Cafe Creme - my Boardtracker project.

[Beachcomber]

The Amal was a better choice Bc, SU's have a reputation for detuning at first opportunity. Volvo owners were cursing them back in the day. Some Harley enthusiasts in the States learned how to make their life miserable.

Tom

Couldn't agree more Tom !! Another reason why I ditched the SU.

I grew up [ '60's ] with SU carbed vehicles and became pretty proficient in setting them up but as you say they were very prone to de-tuning themselves !

Fortunately back in the day Webers [ DellOrtos, Solex ] were plentiful and cheap and manifolds generally available for most popular cars.

 

[Beachcomber]

Preliminary strip check and clean - in excellent low wear condition.

The Mk1 carbs were pressure die cast using quality alloy and will take a reasonable polish.

I'll do a guesstimate on jet / needle / slide numbers for an intitial set up..

 

[Beachcomber]

The engine will be removed in the next couple of weeks for steam cleaning / prep and painting ..................................

Your valued feedback required. I had thought H-D wrinkle finish black but at £25 for a rattle can [ here in the UK] - and maybe more than one can required - not sure.

However, my original thoughts [ how many years ago ?? !! ] was to shoot it in the same satin Light Ivory as the tank and other accessory items.

Frame , forks etc., in Celeste Blue

 

[fasteddy]

Is there an auto body finishing supply store locally that could supply the wrinkle paint. HD paint is that much because it has the name on it as usual.

Steve.

 

[Beachcomber]

Is there an auto body finishing supply store locally that could supply the wrinkle paint. HD paint is that much because it has the name on it as usual.

Steve.

I can get wrinkle finish paint commercially, but I'm trying to get the finish like the old Leica cameras / sports car dashboards of the 50's / 60's. The H-D finish is the closest rattle can finish to what I was looking for.

I'm warming to the idea of the Light Ivory. With all my antique brass accessories it might work.

As it's such a small engine I will shoot it in primer and give it a coat of the Light Ivory .................. if it doesn't work it's cost me virtually nothing !

 

[Beachcomber]

An Amal velocity stack for the 600 series Concentric is £45 .......... secondhand if you can find one around £25 - £35.

Chinabay to the rescue - superb quality CNC alloy item - £6.00 delivered [ in less than a week ].

Required minor fettling to the Amal intake as I didn't want to use the grub screws they included for attachment.

 

[Beachcomber]

I resolved the issue of the saddle making contact with my newly painted and lacquered tank [ !! ]

Simple solution .......... turn the saddle mounting bracket over giving me the required clearance !!

I've gone with a mini coil over shock - left over from my Hot Rodding days [ engine torque damper ] .

The bottom of the shock mount will pass through the cover plate and be similarly mounted.

New POC brackets made and all fitted up. works fine. Just need to dismantle it and dress all the brackets and tidy the overall look.

 

[Beachcomber]

Final POC ........... all works well.

Strip down now and final fettling / painting. I made the spacers this morning.

I've ordered the metal for the enclosure plates. Templates all finalised now.

My Pyrene fire extinguisher arrived today - it's going to become the fuel log / header. The SU runs on about 4psi fuel pump, but the Amal Concerntric is gravity fed so I need to have a fuel log / header from a low pressure pump to raise the fuel from the cell in the bottom of the frame without creating excessive pressure.

Started to do the relevant mods ........ couldn't resist a quick clean !!

 

[Beachcomber]

Brackets all fettled and toidied up - don't look right ?

What do we think - hide them !!!! Chinabay - £10.

 

[Beachcomber]

Mock up of hand / foot gearchange linkage to cross shaft and foot lever.

Didn't like the shock mounts - too heavy and bulky / agricultural ........... at least I've proved it out and can use that as a basis for something neater and more "delicate".

 

[Beachcomber]

Switched to the other side now. Handchange quadrant and rods all mocked up.

need to get a small amount of maching done then I can finalise the system and trial it out.

Waiting for copper tube to enclose the connecting rods.

 

[Beachcomber]

VINTAGE PYRENE FIRE EXTINGUISHER - NOW MY LOW PRESSURE GRAVITY FEED FUEL LOG. Ooops caps lock off now.

Just some dummy brackets to mock up the position, it will be partially under the "tank".

I finally mocked up the rear exhaust to make sure I had clearance on the fuel cell - all OK.

Despite looks, the front and rear headers will both be the same length !

 

[Beachcomber]

Front and rear for comparison, 13 1/2" long after the slash cut.

 

[Beachcomber]

Ex. Pyrene extinguisher now finalised as my fuel log.

 

[Beachcomber]

Saddle and tool bag finally finished and trial fitted.

I found a Lycett enamel badge in my stash [ ?? !! ], finishing touch.

 

[Beachcomber]

Last jobs before Christmas - engine out of frame and frame stripped from the bike lift ready for final bracket welding and prep / primer.

My pal will jet wash the engine ready for me to paint.

 

[curtisfox]

Looking pretty awesome, Nice when done ...........Curt

 

[Beachcomber]

Looking pretty awesome, Nice when done ...........Curt

Thanx for the kind words Curt. I HAD hoped that the frame would be in it's Celeste Blue topcoat by this Christmas, maybe 4 weeks behind schedule now.

The engine has been sealed [ intake, exhaust etc. ] and my pal will power wash and clean next week ready for primer / Light Ivory paint after Christmas.

Probably my last post before Christmas - so here's wishing you all a Happy Christmas and a healthy new year. Ride safe my brothers. TJ

 

[curtisfox]

You have waited so long now a little more won't hurt, God bless and a Merry Christmas to all..........Curt

 

[Venice Motor Bikes]

I've been following this build thread for over 11 years... Can't wait to finally see it finished.