Building an engine & a bike from random parts - 1979 - 1981

If anyone is following this, I am pulling the plug on this for now.

Fine, but why? I think it'd be interesting to see how far you get... unless you have other priorities of course.

Well Paul, a few things. I spent working very hard against the odds, I think, putting the bike together. I know, life's a bitch as they say, and then we get up and keep on walking, but getting a flat on a brand new tire after all this brought me right back to all the shit of working in dark cold outside garages and the constant fiddling with dirty parts and tools I am surrounded with again in a small room where I live. It's juts a very bad timing, it made me feel like I want to regurgitate. Other than that, priorities and finances are just not there. It's a great hobby and I really enjoy this, but despite what would be the success of putting that bike on the road, I feel like a failure. Yeah, I have a nice bike, but I've gained nothing to move ahead, make life easier. On the contrary, I keep pursuing idealistic projects putting myself in a hole to the point it looses the fun aspect, which happens when you don't really have the freedom to do it. I've done the 'impossible' many times in my life, but I need to put brakes on this. Frankly, the best would be to sell that bike so I can catch some breath. I am not abandoning this engine and desire to do something with it indefinitely though. It just needs to stay in the background for now until the time is right. And for now I will plug that hole in the tire of my KZ so it's not stuck just sitting there. It will be enough to go around the block to keep the juices going and keep it alive.

Cheers!
Stan

Great spending time with a stripper! Would had been not just great but awesome if it wasn't just an aircraft paint stripper, but nonetheless - I like the ending.



This swing arm is for the bike I am putting together, starting with slowly completing the engine. The old powder coating came off very well, no need for sand blasting and lots of money saved. Thank you stripper!

The plan is to fit the rear axle and a wheel, then check for clearances for a wider tire. With the same rim, a size 160/70-17 fits perfect. Just a wider tire, but would need a slight notch. There is not much difference if fitting a 170/60-17 tire as well. The sidewall is actually 10 mm lower, that's not a bad thing. But the diameter is almost 63 mm less. Which actually is not much making the bike sit 30 mm lower - a bit over 1 inch. This could be good news keeping the seat lower and still maintain a comfortable gap between the bike and the road! That would be even better news for the older bikes with the older shallow oil pan. Looking at the speeds, the 160 tire would make no difference at all. The 170 would show about 3% over (103 km/hr at 100) above the actual speed on the speedo - a good safety bracket for staying below the radar! Not a bad thing.

There is also a 180/60-17 tire, which is much closer to the original specifications except the width. This would require a more serious notching - something to consider already doing it. I must check tire size availability, including a possibility of switching to radials, before deciding on what I will do.

In any case, the deal is to make a notch on the swing arm to accommodate a wider tire. This is what I will be doing. Not a difficult to design it and make the cut, but I will need a skilled welder to complete it. Too bad I can't do it myself! I think welding machines are not expensive these days.

The swing arm came with a really nice bonus - and I carefully selected the one I want for that reason. A perfect rubber boot, nice and flexible, and a couple of nice clamps. All for US$42. Not bad. Replacement boots are not available and somewhat similar aftermarket go for 50 alone. Not bad of a deal for a perfect swing arm, a boot and clamps! Although money came out of my pocket, thank you Santa for watching out for me! A good present indeed.



What I am missing is the frame... If anyone is reading this, and looking for a parts bike, perhaps we could work something out? If you want parts, and scrap the frame, don't do it!
So many parts available from bikes being parted out and frames discarded. I need one, I can give it a new life.

I just checked availability of sizes. There is no problem fitting a radial on the front, and for the rear, a 170/60-R17 seem to be plenty. Even radials! Not exactly touring tires, but more racing, and that's just fine with me - I want be taking the bike out in the rain or a cross country camping trip.

My mind is made up - notching this swing arm for a 170 tire.

A quick mock up - just because I can't wait!

Rear final drive US$43.
Rear brake caliper assembly, part of a whole bracket, master cylinder, lines and this caliper assy purchased for US$15, so perhaps US$4?
Rear axle for US$11 - waiting for arrival.
All stock rear wheel in perfect condition will be US$70 including shipping. There are cheaper but I liked the fact that it's actually new and that includes the rubber damper.



The swing arm will go into vinegar to remove all the rust. After welding the notches, I will do the standard black powder coating after all. Bearings upgraded, it will wait for the frame ready to go in.

I am almost ready to decide on the tire. Continental Conti Motion Sport Touring Radial Rear Tire - 170/60ZR-17 tire. Cost CAN$ 125. Not a bad deal. Delivered to my door.
I might need to get it for testing months before it will actually hit the ground, but that's fine.

Dunlop Elite 4 Front Tire radial 110/90-18 would be my choice for front. But this I will research more. Maybe a bit lower diameter one? On inch? Will see.