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Topics - Orcade-Ian
16
« on: May 19, 2023, 06:55:12 PM »
Really enjoying this new 350 Forza but just like the C125 Super Cub I got 3 years ago, the mirrors leave a lot to be desired. I extended the ones on the Cub but that wouldn't be possible on the Forza due to the design and they incorporate the indicators.
This got me thinking and I know many folk have pointed out that UK is a very small market compared with ROW and we wear bulky jackets and are generally of larger build than the folks in Thailand and the like. But surely they have to comply with Construction and Use regs in the UK? Then I found this:
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Formulated in 1986 - surely needs updating!
Ian
17
« on: May 09, 2023, 09:15:42 AM »
Following the departure of the 'Wing and the BM, the new 350 Forza arrived by Ferry late on Saturday night. We arrived at the Hatston terminal in Les's van with trailer to wait for the Hrossey from Aberdeen. I rode the bike off the Ferry, up the slip and around to the waiting trailer. As it was just past midnight, I had decided that a ride back in the dark for 20 miles on an unfamiliar machine was not the most sensible plan, hence the trailer!
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We had other things planned on the Sunday, so I had to eagerly await the first proper ride
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This was on the road back to Birsay, overlooking Kitchener's Monument which was erected following public donations when the HMS Hampshire was blown up by a mine with the loss of over 700 lives.
So far I'm really impressed with this new bike but the mirrors are typical offerings for small Asians riding with bare arms! The under-seat storage is unbelievable!
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Ian
18
« on: April 11, 2023, 02:50:08 PM »
Just moved the 550 off the bench and had a little sneak ride down to the feet of our road and back. Wanted to take a few pics for the insurance and actually try the thing out - hell, it's quiet and so smooth. Gear lever seems a bit long, even in size 9's, everything else just fine.
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Excellent starting point provided by James H
Tank courtesy DK to replace the pin holed original (someone can fix it!)
Tank paint by Graham at Hatston motors over my filling and prep.
Silencer and clamp from Simon
Rear brake pedal courtesy of Oddjob (Ken)
Clock faces from Marcel (no second invoice yet!)
069 Carburettors from Jelle in Netherlands to replace 627's
Carb seals from Julie
Alternator cover badge from Phil
Lots of advice from you folk
Reg number from DVLA
Full tin of elbow grease from me - still a bit left
Wallet thinned slightly by DS but less than expected!
Ian
20
« on: March 23, 2023, 08:02:09 AM »
After 35 years of 'Winging, I finally sold my 1500 SE a few weeks back. I have ended up with quite a few secondhand spares for 1500. I would like to move them on to a specialist who could use them all on customers bikes. Obviously would like them away in one hit. Transport could be arranged. Any ideas of a suitable outlet?
Ian
21
« on: March 14, 2023, 10:46:45 AM »
When I bought my CBX many years ago - with that hideous Elvis themed paint job, I got two spare petrol tanks with it. One was a virtually perfect example, just ripe for re-finishing. The other was this Perseus Silver rust free one with Mike Hailwood sign written on it. The unverified story I was told was that when the bikes were launched, Phil Read, A.N. OTHER and Mike Hailwood were given bikes for a lap of the TT course and I have very vague recollections of that. However, one of the mechanics decked Mike's bike, with tank damage and more.
Mel Watkins - the CBX guru has no memory or record of this and I contacted Roger Etcell who was about to go away somewhere but never got back to me.
Does anyone have any recollections of this story? I'm sure there was once a pic of the 3 riders on these bikes - perhaps in MCN but have so far failed to unearth it.
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This is the tank I still have
Ian
22
« on: February 18, 2023, 03:47:08 PM »
Well folks,
I would just like to say a very sincere thanks to the wonderful folk on this Forum and especially to Steve D for making it all happen. I wouldn't have become the next custodian of this lovely 550 or almost all of the parts needed to get it up and running had it not been for all the help you've given. You know who you all are - one member wouldn't even let me pay postage, so I've sent a donation on behalf of the two of us. It's not quite finished but very close now, awaiting DVLA giving me a number.
I had my application rejected as I forgot to send a copy of a current Council tax bill to verify my address - yes, my fault entirely. Somehow, they managed to send it back to my house and my address is on the driving licence copy I sent - that THEY issued!
Anyway, thanks again folks, you've made a happy man very old (or summat like that!)
Ian
23
« on: February 13, 2023, 09:12:10 AM »
Has there ever been any company making a 4 into 2 system for 550 F? In the absence of a genuine or reasonable looking silencer, it occurred to me that such a system could improve things cosmetically - I don't want to go down the 4 into 4 route (would they even fit?) or aftermarket 4 into 1.
Ian
24
« on: February 12, 2023, 08:53:27 AM »
I've recently rebuilt a couple of wheels for a good friend here in Orkney - actually for a bike his Brother bought new (CD 175) but sadly Colin passed away just before Christmas. Knowing I did a bit of wood butchery now and then he had mentioned that their Father had made Bride's Cogs many years ago and would bring one to show me when he collected the wheels.
