Dogbytes' R80 ST project

[Dogbytes]

Would some kind soul have a quick look under their tank, please?

My tank is 350 miles away, with Tunneruk, and I'm about to finalise the position of the electrics. However, it'd be a pain to do so and then find the tank doesn't fit over them!

This is how far they stick out. If someone could measure from the the top tube to the furthest point on standard electrics, that would be most helpful.

If they don't fit in the original position, I'll put them in the seat hump with the oils breather tank (which I haven't made yet!).

 

[Dogbytes]

Battery box. Paint? Polish & lacquer? Not sure yet. It can stay as it is for now.

It fits over the gearbox.

 

[Beemerboff]

What tank are you using ? - on my 93 GS there is a component in that location which is level with the top of the tube and sticks out 60 mm, and behind it another around 5 mm lower and 70 mm wide.

But the underside of the tank is not the same both sides - on that RHS side it turns up 20 mm past the fuel tap and is more or less vertical for the full height. On the other side it goes vertical for around 70 mm then steps in around 70 mm. My G/S PD looks / feels similar but it is on the bike and I filled it up on the way home and I find it a bit too heavy to lift off when full with my bad back , and shoulders, and wrists-------.

My /7 is a bit different , so the change in the underside might have come in with the electronics ignition, but I dont know for certain.

 

[Dogbytes]

What tank are you using ? - on my 93 GS there is a component in that location which is level with the top of the tube and sticks out 60 mm, and behind it another around 5 mm lower and 70 mm wide.

But the underside of the tank is not the same both sides - on that RHS side it turns up 20 mm past the fuel tap and is more or less vertical for the full height. On the other side it goes vertical for around 70 mm then steps in around 70 mm. My G/S PD looks / feels similar but it is on the bike and I filled it up on the way home and I find it a bit too heavy to lift off when full with my bad back , and shoulders, and wrists-------.

My /7 is a bit different , so the change in the underside might have come in with the electronics ignition, but I dont know for certain.

Thanks. I'm using the tank from an R45/65. I imagine any tank originally fitted to a Monoleverwould be roughly the same underneath - with the extra clearance for the electrics brackets.

 

[Rob Farmer]

I had to take a hammer to the underside of my r65 tank to get it to clear the electrics bracket. The tanks longer then the St tank so you may have an issue with the standard securing hoop.

I need an St tank. Is yours up for sale?

 

[Dogbytes]

I had to take a hammer to the underside of my r65 tank to get it to clear the electrics bracket. The tanks longer then the St tank so you may have an issue with the standard securing hoop.

I need an St tank. Is yours up for sale?

The tank fits fine without the boxes on the bracket. I took the standard brackets off my frame and welded in two bosses which hold the aluminium panel you can see in the pics. I can't take a hammer to it now - CT would take a hammer to me!
I'm not using the standard rear fastening anyway - the frame bracing is in the way (isn't it always!).

Sorry. Unfortunately, I don't have the standard tank - I gave it away years ago. Pity real, I'd have liked a twin outlet one.

 

[Dogbytes]

The little things take forever. Today I've messed about with the switch panel - and I'm not happy with it, so I'm not showing you a pic.

The other thing I wasn't happy with was the lower fairing/oil-cooler mount. I've made another one of those - so I will post a pic of that!

I've ordered the oil-cooler pipes and fittings and I decided to make my own throttle cables, so I've ordered a kit from Venhill.

I've also, finally, done my best to decide which bits I need to make the exhaust and ordered them. The downside is that they could take up to two weeks to arrive from Chris Tullett Exhausts. That is a bit of a f**k up on my part, actually, but I imagined that that kind of thing would be a stock item...

Chris Tunbridge is up to his eyes in it, at the moment, and is then off on holiday - so he can't get to this project until early September. I'm tempted to go get the bodywork from him - just do we can all have a look at it fitted to the bike

 

[Dogbytes]

Switch box, mk. 2.

Two lengths of 25x25x2mm alu box section, stacked. Cut to match the length of the battery box, to which it will be attached.
Having cut it to length I've marked it and cut away the mating faces. This will allow space for the switches.
I pilot drilled the holes where the switches will be fitted but didn't drill the holes to size - just to avoid any distortion due to the heat when welding the two parts together.

The box will contain the following switches, from front to back:
Horn button.
Ignition map switch (Position A - Sunoco 102 race fuel. Position B - 97 RON pump fuel).
Ignition on/off.
Starter button.

 

[Dogbytes]

Today I received a pair of DIY throttle cables from Venhill - got to put them together but that looks simple enough.
I also got the bits to put together the oil-cooler hoses - they're a pain in the ass because braided hoses are spikey!
And, finally, the oil breather hose - which means I have one less excuse not to make the catch tank.

I have to say that sometimes I catch sight of the bike from a different angle and it does look pretty - IMHO

 

[Dogbytes]

It always makes me smile when you look at track bikes, they're generally as rough as hell. Richie was saying they don't even bother to paint the frames on their race bikes and run them as bare steel.

Point taken - for the switch box, I thought I'd go a bit Shinya Kimura yard built chic!

 

[charlie b]

I have to say that sometimes I catch sight of the bike from a different angle and it does look pretty - IMHO

I rather think that it does... 'specially in black and white..!

 

[Rob Farmer]

Point taken - for the switch box, I thought I'd go a bit Shinya Kimura yard built chic!

 

[Dogbytes]

Collecting the tank, seat and fairing from Chris Tunbridge tomorrow. Pics of it assembled to the bike will follow on Wednesday.

Unless, of course, I have one of my nocturnal photo sessions like when I got the engine back!

 

[Dogbytes]

The paintwork is absolutely gorgeous. Cheers Chris

It's been a long day but I couldn't resist 'offering the bodywork up' just so's you lot can have a look. The iPhone pics in the dim workshop don't do it justice - but here it is anyway...

 

[Rob Farmer]

Black and white!!!! FFS!!

 

[(RIP) Tunneruk]

Black and white!!!! FFS!!

I can't wait for you to see the colour versions ......

 

[Dogbytes]

Hey, if people want to see the colours in the background, who are we to stand in their way

 

[(RIP) Tunneruk]

Nice to meet you today fella!

 

[fayeslane]

Looking good.

It's a shame you blokes are stuck with those huge, ugly rego plates, my BBQ plate is smaller

 

[Dogbytes]

Looking good.

It's a shame you blokes are stuck with those huge, ugly rego plates, my BBQ plate is smaller

So is mine!

The number plate bracket detaches very quickly and it'll only be on there for road use. Many people use smaller, illegal plates and in a lot of places the police don't make too much of a fuss about it. The plate in the pic is actually the one it's had from new.