Hi Charlie. Well, the main intention is to get there and do at least one run. The bike's been so many different things (it was a trike last year) and I couldn't think what to do next....until Oz came to stay, so the rebuild into a Salt Flats Racer will be its last re-incarnation, and if it throws a rod I don't care, but having said that, I actually do intend taking it as fast as possible, and a few tuning goodies are in the post to me.
Right, back to today. I've been scanning eBay for a decent set of forks and a pair of wire spoked wheels, but the Japs phased them out years ago and started using mags, which just wouldn't look right. To top it all the rear wheel had to be chain drive. The problem with eBay is either everything is hundreds of miles away, or the only people who might have what I want are far too expensive. However, Sunday brought some luck, a complete set of Suzuki GS550 forks in bits, less wheel, for free, and only 20 miles away, leftovers from my mates Chop build. He also threw in a pile of calipers and a fork brace, plus a brand new Harley Kehein CV carb, exactly what I was looking for, and the price? FREE! That's what mates are for.
Monday, I decided to visit a local bike breakers. I knew he had no wheels, but there were other parts I needed. On the way out of town I stopped off at my local car breakers for a chat with one of the lads, and couldn't believe my eyes, sat in a shed was an accident damaged Honda Shadow, and it was fitted with good wire wheels, and as a bonus was chain drive. After a little haggling the were mine (complete with good tyres) for £60 or $86.
Today I spent 5 hours on the lathe making a spindle and spacers for the front wheel, and now it's a perfect fit in the Suzuki forks, and I can start thinking about building the frame.