There once was an ugly duckling - The tale of D468ABL

[Shurv]

Let me introduce you to my Airhead,D468ABL, once owned by MickDB1 and also Tarka of this parish. I bought it from Mick I rekon about 3 years ago with a view to build a Dakar Rep. Little did I know..............
Here's a pic. ( I hope) then I started to strip it down to see what I'd got.....oh dear..........it was totally knackered!

 

[Shurv]

I started to take it to bits

 

[Shurv]

The wiring had been butchered as is often the case with old airheads. Also the whole thing was worn out and in a bit of a state.

 

[Mr K]

Apart from the yellow bevel-box, I can't believe ourTarquin is responsible for that.

 

[Rob Farmer]

Apart from the yellow bevel-box, I can't believe ourTarquin is responsible for that.

Mick was riding that a couple of years ago at the East Mids do. The engine sounded very sweet.

 

[Shurv]

There's only one way to go now.........frame off to Moorespeed for a bit of strengthening, vaquablasting and powdercoating. Time to go and talk very nicely to the bank manager

Got the frame back,fitted with some lovely new yolks,I obtained a nice set of 48mm Paoli Kayaba upside down forks,Moorespeed sourced a 320mm Wave disc, a Brembo caliper kit, a Talon hub, an Excel rim and some stainless HD spokes.

Moorespeed added 50mm to the drive shaft and swing arm, moved the shock mount and helped to specify the built to order Wilbers shock.Any guesses as to the paintjob it's going to have when finished?

the final drive was stripped for an overhaul and was found to be completely shagged, so a full rebuild of that was ordered including a nice vaqua blast for that looks like new look.

 

[Shurv]

Rob, I was amazed it ran at all when it all got stripped down,but it ran like a good'un when I bought it off Mick. It was a very tired,but well loved little bike.

 

[chad]

looking good

 

[Paul G (BHT)]

I started to take it to bits

..... Got the frame back,fitted with some lovely new yolks.....

Now that's what I call fast work, 22 minutes from starting to strip to a nice looking rolling frame

Looking good so far Marcus

 

[Shurv]

The gearbox was stripped and found to be full of water!!!, so 3rd and 4th gear had to be replaced along with the new higher 5th.All bearings and seals were also replaced along with a good old vaqua blast. It looked like new when it cameback from Moorespeed. The engine was stripped and blasted and the spec was discussed and agreed with Richie Moore.The plan was always to have a full spec Mooresped engine, I just needed to choose my spec.
The crank was lightened and balanced, I got a set of siebenrock barrels and Moorespeed designed Omega 1000cc pistons, ( Omega make the pistons for the MotoGP Ducati) we specc'd a sport cam,Moorespeed modded airbox, 40mm carbs and a late GS heads which have had 46mm inlet valves fitted and a good gas flowing.
The clutch needed more beef as Moorespeed were finding that even with new OE clutches and beefier springs,they were slipping in 4th and 5th on full throttle.Richie has had a batch made up by Sachs with replacable material,so one for me please.
The cam chain and all other engine internals have been replaced including starter,doide board etc,etc.

 

[Rob Farmer]

 

[Shurv]

It's been 2 years at least,and I'm hoping to get it finished just before Christmas. Has taken me ages to get my arse into gear and sort out all the photo's.My old pc keeled over and it was a job and a half to prise the photo's out of it, as it is I've lost a load. Here's the Sachs racing clutch, just don't ask how much it was........

 

[Mr K]

You're not just "tarting it up a bit" then?

 

[Benjamin M]

Nice bike

 

[Shurv]

It started off as a bit of tart up, but as I took it to bits, it was clear that I may as well got for it as most of it was in need of serious work,and I didn't want to have to keep going back to it. So, I made the decision to do a full on resto with all the go faster mods on a "no expense spared" basis. I wanted to build the bike once,and then enjoy it as essentially a brand new Airhead. I've used all new wiring looms,all new BMW switchgear ( eye wateringly expensive) etc,and will use a small electronic speedo unit to give it the modern look. I was going to buy a new 1200 Adventure with all the bits on when I sold my 1150 2 years ago,but decided to spend my wad on my airhead. I'm still spending............

 

[Toad]

This really is going to be a bit special isn't it?

 

[Shurv]

Here's a couple of the rolling chassis with a few more bit's n bobs fitted. Moorespeed remodelled the centre stand,and it has been powder coated,Moorespeed also straightened ( it was bent - too much luggage!!) the rear subframe and added a nice little rack with some added bracing etc. This was painted in fluoro red as per the swing arm ( as will the plastics) for the works Dakar look. I've had billet bar risers made to fit the Renthal fat bars and am fitting heated grips to keep my pinkies warm.

 

[chad]

jeeze this is making my balls ache looking at that

 

[Crapaud]

Nice bike.

A possible star at next years Airhead Wee-kend?

Proff has probably done a whole box of kleenex over this one so far.

 

[Shurv]

Got the engine back from Moorespeed,Yummy................