Thanks, Biglad. I don't check for messages on these forums every day, so just saw your post. I sometimes think I must be a glutton for punishment, judging by the way I am always searching for another derelict bike that needs a home (and a ton of work)! But, I enjoy taking a rusty, crusty, rough bike and bringing it back to life. I have a bad habit, though, of keeping several projects going at the same time (about 8 or so right now). In fact, the Triumph I posted remarks about here has been put off for the last several days because I got sidetracked onto a 501 Husaberg that I just received the ignition for, from GB. I think I can have it done in a few more days and can get back on the Triumph. Well, at least it helps keep me out of trouble. Have a great day. Foss
Hi Steve may I use the distance between us as an excuse for welcoming you sooooo late ! What a wealth of knowledge and beautiful treasures you have. Absolutely love your work (what I have seen). I am dying to see the 501 Husaberg - huge fan of big bore singles right here ! Please keep your project pictures coming ! I read with great enthusiasm. Warm Regards Angus
Well, Angus, I appreciate the kind words and I also have developed a real love for thumpers lately. I have always been a two stroke guy, since I raced then for decades and love their simplicity. As for the big Berg, I have finally got it back together and have started it several times. It seems to be running great, though I haven't ridden it yet. The only issue left to resolve is to be sure the ignition timing is set correctly. The new system I bought from a British shop has no timing mark to line up the one on the flywheel with.? I have never seen this on any bike or auto. So, I am in a quandary as to how you are supposed to set the timing and be exact with it. It is close enough to run but just a few degrees advanced or retarded can have a big effect on performance, not to mention the damage it can cause! So...., as I often do, while I am turning this over in my mind I have started yet another MAJOR project! The old Jeep Commando that has been sitting in my shop for the better part of 10 years has become the focus of my "divided" attention. I actually started it about 3 years ago and made some progress but shoved it aside and am just now getting back to it. Look at the pics and I am sure you will think I have gone mad to even try to salvage such a pile of rust. I am currently cutting out the rust and having new floor/rocker panels made to weld in. Meanwhile, the frame is at the blaster being blasted and painted. and I have the transmission cleaned and painted and will detail the motor this week so it will be ready when the frame comes back. Yes, I am a sick man!
Hi Steve, glad to hear that you have made progress and that you got the HB going again. I found this article on Husabergforum for you where they talk about the weird timing on these machines, have a read here is the link: http://husaberg.org/mechanical/23838-fe-501-2002-ignition-timing-decomp-starting-problems.html - It may or may not be useful. Concerning the Commando, no my thoughts are not that you are crazy lol. It will be great once restored back to former glory. About 3 years ago I followed a guy that restored one overseas, it came out lovely ! I'm still searching for a new project (2wheeled) to undertake in the new year, kinda have my hopes set on another XT500 but they are extremely scarce over here. I so happened to see an ad on Gumtree this afternoon where a chap posted one for sale for ZAR 80,000.00 (that's a pile of money) claiming that it has 3500km's on since new and that only the tyres are not original. Other ones for sale is much cheaper but do not have what I like to call critical original parts and this poses the problem or shall I say the challenges. Thouh having said that part of the excitement is sourcing and hunting down all the missing bits one needs to restore back to factory. One sometimes meets interesting folks with lovely stories to tell when finding the bits on the list. Keep well and have a blessed Xmas. Regards
It seems we have quite a lot in common. Another one of my projects is a very early '76 XT500 ( 000108, which is the 8th one produced since they started numbering at 000101). I have freshened the top end, just needed a hone run through it and new rings. Not doing a show-quality resto, just a nice rider. I didn't get the stock exhaust and refuse to pay the absurd prices they are bringing. Since I don't plan to do any hardcore offroad riding with it I am planning to go with a down pipe or possibly the later up pipe set-up. I have both. Great old thumpers. I also have a pretty nice SR that I love to ride. Thanks for the message. I will check it out. Also the very best wishes to you and yours also for the holidays.
It seems we have quite a lot in common. Another one of my projects is a very early '76 XT500 ( 000108, which is the 8th one produced since they started numbering at 000101). I have freshened the top end, just needed a hone run through it and new rings. Not doing a show-quality resto, just a nice rider. I didn't get the stock exhaust and refuse to pay the absurd prices they are bringing. Since I don't plan to do any hardcore offroad riding with it I am planning to go with a down pipe or possibly the later up pipe set-up. I have both. Great old thumpers. I also have a pretty nice SR that I love to ride. Thanks for the message. I will check it out. Also the very best wishes to you and yours also for the holidays.
Indeed it seems that way. Absurd prices this side too if you can find parts, only a few guys that advertise the parts as well. I like the later up pipe setup too and reckon you're sorted there for sure ! They are lovely old thumpers not to mention the SR, I read a while back that Yamaha was going to have a production run on the SR400 but regretfully this never made it to ZA. Good luck with your ongoing projects, if you make any progress on the Tracker again do share, I would love to hear about it ! Regards
OK an update: First, I got the Jeep Commando frame back (nice and clean) from the blaster and, since he didn't have time to paint it for me, I painted it myself yesterday. Looks great ( see pic). Meanwhile, while the frame was away, I started back on the Tracker. I am sorting the wiring and would be pulling my hair out, if I had any! Just today, I discovered something I didn't know: a LED tail/brake/turn light will NOT work on a positive ground system.!? I have no idea why. But, after a few hours and buying two different units (thinking the first was bad), I found that BOTH worked just fine, when wired up with a negative ground. I Now I have two questions. First, is there any reason to NOT convert to a negative ground system? And second, what must be done in order to accomplish this?
