Waiting on parts for the 50 Magnum build. Thought I would do a retrospective build thread while I was waiting...You know, like music to listen to while your call is on hold. The build started from humble beginnings: the need to take a dump. Some of you guys may be familiar with the Country Crapper, a camping aid. It was a hit at the big annual camp-out I brought it to, but power on the stock engine was a little less than satisfactory. So, a bigger engine and some other mods were in order, and a different bike was tapped for the job. The country crapper trailer also got a make-over, with redwood arm rests, fenders, and an umbrella among other mods. Originally, the new bike had a 70cc engine, Z50 K3 handle bars, and a low pipe that was later chopped up to make the Midlothian Racer pipe. The seat was the first attempt I made at a "sprung" seat. Valve springs from a 65 mustang were used. Was not too happy with the final outcome on the seat, but it was done with the idea that it would eventually be changed out. I will say that it made for more room to stretch your legs, but the seat was too short, and not as functional as it could be because of it.
SUPER 50 CAFE build. 1971 Z50 with Super 50 tank.
davmo
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Have to check where I got it, but it's fiberglass woven tube. Kinda cool, because it will form to smaller pipes just as well as big, you just lose some length when you have a bigger pipe (there has to be a penicular joke in there somewhere.)
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Some pictures of changes done since the bike was initially finished. The brake panels were drilled, front and back. I was surprised how little wear was on my brake shoes, given how much parade riding I've done on them. Switched from original grips to these Amal style ones. They are made by Posh. Made up some new oil cooler hoses. One of the Elvi moto-gurus (Clint) told me the Chinese pit bike oil cooler lines I was using would eventually fail. I never noticed any leaking, but saw that the plastic coating looked just a little melted near the head tap. When I went to replace them, I just pulled a little on the hose and was amazed at how easily one of them pulled out. The bike was cold at the time, but I have to believe heat would make it even easier. Used some Earl's hose ends and hose, and the old pitbike outer springs. Can't see it, but a Takegawa HD clutch was also put in a month ago. And then of course, the reworking of the tailpipe as seen in the previous post.
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Hey Todd, found the stuff I used for pipewrap at Nappy Auto parts. They are to insulate plug wires on an auto. You will have to take loose the stitching at the base with a razor, and remove a metal ring inside, but it is doubled over, and gives a little over a foot of tube. Stainless zip clamps to finish it off, and hold the seams together. If you didn't already see it, there was a thread from when I re-worked the tailpipe:
[h=1]Re-working the 1971 Z50A Super 50 Cafe tailpipe.[/h]
- [h=6][/h]
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Took a couple close-ups of the glove box. There was so much room under the tunnel, it was a shame to let it go to waste. The box was made from 22gauge steel. The door is mounted to the front edge of the seat pan. The coil mount also had to be moved to the top of the frame tube to get the tank to fit. I used a K3 Z50 coil that had a longer spark cable. In the space under the front of the tank a 6V horn was placed, but without a battery, you can barely hear it. At some point, I will probably convert to 12V and have better lights. Speaking of lights, the headlight mount was made of steel and powdercoated yellow, originally. A new bracket was made using 1/8" aluminum bar and 3/8" solid rod. It was easier to make than you might think, requiring a couple of drill bits a countersink, and a tap. Aluminum is pretty soft, and easy to work with, and takes a polish easily.
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I had no clue you had LEDs under the tank! I didn't notice that on the ride back from the ball park.
This bike inspired me when I first bought my 69. I found this on Google Images before I ever even knew you, Dave! As good as the newest pictures are, in person it looks even better.
This bike inspired me when I first bought my 69. I found this on Google Images before I ever even knew you, Dave! As good as the newest pictures are, in person it looks even better.
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Yeah, about 30 LED's in green and blue, under the seat, triple clamp, engine and tank. It is wired through the wiring harness, with the clear flip-switch activating it. Thanks for the kind words, see you Sunday!
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Every so often I pull out a bike, clean out the carb, and take it out for a spin. After a couple years riding this bike hard with the Elvi, it was getting harder to start, and bogging sometimes. Since the Scorpion bike was running well, it just has sat the last year and a half. Did a couple clean and rides, but never satisfied with the result, so it got pushed to the back burner again. Today, I filed and reset the points, cleaned the carb, flushed the tank, and checked fuel delivery, but nothing seemed to help. Well, finally figured out it was a loose flywheel key, and badly boogered up crank and flywheel keyways as a result. Since I had parts on hand for another engine, went ahead with a new piston, cylinder hone, and 52mm stroker crank to make it a 110cc. Still have to get the carb dialed in or replaced, but no problem with bogging now.
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Man, davmo will just as soon crack an engine case as crack a smile..
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In the last month, I have assembled two 108's a 117, and this 110. It was about noon on Sunday, and I just wanted to see if I could get the engine out, built, and back in all in one day. If not for a couple meals and a football game, it would have been easy. As it was, I was riding it by 11:00 PM.Man, davmo will just as soon crack an engine case as crack a smile..
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Yeah, some parts get bought because they are priced right, opposed to needing them at the time. There are a couple SL70 cases I have been planning to build up for a while, but before I get around to it, parts for the build get poached for something else like this. Put a breather and catch can on.
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When I first did this bike up, it had the chrome covers and knee pads. Even after the sides got painted, I would run one cover on, one cover off. Going to keep them for now. The tank is the same one used on the CZ100, which is what gave me the idea to put one on this bike.
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Thanks, man. All this talking about the tank is kind of timely... Friday night I noticed a small spot of gas on the floor by the bike. Well, long story short, I ended up stripping out the Kreme coating and re-coated with epoxy. I took the opportunity to do some tightening up on the seat cover and glove-box door
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How do you strip kream out? Blast?
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A lot of it peeled off in pretty big sheets once I got it started. Used a long screwdriver to get the back corners. The part that wouldn't peel got removed with acetone and bunches of paper towels.
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Golly!
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