the ratchop project UPDATE, CBA to add another wheel

[virus]

as some of you may know, in January i picked up some parts for a project, after killing my old gpz750 rat fighter I wanted something matt black and loud to replace it with and considering Ive been wanting a hard tail for 3 years I got on with it.

This build is a major bits bike, after having read the MSVA guidelines this is basically as modified as I can go without having to re register it (thanks to the strutted hard tail not permanent). Anyways, plenty of pictures were taken along the way so here ya go, this is how to build a ratchop from random parts and get it mot'd for a total cost of 240 quid.

https://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg307/virusjohn/the%20vulture/S8000480.jpg
The starting parts pile, Honda cb650 custom frame, Yamaha XJ600 pre diversion lump.

https://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg307/virusjohn/the%20vulture/S8000481.jpg
The frame put into a rolling chassis with a gpz1100 petrol tank on to have a look.

https://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg307/virusjohn/the%20vulture/Image006.jpg
Engine crammed into the frame to see what mods need doing.

https://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg307/virusjohn/the%20vulture/slug1.jpg
Heavy duty slugs put into the frame cradle to repair a previously done cradle stretch.

https://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg307/virusjohn/the%20vulture/framefixed.jpg
Frame fixed, raised top tube brace to enable valve cover to be removed without having to drop the lump.

https://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg307/virusjohn/the%20vulture/engine.jpg
Time to start the build.

https://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg307/virusjohn/the%20vulture/mockup2.jpg
And after a days work we get a rough bike shaped thing, Note the gpz750r front wheel from my old rat, decided I wanted 16 inch front and back so I ended up using the entire front end, thankfully one of the lecturers at college was able to turn me up a new stem to enable me to use standard cb650 bearings.

https://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg307/virusjohn/the%20vulture/trimmedseatbase.jpg
Seat base trimmed to suit.

https://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg307/virusjohn/the%20vulture/tankmount.jpg
New petrol tank mount made to suit gpz1100 tank.

https://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg307/virusjohn/the%20vulture/gaffaseat.jpg
Bit of foam and some gaffa tape and a seat is made.

https://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg307/virusjohn/the%20vulture/mockup3.jpg
Frontend is finally installed and a rear mudguard made.

https://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg307/virusjohn/the%20vulture/idiotlights.jpg
Idiot lights mounted in tank recess.

https://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg307/virusjohn/the%20vulture/fairingmk1.jpg
VW beetle mk1 headlight lens mounted up, indicators and ignition sorted, old gallon oil container used as a headlight fairing.

https://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg307/virusjohn/the%20vulture/ridersview.jpg
Quick action throttle and switchgear mounted, speedo very roughly dropped in place.

https://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg307/virusjohn/the%20vulture/frombehind.jpg
Matt black added, rear lights sorted, exhaust fitted and a sissy bar added for anyone daft enough to ride pillion with me.

https://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg307/virusjohn/the%20vulture/battery.jpg
18amphour sealed battery from a golf cart fitted for extra cranking power and to feed the monster headlight.

And a matter of a few days after that, she roared into life and was ride able to the MOT bay, passed with 3 advisories, note speedo buried in tank under the idiot lights, I'll get a better picture soon of the new speedo, that one broke.
https://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg307/virusjohn/the%20vulture/MOT1.jpg
https://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg307/virusjohn/the%20vulture/premot1.jpg


So thats how I (with a lot of help from college at certain stages, some new ground for me) managed to build a hardtail ratchop for 240 quid, got some testing mileage on her already and im loving it.

Its also going to be on display at the BMF peterborough show, and will be making an attendance at the UXB rat show the weekend after, if anyone spots me there say hi.


Cheers
John
____________________
own: 81 xs1100g...
owned: 85 rat CG (sold), 91 GS500e (stolen), 84 gsx400f (scrapped), 81 z250 (siezed, siezed, scrapped), 83 cb250rs (sold), 84 gpz750r ratfighter (killed) 84gpz400 (sold), '80 cb650 ratfighter (wrote off) 95gsx6/12f ratfighter (killed) 91 xj900 (sold)
stinkwheel Well I just had my hands up a pigs fanny. Which makes your concerns pale into insignificance.

