I got the front end back from my local welder, all nicely TIG’d up. I started working on a new steering stop adapter to fit the revised steering stem setup. Once the … Revised steering completeRead more
Month: March 2021
Aprilia to Grimeca swap
I had a nifty matched set of Aprilia brake and clutch master cylinders lined up for the Aermacchi-Ducati Special, but both right and left are 14mm units. That’s waaay too large for … Aprilia to Grimeca swapRead more
Turning the sprocket carrier
First, I needed to extract the sprocket studs. After 30 minutes in the oven at 250°, I was able to break them loose with hand tools and the proper grunting sounds. It … Turning the sprocket carrierRead more
Rear sprocket
I had to find a #420 size rear sprocket that I can adapt to the Kawasaki rear wheel. The sprocket from a Honda CRF150R has the correct ID, but mounts with four … Rear sprocketRead more
Sprocket bearing modification
I’d like a bit more leeway in wheel/swingarm alignment. To do that, I want to modify the EX500 wheel’s sprocket carrier. Stock, the assembly looks like this: I plan to turn down … Sprocket bearing modificationRead more
Jackshaft idea
If you look at my earlier mockup of the frame and swingarm, you can see that that the output sprocket is rather far from the swingarm pivot. Furthermore, the swingarm is at … Jackshaft ideaRead more
Engine placement
For most Predator/GX200 conversions, builders are forced cut the downtubes off the donor frame and fabricate some sort of homebrew frame extension: I really hoped to avoid that, and it turns out … Engine placementRead more
Initial chassis setup
I got the rear rim alignment sorted. It all fits together without modification to the swingarm or the frame. However, with the YZ125C swingarm as far to the right as possible, there … Initial chassis setupRead more
Tire shopping
I bought tires for The Bride. I wanted something more scrambler-ish than racy, but still street-oriented. Heidenau K66s are primarily commuter scooter tires, available in either winter and year-round compounds. The sizes … Tire shoppingRead more
In the jig
The Bride’s SST frame is now bolted into my Chop Source frame jig. This jig has been overwhelmingly worth the investment.