Honda-SOHC

Well, here it is:







135 miles on the clock so far, I've put new Hagon shocks on and their progressive springs, also fitted some low rise bars last night, courtesy of Busa, which make me feel a little more connected with the front end. Removed the mirrors also - I'm used to riding without them and i think the bike looks better. Don't those pipes sound awesome!!

I had a problem with the bike running very weak (poss on 3) after getting into the higher rev range, also throttle response was a bit random - thought it was a fuelling thing, maybe picking up some dirt out of the tank so cleaned out the bowls but it made no odds, ordered a new carb o ring kit with the view to stripping and cleaning them, but in the meantime chucked in some new plugs (£6 for 4 from Halfords with my trade card) and the problem is sorted! the old ones must have been breaking down.

Things still to sort are:
Tyres - the front is particuarly bad, in fact the worst tyre I've ever rode, horrible - its a Conti 'super twin' ribbed. It tramlines really badly and i don't like the profile, so i'm planning a new pair of BT45's in the next few weeks

Front brake is also pretty poor - I've had better drums - might pick up some new pads and fluid today from the local EBC trade counter - that should sort it - also there is pretty minimal lever pull - is that normal?

Laquer - don't know what the stuff is on the tank, but i had an issue the other week when i wiped a bit of it with a cloth that had brake cleaner on - immediately melted the Laquer, which i left for a day or so to re-harden, before wet sanding and polishing which restored it, last weekend i managed to splash a little fuel when filling up and got the same reaction, so it looks like i'll have to re-laquer the tank with some petrol proof stuff - my worry is that the new stuff will react with the old so I'll have to do a test piece underneath first

Swingarm bearings - I don't think they are that bad, minimal movement in the arm, but i gather there should be none at all - got some bronze bushes from Germany, but i think that will be a winter job, along with a full carb clean.

Hello all, picked up the new bike on Saturday and am really pleased with it, runs lovelly - went out for a cheeky 20 mile 'shakedown' ride yesterday (no MOT yet). However, one thing that really surprised me is the handling - it feels really wallowy and a bit vague.
I suspect that at 36 years old the old springs have sagged somewhat, but to be honest i didn't really know what to expect having never ridden one before.
I've just ordered some new Hagon shocks - they've asked me my weight etc and I'll see how i get on with them, with the option to change springs as and when, if required, but i think my real issue is with the front end. Wheel bearings show no movement and i suspect the stem bearing may well already be tapered - think i can see this at the bottom of the stem - also there is no notchiness or free play. Tyre pressures good, new rear tyre and a matched 'ribbed' front - they are continental super twins?
I had a tiny weep from one of the fork seals, which may have been caused by transporting it, so new seals on order and i'll do an oil change with some modern 10Wt (everything seems pretty much spot on with the rest of the bike so i don't suspect maintenance has been scriped on or done incorrectly). I've read 'hondamans' advice about shimming the springs to take up the sag, but my other options seem to be new progressive springs from Hagon (they don't sell linear springs but reckon their progressives are about 10% firmer than the stocks) or the gold fork emulators (which would need to be coupled with some new linear springs) - both of which get pretty good reviews in the US.
Initial thoughts start with the cheapest option first - change oil and seals and measure springs, then make up shims to bring the spring free length back up to spec - but, since this will affect the springs characteristics, would i just be better off fitting the Hagon progressives?
I know its a heavy bike, but has anyone got some recommendations for sharpening things up a bit, particularly in the relation to the above fork options?

Photo's to follow by the way!