[CarlosCBR]

Excellent, bet that sounds awesome. What were the advisories for?

[virus]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fNaiZ1pc1Q

Sorry for poor quality, filmed on my mobile.

Advisories for worn final drive chain, slight warping of front brake disks and 'many homemade mods to this motorcycle', my testers way of covering my arse making sure the police know it was MOT'd like that and considered legal.


Cheers
John
____________________
own: 81 xs1100g...
owned: 85 rat CG (sold), 91 GS500e (stolen), 84 gsx400f (scrapped), 81 z250 (siezed, siezed, scrapped), 83 cb250rs (sold), 84 gpz750r ratfighter (killed) 84gpz400 (sold), '80 cb650 ratfighter (wrote off) 95gsx6/12f ratfighter (killed) 91 xj900 (sold)
stinkwheel Well I just had my hands up a pigs fanny. Which makes your concerns pale into insignificance.

[Charlie]

Impressive! How does it handle?
____________________
Past: Honda x8rs, Honda City fly, Honda Hornet 250, Honda VFR750, Yamaha xt600e.
Current: Honda CBR929RR & Yamaha XT660Z Tenere

[virus]

erm, bit twitchy...

Me and liam (mac_kaliba) went for a hoon on sunday and he seemed a bit scared about how much the arse ends twitches, I put it down to the fact i was giving it some on a gravely road, quick action throttle and downgearing makes it a fairly agressive bugger for a 90s commuter bike engine. drops into corners just perfectly though and hardtail is surprisingly not as uncomfortable as it sounds, just have to remember to slow down for speed bumps. Also have air assisted front supsension so Im going to put a bit more air in that and see if that makes it a bit less twitchy.



Cheers
John
____________________
own: 81 xs1100g...
owned: 85 rat CG (sold), 91 GS500e (stolen), 84 gsx400f (scrapped), 81 z250 (siezed, siezed, scrapped), 83 cb250rs (sold), 84 gpz750r ratfighter (killed) 84gpz400 (sold), '80 cb650 ratfighter (wrote off) 95gsx6/12f ratfighter (killed) 91 xj900 (sold)
stinkwheel Well I just had my hands up a pigs fanny. Which makes your concerns pale into insignificance.

[Frost]

The engine out of my last bike. Pants low down power delivery, but surprisingly revvy for an old commuter engine!

[Carl_steveo]

That looks awesome, where do I get one.
____________________
Current: Honda Nsr 125
Live: Sunderland
Luke "cant be arsed to read your post, but suck my balls anyway."

[chris-red]

It looks hideous, well done
____________________
Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

[twotakt]

I appreciate (some) of the work but not the result, fair play for doing it though.
____________________
R.I.P. Tareree Shiimi, 1985-2008

[Matt06]

Looks pretty awesome. Better than I expected!
____________________
Current: MT-10, Bandit, Grom, GPZ500
Previous: YBR125, GSXR400, ZXR400, MT-03, NTV650, R6, z750, ZX6R, MT-09

[Mac_Black]

[D O G]

First off, sweet project, impressively knocked up in your back yard!

[neatbik]

The rules are a bit vague (as much as i can work out anyway), tbh i'm just going to MOT, tax and insure it then ride it

[virus]

Liam, she is back in action, epic rusty diorheaa in the tank got into the carbs when she hit reserve, which made her go so lean she backfired and set the filters on fire. All cleaned out and back to how she was on sunday now.

DOG, the rules are very vauge, but basically any permanent drastic changes to frame (a foot of removable box section is not...) means it should be re registered, however with nicks CG i highly doubt its going to be a problem, a combination of small bike, friendly mot tester and the limmited miles he's going to put in means he's got the right idea, keep it registered as is.



Cheers
John
____________________
own: 81 xs1100g...
owned: 85 rat CG (sold), 91 GS500e (stolen), 84 gsx400f (scrapped), 81 z250 (siezed, siezed, scrapped), 83 cb250rs (sold), 84 gpz750r ratfighter (killed) 84gpz400 (sold), '80 cb650 ratfighter (wrote off) 95gsx6/12f ratfighter (killed) 91 xj900 (sold)
stinkwheel Well I just had my hands up a pigs fanny. Which makes your concerns pale into insignificance.

