Project 550 is go

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

What's this talk of cutting up have I missed something here?

[K2-K6]

Got it home and its way better than I had hoped for so may go for a standard restoration. Doesn't seem right to cut a bike that can be saved.

You may be able to use something like a 750 F1 tank and fabricate a seat pan to have as the only significant mods (leave all frame alone) to get something different from std look with little work

[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

Of this ilk- ish, and fully returnable to stock.

[Oddjob]

Ohhhh Lester wheels. I love Lester wheels, mine are almost ready to be powder coated.

[Laverdaroo]

That’s lovely, the rims are ace! You been fiddling to get em right Ken before you send them in?


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[Oddjob]

Yeah, I've polished the rims and the edges of the spokes. Fronts done, just need to finish the rear.

[K2-K6]

They do look good dont they, the Lesters.

Thought I'd put that up as illustration of how far just a small shift can be so very effective in the thread context of modifications. Doesn’t appear to have any frame mods but looks significantly different in style to original bike architecture.

The longer and easily available tank (if it fits the 550 frame) shifts the style and puts the rider further back, to need less compromise in seat length to then look in proportion while retaining those std rear frame legs and avoiding any need to cut.

[gary123]

What's this talk of cutting up have I missed something here?

See post no 10. thats what I was thinking of doing, but will proberbly say with standard now.

[gary123]

Got it home and its way better than I had hoped for so may go for a standard restoration. Doesn't seem right to cut a bike that can be saved.

You may be able to use something like a 750 F1 tank and fabricate a seat pan to have as the only significant mods (leave all frame alone) to get something different from std look with little work

(Attachment Link)

(Attachment Link)

That F1 looks amazing but Im moving away from clip ons. The 2nd pic was what I had in mind and would involve cutting the back of the frame.
Im still thinking and it will take a while to strip and sort the engine so plenty of time.

Of this ilk- ish, and fully returnable to stock.

[Nurse Julie]

Luckily, on both mine and Triggers mongrels, the only thing that Graham cut off was the back end of the frame and welded in a hoop and removed the seat hinges. This is easily reversable, just remove the hoop and weld the back end back on and the seat hinges. All the other frame tabs are still in situ in their original positions.

[gary123]

Luckily, on both mine and Triggers mongrels, the only thing that Graham cut off was the back end of the frame and welded in a hoop and removed the seat hinges. This is easily reversable, just remove the hoop and weld the back end back on and the seat hinges. All the other frame tabs are still in situ in their original positions.

Yes, still thinking about doing that

[gary123]

Made a bit of a start. [ Guests cannot view attachments ] [ Guests cannot view attachments ] [ Guests cannot view attachments ]

[gary123]

Getting to the rear wheel bearings I have come up against the dreaded retaining ring. Haynes manual says it can be normal or left hand thread depending on year.
Does anyone know which way mine will be before I smack the crap out of it. Its a 77 F1.
TIA

[Bryanj]

Haynes is wrong again i think, all the ones ive seen have been lh thread

[Oddjob]

Should be marked with thread direction, it's reverse from normal, so righty tighty becomes righty loosey.

[gary123]

Thanks guys, Im going to try and make a tool so as not to damage it.