Post by spyhunter2k on Jul 14, 2007 23:23:00 GMT -5
Hi all.
Thought I'd give an update and some insights into my replica project. I have panels of the series bike based on the hero bike on display in the UK. Since they're in rough shape and I like the look of the pilot bike better anyway, I'm making a pilot replica from scratch. I spent months measuring dimensions from pictures until I finally established measurements that I felt good about. Most of my original pieces will be constructed from wood, which will then be molded. The final pieces will likely be made from fiberglass, though I've toyed with the idea of using carbon fiber.
At this point, my pilot nose is about half finished--almost ready to post some pics of it. I want to get a little further along.
I've bought a bike, and started it tonight for the first time. It's an '86 XR 600R with a newly rebuilt top end. It's basically the same as the 83-84 XR 500, just bored out to 600 and with an aluminum swingarm instead of steel.
I've also bought wheels, and am in the process of getting the brakes sorted out. In case anyone has ever wondered about the cost involved with making a street hawk replica, you will easily spend 80% of the entire cost on the wheels and brakes. The 13" Performance Machine full-floating race rotors needed for each side of the front wheel retailed for about $400 each before they were discontinued. Now good luck finding them, and who knows how much you will have to pay. EACH Performance Machine caliper is $400, and you will need two for the front and one for the rear. Morris mag wheels can set you back $1000.
Anyway, once I have the brakes (probably not getting the PM brakes at first to save some cash, though I will have the dual front PM 13" rotors), it's off to the shop to get the wheels and brakes installed, which will require some custom work. The bike also must be lowered (I'm 6' tall and my toes barely touch the ground with the bike at stock height). I will use a lowering link in the back to take it down 3" or so and probably slide the fork tubes up an inch in the front-the shorter front wheel will lower the bike already.
The clutch is a mother to pull so the bike is getting a hydraulic clutch so that I can actually ride it in stop-and-go traffic without wearing out my hand.
Once back from the shop, I'll fit the nose which will hopefully be finished by then. After seeing how much clearance I have, i'll get a custom fuel cell made up.
Again, once I'm a bit further along, i'll post pics of the nose.
Thought I'd give an update and some insights into my replica project. I have panels of the series bike based on the hero bike on display in the UK. Since they're in rough shape and I like the look of the pilot bike better anyway, I'm making a pilot replica from scratch. I spent months measuring dimensions from pictures until I finally established measurements that I felt good about. Most of my original pieces will be constructed from wood, which will then be molded. The final pieces will likely be made from fiberglass, though I've toyed with the idea of using carbon fiber.
At this point, my pilot nose is about half finished--almost ready to post some pics of it. I want to get a little further along.
I've bought a bike, and started it tonight for the first time. It's an '86 XR 600R with a newly rebuilt top end. It's basically the same as the 83-84 XR 500, just bored out to 600 and with an aluminum swingarm instead of steel.
I've also bought wheels, and am in the process of getting the brakes sorted out. In case anyone has ever wondered about the cost involved with making a street hawk replica, you will easily spend 80% of the entire cost on the wheels and brakes. The 13" Performance Machine full-floating race rotors needed for each side of the front wheel retailed for about $400 each before they were discontinued. Now good luck finding them, and who knows how much you will have to pay. EACH Performance Machine caliper is $400, and you will need two for the front and one for the rear. Morris mag wheels can set you back $1000.
Anyway, once I have the brakes (probably not getting the PM brakes at first to save some cash, though I will have the dual front PM 13" rotors), it's off to the shop to get the wheels and brakes installed, which will require some custom work. The bike also must be lowered (I'm 6' tall and my toes barely touch the ground with the bike at stock height). I will use a lowering link in the back to take it down 3" or so and probably slide the fork tubes up an inch in the front-the shorter front wheel will lower the bike already.
The clutch is a mother to pull so the bike is getting a hydraulic clutch so that I can actually ride it in stop-and-go traffic without wearing out my hand.
Once back from the shop, I'll fit the nose which will hopefully be finished by then. After seeing how much clearance I have, i'll get a custom fuel cell made up.
Again, once I'm a bit further along, i'll post pics of the nose.