Author Topic: What have you done with your bike/s today?  (Read 638559 times)

Offline chaterlea25

  • Wise & Enlightened
  • *
  • Join Date: Jun 2009
  • Posts: 4448
  • Karma: 56
Re: What have you done with your bike/s today?
« Reply #4095 on: 13.11. 2025 20:06 »
Hi RD
Thank You for the photos and updates
What capacity is this one?

John
1961 Super Rocket
1963 RGS (ongoing)

Online Worty

  • The drayman's friend!
  • Wise & Enlightened
  • *
  • Join Date: Jul 2015
  • Posts: 2772
  • Karma: 9
  • Procrastination is the thief of time!
Re: What have you done with your bike/s today?
« Reply #4096 on: 13.11. 2025 20:48 »
RD, do you need to source a particular grade of steel for this?  I'm no expert, but I understand that there are different grades of steel for different applications.

It is amazing what you've done with this bike.

I saw the Millyard Youtube of him sawing two pairs of crankcases in half (with a hacksaw) off (I think) two Kwaka two stroke triples to make a four cylinder motor.  I think it was 2.5 cylinders from one motor and 1.5 from the other.  I didn't make the part where he had to extend the crank, my mind was blown by then. *countdown*
Current Bikes😎
Kwaka W650
'61 Flash

Past Bikes👍
'49 B31
'59 BMW R60
Yam FS1-E, YB100, RS100, RD200DX,250DX,350B, XS750
MZ250

Offline RDfella

  • Wise & Enlightened
  • *
  • Join Date: Aug 2017
  • Posts: 2300
  • Karma: 15
Re: What have you done with your bike/s today?
« Reply #4097 on: 13.11. 2025 21:10 »
RE capacity - the one I rode is 1,000cc, this one 750cc.
Re steels - there's a zillion types, then there's through hardening, case hardening, nitriding etc (depending on steel type).  For crankshafts I use EN40B condition T. That's one of the few steels that can be nitrided, which has the advantage of being a low(ish) temperature process thereby eliminating distortion. For cams I use EN36 case hardened, for through hardening (eg spindles) I use EN24.
'49 B31, '49 M21, '53 DOT, '58 Flash, '62 Flash special, '00 Firestorm, Weslake sprint bike.

Online RichardL

  • Outside Chicago, IL
  • Wise & Enlightened
  • *
  • Join Date: Nov 2007
  • Posts: 6543
  • Karma: 55
Re: What have you done with your bike/s today?
« Reply #4098 on: 16.11. 2025 08:19 »
Saturday, November 15th, and 69 degrees F in Chicago. Out riding to basically nowhere, but fun. Almost afraid to say "running like a dream." (Stay tuned for the inevitable retraction.)

Richard L.

Offline Sav

  • Valued Contributor
  • ****
  • Join Date: Jul 2011
  • Posts: 350
  • Karma: 6
  • VMCC Men of Kent and BSAOC member
    • TT Website and Forum
Re: What have you done with your bike/s today?
« Reply #4099 on: 18.11. 2025 22:27 »
Made my "time to downsize" decision as I approach 79 and mentioned at our club I had decided to sell my A10SR and it was snapped up on the spot. Good bike, not pristine but fully SRM'd a few years back. Just leaves me with my lighter A7SS

Earlier today bought a 1978 400cc Hondamatic one owner since new to replace it and give me a few more years riding a docile electric start bike.
2003 1961 A7SS, finally the right green
2022 Gone to the dark side and bought a 1981 Honda Benly, electric leg for my old age! done 450 miles!
2023. 1972 Honda CL350 added. Another electric leg bike with a bit more oomf
2025. 1978 Honda CB400A added, deadly boring old man's bike! 
SOLD 2023: 1937 Empire Star, twin port, high pipes
SOLD 2025: 1961 A10SR, spent a fortune at SRM
White Cliffs Country

