Project Varatrackerstorm or Firetrackerdero.

[Varastorm]

What an amazing find

Another option if you're not getting maximum rev's, is to use one twin choke carb per cylinder Not that you want to be making new inlet manifolds I'm sure

Chris.

Now that's a thought

I did a similar thing years ago Chris, I made a 4 into 2 manifold for a pair of Dhla Dellorto 40's for an old mini.

I made it from stainless, it was smart too. Never tried it on an engine though & eventually binned it in a council skip Air speed would be too slow for atomisation apparently

It was 1987 & love was in the air... Women, more trouble than any friggin manifolds Ill tell ya

[sirch345]

What an amazing find

Another option if you're not getting maximum rev's, is to use one twin choke carb per cylinder Not that you want to be making new inlet manifolds I'm sure

Chris.

Now that's a thought

I did a similar thing years ago Chris, I made a 4 into 2 manifold for a pair of Dhla Dellorto 40's for an old mini.

I made it from stainless, it was smart too. Never tried it on an engine though & eventually binned it in a council skip Air speed would be too slow for atomisation apparently

It was 1987 & love was in the air... Women, more trouble than any friggin manifolds Ill tell ya

those were the day's, they just went too quick

Getting back to your project, see how the bike goes with what you have already, if it starts to run out of steam at higher rev's, see if it's a huge problem first would be my thoughts. At least you have plenty of options carb-wise now

Chris.

[fabiostar]

just a curved ball here. have you checked out any Lectron carbs? as in from race bikes of yore . they run a powerjet system that for want of a better way of putting it, give the engine an extra juice boost.

[Varastorm]

Getting back to your project, see how the bike goes with what you have already, if it starts to run out of steam at higher rev's, see if it's a huge problem first would be my thoughts. At least you have plenty of options carb-wise now

Chris.

That's the plan Chris, tbh the bike will only be a toy. I'll use it to go around the Island & if it behaves, maybe attempt the odd track day.

I'm quite happy with my carb selection & hopefully one of them will work well, but those 50's were a little bit too expensive this time of year

Once I dig the plasma cutter from under the tree & strip the wrapping off it, there'll be no stopping me

The friggin battery box will be a thing of the past, well.. hopefully

just a curved ball here. have you checked out any Lectron carbs? as in from race bikes of yore . they run a powerjet system that for want of a better way of putting it, give the engine an extra juice boost.

Double curve (loop) ball Fab, if I find that these carbs will not work

I'm going to be looking into Turbo charging

Back in the day , I used to have a Renault 5 Turbo. I did a lot to it & it was a proper laff.

The design was a simple blow through carb arrangement. From turbo to intercooler to carb, job done. Sorting ignition retardation to avoid detonation might be a problem

With all the tools I've had over the last year it should be possible. I've already got an eBay search for a Renault 5 Turbo turbo

Never mind Pikey Hoarder, is there such a thing as a Carbaholic

Oh well, back to tackling charity muggers & buying stuff no one really needs. Aka Christmas shopping

[fabiostar]

i know a few car hoarders used to be into 5 turbos so il have a word in a few ears...

what about Toyota startlet turbos? or Fiat uno units?

[sirch345]

Getting back to your project, see how the bike goes with what you have already, if it starts to run out of steam at higher rev's, see if it's a huge problem first would be my thoughts. At least you have plenty of options carb-wise now

Chris.

That's the plan Chris, tbh the bike will only be a toy. I'll use it to go around the Island & if it behaves, maybe attempt the odd track day.

I'm quite happy with my carb selection & hopefully one of them will work well, but those 50's were a little bit too expensive this time of year

Once I dig the plasma cutter from under the tree & strip the wrapping off it, there'll be no stopping me

The friggin battery box will be a thing of the past, well.. hopefully

Ah the first sign's of positive thinking on the battery box

just a curved ball here. have you checked out any Lectron carbs? as in from race bikes of yore . they run a powerjet system that for want of a better way of putting it, give the engine an extra juice boost.

Double curve (loop) ball Fab, if I find that these carbs will not work

I'm going to be looking into Turbo charging

Back in the day , I used to have a Renault 5 Turbo. I did a lot to it & it was a proper laff.

The design was a simple blow through carb arrangement. From turbo to intercooler to carb, job done. Sorting ignition retardation to avoid detonation might be a problem

With all the tools I've had over the last year it should be possible. I've already got an eBay search for a Renault 5 Turbo turbo

Never mind Pikey Hoarder, is there such a thing as a Carbaholic

Oh well, back to tackling charity muggers & buying stuff no one really needs. Aka Christmas shopping

Chris.

[Varastorm]

Progress is super slow atm, life & weather have been a bit rubbish.

So I've found comfort in good ole eBay.

Walla..









It's a 1944 Myford M type.

I always wanted a lathe, but with them being so big'n heavy & usually miles away I never thought it would ever happen.

Then I saw this, the previous owner has converted it to 3 phase with an inverter & it runs so smooth.

We carried it down to the shed & feck me it's heavy. More than likley it'll hardley get used, but when I need one it's there.

All thats needed now is room for it

[Varastorm]

I have been busy, just not on the tracker project. I had too many jobses going on & every time I worked on the tracker I felt guilty.

