Cafe racer rebuild and restoration.

[knumbnutz]

Alex, ping me the link to the images, I really want to have another closer look !

Plenty of like to my set up on FB, I freshened up my swing bearings recently and posted photos of dimensions and the build requirements...had plenty of interest.
Being able to mod the Ol Rex is one of the main reasons to stay with the model too.
Like you suggest Niel, the single sided swing arm won't drop your track times much, but they look real nice.

[knumbnutz]

Frame welded up and bottom frame lugs welded on, just gotta do the top ones now and make the rear tank mounts.
I have an R6 Radiator to go on so just have to cut the frame lugs off and then remount them. That should be just about all for the frame, it can be sprayed then.

[Tarwetijger]

hehe.... i dont do mild conversions Robert. If i am going to customise, i dont hold back.

I see.

How did the wheels etc go ? I hope they are ok for you

Well yeah they are still waiting in a corner, for replacing the bearings. Rear rim won't be a problem but the front rim needs to fit my YZF750R forks. I hope I can do this with some special bearings and custom made bushes, otherwise I have a problem (already sold my 3-spoke Marvic front wheel).
And I will get them powdercoated, already found a good address for that.
But first get the current project finished (SZR660)!

[cobbadiggabuddyblooo]

Hey Robert,
Just do a simple axle mod like I did on the R1 forks I fitted.
Got an idea the dt 250 swing arm axle may be a 17mm.
It's longer than the std trx axle then had a bush welded on the bolt head end of the axle ( in your case 25mm) so 1 fork taken care of.

A separate (25 od 17id) bush was made that slips into the axle section of the other fork so when the 17mm axle slips in, the other end is tightened just like a rear wheel axle with a nut on the outside.
You don't use the internal thread in the fork leg to tighten in place.
There are photos of it on my rebuild thread.
Just had wheel spacers made to fill the gaps either side to centre it all.

Your not modding the wheel at all or the forks, just making an axle and bushes to do the job so easy to run any trx ftont wheel or replacement yzf 750 fork incase of a bingle.
You can always just run your std yzf axle and wheel too if need be.

[Tarwetijger]

Sorry knumbnutZ for hijacking your topic but that does sound like a really interesting option Brian, thank you for that! I might even have some old axles laying around so I will give it a look.

[cobbadiggabuddyblooo]

This is the modded axle I run...

[knumbnutz]

awesome Brian, no problem Robert. More info the better for all of us

[knumbnutz]

quick mock up

[alextrx850]

I don't mind the way that looks.
Not too high and allowing the under seat exhaust to fit in with origional brackets..
What colour will it be finished in ?
Still have the vfr swing and rc36 wheel I see.

[knumbnutz]

Hi Alex, Yeah I wasnt sure that the lines were right, but after seeing it with the seat, its ok, I think the lines work. I wasnt keen on remaking the bottom mounts so its good it worked out.
Yeah, Can't quite make up mind about exhaust, but it would certainly be ok to run under the seat !

The swingarm and wheel are for sale ???? anyone????

I think I will go Black and Gold, Black tank and some gold bits here and there..
Theres a bit of carbon fibre, but the subframe and wheels are black and are in good condition, so I dont want to paint unless necessary..

I don't mind the way that looks.
Not too high and allowing the under seat exhaust to fit in with origional brackets..
What colour will it be finished in ?
Still have the vfr swing and rc36 wheel I see.

[dicky]

The swingarm and wheel are for sale ???? anyone????

How much work is needed to fit the swingarm to the TRX chassis?
I'm contemplating doing a SSSA mod, the ones I've seen with the VFR bits look pretty good to me.
Seeing your frame sitting there, and having been to VicRoads register another TRX today, I have to wonder how much more we could do to a bike before we would have to tick the 'modified' box on the rego form
The frame and engine number don't change, but there's fsck all left of the original bike.

[knumbnutz]

Youre right there mate.
Theres a little bit of work to be done, nothing too hard as Alex has the same wheel and swingarm fitted to his bike !

[cobbadiggabuddyblooo]

Yes but Alex purchased the bike with it already set up.
Go on Dicky, take the plunge and post up the progress and what machining is needed to fit it all up for all to learn.

Or go down this route and make your own.
This is a YZF 750 rear swing arm that has been modded to a single sided style.
Bit rough looking but could easily be done a bit tidier to a std trx swing arm with a bit of bracing and a little thought.
Just change to a 25mm axle.
At least your wheel alignment, swing arm length, suspension and chain alignment wont be an issue.
You can fit it up with a nice light weight wheel if need be too.

[dicky]

Go on Dicky, take the plunge and post up the progress and what machining is needed to fit it all up for all to learn.

Maybe I will.
I've got grandad's Black and Decker drill, (you have to spin the chuck by hand to get it started otherwise it blows the circuit breakers, I think the brushes my be a bit worn) and a couple of old saw horses I picked up from the back of Greensborough Tech when it closed down, so I reckon I'm right for tools and such.
My biggest problem would be time.
I'm being chased by my ex-employer and their biggest competitor to go and work for them.
How the hell can I enjoy all of this beaut Aussie summer weather if I have to work?
If I stay unemployed I can get a free ticket to TAFE to learn all the machining stuff I'd need to do this sort of conversion.
Working is a mug's game.

That said, I'd not be comfortable with a single sided rear end that has the brake and drive sprocket on opposite side of the wheel!
Are those pics for real?

[knumbnutz]

Quick update.
Had a few hours play time tonight aa was able to make the rear tank mounts.
Firstly I measured and made paper templates and then used the template to mark out the steel. Cut the steel plate with a hacksaw and welded it in place. I then made a small cross brace/tank rest so that the tank can be lifted back on the pivot in the upright position.
Pics below.