Chassis work

Now the bike is in bits it seems like the most logical place to start is the chassis. I have a list of jobs that need to be done and parts to be sourced.

The rear footrests and brackets need to come off, so out with the angle grinder. I am sure there are more subtle tools to use, but set an angle grinder to steel and it's like a fire-work going off! Note to self, move other bikes and fuel cans out of the way.

Source 1960's style bubble seat. It looks like I am going to have to order from the US - Airtech seem to do many different designs that will fit. They also do mudguards so I will probably get one of those will I am at it. Fitting the seat will be my first challenge as I imagine I will have to fabricate some new brackets and weld them on. Hacksaw - check, small selection of metal files - check, vice - check, welder and welding skills.... erm no.

The standard rear shocks just seem to be springs, so I will see if Hagon do something that actually functions as a damper that will fit

I would love to stick a new front end on, but I would imagine the required skills are going to be beyond me at this stage, so I will do the best I can with the standard forks. Apparently they work best with engine oil rather that fancy fork oil! The springs are on the outside, hidden by a rubber boot. I will see if I can polish them up and make them look half decent. It would be nice to have a disk on the front, but I will stick with the original drums for now.

Rear brake light and reg plate holder, going to need one, as inconspicuous as possible...

Bin the rear mudguard and centre stand.

Straighten the front foot pegs.

I guess once that is all done I can send it off for powder coating or painting? A nice shiny black I think.

Now where is the angle grinder?

From this to this...

The idea of this blog is to help people like myself, with no real experience, to learning how to renovate/customise a 'vintage' motorbike.

The idea is to go from this (a 1975 Honda CB125S, non-runner);















To this (a very beautiful 1960's Honda race bike);















Now I know an old Honda CB125 that cost 150 quid is never going to look like a classic, expertly restored beauty like the one above, but the idea is to make a good effort and to learn all the relevant skills, or find the relevant expertise when needed so that for the next project I can confidently move on to bigger and better things.

Right now I have the bike stripped and in many parts in the garage. I have some plans and ideas, which I will share in the next blog, but very little idea or the technical expertise to make them happen. So my plan is to take it a step at a time and give it a go. It's gonna take some time, but here we go...