Its a 500 Jim, but not as we know it !

[oldjapanesebikes]

I can't wait until the time I can swing on that kickstart and it roars into life (with no oil leaks of course ) Cheers Zunspec

By any chance are you the same Zunspec mentioned occasionally in Rick Parkington's section of Classic Bike ?

[Zunspec4]

Hello Ian,

The very same , usually in the context of "how the heck do you do this" type questions. Classic Bike Mag ditched their web site forum a couple of years ago and the current version is now independantly owned and run ( http://www.classicbikeforum.co.uk/ ). Rick is still a member however and often posts words of wisdom to forum members questions, subsequently some of these he uses in his Classic Bike column.

Cheers Zunspec

(aka Geoff Wells)

[oldjapanesebikes]

The very same

Excellent !

[Zunspec4]

Well, the rolling chassis is 90% complete so I took it out into the sunshine:



flickr slideshow here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/10638107@N ... 7787/show/

Just the engine to go basically, see you in another 6 months then

Cheers Zunspec

[Zunspec4]

I put together a before and after shot of the Nacelle. Took ages to get it all fitted together, still not sure I got it right. Had to get the original bars re-chromed as the two (yes two ) sets of new bars I bought don't fit my tin ware.




Came up quite nicely.

Cheers Zunspec

[oldjapanesebikes]

You are overly modest - that looks great !

[Zunspec4]

Thanks Ian,

I'm having nightmares about dropping various tools onto the paintwork or hitting it with a careless torque wrench etc. I often wonder how the folk that show their bikes can keep them unblemished. Anyway, I aim to enjoy riding this bike so I am going to have to get used to the wear an tear that goes with it, not sure I want the "patina" to go as far as replicating the original bike as I got it though

Cheers Geoff

PS: It looks even better in the flesh

[Zunspec4]

Picked up a set of exhausts/silencers and then discovered the Speed Twin was the inspiration for the Starship Enterprise


The re-ground crank is due back on Monday, new timing side bush matched to journal and fitted. New big end shells/bolts/nuts waiting and then the cases go back together. The head has been fitted with valve guides from Jaguar apparently and the valve seats will be re-cut after I drop off the valves. After that it is basically re-assembly and trying to minimise the use of the big hammer . Still need to decide on which ignition to buy, currently favouring the offering from Wassell.

Cheers Zunspec

[Zunspec4]

Started putting the engine back together:





The delights of camshafts and timing pinions await me

Cheers Zunspec

[CJF]

The bike looks great so far....doing a nice job on this resto. I am becoming a bigger and bigger fan of old Triumph's. I really like the look of them, but have never ridden one. I fully expect to have one in the garage some day.

[Zunspec4]

Got the pistons in and barrels mounted today:




Placed the head on just for show.

Cheers Zunspec

[two-stroke-brit]

you certenly do a proper job.

[Zunspec4]

Thanks TSB

Got the head bolted down proper today with all the little rocker arms, tappets and valves doing their thing. Popped a pair of spark plugs in and kicked it over, it will now say "plop-plop" in Triumphese.



The next project is GT500 based I havn't left the fold

[Zunspec4]

Got the Primary drive side sorted this evening so decided to see how exhausts fitted



A bunch of electronics should arrive tomorrow (Ign/coil/Reg-Rect). I decided the original Triumph parts were too much of an unknown quantity

VAPE (aka Wassell)



Cheers Zunspec

[oldjapanesebikes]

Looking good !