Hallo from England - sometimes Saxony !

[beachcomber]

For a Sixties bike, we must have a sixties style steering dampener !!

The kit is a repro for a BSA ..... but the "wing nut" [ top adjuster ] is from a Manx Norton !I have had this part since 1964 !!!

The rear wheel [ XS650 hub ] is now centralised in the swingarm and the chain run is aligned.

The fuel cell needed a small modification and the belly pan fairing has now also been modified for a good fit. Progress !

Next we finish fettling the headers for a perfect join so my friend can tack it together.

[beachcomber]

All the parts back from the machine shop.

Modified exh. cam, spacer sleeves to fit Grimeca front hub. Manifold modified for NOS adaptors and some oddball brackets I found to attach the fuel cell.

The guy is going to make a jig for the Weber manifolds and for the twin plug heads. I will have a price soon.

[Michael]

Hi TJ,
good progress, to have these parts on hand.
Cheers, Michael

[beachcomber]

Thanx for your encouragement Michael.

Yes, after many years of health issues and problems - I was thinking the project might never be completed !

Good progress now and most of the outside jobs I cannot do [ like spindle spacers ] are now completed. The last big specialist job is to have the exhaust headers tacked up so they can be removed from the engine and welded completely. We are now doing the final "fettling" to make the joints as perfect as possible. To explain "fettling" - this is the final work with a fine file to line up the pipes.

I have a guy in the US who will consolidate packages to save on freight. I can collect 8 - 10 cylinder heads from another pal in the US and maybe 6-7 exhaust cams for modifying. I have to see if the freight to the UK makes it viable or not.

Of course there is one more BIG job ............ the engine ! Or should I say "engines". The first will be "mild" with Weber and Nitrous. The second will be the blower engine - probably Turbo.

[beachcomber]

I've been troubled over the choice of colourways - given I went with the Red frame !

Think the answer's been under my nose all the time ! ::)

OK - this time round with Black or Silver engine and either Gold or Black pinstripes / graffix.

The BSA steering dampener has been modded along with the KZ top nut. Just need a frame anchor bracket and we're forward to the past.

Headers nearly dressed ready for tacking - maybe another hour's work with a file.

[beachcomber]

Front wheel axle is fine - exact fit.

Mounting brackets for belly fairing / tank completed.

The cover is a turine mould cut up ! Just to protect the fuel pipe fitting from stones / tyre blow out.

Headers are next to tack in place

[beachcomber]

Plan B headers !!! I did not like the sweep of the others.

[Michael]

Hi TJ,
these downtubes look good

[beachcomber]

Vielen danke Michael.

They moved slightly when I was taking the picture - masking tape is not very good for joining metal !!

The Old style [ 50's ] steering damper is now finished, I have to make up a bottom fixing bracket.

The front axle is also now finished - the wheel 100% central !

[bikeorslk]

Hi TJ,

I love these detail pics!

The steering damper looks a bit like the key to wind up a 1950's toy car:

Schuco.JPG

And I like the pipe routing as well!

Good luck for the next challenge!

Bye

Carsten