One step forward and two steps back….

I am seriously considering doing away with the upside down fork and disc brake front altogether, why? Drum brakes are definitely vintage and also less trouble with getting it road registered again. It doesn’t have to stay this way, but it probably will.

Night photo shoot.

I know that I have mocked-up a number of photoshop images, but at times its just good to throw a few parts on to see what it will actually look like from a different angle.

Thems the ‘brakes’ (package arrives)

I bought this Nissin brake set off ebay a few weeks back. I only need the front set, but at only $80 for the whole set including postage, I was not going to argue. I just need to source a front brake lever.

If only old parts could talk….

I wonder what this old relic of a fuel tank would say? Bought it at a garage sale just around the corner. Talked the seller down from $10 to $6. I do not even know what bike it is from. I love the patina, its all cracked and faded and beaten up. I think it would look great if it was just painted in satin or gloss clear coat. I will no doubt find a use for it down the track.

Carburetor disassembly and inspection

I tried to move the throttle slide, but it would not budge. I took the top cover off to discover this white mess. This means in short that there has been water in there for some time. I soaked the slide in anti-seize lubricant but it will not budge. All of the assembly bolts are rusted and seized up. The lower part of the carburetor with the float etc looks fine, but is very dirty and smells of old paint! The choke assembly is also seized, so it looks like I will need to source another carburetor.

Rear Wheel Mock-up Part III

The brake torque must be cut and shut to clear the 5” wide rim & 150 wide rear tyre.

I simply used an angle grinder to cut slots where I wanted the bend to occur. Once I am happy with the fit I will get it welded properly.

The upper photo shows the difference in the brake-torque-arms, the one on the left is the standard one.

Vintage Sumo with 5" wide rear wheel

I fully built the 5" wide rear wheel with the standard DR hub to satisfy myself (and others) that the hub and rim were compatible. That is all the angles of the spokes are right when laced together. The final build will probably use 5mm spokes rather than 4mm spokes.

I have been quoted $200 to supply the spokes in 5mm stainless steel, as the spokes that came with the wheel are not compatible. I have also been playing with the hub offset to ensure that tyre and chain clearances etc are OK.

Note also the rear tailight assembly with 'beehive' tailight. I am definitely going to swap the plastic indicators for chrome items with round lenses.