Kates GPz (build thread)

[notmyusualusername]

Coming on! Great thread, looking forward to seeing the finished product.

[Mr_Cool]

Its always nice to see a good retro bike begin pressed back into service. That is a real bike.

[Big Pete]

This weeks efforts have been a bit slim, despite having a week off, interviews and jaw ache have slowed things somewhat.

I have managed to fit the front and rear ends ready to check the wheel alignement, but my rear sprocket hasn't turned up yet, so I haven't fitted the lump yet.


The rear mudguard has been trimmed to fit with the monoshock and some of the un-needed brackets which had originally just been battered out of the way have been removed and dressed down.


Started reassembling the elctrics plate, and sorting out where all the components need to go, should be placing an order with VWP this week to get all the bits I need for the rewire. The battery box has been modified and brackets welded to the frame to support everything.




I also drilled and tapped the yoke bolts to act as front indicator mounts, which I think makes a tidy solution.

[Big Pete]

Once again, a few more tasks complete, largely because I'm supposed to be at a rally, but my dodgy knee means no riding for a bit

Engine in place and all the new spacers turned up in stainless on the lathe






rear wheel spacer has been made, the wheel fitted, along with new sporocket and shiney stainles nuts



Front and rear sprocket alignment is spot on


but more nastiness around the engine





I have also had to move the rear mudguard back a couple of inches to clear the tyre, as the new swinger is longer than the original, and the tyre could have caught the number plate when the suspension compressed. This also means a new seat is required.

As the lump is now in , I have started on some brackets to hold the oil cooler in place, which should be the last of the frame welding I think.

[redorzed]

Nice work BP, shame about the knee made I smile to see the sprockets right perfect like that

[Big Pete]

Once again , tis update time, pesky work has been getting in the way of bike building, plus actually having a bit of a social life .

Today has seen the construction of a new seat base, which has pretty much taken all afternoon, starting with the purchase of some 270gram artists card for pattern making

folded in half and on the bike for a prelim sketch


after 3 attempts (which is fairly normal) I ended up with a suitable pattern, which was transfered to some 16ga (1.6mm) steel sheet. I cut this out with the jigsaw and tidied it up on the linisher.

A couple of bends courtesy of the big vise and some tube to get a nice radius, we have this



some hammer and dolly work rolled the edges to tidy things up a bit and add some stiffness.





Some means of holding the seat to th eframe would be handy, and I hate just bolting through the rear guard, which is the trad way of doing it. Its a PITA doing it that way, because its really awkward to get at the bolts when you need to get under the seat on the side of the road. So, a hook under the lip of the tank at the front, and two brackets at the back for a tidier bolted solution.



oops, ran out of pic space, new post called for.

[Big Pete]

Back to the plot....

the two rear lugs sit either side of a bracket welded to the frame




which will have a specially made long bolt so its accessible from the side without any special tools.



IMO, a really good custom aims to be as user friendly as a factory bike wherever possible, so I try keep stuff like this easy to use.

and finally, in position



Also got the new mudguard brackets and the oil cooler lugs welded on the frame, so we're just about ready to blast and paint it.

[Weeksy]

That's some work there fella.

[Big Pete]

It takes a while when you make all the bits. It doesnt sound like much when you say " I made the seat base today" . Its the reason that custom stuff takes so long, and the reason there are so many unfinished projects. I have to say I'm really looking forward to seeing it on the road.

[Angry Painter]

It's coming along nicely there, Pete. I always keep an eye on this thread because I love watching it come together like this is.

Just out of curiosity, or you spraying or p/coating the frame? If you're coating, will you be using nylon coat or standard powder? If you're spraying it, will you use 2K base + clear or top coat in Gespaint? I always wonder what other people do when it comes to "exposed" areas such as those.

Looking good mate, looking goooood!

[a_morti]

It's coming along nicely there, Pete. I always keep an eye on this thread because I love watching it come together like this is.

...

Looking good mate, looking goooood!

+1. There aren't many replies but I'm guessing that's because we all just like to have a look. Keep up the good work!

[t309]

+1. There aren't many replies but I'm guessing that's because we all just like to have a look. Keep up the good work!

Sat in awe here! Good Work Fella!

[Satman]

I can't wait to see the finished bike.

Love the tail lights



Would it be rude to ask how the bike ended up in the state you received it? I re-read the whole thread the other day and there doesn't seem to be any mention so far.

Cheers

Jon

[crust]

Pete, I'm loving this thread on so many levels, the ingenuity, tips, craftsmanship

all massively inspiring, thanks for that

but also because it convinces me I dont have enough stuff in my garage.

thanks for that as well

keep up the good work

crust

[Trashcanman]

Good stuff Pete,there are still real bikers out there,not just camera mounted ring riders. Good to see even the camera is starting to focus.