame is welded [ when indeed ] the only big outsource job then is to get some new exhaust flanges made and then I can finalise the shortie headers.

Rather than have the flanges laser cut, I'm looking at having them turned from a small alloy billet with grooves running round the circumference - old J.A.P. and Rudge ?

 

[Beachcomber]

Another step forward while I'm waiting for a welder [ !! ].

Prepped and primered the top yoke and front fork hoop. Once that's had a final rub down and one more coat all the fork parts are ready for Celeste Blue and assembly.

What do you all think about my new spray booth ???

 

[Beachcomber]

Fork components are now fully fettled and awaiting final assmbly into to fork tubes and yokes.

Resisting the urge to spray the parts in the Celeste Blue ........................ just.

 

[Beachcomber]

Came up with a plan B for the SU support .......................... rock solid

 

[Beachcomber]

Resistance failed ...... Celeste Blue applied.

Photos don't do the colour real justice

 

[Beachcomber]

Those 10 minute jobs that turn into 2 hours !!!

My pal fitted the bushes [ including 2 extra per leg ] for me, but unfortunately left one of the original staking pegs in one of the legs.

First leg took me 10 minutes to assemble .............. the second one almost 2 hours, mainly getting the old peg out which was 11" into the leg. Of course, I didn't discover this until the legs were painted ! Check first ?? Well yes I did - trial assembly, but in the "good" leg.

Serves me right for being lazy and not checking everything beforehand. Oh well, it's done now.

 

[Beachcomber]

Just mock up [ 'ish ] but serious progress now the frame is tacked.

Bonus - nothing moved - not even a millimeter - when the frame jigs were removed / cut off.

 

[fasteddy]

The chap welding it up hurried over? Like every other tradesman there far more work than people available to do it.

Steve.

 

[Beachcomber]

Steve,

the guy that tacked the frame is a mate and did rush over to get it tacked as he has to go in for heart surgery in 2 weeks time !!

All I wanted at this stage was for the frame to be solidly tacked so I can prove all the other parts out - gearlinkage, footrests, brake pedals etc., - before dismantling from the jig. Not ideal, bu the frame has to go to his workshop - that's why I wanted everything solid before taking it over there.

I was a bit concerned as I removed the ;ast of the jig clamps - but nothing moved !

Oh how I wish I could weld !!!!!!!

 

[indian22]

As a lifetime welder who's mid 70's I encourage you to learn now. Instructional videos are better than ever and free. Machines are better than ever and for hobby machines, quite inexpensive. Then practice often. I know you will surprise yourself with your proficiency.

Rick C.