Online muskrat

  • Global Moderator
  • Wise & Enlightened
  • **
  • Join Date: Jul 2009
  • Posts: 11457
  • Karma: 137
  • Lithgow NSW Oz
    • Shoalhaven Classic Motorcycle Club Inc
Re: What have you done with your bike/s today?
« Reply #4100 on: 19.11. 2025 19:09 »
G'day Fellas.
Rode the "old girl" to work & back. 60Km each way at highway speeds 100-120kph, didn't miss a beat. It's fun on the highway playing with modern cars. On the flats I pass them and on the hills they pass me *lol* The boss was impressed as she was parked in the sun all day and only left a spot the size of a penny.
Cheers
'51 A7 plunger, '57 A7SS racer now a A10CR,  '83 CB1100F, 88 HD FXST, 2000 CBR929RR ex Honda Australia Superbike .
Australia
Muskys Plunger A7

Offline Sav

  • Valued Contributor
  • ****
  • Join Date: Jul 2011
  • Posts: 350
  • Karma: 6
  • VMCC Men of Kent and BSAOC member
    • TT Website and Forum
Re: What have you done with your bike/s today?
« Reply #4101 on: 25.11. 2025 08:32 »
Had my first ride on the old man's Hondamatic, took a while to stop pulling the clutch in and changing down at junctions. No engine braking took some getting used to as well.

Strange experience but I think I'm going to like it and it should keep me riding a bit longer!

A10SR's new owner wants to pick it up, going to miss her after 20 years! Still have 'Kermit' the A7SS so can remain a member!
2003 1961 A7SS, finally the right green
2022 Gone to the dark side and bought a 1981 Honda Benly, electric leg for my old age! done 450 miles!
2023. 1972 Honda CL350 added. Another electric leg bike with a bit more oomf
2025. 1978 Honda CB400A added, deadly boring old man's bike! 
SOLD 2023: 1937 Empire Star, twin port, high pipes
SOLD 2025: 1961 A10SR, spent a fortune at SRM
White Cliffs Country

Online Greybeard

  • Jack of all trades; master of none.
  • Wise & Enlightened
  • *
  • Join Date: Feb 2011
  • Posts: 10168
  • Karma: 53
Re: What have you done with your bike/s today?
« Reply #4102 on: 25.11. 2025 10:54 »
Not riding at the moment because I'm still recovering from my knee replacement but the weather is horrible so not too upset.
I've bought an OptiMate 4 battery maintenance device. I've been using a so called smart charger from Aldi but I've been persuaded that I should be using an OptiMate to keep an unused battery healthy while the bike is not being ridden. The OptiMate claims to be able to deal with a completely discharged battery - the Aldi charger cannot do that - I once had to get hold of a traditional style charger to deal with a discharged car battery.
Greybeard (Neil)
2023 Gold Star
Supporter of THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN'S RIDE https://www.gentlemansride.com

Warwickshire UK


A Distinguished Gentleman Riding his 1955 Plunger Golden Flash

Offline CheeserBeezer

  • Resident Legend
  • *****
  • Join Date: Dec 2021
  • Posts: 859
  • Karma: 19
    • Priory Magnetos Ltd
Re: What have you done with your bike/s today?
« Reply #4103 on: 25.11. 2025 20:46 »
Not riding at the moment because I'm still recovering from my knee replacement but the weather is horrible so not too upset.
I've bought an OptiMate 4 battery maintenance device. I've been using a so called smart charger from Aldi but I've been persuaded that I should be using an OptiMate to keep an unused battery healthy while the bike is not being ridden. The OptiMate claims to be able to deal with a completely discharged battery - the Aldi charger cannot do that - I once had to get hold of a traditional style charger to deal with a discharged car battery.
Excellent bit of kit. I can also recommend 'Accumate' from the same  stable.

