Smokey Two Stroke Goodness
Discussion
bob1179 said:
3DP said:
Looking good Rob! I'm still surprised you got those clocks back at all. Looking forward to seeing them both in the flesh.
We have enough classic bikes now, we can do an 'old boys' tour of Scotland? Though 700 miles just to get to mine on that Thumper of yours would be an interesting prospect!
3DP said:
bob1179 said:
3DP said:
Looking good Rob! I'm still surprised you got those clocks back at all. Looking forward to seeing them both in the flesh.
We have enough classic bikes now, we can do an 'old boys' tour of Scotland? Though 700 miles just to get to mine on that Thumper of yours would be an interesting prospect!I reckon it would be more fun sticking all the bikes in a van and driving somewhere warm then doing a tour there.
bob1179 said:
3DP said:
bob1179 said:
3DP said:
Looking good Rob! I'm still surprised you got those clocks back at all. Looking forward to seeing them both in the flesh.
We have enough classic bikes now, we can do an 'old boys' tour of Scotland? Though 700 miles just to get to mine on that Thumper of yours would be an interesting prospect!I reckon it would be more fun sticking all the bikes in a van and driving somewhere warm then doing a tour there.
srob said:
If you want smokey two-strokes, leave a Scott for a few years then fire it up. The old man demonstrating:
Great picture, reminds me of Ariel Arrow/Leader of the 60's, they always put up a smoke screen to beat most two strokes of the time although they were closely followed by the Villiers 2T.3DP said:
bob1179 said:
3DP said:
bob1179 said:
3DP said:
Looking good Rob! I'm still surprised you got those clocks back at all. Looking forward to seeing them both in the flesh.
We have enough classic bikes now, we can do an 'old boys' tour of Scotland? Though 700 miles just to get to mine on that Thumper of yours would be an interesting prospect!I reckon it would be more fun sticking all the bikes in a van and driving somewhere warm then doing a tour there.
Plus we can pick up good looking female continental hitchhikers...
So, a good week this week... As part of my ongoing clean up of crap I managed to sell both this:
And this:
For the princely sum of five hundred quid.
This money shall be going towards the Kettle and towards getting some bits for the T500.
Which brings me onto the T500...
Looking at the chassis and engine numbers, it appears to be a 'bitsa'. It has a MkIII frame, early model flat bottom headlight and small rear light, but the tank, side panels, badging and whats left of the paint scheme are 'J' model spec.
So my plan is to meet in the middle and build it into a 'R' model bike but paint it in the later funky Candy green of Candy Lavender paint scheme. It'll annoy the beardies and purists but I reckon it'll look ace.
Currently the T500 looks like this...
So I have some time to go before I need to worry about the paint.
And this:
For the princely sum of five hundred quid.
This money shall be going towards the Kettle and towards getting some bits for the T500.
Which brings me onto the T500...
Looking at the chassis and engine numbers, it appears to be a 'bitsa'. It has a MkIII frame, early model flat bottom headlight and small rear light, but the tank, side panels, badging and whats left of the paint scheme are 'J' model spec.
So my plan is to meet in the middle and build it into a 'R' model bike but paint it in the later funky Candy green of Candy Lavender paint scheme. It'll annoy the beardies and purists but I reckon it'll look ace.
Currently the T500 looks like this...
So I have some time to go before I need to worry about the paint.
tricky1962 said:
My T500J may be a bitsa too, but I don't think so. Anyway it has the flat bottom headlight and small rear light. Are you sure yours is not a J with a new/old frame?
Hi tricky. From what I've been led to believe, when they 'J' was launched it came with the slightly bigger headlight and larger GT750 style rear light. However, it wouldn't surprise me if a few of the earlier bikes left the factory with the earlier style lights!I'll have to do a bit more digging into the model history to find out. I did have a good look at the tank and the green paint does seem to be original, which would indicate that it came from a late '71, '72 model bike.
bob1179 said:
tricky1962 said:
My T500J may be a bitsa too, but I don't think so. Anyway it has the flat bottom headlight and small rear light. Are you sure yours is not a J with a new/old frame?
Hi tricky. From what I've been led to believe, when they 'J' was launched it came with the slightly bigger headlight and larger GT750 style rear light. However, it wouldn't surprise me if a few of the earlier bikes left the factory with the earlier style lights!I'll have to do a bit more digging into the model history to find out. I did have a good look at the tank and the green paint does seem to be original, which would indicate that it came from a late '71, '72 model bike.
If you peruse the anoraks T500 site http://www.ozebook.com/compendium/t500bikes.htm :-)
You can find photos of the J with the flat headlight and large rear lens. They must have chucked them out of the factory with whatever they had nearby
tricky1962 said:
bob1179 said:
tricky1962 said:
My T500J may be a bitsa too, but I don't think so. Anyway it has the flat bottom headlight and small rear light. Are you sure yours is not a J with a new/old frame?
Hi tricky. From what I've been led to believe, when they 'J' was launched it came with the slightly bigger headlight and larger GT750 style rear light. However, it wouldn't surprise me if a few of the earlier bikes left the factory with the earlier style lights!I'll have to do a bit more digging into the model history to find out. I did have a good look at the tank and the green paint does seem to be original, which would indicate that it came from a late '71, '72 model bike.
