Thursday, July 29, 2010
Reader Ride! An H2 SAVE!
Joe Byrd sends in this fantastic :save: of a classic Kawasaki! Having been down this road a few times with Kawasaki Triples myself I can attest to what a fantastic job this is.
Joe Writes:
Steve
After you posted pix of my H1A and my CR500R, you said to let you know about the next one.
My H2 750 Triple
You can see the before and after;
I purchased the "bike-in-a-box" early last fall with the intent of rebuilding it over the winter. The build got off to a late start but by June I had it running.
I call it a rebuild and not a restoration because I just wanted a nice looking, nice running H2 to ride, I did not want a bike too nice to ride. I think it has worked out as planned.
Every part needed something. I did all the work myself with the exception of the powder coating, some machine work (requiring special machines) and applying the paint base coat and clear coat. The painter wanted nothing to do with the decals.
I only bought new parts when I did not have the part or when I could not rebuild the existing part in a satisfactory manner.
I made a lot parts I did not have or could not get, having access to a machine shop is a great thing.
I seemed like everything that should have taken a minute, took an hour and everything that should have taken an hour, took a week.
I replaced every bearing and seal. I installed a rebuilt crank and new pistons in new bores. It got a new clutch and I had enough transmission parts to build one with minimal wear. And as always, H2 transmissions require careful shimming.
I have ridden it about 600 miles so far, I have fixed a few nits and niggles. It took a while but now I have the jetting spot on. And it is running like a strong H2 with no issues.
The first week I had it running, I rode it to a large cruiser extravaganza and entered the 750 in the bike show. Though there were quite a number of metric customs, the H2 won first place in the Asian category!
Joe Writes:
Steve
After you posted pix of my H1A and my CR500R, you said to let you know about the next one.
My H2 750 Triple
You can see the before and after;
I purchased the "bike-in-a-box" early last fall with the intent of rebuilding it over the winter. The build got off to a late start but by June I had it running.
I call it a rebuild and not a restoration because I just wanted a nice looking, nice running H2 to ride, I did not want a bike too nice to ride. I think it has worked out as planned.
Every part needed something. I did all the work myself with the exception of the powder coating, some machine work (requiring special machines) and applying the paint base coat and clear coat. The painter wanted nothing to do with the decals.
I only bought new parts when I did not have the part or when I could not rebuild the existing part in a satisfactory manner.
I made a lot parts I did not have or could not get, having access to a machine shop is a great thing.
I seemed like everything that should have taken a minute, took an hour and everything that should have taken an hour, took a week.
I replaced every bearing and seal. I installed a rebuilt crank and new pistons in new bores. It got a new clutch and I had enough transmission parts to build one with minimal wear. And as always, H2 transmissions require careful shimming.
I have ridden it about 600 miles so far, I have fixed a few nits and niggles. It took a while but now I have the jetting spot on. And it is running like a strong H2 with no issues.
The first week I had it running, I rode it to a large cruiser extravaganza and entered the 750 in the bike show. Though there were quite a number of metric customs, the H2 won first place in the Asian category!
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
75,000 Euro and she's all yours!
Info from the FOR SALE AD HERE. Oh an no it's NOT mine lol..
I have a 93`Roc Yamaha V4 500 for sale and may be some one is interested in this exclusive GP bike. I have the bike, ready for run and some spare parts, in very good conditions.
This bike was ridden by spanish rider Juan Lopez Mella in the 500 cc World Championship
Comes with some nice Spares!
I have a 93`Roc Yamaha V4 500 for sale and may be some one is interested in this exclusive GP bike. I have the bike, ready for run and some spare parts, in very good conditions.
This bike was ridden by spanish rider Juan Lopez Mella in the 500 cc World Championship
Comes with some nice Spares!
Friday, July 23, 2010
Wicked GT750 Restomod.
Ken Fontenot of Cyclesports Houston sends in their latest masterpiece. one of these days I'm going to have to buy myself a nice GT. They're starting to grow on me.
Ken writes:
Here is a custom restoration we did on a '72 Suzuki GT750. The bike came in to us all apart in boxes and had been that way for several years. Actually there were two frames and parts from two different bikes, a '72 and a '73.
Instructions from the owner were that he hated chrome and wanted a nice bike that looked like a stock one but with nice mods that would make it a better bike, no outrageous custom, wanted to keep it very conservative looking, using the '72 frame.
We did a complete inspection of all the parts and pulled all the best stuff out and started the project. First off we took ALL the chrome peices and sent them to the powdercoaters for a nice aluminum coating, fenders and all. We also sent the '72 frame, electrical box, side & center stands and had them coated in gloss black. In lue of the chrome rims we ordered a set of aluminum excell rims and stainless spokes from Buchanan's, the hubs were also aluminum coated. We had Jemco exhaust systems right down the street from us build a set of there 3 into one nickel plated chambers. All the painted items were stripped and painted aqua Blue, same as the stock color for '72 but left off all the stripes. The instruments were sent off and were completely refurbished. We also ordered a set of black XR750 flat track bars from Flanders.
We had two engines so we took both completely apart and used all the best parts to make one. Crankshaft was sent to Bill Bune Enterprises for a complete rebuild and truing with all new bearings and seals. We also got new first over pistons & rings, bored the cylinders and painted the cases satin black. All the engine covers were either polished or painted hi-gloss black. All fasteners were replaced with polished stainless allens.
Carbs were also stripped and painted, bodies satin black, covers & bowls hi-gloss black and rejetted for the chambers and K&N pod style air filters instead of the stock airbox. All cables, hoses & fuel lines were replaced with new.
