bits and bobs

forks

Telescopic forks just wouldn't do.

Girder forks are beautiful pieces of engineering, mechanical and functional.

The ones we are going to be for now are replica Triumph forks although we may look at making out own in the future.

With a carefull bit of preplanning we worked out our measurements so that we knew in advance that the Honda wheel would slot straight in... actually it was a complete fluke but the wheel fits just perfectly, we will need to shorten the axle, make some new spacers and weld on an anchor block for the
brake but all in all it's a good start.

Beating Heart

so we got the donor bike ( last post) and decided what we needed for the Victor ( working title)

well for starters we needed the wheels and brakes, lovely 18" rims, plenty of tyres coice there.

but most importantly we needed the motor. so out it came.

when we picked the bike up we rolled it into the shop and I gave it a kick... I say kick, more of a tickle, after kicking over old Harleys for the past fifteen years it was amazing to gently push the kicker down on the little Honda and here it burst into life and gently tick over.

With the motor out I couldn't believe how light it was and it's a pretty little lump and looks like an engine should, with a little attention to detail I think this is going to be a great looking little power plant.

what motor are we using?

we have been looking at various motors, remember this is not a replica vintage bike, it is a modern bike with the 'feel' of a vintage bike, check out the Black Douglas, a 2001 Harley Davidson Sportster engine in a classicly styled chassis, works well doesn't it?

So, what are we using for our bike? and why?

a Honda CG 125 of course.

a brilliantly reliable little motor that has been around in one form or another for a number of years, a favourite for commuting, a single cylinder engine that is easily maintained and wil last for ever, cheap to run, kick and electric start and there will never be any problems getting service or replacement parts.

plus, the CG has drums front and back, plenty of stopping power for a lightweight little bike and disc brakes just don't figure in our plans.

A motorcycle for the masses

So, what are we doing?

we are building a prototype small cc motorcycle that will be made available to everyone, a commuter, a sunday fun bike and a motorcycle to care for and be proud of.

but those loads of those about isn't there? those little scooters all the kids ride? they are small cc commuters aren't they?

yep, they are but they are also tasteless, cheap and plastic, badly constructed and most importantly have no soul.

mechanical engineering got pushed aside for injection molded plastic parts, stylish flowing items got exchanged for cheap mass production pieces cast from left over aluminium and the bikes became throw away items.

we want to build a motorcycle that harks back to the golden age of vehicle design.

so are we building replica vintage bikes?

No, we are building a modern interpretation of an pre 30's bike, vintage bikes are beautiful but we want our bike to be useable, for the general public a bike that anyone can own, not a bike that takes constant tinkering.

this isn't going to be a show standard custom bike with everysingle part being hand made either, we want to keep this bike affordable, a beautifully style machine that has ease of operation.

Affordable

Reliable

Easy to operate

Beautiful and stylish

This Norton is part of our inspiration, for sure, this one has been used at it should be and it has aged gracefully... ours will be new and clean just as this norton would have been straight from the factory.