So I have been doing some motorbike house keeping

I fitted a new (£60 Chinese) radiator to the Cbr600 which led to blowtorch medical attention to all the exhaust studs & a major carb overhaul. Job done & now runs like a watch again. Tick.

I also sorted out the Varadero's rear saggy ass shock issue once & for all. The Varadero (Project Varastorm) is now officially completed, bar fitting the new battery. So that's also sorted & runs like a watch too. Tick.

All that's left to do is make room for the Lathe which'll require some nicer weather to aid a major "Handy stuff/Pikey hoard" movement & it'll be all systems go.

I think

[Varastorm]

Right then, many moons ago I mentioned making a shortened twin shock swingarm from steel.

This was my original idea.

I originally was going to copy the internal dimentions of the Vtr swingarm pivots & turn down some metal rings/pivots so original bearings & oil seals could be fitted.

Then copy/use a say an old Cbr600f3 swingarm arm for the simple chain adjusters. After all they're only rectangle box section with slots milled on them. If the Cbr arms are no good, I was going to make some new arms from rectangle box & use the lathe to mill the adjustment slots in them.

Then weld it all together.

But, last night I came across this.



It's a steel 2011'ish Cbf 1000 swingarm. I've measured & cross referenced as many things as I can & think it might work.

It's going to get chopped narrowed shorten widened... but it pivots the same way as the Vtr/Varadero on 20mm bearings for a shaft. The pivot bearings should be fit for the job & I've just had the adjusters that fit it also.



I'm not sure what brake will be used & it could be another waste of time & money, but it's only cost me £30 all in

[alanfjones1411]

You certainly are a busy man.

[fabiostar]

top class lathe porn may i say..


so you can see the light at the end of that LONG tunnel

pictures or it didnt happen

[AMCQ46]

cant beat having a lathe in the shed, I got one just before Christmas.

but I bought something a fair bit smaller based on available room in shed and the reality that I will only use it for spacers and smaller items. ... I am not going to be doing flywheels, we have Fabio for that

for some reason I would rather have a 1930 british bit of kit than a modern Chinese toy, but I thoink that same philosophy shows up on all of in this forum....... otherwise we wouldn't be modifying VTRs

[fabiostar]

cant beat having a lathe in the shed, I got one just before Christmas.

but I bought something a fair bit smaller based on available room in shed and the reality that I will only use it for spacers and smaller items. ... I am not going to be doing flywheels, we have Fabio for that

for some reason I would rather have a 1930 british bit of kit than a modern Chinese toy, but I thoink that same philosophy shows up on all of in this forum....... otherwise we wouldn't be modifying VTRs

how very true Al.... old is best and that goes for bikes/lathes/women. oh maybe not that last one lol

what did you get? lathe wise

[sirch345]

Progress is super slow atm, life & weather have been a bit rubbish.

So I've found comfort in good ole eBay.

Walla..









It's a 1944 Myford M type.

I always wanted a lathe, but with them being so big'n heavy & usually miles away I never thought it would ever happen.

Then I saw this, the previous owner has converted it to 3 phase with an inverter & it runs so smooth.

We carried it down to the shed & feck me it's heavy. More than likley it'll hardley get used, but when I need one it's there.

All thats needed now is room for it

What another lathe owner, brilliant

cant beat having a lathe in the shed, I got one just before Christmas.

but I bought something a fair bit smaller based on available room in shed and the reality that I will only use it for spacers and smaller items. ... I am not going to be doing flywheels, we have Fabio for that

for some reason I would rather have a 1930 british bit of kit than a modern Chinese toy, but I thoink that same philosophy shows up on all of in this forum....... otherwise we wouldn't be modifying VTRs

And you too Al, excellent

Not that I'm envious or anything

Chris.

[Varastorm]

What lathes have you guys got then? Any top tips about tools or methods etc?

Those pictures of the lathe are from the sellers shed, you'd give me a right talking to if you saw it in mine

He also chucked in a load of "handy " stuff with it too. Things like a 4 jaw chuck, centres for the tailstock, dti gauge, whole set of new carbide tipped tools, the old motor & cast iron wheel/tensioner stuff & many more bits.

He also gave me a book called "The Amateur's Lathe" by Lawrence H. Sparey" cracking read" so much so that I get cramp in my legs after a good ole crap

I've just received a cheap magnetic dti gauge from ebay & a more expensive American item is on the way.

I initially bought just the lathe with the old electrics, but when I went to see it & saw it in action hooked up to the modern motor & inverter gizmo that I just had to have it. In his shed I came to the conclusion that he knew a lot more about lathes & electrics than me. He'd also put a lot of thought & work into this upgrade & it must of been for a reason.

The long (30 paces) to the car was difficult, in the car the conversation went a little like this..

Hi love, sorry, I didn't realise I'd been there over an hour..... Really nice guy, yeah.... he's also got some other bits for sale........ I was thinking....... if I/we don't get it all as a unit I'll/we'll regret it later..... how lucky I/we were going be to own such a fantastic life changing machine....

I also had to promise a heap of other things, but hay ho, I/we got ourselves a lathe