Hi,
just joined the club having recently acquired an 88 at auction. It's fairly non standard and seems to have been a cafe racer at some point. See pic
im hoping a member might know this bike. If so it would be great to hear from you.
cheers,
Pete
Hi Pete, can't help with the…
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Hi Michael,yes we'll…
Hi Michael,
yes well spotted. it's either a pile of random parts chucked together or something that's evolved over the years.
im aware it's an older bottom end. The head is the 650ss type (I believe). It has 1 1/8 inlets which are angled downwards.
The bike came with a pair of 1 1/8 monoblocs which are LH and RH but has since been fitted with an inlet manifold and a single concentric. It also came with an aluminium cafe racer tank, some rear sets and a fibreglass single seat unit.
no idea on the primary cover. It's been suggested that it might have had a belt primary at some point.
i think the tank that's on it now is a newer pattern part. It seems to be fitted low at the front.
First gear also feels a bit high and I'm wondering if it has a close ratio gearbox or perhaps a handful of random gears chucked in.
chances are Ive just bought a bitsa but that's ok with me as it makes it more of a blank canvas than something that should be preserved.
cheers,
Pete
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Looks great
One to ride as is. Looks well assembled. DVLA state first reg as 1988 although1961 manufacture so could be a bitsa or import.
if it's all working as expected, run it, decide what you want from it and then start collecting what parts you need to make it yours.
Nice machine!
j
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Dynamo?
So what other points do we need to consider with a dynamo? You don't have too much electricity so don't think of high power lighting systems! Sticking with a magneto is recommended. The dynamo can support electronic ignition but you have to be careful of EI power consumption and how good your battery is.
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Dynamo output
is not really an issue if you run LED lights. Unless you want to run hand warmers in winter,of course.
What size Concentric is fitted? The 650SS used 1 1/16" Monoblocs, chopped on the right. They are ported 1 1/8" but it was found they ran better with the smaller carb. Your 1 1/8" Monoblocs (389 and 689) would be WAY too big for a 500 - they were fitted to the Atlas until the Concentric came out.
That petrol tank looks very short - could it be a Manxman tank?
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Thanks people. Interesting…
Thanks people. Interesting stuff. Just looked at the Manxman and i do wonder if that's what the tank is. The manxman tank also looks lower at the front. Quite enjoying this detective stuff. I'm quite happy with the dynamo and mag set up on this. The dynamo seems to be working ok (now I've reconnected the regulator) and it has a very new looking BTH electronic magneto with coils.
Im not sure what size the concentric is. I need to take it off and check or at least get the number off it. I've been advised by an ex racer that they used 1 3/16 carbs with an SS head on a 500 but that had a race cam and porting and flowing work on the head.
next job will be try and figure out what cam is in it.
id like to fit a tacho. I'm slowly getting used to the bike and my last ride showed that it really likes to rev but I don't want to blow it up!
Edit - I'm on holiday and not near the bike but found a photo with the carb number. It's 26mm
edit again - no it's not, found a clearer pic. It's 28mm
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Here’s the other side
Shows the tank a bit more closely.
also how do I work out if the silencer is an SS one for the Siamese pipes or just a standard 500 one?
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Hi Pete, can't help with the history of your bike, but it looks like you've got the bones of a good machine there.
Not wishing to come across as a rivet counter, but that dynamo engine is from an earlier bike, as all the slimline twins like yours were equipped with an alternator. Also what's going on with that clutch casing!