Building an HPN lookee likee

Nin

Nin

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Hi folks

I've always wanted to build a Gaston Rahier style Rallyesport bike, and spent many a happy hour poring over the HPN catalogue back in the 90s.

I'm just about to finish off my 1150 SE rebuild project, and looking for the next one I thought I might take the plunge and try to recreate one of these:

a95eb4b7a8a3a68103f3efe5adb5728d.jpg


Has anyone on here built one? Any advice?

Cheers aye

Nin


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I was only at HPN on Wednesday, they are busy with bike builds for the next 3 years! So you've got the right idea to build your own one. Not easy and a lot of work...and money the frame mods alone take forever, but worth it in the end :thumby:





 
I've a better idea - why don't you just chill and ride the 1150SE you just built?:rolleyes:

Apart from anything else, you're making us lazy fcukers look bad.
 
The problem with most of those hpn bikes is they make your 1150 gsa feel like a little moped in terms of physical size.
 
Rob Farmer said:
The problem with most of those hpn bikes is they make your 1150 gsa feel like a little moped in terms of physical size.
Click to expand...

No problem with that Rob! I'm 6'3" and even the old KTM 640 desert racer I had was a wee bit too low.


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stolzy said:
I've a better idea - why don't you just chill and ride the 1150SE you just built?:rolleyes:

Apart from anything else, you're making us lazy fcukers look bad.
Click to expand...

Well the plan is I'll ride that while I build this. Don't worry I'm as lazy as the next tosser when push comes to shove.


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Richie Moore probably takes a bit less than three years, and you might not have to call in person to get to speak to someone.
Isn't as full of BS either - his site is worth a read if you want a rider rather than something to post pics of.
 
Beemerboff said:
Richie Moore probably takes a bit less than three years, and you might not have to call in person to get to speak to someone.
Isn't as full of BS either - his site is worth a read if you want a rider rather than something to post pics of.
Click to expand...

I'm inclined to agree. I'm sure that HPN are very skilled and worthy engineers but nobody seems to be able to get them to do anything within a viable timescale - it seems you just send them loads of money and then they ignore you until they are ready.

Also they seem to be living on past successes whereas RM may have reinvented the wheel to some extent but has also made some big leaps forward using more up to date tech..
 
Beemerboff said:
Richie Moore probably takes a bit less than three years, and you might not have to call in person to get to speak to someone.
Isn't as full of BS either - his site is worth a read if you want a rider rather than something to post pics of.
Click to expand...

Now you're talking, thanks for reminding me. I remember chatting to Richie years ago when I bumped into him at Euroclassics in Northampton.

You're right that site is excellent. I want mine to be more of a tourer than his lightweight racer but the components he makes would be spot on.

Right, whose got a knackered old 100 GS for me to tear down over the winter?


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I had a fascination with this very project .
I have a lot of the Bits sitting on the Bench .
But , whilst reading , maybe here , i remember very distinctly a gent ,whose opinion
i would value ,saying , " I am at odds with all this ,"i think BMW made a perfectly good
bike ,in the R100GS these fancy machines were built with a single minded purpose."

I still value his opinion , and think every time i see one of these threads ,he is still right.

Rob.
 
to be honest apart from brakes and foot pegs it's hard to imagine a better tourer than a 100pd. Lower the foot pegs, fit a set of risers. Make some styling changes and your there.

Paul Rooneys bikes come at it from a different angle and might give some ideas https://rooneycycle.com/cycles/

Of course if you just want a styling exercise then go for it. Something like this would get my vote

F0B1B726-FD16-4E44-BDC6-3CDE1FF4F6A5_zps29gezwe2.jpg
 
We've just got back this evening from a 2500km tour of Spain on our pretty standard 89 100GS. Everytime we do these things we're reminded of the bikes limitations as a road going tourer. This time we took camping stuff as well so fairly heavily laden. As Rob says the brake is a real problem. Needs some more horsepower, desperately, but other than that it's a good bike. Mine has done a fair bit of off tarmac and whilst it's not the most subtle it will plough along/through most things. Modern suspension is obviously going to be a benefit.
 
Just do what I did...for next to bugger all...when I built the LegoBike (especially in Mk 2 format)

Junked the BMW front end and fitted a twin disc XTZ750 front end.

Chopped the struts off the rear subframe,angled the mounting tabs to raise the seat loop,welded in new struts from heavy gauge steam pipe.

Lobbed on a 4" alloy CCM tailpipe with home made outlet spout.

Acerbis tank.

UFO/Polisport plastics.

And.....erm...a 'distinctive' paint job. :D (again...especially in Mk 2 format)
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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