imago

Yeah, it was dramatic to say the least. The problem with carbon is the same as magnesium really, if they get a sharp knock they crack but it's not always visible. I wouldn't have a problem using carbon wheels as long as I had them from new, I don't think I'd fancy a used set for the same reason I wouldn't want a used helmet.

Funnily enough this just popped up on FaceAche .

One good thing about thin rims is that you can't hide any abuse/damage as unless they go back into the press they're formed on any deformities will be visible. So unlike that bodged arm a visual on the rims and crack test the centres gives you the best chance of all being well. There are no guarantees obviously but we can only do what we can, and lets face it you're rolling the dice every time you go out. So it's about minimising rather than eliminating risk.

Old or new, magnesium or alloy, unless they've been crack tested you're always taking a chance with second hand wheels. In terms of strength, then you have to consider the shape. A circle is very strong unless it's subject to a point impact on the circumference. Coming down from a wheelie or catching air is OK, clatter into a pot hole or kerb and it's fucked. The rims themselves are a similar thickness to Paul's spoked wheels for example, fitted to a turbo bike which is used enthusiastically on occasion. The design is pretty clever too. The six bolts that hold the centres to the rims aren't taking any shear force. They pass through the rib on the rim into a plate and the torque applied to them is transferred into clamping force between the centre and the plate which holds the rim rib.

Out of curiosity, why would you be dubious? They're no more likely to failure than used Astralites, Marchesini, Dymags etc. Less so if those haven't been crack tested as these were. The way you ride doesn't have much to do with it unless you're blasting down unpaved roads.

They'll get thoroughly tested, the results will either be awesome, or brief.

The Saxon wheel centres are back from the coaters, just the rims and swing arm to go and the build can start.

Bugger, but thanks.

Anyone know if a B12 pick up cover will fit on a GSX1400 engine?

I was a bit thrown when the Dresda came up tbh. didn't want to pass the chance, but didn't have a plan for it and the special frame stuff isn't really my thing. Once the dust settled and I had chance to think it through the plan sorted itself out really. Use all the oddball rarities that I'd been holding onto for the right bike, go to town on the shiny stuff and build something that would be quite special and a shop window for the business. Very fortunate to have a few additional bits turn up that suit it perfectly like the Saxon wheels and those one off small batch race pistons. Have a bit of fun on it, take it to a show or two, then move it on to (hopefully) get the money back out of it and let someone who's more into that type of bike than I am use it. I'll be a bit sad to see some of the stuff go as there's literally no chance of replacing them, but equally they're sod all use to me or anyone else sat on the racking. It'll be spec'd up well enough to be a useful classic track weapon, look good enough to just go to shows with it, and/or a perfectly usable road bike as long as you're young and flexible enough to hunch up on it or only use it for short blasts.

As usual when that sort of engine stuff turns up it was just a random out of the blue conversation. The stuff Brian did looks the nuts, can't wait to see it wrapped in a draw through.

I got to pick up some race engine parts for this yesterday. A bunch of stuff from a race engine builder who didn't need them as air cooled engines just aren't used for endurance anymore. With these parts and the spec of the rest of the engine we're on for a comfortable and reliable 150 - 160 hp at the wheel. So my aim/hope for a 43 year old nromally aspirated air cooled bike at the same weight and power within a gnat's cock of matching a K1 GSXR1000 is on. He's going to set it up on the dyno for me when it's built. This is on for being a very special bike.

Found the markings on the valve stems, they're kibblewhite black diamond valves. £60 each and there's 49 of them, two sets plus spares. So there's four grand in the pic of valves and springs. Race stuff is stupidly expensive.

It's for two projects so thought it fit better in here. The haul from yesterday's odyssey. Race pistons (75mm), dlc coated valves, kibblewhite springs, big bore barrels, low comp cosworth pistons, beautifully painted cases and various stuff, zinc plated bolts/spindles etc pan widgetspan widgetpan widgetMspan widget

They've gone up since then it's £360 vs £840 or there about but still a large difference.

Another small but important step forward, the V5 arrived in today's post, straight online and declared SORN. The next little hurdle with the DVLA will be to send it back to them with a colour change and get the cc upped from 1000 to 1100.

There are a few makes available, along with the spendy option of having some ground to suit, so I'm after opinions from the collective. 1100 ET engine, ported and flowed head with bigger EF valves, some pretty special 'one off' batch pistons with the bore taken out to 1170, bottom end checked and sorted. It'll be running flat slides with Ignitec ignition and the gasses will be going out via a nice free flowing Cowley. Use will be predominantly road but favouring a track set up. i.e. lots of pressing on enthusiastically and not used for puttering about town. I reckon with the above and the right cams I should be in the 150+ hp range. What're the cam recommendations to suit that scenario?

More meddling about with 'make work' and digging out the unobtainium this morning. Cleaning out threads on the frame, measuring up for brackets and the like. Basically trying to get ahead a bit before stuff starts coming back next week.

I think the only thing I'd add is have a look through the projects section. Quite a few people have done what you're planning, and there are some little variations some of which may suit what you have in mind better than others.

All you need is one or two people looking for a Bakker, Harris etc and they go for silly money. On the other hand, if those one or two people aren't looking they seem to either hang about for ages or sell for half what they started at. I've noticed that there doesn't seem to be as much money between 'boxes of bits' project bikes and ready to ride or show bikes as you'd expect.

Same here, in fact most of the steel special frames I'd only seen in magazines or racing. When you think about it that's not really a surprise given the small numbers made, Harris being the exception and the exception to the exception being the Mag 3. Once things moved on to aluminium there seemed to be a few more kicking about, but even then Bakker are a rare thing in the UK.

It is spendy, but I imagine it'll sell if someone's looking for a special frame. More so if they're after a Bakker as the come up for sale so rarely, especially the early stuff.

There's some right chancers about. The way it's worded though I can't see how they'd make any money from doing it? Maybe it's just one of those data/identity phishing things? Whatever, hopefully karma will kick in and they'll end up with a foreskin full of fibreglass. Haven't you convinced him to sell it to you yet?

Yeah I saw that, not exactly a great scam though. I can't see what e/they are hoping to achieve with it?

The final/actual cut will either be a radius or two angles as it will need to cover the brackets in the corner.