Hi Steve, the frame came out good and looking much better now ! I've been pondering about your question on and off the whole time since reading your message and even did some reading on the subject, confusing is an understatement ! I read somewhere that Led's will only work when electrons flow through them in the correct direction that being said you do get Led's that are set up to run fine on a positive ground system. A while back I converted a fairly new vehicle's interior bulbs to Led's and experienced a problem with direction on the bulbs, at first I thought it was bad connection but then realised that by turning them 180 degrees they would work fine. Out of 11 or so it probably happened 4 times, I had this on different types festoon and wedge bulbs. Converting to negative ground will allow you to install modern electronics, though you could probably find some of the things you need in positive ground configuration too if you were to shop around like for example led blinkers and tail lights, probably just not as easy as for modern negative ground set ups. As for the conversion I think it can become a right headache as there would be a fair amount of things to consider, replace, re wire and mod to accommodate. Unfortunately my knowledge on this is zero and I cannot help you sorry !
Thanks, Angus. This was a completely new concept to me, that LEDs would be "polarity specific". I am just trying to find a nice small tail/brake light (with turn signals too, if possible) for the tracker project. I don't want to clutter it up with to many or too large lights and thought this unit would do the job. I don't really want to mount a light on top of the rear fender/seat I've built and hoped I could use one that is in combo with the license plate bracket. I have a nice small tail/brake unit from a Yamaha enduro that I might have to use, but it will have to be mounted on the fender. Well thanks for the input anyway. Regards, Foss
Hi Foss, I saw something completely different recently on a XSR by NRC, it was thin and tidy and followed the line neatly around the seat, check out their website www.newragecycles.com maybe they have something you could use as your trackers back side has a similar profile. That's if you like it. It is Led though but perhaps compatible. Regards
Thanks once again, Angus. Actually I have a friend who built a bike similar to mine out of an ATK with the Rotax engine. Really sharp bike! He even built his own gas tank with carbon fiber. He used the led strip lights like that and I really like the integrated smooth look but, again his bike is neg ground. I am going to do more research before I proceed. Foss
Very cool Foss great bikes but you know motorcycles keep you young, I am 10 years be hide you and hope to ride many years more as well as you .
Foss how does one pm ? I found a serious collector of beautiful vintage scramblers today and would like to share some images of his collection but it is not Triumph related, I do not want to upset any members on the forum by posting it just in case.
So I am looking for an XT500 and found a bloke on Gumtree today posting an ad on behalf of his boss, it was for a 1979 DT250 Yam. The ad read my boss is flogging his collection so I took a chance and texted him asking if the "boss" perhaps had an XT500 in his collection that he wanted to sell. The bloke responded shortly after with a lovely picture and yes of course his boss had one ! It was then that I called and took a drive to their factory to meet them and view the XT. There is 7 containers full of bikes, they showed me one that was open ! The owner has a serious collection of very rare bikes ! A hobby perhaps lol ?Attached a pic of the XT ! It's pricey though but very neat.
Very NICE! An example that nice, assuming it runs and rides as nice as it looks, here in The States, would probably fetch $3,500 minimum, and possibly up to $4,500 or so depending on the fickle market. As far as sending a PM, I'm not sure but I suppose it is OK for me to post my email address here for you to send any pics to.? It is [email protected] you can work a purchase out for the XT. Just great old thumpers. Foss
Thanks, Peter. yes I raced enduros up into my early 60s and firmly believe that is the main reason I am in as good shape as I am, as well as feeling (in my mind) like I am in my 30s. I have jokingly referred to bikes as my "Old Man Repellant", but actually think there is some truth to it. Regards, Foss
So.... been a while since I have been here but thought you guys might like to see a few pics I took few days ago. I had mentioned, a while back, that there is a real guru on Brit bikes located up the road from me, in Knoxville, Tn.. Well, as it turns out, I have acquired (from a scrap metal yard, no less) a '72 BSA chopper and thought I would see if Conard (the Guru) had a stock frame for one in case I ever actually decided to do something with the old rag. He said he had the frame so my friend and I made the 90 mile trip up to get it. While there, I asked if I could take some photos and was told it would be fine. So here are a few. I am unable to send more than 3-4 at a time so will send them in a few messages. Conard (Shultz) can be seen in one pic, sitting in a chair. He is now in his mid 80s and has been battling cancer so we are all wishing him well. What a wealth of knowledge this man is and he will be missed when he is gone. hope you enjoy the pics.
Forgot to mention that I hope to be getting back on my street tracker project very soon since I have been working every available minute on the jeep Commando resto and have made a lot of progress on it and am about at a point where I want to be on it (not finished, but drivable). At least, at that point, I can move it in and out of the shop. It has been a REAL project. Might post a few shots of that, if nobody would mind.? Best to all here. Fossil