If you peruse the anoraks T500 site http://www.ozebook.com/compendium/t500bikes.htm :-)
You can find photos of the J with the flat headlight and large rear lens. They must have chucked them out of the factory with whatever they had nearby
Got home from a blast on the GT550 on Sunday to find the front of the engine covered in oil splatters.....a close inspection revealed a snapped off exhaust thread.
Fortunately, it was the right hand pot, and the outside stud, so easy enough to drill, and the use of a newly acquired set of Facom stud removers got the little devil out. New studs already, and a set of Higgspeeds arriving hopefully Friday, so not worth refitting the standard pipes now, they are going off for professional restoration (not that they are bad) over winter before a new home in the airing cupboard, suitably filled and coated with ACF50.
Fortunately, it was the right hand pot, and the outside stud, so easy enough to drill, and the use of a newly acquired set of Facom stud removers got the little devil out. New studs already, and a set of Higgspeeds arriving hopefully Friday, so not worth refitting the standard pipes now, they are going off for professional restoration (not that they are bad) over winter before a new home in the airing cupboard, suitably filled and coated with ACF50.
tezzer said:
Got home from a blast on the GT550 on Sunday to find the front of the engine covered in oil splatters.....a close inspection revealed a snapped off exhaust thread.
Fortunately, it was the right hand pot, and the outside stud, so easy enough to drill, and the use of a newly acquired set of Facom stud removers got the little devil out. New studs already, and a set of Higgspeeds arriving hopefully Friday, so not worth refitting the standard pipes now, they are going off for professional restoration (not that they are bad) over winter before a new home in the airing cupboard, suitably filled and coated with ACF50.
Sounds like a right pain, but at least it was easily fixable. Any idea why it sheared or do you reckon it was just down to age and forty years of vibration?Fortunately, it was the right hand pot, and the outside stud, so easy enough to drill, and the use of a newly acquired set of Facom stud removers got the little devil out. New studs already, and a set of Higgspeeds arriving hopefully Friday, so not worth refitting the standard pipes now, they are going off for professional restoration (not that they are bad) over winter before a new home in the airing cupboard, suitably filled and coated with ACF50.
New Higgspeeds sound great! Do you have to change the jetting in the carbs when you fit them or can you keep the standard set up? They should save a huge amount of weight too.
I should really do similar with this 380 as the pipes are immaculate.
Speaking of smokey two-strokes, there was a little Francis Barnett (did you know they've started making bikes again? (even if they are rebadged Chinese jobs)) and an Ariel Arrow on an event I was on last weekend.
My old man reckons he may get an Ariel Leader when he's too old for his current bikes, I think they're quite cool in a sixties view of the future, kinda way
My old man reckons he may get an Ariel Leader when he's too old for his current bikes, I think they're quite cool in a sixties view of the future, kinda way
bob1179 said:
Sounds like a right pain, but at least it was easily fixable. Any idea why it sheared or do you reckon it was just down to age and forty years of vibration?
New Higgspeeds sound great! Do you have to change the jetting in the carbs when you fit them or can you keep the standard set up? They should save a huge amount of weight too.
I should really do similar with this 380 as the pipes are immaculate.
Re-Jetting not required with the Higgys IF the standard airbox and filters are in use (which they are). New Higgspeeds sound great! Do you have to change the jetting in the carbs when you fit them or can you keep the standard set up? They should save a huge amount of weight too.
I should really do similar with this 380 as the pipes are immaculate.
Weight will be a lot less too, despite being made from Stainless, but there are only 3 higgys against 4 standard silencers, plus the loss of the mainstand.
Will report back if they arrive as promised on Friday !
srob said:
Speaking of smokey two-strokes, there was a little Francis Barnett (did you know they've started making bikes again? (even if they are rebadged Chinese jobs)) and an Ariel Arrow on an event I was on last weekend.
My old man reckons he may get an Ariel Leader when he's too old for his current bikes, I think they're quite cool in a sixties view of the future, kinda way
I had no idea they were making Francis Barnett's again! Shame if they are Chinese though...My old man reckons he may get an Ariel Leader when he's too old for his current bikes, I think they're quite cool in a sixties view of the future, kinda way
An Aerial leader would be an interesting bike to own, I think my dad might of actually had one in the sixties. All pressed steel frame and covers! I've never ridden on myself, it would definitely make an interesting addition to the collection!
tezzer said:
bob1179 said:
Sounds like a right pain, but at least it was easily fixable. Any idea why it sheared or do you reckon it was just down to age and forty years of vibration?
New Higgspeeds sound great! Do you have to change the jetting in the carbs when you fit them or can you keep the standard set up? They should save a huge amount of weight too.
I should really do similar with this 380 as the pipes are immaculate.
Re-Jetting not required with the Higgys IF the standard airbox and filters are in use (which they are). New Higgspeeds sound great! Do you have to change the jetting in the carbs when you fit them or can you keep the standard set up? They should save a huge amount of weight too.
I should really do similar with this 380 as the pipes are immaculate.
Weight will be a lot less too, despite being made from Stainless, but there are only 3 higgys against 4 standard silencers, plus the loss of the mainstand.
Will report back if they arrive as promised on Friday !
As soon as the new pipes are on get a piccie posted up so we can see what they look like!
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