[The999Kid]

[L4Isoside]

Hey, did you go through Worcester today, at about 2pm? I swear i saw that exact bike (and the noticed the headlight cover )

Was a very cool bike!

[virus]

Yup, been on a go slow day today mind, need to refit the front mudguard to stop it throwing rain water directly upwards at me constantly, damn thing.


Cheers
John
____________________
own: 81 xs1100g...
owned: 85 rat CG (sold), 91 GS500e (stolen), 84 gsx400f (scrapped), 81 z250 (siezed, siezed, scrapped), 83 cb250rs (sold), 84 gpz750r ratfighter (killed) 84gpz400 (sold), '80 cb650 ratfighter (wrote off) 95gsx6/12f ratfighter (killed) 91 xj900 (sold)
stinkwheel Well I just had my hands up a pigs fanny. Which makes your concerns pale into insignificance.

[nightshaddow]

hey virus love the bike, not quite my style but for price very nice job, one question, the battery are you using one battery or is that a second battery to aid the first?
____________________
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN 100 MPH THATS IMPOSSIBLE Its chinese OFFICER."
Current rides CB 125 TDE(the next project) NS125RK ( now on the road ) CB125TDC (soon to be project 17) melody ( the nephews )

[virus]

thats one battery, 12v18ah sealed unit from a golf buggy, plenty of spare electricities for any random accessories i feel like fitting.

Cheers
John
____________________
own: 81 xs1100g...
owned: 85 rat CG (sold), 91 GS500e (stolen), 84 gsx400f (scrapped), 81 z250 (siezed, siezed, scrapped), 83 cb250rs (sold), 84 gpz750r ratfighter (killed) 84gpz400 (sold), '80 cb650 ratfighter (wrote off) 95gsx6/12f ratfighter (killed) 91 xj900 (sold)
stinkwheel Well I just had my hands up a pigs fanny. Which makes your concerns pale into insignificance.

[Mr D]

Given the surroundings and for your effort I salute you.
____________________
Getting it done!

[ttr]

haha, way cool
____________________
GS125-> NT400->VFR400->CRM250->Z750 + GS125->NTV650 rat + VMX1200->GSF600 + GPz550

[virus]

Well as rally season is kicking in its time to ressurect the old beer trailer. Its going to require a bit of modification and wiring it back in is going to be a pain, but its going to be damn useful.

https://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg307/virusjohn/the%20vulture/trailermockup.jpg


Hopefully she will be finished for the BMF peterbrough show next weekend (she is on display on the riders digest stand) so I can take plenty of cider.

Cheers
John
____________________
own: 81 xs1100g...
owned: 85 rat CG (sold), 91 GS500e (stolen), 84 gsx400f (scrapped), 81 z250 (siezed, siezed, scrapped), 83 cb250rs (sold), 84 gpz750r ratfighter (killed) 84gpz400 (sold), '80 cb650 ratfighter (wrote off) 95gsx6/12f ratfighter (killed) 91 xj900 (sold)
stinkwheel Well I just had my hands up a pigs fanny. Which makes your concerns pale into insignificance.

[imanupstart]

Look forward to seeing your bike in the flesh next week Good job mate it looks awesome.

[virus]

Karma to you if you can get some decent pictures of it with the trailer behind it, My decent camera has broken and as you can see a 2mp phone camera leaves a lot to be desired.


Cheers
John
____________________
own: 81 xs1100g...
owned: 85 rat CG (sold), 91 GS500e (stolen), 84 gsx400f (scrapped), 81 z250 (siezed, siezed, scrapped), 83 cb250rs (sold), 84 gpz750r ratfighter (killed) 84gpz400 (sold), '80 cb650 ratfighter (wrote off) 95gsx6/12f ratfighter (killed) 91 xj900 (sold)
stinkwheel Well I just had my hands up a pigs fanny. Which makes your concerns pale into insignificance.

[CarlosCBR]

Will probably see you there! Im leaving in a couple of hours with a bunch of mates and camping the weekend!