Brad The Bike Boy: January 2010

Monday, January 25, 2010

I was going through my photos...

and found this one of a Tricolore Kit, posssibly my favourite 851 photo. Taken at the Italians at the Museum day 2004. I have another that was taken from a lower angle that is better, but I missed the leading edge of the front wheel and the symetry freak in me won't let me post it because of that.

A Very Cute MV

One of my customers bought his little MV 350 in last week for some work in preparation for some display laps at last weekend's Island Classic at Phillip Island. It was such an attention grabber that I took some photos to share. Originally a 1977 350 twin, it has been modified by ex MV GP race team man Primo Felotti into a visual replica of an old multi GP bike. I'm told the process of convincing him to take on the project was almost as involved as the project itself. A classic "I know a bloke who know's a bloke" sort of thing.

Certainly some very nice work in fabricating custom bodywork, and with some engine mods too. The tacho is redlined at 9,000 rpm, but I wasn't keen on going that high myself on the road test. After the road test we pulled the rego plate

mount and it went to the Island with the classic cafe racer tail piece as it should be.

Brad

The 851

The 400SS

I bought this 400SS (genuine 93 model Australian delivery! Woo hoo huh.) after seeing it in Ebay for what was possibly an good price. As ever, good was too good to be true. Badly repaired and rusted out fuel tank, badly repainted side panels, lots of km (83,000 of the bastards), etc. You know, the usual. Purchased in October 2012, as of now (Jan 2014) I've nearly finished a major service. The cam timing is done with some of the Madasl adjustable pullies that have been drilled in 4 different settings for easy dyno testing. And I have some 900 headers to try a 40mm dual exhaust set up on it (ala M400). Not a great deal of progress for 15 months, so it's taking on a long term feel. There's an F1 endurance style seat base (more taper at the rear) and front fairing sitting around, which will require frame mods to fit. It's a bit of a mental sticking point as this time. But hey, it's not like I can devalue it much more.

The Mighty KR1S 250

How it looked the rainy night someone came to take it away. Painted all black when I bought it, at some point later I realised i could rub the black off and have much of the original colour scheme underneath. Although the main fairing was originally from a red KR1 I think, and definitely badly repaired more than once, so it stayed black. And the tail panel shown was bought to replace the one I smashed the only time I crashed it and the last time I rode it at a Sandown track day. A sensational little bike, holed pistons and frequently failing stator windings aside. The first bike I rode on a race track and the first bike I had my knee down on. And a great commuter too I found. It's sometimes nice to have a bike that won't wheelie past the city speed limit in first gear.

Brad The Bike Boy

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Closed Thursday 28th January

Monday, January 25, 2010

I was going through my photos...

A Very Cute MV