Offline CheeserBeezer

  • Resident Legend
  • *****
  • Join Date: Dec 2021
  • Posts: 859
  • Karma: 19
    • Priory Magnetos Ltd
Re: What have you done with your bike/s today?
« Reply #4104 on: 25.11. 2025 20:49 »
Just starting to make progress on the 2026 Project. Shiny bits back from the powder coaters - lovely job by Wilkinsons of Shavington (Crewe). Swinging arm converted to bronze bushes and installed.

Online Joolstacho

  • Wise & Enlightened
  • *
  • Join Date: Jan 2010
  • Posts: 1397
  • Karma: 9
Re: What have you done with your bike/s today?
« Reply #4105 on: 25.11. 2025 22:11 »
Don't we LOVE powder coating eh?  *wink2*

Offline CheeserBeezer

  • Resident Legend
  • *****
  • Join Date: Dec 2021
  • Posts: 859
  • Karma: 19
    • Priory Magnetos Ltd
Re: What have you done with your bike/s today?
« Reply #4106 on: 26.11. 2025 23:14 »
This is going to get confusing as I have two projects on the go at the same time. They are referred to as the '2026 project' so named as I hope to have it on the road next year, and the 'Holmfirth A10' as I bought it off a guy in Holmfirth. The 2026 project is mentioned in a post above and is a total new build from parts. I'll keep people informed how this is progressing. The Holmfirth A10 is interesting as, allegedly, it has never been run since an SRM engine was fitted in 1992! It has changed hands a few times since the engine was fitted and (the story goes?) that it was an abandoned project due to the rebuilder passing away. The guy I bought it from has also had to abandon the project and now I've acquired it. The bike was so close to completion I'm a bit baffled as to why nobody ever finished it off...... or did they...... and maybe it has issues? Anyway, over the last few days I've repaired the ATD which was threatening to fling one of its ears off!, fitted a decent dynamo, new dynamo chain, checked the valve timing and tappets, reset the ignition timing, built a carb (Amal 1 5/32 set to SR spec which should suit the 67-1549 head) and Hey-Presto she's a runner! The oil return seems OK and the engine sounds OK. I'm not sure I've got the carburettor quite right as it spits back a lot and is reluctant to run without choke until it is really hot. So far, I've only started it in the garage with a remote tank. I'll persevere with this carb, maybe lift the needle to richen it up a bit. I've taxed and insured it, but had to send the log book off via the Post Office due to nobody previously having changed the taxation class to 'Historic', so I'll be able to get it out on the road but I am suspecting there are a few gremlins in there which a road test will expose.

Online Joolstacho

  • Wise & Enlightened
  • *
  • Join Date: Jan 2010
  • Posts: 1397
  • Karma: 9
Re: What have you done with your bike/s today?
« Reply #4107 on: 27.11. 2025 00:04 »
That looks a treat! Hmmm ATD, I must fix the spare one I have.

Online Worty

  • The drayman's friend!
  • Wise & Enlightened
  • *
  • Join Date: Jul 2015
  • Posts: 2772
  • Karma: 9
  • Procrastination is the thief of time!
Re: What have you done with your bike/s today?
« Reply #4108 on: 27.11. 2025 08:43 »
Very nice bike - hope it is an SRM engine.

I pass through Holmfirth quite a lot on my rides, nice town but very busy.

Please, don't mention ATDs to me - horrible experiences. *pull hair out* *pull hair out*
Current Bikes😎
Kwaka W650
'61 Flash

Past Bikes👍
'49 B31
'59 BMW R60
Yam FS1-E, YB100, RS100, RD200DX,250DX,350B, XS750
MZ250

Online Joolstacho

  • Wise & Enlightened
  • *
  • Join Date: Jan 2010
  • Posts: 1397
  • Karma: 9
Re: What have you done with your bike/s today?
« Reply #4109 on: 27.11. 2025 08:55 »
Tell me Worty... what horrible experiences? I've used these things for years without probs, just that the spare one I've got needs attention -(as a spare) as I say.