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Bikegeezer
Gear Head
Joined: Dec 26, 2007
Posts: 1283
Location: Scottsdale, Arizona
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 Posted: Tue Nov 02, 2010 7:51 am Post subject: Odd project |
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I'm restoring a non-Japanese bike for a customer. Anyone care to guess what it is?
Stu
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mixer
Commuter
Joined: May 28, 2009
Posts: 423
Location: chicago area
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| Posted: Tue Nov 02, 2010 9:07 am Post subject: |
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British?.... A65? first guess...
THEN i had to REALLY look deep....
VERY nice... a J.P.N.!
rumor is theres only 55 of these though! |
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Bikegeezer
Gear Head
Joined: Dec 26, 2007
Posts: 1283
Location: Scottsdale, Arizona
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| Posted: Tue Nov 02, 2010 10:33 am Post subject: |
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Good guess, but it's not that late model JPN. It's one of the originals from the '70s.
Stu
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fxray
Commuter
Joined: Aug 28, 2009
Posts: 272
Location: Central IL
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| Posted: Tue Nov 02, 2010 10:43 am Post subject: |
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Stu, Motorcycle Classics just did an article on JPN's. It is in their July/August issue, in case you haven't seen it. They have some good pics in there. Here's their info table from the article:
Years produced: 1974
Total production: 200 (est)
Claimed power: 50hp@5,900rpm
Top speed 115mph (est)
Engine type: 828cc air cooled OHV parallel twin
Weight dry: 435 lb (198kg)
Price then: $2,995
Price now: $8,000 to $15,000
MPG: 40-50
If you don't want to post a non-Japanese project log on VJMOG, you could always start a thread on the Britbike forum. I'm sure it would draw lots of interest. Good luck with your project. |
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Bikegeezer
Gear Head
Joined: Dec 26, 2007
Posts: 1283
Location: Scottsdale, Arizona
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| Posted: Tue Nov 02, 2010 10:49 am Post subject: |
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Thanks, fxray. I read that article and every other I could find, dating back to 1974. I also had contact with Jay Leno's guys at Big Dog Garage. I had to - the bike was missing a bunch of parts and was totally fooked up. I started to chronicle the project on the Commando forums, but they really didn't seem too interested. Wiring the lighting and polishing the body is about all that's left to do. It was a complete ground up rebuild.
Stu |
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turbo_billy
Weekend Warrior
Joined: Jan 25, 2008
Posts: 218
Location: England
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| Posted: Tue Nov 02, 2010 12:15 pm Post subject: |
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Japanese or not, please be sure to post some pictures when it is finished Stu 
Regards
Tim
_________________
1979 CBX
1979 GS1000S "Cooley Rep"
1980 CB900FA
1989 CBR1000F
CBX Hybrid Special
1990 ZX10
1987 FZR1000 Genesis
Z650 Hybrid "work in progress"
1988 GSXR750J Slingshot
1998 VTR Firestorm (Superhawk)
2000 VTR SP1 (RC51) |
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mixer
Commuter
Joined: May 28, 2009
Posts: 423
Location: chicago area
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| Posted: Tue Nov 02, 2010 12:21 pm Post subject: |
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its amazing the technology differences when you actually compare the 74 to the 91 side by side. while we may be a vintage Jap forum, please post a pic or two! its SUCH a rare bike, and many people will never get to see one in person. I know I'll never have the pleasure to ride one. If im lucky i MIGHT see one in a museum. if only a before and after pic!
oh btw the stats on the 91 for those interested in comparing what a short 17 years does..
