RobbieRobot Cafe Racer Project in pictures

Engine 'B' lifted into the frame.

 

Engine 'B' in the frame.

 

hell yes!

 

Engine 'B' all ready to test run.

 

YAY

 

Awesome. Congrats, Rob!

 

First test ride up and down the street a couple of times. All seems well so far. I'm looking forward to getting the seat back from the upholsterer now. When I last spoke to him I told him I'd had a set-back so there was no rush. I'm going to have to get back to him now and let him know things are back on track.

 

Well done man, You built a very nice bike. What paint did you use for the engine?

 

Thanks Heyitsme.
The paint I used is the same paint I used on engine 'A' after extensive research and testing. For the brief life of engine 'A' it held it's colour well and withstood oil and petrol contact as it did during the testing process. I first heard about it on another website where a guy had tested several products and recommended this because it performed so well and doesn't need oven curing. The paint is Simonez Wheel Silver and is a pleasure to work with. The first engine's lower half was sprayed but the head and barrels were bare media blasted aluminium and the colour match was very similar.

 

Today I rode the 30 mile round trip to the auto trimmers shop, the same trip that ended in disaster for the original engine. I'm pleased to report that the seat tailoring exercise went well and after some trial fitting we ended up with a very comfortable and well adjusted riding position for the foam. The guy says that's the hardest part over, the easy bit for him is making the cover and stitching it all up. He hopes to have it finished in about a week although he is extremely busy and has about 20 other motorcycle seats on the go. Can't wait to get it back. The bike didn't miss a beat all the way there and back and although I was mostly cruising at 60 I did get up to 80 at one point. A quick look at the plugs when I got home indicated that things can't be too far out as they were a nice light brown. I expect to be experimenting with jetting for performance in the upper band at a later date but so far so good upto now. My plan for this weekend is to strip all of the steel fasteners, brackets and bits and pieces and take them along to a highly recommended company for zinc electro plating. All in all a good day. Now to get this last 12 hour nightshift done and dusted.

 

Great news

 

Outside the Auto-Trimmers shop with seat foam prior to trimming.

 

love this bike

 

This weekend I decided to re-visit the mudguard (fender) mounting. So, to begin with, I made a cardboard template and went from there.

 

Then I cut out two alluminium plates from a 3mm sheet.

 

Then I formed and drilled them.

 

Then after polishing I fitted them.

 

I think they turned out quite well and are a big improvement.