Monday, 20 December 2010

A hangover, a church pew and a long drive

My bid accepted I agreed to collect the bike on the 11th of December, unfortunately the day after my works night out. I managed to get home in a reasonable state and set off from south Cumbria to meet a bloke and collect the bike. (I will call him Mr B)
Mr B lives close to London but he was a decent chap and agreed to meet me at Watford Gap services. He was obviously not just a decent chap but keen to get the cash.
We ot the bits in the boot of my jalopy alongside a church pew that I had collected on the way, shook hands and both turned for home. I was so happy I did a facebook post and that dosnt happen often.

So what had I bought?  Here is the list.

An RGV250 VJ22 frame part modified for the motor
Performance Fabrications fitting kit
VJ22 braced swingarm, not banana.
A standard RG500 engine complete with carbs
complete RG500 electrics, harness etc
RGV harness and switchgear
VJ22 clocks
Pattern VJ22 fairing and singleseat unit
new (as good as) fuel tank
GSXR 600 K6 front end minus calipers
Jim Lomas SS pipes with carbon cans - new
RG500.com hi-flow filter kit
some nice clipons
Various bits and pieces, some new, some interesting..

Once at home I had a good look at everything. Within seconds I knew the frame was useless. I wasnt too bothered as frames are not expensive but I wanted Mr B to know as I felt he should help out with a replacement. I was not wrong about him being a decent chap and he promptly sent 100 quid to paypal so I could get a replacement.
The problem was that the frame had been butchered with a grinder to get the engine in...

In fitting the engine in the VJ22 frame you have to remove the 250 upper rear engine mounts and grind some relief on the cast webs where the 500 clutch cover hides within the frame. Performance Fabs produce a machined clutch cover that dosn't protrude from the engine as much as the standard case and therefore you dont need to grind as much frame away. I will have to get one.
Anyway my frame looked like it had been modified by a drunk blind man and it had ALL of the webs removed. the grinder had even started to touch the outer plate! it was a right mess and would crack with 12hp put through it never mind the 120hp I am hoping to have in the end.

I have found a frame with good hisory and a handfull of old mot's from a bloke in Stafford, Mr C. (I have a feeling that Mr C might get mentioned again in the future as he is a bit of an RGV dealer)
I got the frame, a set of VJ22 pipes for my mate and a 22 barrel for my 250K(VJ22 top end)
you can see my problem now - I have another project on the go.

So here is the situation. I have decided that I must get the 250 sorted before I get properly started on the 500. I am however thinking about the project and I have bought a couple of things already.
I may only build a bike like this once so I have decided to have it well thought through with a clear picture of what i want it to be at the end. I also want all of the parts before I start so I can check how everything will fit and interact. I dont want to spoil this experience by having to chase things on ebay or at the local breakers. If I dont then I risk the project with compromised parts. I want this thing to be fantastic and to do this I know every part must be right for the bike and chosen very carefully.

I admit that this is difficult. Ive got an RGV 500 project and im not working on it!

1 comment:

  1. Don't know if you have seen my RGV500 project. but i have made a few of these and if you need any help let me know.
    Rgds

    Dave
    www.drhracing.com

    ReplyDelete