# Engine - Liquid pressure cooled twin-rotar rotary (wankel)
# Displacement - 588cc (debatable, depending on sanctioning body)
# Power output - More than 135 bhp @ 9800 rpm at shaft
# Maximum torque - 78 lbs/ft @ 8000 rpm
# Suspension - Front; White Power upside down forks, Rear: Multiple cantilever single shock
# Brakes - Twin 310mm front discs with four piston one-piece Lockhead calipers
# Wheels - 3.75 x 17 three-spoke magnesium PVM front wheel. 6.00 x 17 three-spoke magnesium PVM rear wheel
# Tires - Michelin radials
# Weight - Less than 135 kg
there IS one for sale... 45,000 |
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fxray
Commuter
Joined: Aug 28, 2009
Posts: 272
Location: Central IL
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| Posted: Tue Nov 02, 2010 12:39 pm Post subject: |
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Stu said: | Quote: | | Wiring the lighting and polishing the body is about all that's left to do. It was a complete ground up rebuild. |
That puts you into a pretty elite class. How many people can say they have done this restoration? I agree on the pictures. |
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MR.CHocko
Full Throttle
Joined: Oct 02, 2006
Posts: 2051
Location: New Britian, CT
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| Posted: Tue Nov 02, 2010 3:53 pm Post subject: |
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Stu,
I saw it and new immediately that it was Norton. You are working on a Norton Factory Racer? I do know someone who can help you with the restoration. This gentleman has a Norton racer that has never been raced, complete with paperwork that was signed by the local Norton dealer in the 70's. That Fairing looks to be a reproduction. Do you have better pics of it? |
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Bikegeezer
Gear Head
Joined: Dec 26, 2007
Posts: 1283
Location: Scottsdale, Arizona
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| Posted: Tue Nov 02, 2010 9:54 pm Post subject: |
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| MR.CHocko wrote: | Stu,
That Fairing looks to be a reproduction. Do you have better pics of it? |
It's an original Avon JPN fairing, not one of the Sprint MFG. knockoffs. This isn't the factory 750 racer. It's one of about 200 plain Jane 850 Commando MKIIAs that Norton threw black exhaust system and replica body work on in 1974 and sold to the public to commemorate Peter Williams' win at the Isle Of Man in '73. Around 120 came to the US, and this is a genuine one. There are a lot of knockoffs floating around though.
I knew little about these JPN bikes when it was brought to me around 4 months ago. I did a lot of homework before tearing into it. With the help of Bob Raber, Phil Radford, and other Norton experts, and after rebuilding every single moving piece of this bike, I think I know pretty much all there is to know about it. Trust me - except for the battery cover, every piece of it is real and original. A few pieces were missing that sent me on an Easter egg hunt as far away as Belgium, but I eventually found it all - except the battery cover. So I replaced that piece with a fiberglass reproduction. Here's a pic as the bike was brought to me. A complete derelict.
Stu
Here's a pic after teardown but before cleaning
And this is after I finished all the mechanical work and reinstalled it all. I'm riding it around like this to break it in while I work on the body parts.
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MR.CHocko
Full Throttle
Joined: Oct 02, 2006
Posts: 2051
Location: New Britian, CT
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| Posted: Wed Nov 03, 2010 12:50 am Post subject: |
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| I had to do a speedo hunt for a guy. The Norton Speedos for the racers are the hardest thing to find. Took me two years and found one from someone in Italy. Take care of the body work that stuff is hard to find. |
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Bikegeezer
Gear Head
Joined: Dec 26, 2007
Posts: 1283
Location: Scottsdale, Arizona
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Steve Searles
Forum Moderator
Joined: Oct 03, 2005
Posts: 1595
Location: Marshall, MI
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| Posted: Wed Nov 03, 2010 8:36 am Post subject: |
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Stu, I am very impressed with your work now and always. Congrats. Few would ever get to do something like this in their lifetime. Enjoy allthough it can be frustrating at times as well. We all know that. Cool bike I had never even heard of. You should be very proud!
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You only go around once in life, but if you do it right, once is enough! |
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MR.CHocko
Full Throttle
Joined: Oct 02, 2006
Posts: 2051
Location: New Britian, CT
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| Posted: Wed Nov 03, 2010 2:25 pm Post subject: |
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Stu,
I learned from talking to the experts on how to spot a replica. It took me about two years to be able to do that with the fairings. The tanks I am not that good but am getting better. But I prefer to sell Japanese parts instead of British parts. |
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Bikegeezer
Gear Head
Joined: Dec 26, 2007
Posts: 1283
Location: Scottsdale, Arizona
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| Posted: Wed Nov 03, 2010 3:34 pm Post subject: |
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| MR.CHocko wrote: | Stu,
I learned from talking to the experts on how to spot a replica. It took me about two years to be able to do that with the fairings. The tanks I am not that good but am getting better. But I prefer to sell Japanese parts instead of British parts. |
And I prefer to repair Japanese bikes instead of British bikes. But he insisted, so I caved. The guy has had the bike since '78.
Stu
Last edited by Bikegeezer on Wed Nov 03, 2010 3:43 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Hard to believe someone would spend that kind of money to create a fake.