Johnny will know all about the Cogs - an Orkney tradition, which are made specially for a couple for their Wedding and filled with a hot concoction of all kinds of strong 'falling down' liquid and each family has their own secret recipe. This is passed around the guests as a toast to the happy couple and we have been to quite a few weddings where this tradition has been carried on.
This is what Stevie brought along!
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The wood is a combination of ebony and maple and no machines were used - everything done by hand, mostly sitting by the fireside with hand tools with one eye on the telly! Each stave has contrasting blocks dovetailed into the outer face and the decorations on the handles are hand carved pieces let into the main piece.
I take my hat off Sir!
Ian
25
« on: February 11, 2023, 03:47:14 PM »
Well it's up and running again on four! I bunged on the set of 627s that came with the bike after doing the usual ultrasonic cleaning, rub n buff, zinc plating, new seals (thanks Julie!) and bench sync. The new DS manifold rubbers were such a tight fit, I didn't even bother with clips and it fired up straight away on all four. The carbs are coming off again very soon anyway as the correct 069s are nearly ready. I wanted to be sure all was OK with the ones that came with the bike - just in case I decide to move them on sometime. Now it's running again, I'll remove and tidy the cam cover and breather chamber, zinc plate the bolts and fittings then polish the rest of the tappet caps - I didn't want to remove it earlier and waste the two new (DS expensive) gaskets if it had needed serious remedial work.
Rev counter to finish, brake pedal spring to hook up, spare tank to fit then it's a ride up the drive and wait for the DVLA to give it a number - hope I live long enough!
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Still on the lookout for an original silencer - wonder if scs has decided to sell his spare one yet?
Ian
26
« on: January 20, 2023, 01:14:42 PM »
Yes, it's a long way off, both in terms of time in the future and distance for many but the dates for the Shetland Show have just been announced. It will be held at the Clickimin Centre on Sat 1st and Sunday 2nd June 2024. There is a Ferry from Aberdeen and also Orkney and Northlink (usually) give a discount for show visitors and exhibitors - announced nearer the time. There are road runs around Shetland on the Thursday and Friday and usually the Monday after for Bikes and Commercials. Accommodation gets booked up quickly but it's a fantastic show with full facilities at the leisure centre. We usually make a full week of it - Shetland is a magical place and you have nearly 24 hours of daylight at that time of year.
It's held every 2 years with many visitors from South and Abroad who keep coming back, so something must be right!
This is a small part of last years show:
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Ian
27
« on: January 15, 2023, 04:05:33 PM »
We've had a bit of wet snow today but I was quite happy to stay in the workshop. I recently bought a pair of thickly padded overalls from our agricultural supply place (B.F. - Johnny) - for £28.80 they are fabulous, I paid more than that for a shirt! They need about 5 inches lopping off the legs and are very roomy. I wouldn't like to meet the chap who they fit well, especially down a dark alley.
Anyway, with carbs still off the bike I painted the top of the cases with silver smoothrite aerosol and zinc plated quite a few screws, brackets and bolts. Engine is still in - I'm only tidying and doing things piecemeal, which probably takes longer! Sprocket cover, clutch cover and alternator casing all came up well and new Honda badge, courtesy of Phil now fitted. New clips from Myles Kingsport in Hull.
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The downpipes are cleaning up well - a few small pits on the insides of the bends but it means I won't mind using the bike. Still no silencer and struggling to find bending rolls so far.
I'm on with the clocks too, new face on the speedo and just waiting for the outer case paint to harden off for re-assembly - rev counter next!
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Ian
29
« on: January 05, 2023, 09:51:46 AM »
Mornin' folks,
This bank of carbs I've just about finished (believed 72-73 CB500) has large holes in the alloy mounting plate for the flex fuel pipes to go through towards the head, originally to connect to the double outlet tap. My tap has only one outlet so I've fitted a brass Tee piece. Double outlet taps seem unavailable, even though they could be dismantled, i.e. not rivetted, so I'm wondering if 3&4 are likely to suffer starvation at WOT with this set-up.
Is everyone using the same set-up?
Ian
30
« on: January 02, 2023, 06:22:48 PM »
Hi folks,
Been mulling over the method of carb fitment on this 550 - the 350 and 400's are tight for space but I think the 550 is even worse. I have new manifold and airbox rubbers but don't like the idea of distorting them considerably to fight the bank back in. Yes, the air filter box is free, giving a bit more wiggle room. I know one or two folk have replaced the studs with bolts but that would be too visible. I'm considering removing the studs and silver soldering the nuts on and then re-plating them, so that they look right but act like bolts. I would probably remove about 1mm from the head end of the studs so there was no fear of them binding up. I would always prefer stud fixing so as not to wear the threads in the head but they don't come on and off that regularly (he said!)
Any thoughts?
Ian
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