We had a '73 disc front bake setup as well as the '72 Double leading Drum. We knew the Disc would probably work better but just couldn't get away from the cool good looks of the Double leading setup, all new shoes and bearings of course.
New Footpeg rubber, seat, front fork boots, as well as grips were aquired and installed. New tapered roller bearings on the steering stem, progressive springs and new progresive shocks and bronze swingarm bushings renewed the suspension and worked much better than the stock componets. For tires we found a set of new K-70 dunlops for that retro look.
The bike has won awards at local shows and is ridden by its owner Greg Owen every chance he gets. The bike really handles great, is very comfortable, and runs exceptionally well. Those Jemco Chambers give it a very nice growl and sitting there at idle its music to the ears! We love the old Two strokes!
Thanks for Your consideration!
Ken Fontenot
Cycle Sports Ltd of Houston
9802 Clay Rd
Houston, Texas 77080
713-690-9802
www.cyclesportshouston.com
Thanks for the great pics Ken!
Ken writes:
Here is a custom restoration we did on a '72 Suzuki GT750. The bike came in to us all apart in boxes and had been that way for several years. Actually there were two frames and parts from two different bikes, a '72 and a '73.
Instructions from the owner were that he hated chrome and wanted a nice bike that looked like a stock one but with nice mods that would make it a better bike, no outrageous custom, wanted to keep it very conservative looking, using the '72 frame.
We did a complete inspection of all the parts and pulled all the best stuff out and started the project. First off we took ALL the chrome peices and sent them to the powdercoaters for a nice aluminum coating, fenders and all. We also sent the '72 frame, electrical box, side & center stands and had them coated in gloss black. In lue of the chrome rims we ordered a set of aluminum excell rims and stainless spokes from Buchanan's, the hubs were also aluminum coated. We had Jemco exhaust systems right down the street from us build a set of there 3 into one nickel plated chambers. All the painted items were stripped and painted aqua Blue, same as the stock color for '72 but left off all the stripes. The instruments were sent off and were completely refurbished. We also ordered a set of black XR750 flat track bars from Flanders.
We had two engines so we took both completely apart and used all the best parts to make one. Crankshaft was sent to Bill Bune Enterprises for a complete rebuild and truing with all new bearings and seals. We also got new first over pistons & rings, bored the cylinders and painted the cases satin black. All the engine covers were either polished or painted hi-gloss black. All fasteners were replaced with polished stainless allens.
Carbs were also stripped and painted, bodies satin black, covers & bowls hi-gloss black and rejetted for the chambers and K&N pod style air filters instead of the stock airbox. All cables, hoses & fuel lines were replaced with new.
We had a '73 disc front bake setup as well as the '72 Double leading Drum. We knew the Disc would probably work better but just couldn't get away from the cool good looks of the Double leading setup, all new shoes and bearings of course.
New Footpeg rubber, seat, front fork boots, as well as grips were aquired and installed. New tapered roller bearings on the steering stem, progressive springs and new progresive shocks and bronze swingarm bushings renewed the suspension and worked much better than the stock componets. For tires we found a set of new K-70 dunlops for that retro look.
The bike has won awards at local shows and is ridden by its owner Greg Owen every chance he gets. The bike really handles great, is very comfortable, and runs exceptionally well. Those Jemco Chambers give it a very nice growl and sitting there at idle its music to the ears! We love the old Two strokes!
Thanks for Your consideration!
Ken Fontenot
Cycle Sports Ltd of Houston
9802 Clay Rd
Houston, Texas 77080
713-690-9802
www.cyclesportshouston.com
Thanks for the great pics Ken!
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Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Friday, July 16, 2010
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Monday, July 5, 2010
Old school TZ lust. A visit from a VIP.... and sometimes I think I may have been born a decade late...
Got a great e-mail (and some really great pictures) today from Richard over at Mule Motorcycles. If you don't know much about them do yourself a favor and go pay them a visit... go ahead we'll wait... LINK I consider this post to be a bit of a coup for me as I've been drooling over their bikes for years now and for my blog to be paid such a high compliment from such outstanding builders makes me think that I just might be doing something right. It's much appreciated!
Richard writes in:
My friend sent me your link a few months ago and the variety you have just amazes me. I’m pretty fussy about how stuff looks and I find almost every bike has features I like, if I don’t like the whole bike. We must have similar tastes in bikes. Keep um comin’! Good job! Heres a few pictures of some TZ750’s I restored back in 1991. The pictures are all scanned from photos, so they’re not super crisp, but I thought you might get a charge out of them anyway.
Richard http://www.mulemotorcycles.net
I guess my 2-stroke lust precedes me.
Thanks VERY much for stopping by and for the great shots. And yes... I will keep em coming.
Holy S#it! that is a NICE garage... I swear to god I gasped a bit when I first saw this. I look at this and wonder if maybe I wasn't born a decade late.
Richard writes in:
My friend sent me your link a few months ago and the variety you have just amazes me. I’m pretty fussy about how stuff looks and I find almost every bike has features I like, if I don’t like the whole bike. We must have similar tastes in bikes. Keep um comin’! Good job! Heres a few pictures of some TZ750’s I restored back in 1991. The pictures are all scanned from photos, so they’re not super crisp, but I thought you might get a charge out of them anyway.
Richard http://www.mulemotorcycles.net
I guess my 2-stroke lust precedes me.
Thanks VERY much for stopping by and for the great shots. And yes... I will keep em coming.
Holy S#it! that is a NICE garage... I swear to god I gasped a bit when I first saw this. I look at this and wonder if maybe I wasn't born a decade late.
Friday, July 2, 2010
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