1965 Triumph TR6SRT build update, a custom tail light fixture, 1979 Z50R refresh.

Getting a lot of random things done in the shop. A bunch of re-arranging and cleaning, finishing some bikes, and building here and there, in between (mostly when parts show up.)

The engine is finally done aside from the ignition. There were so many worn-out parts on this engine. The entire primary is new, and all the shifting mechanism, bearings and bushings were replaced in the engine and tranny. The side covers were all replaced, as well as the shifter and kicker. New oil pump, cams, followers, pistons, valves, guides, and springs, engine bolts ,washers, and nuts, new bottom drain plugs, inspection covers, and oil pressure valve rounds out the list.

The engine is finally done aside from the ignition. There were so many worn-out parts on this engine. The entire primary is new, and all the shifting mechanism, bearings and bushings were replaced in the engine and tranny. The side covers were all replaced, as well as the shifter and kicker. New oil pump, cams, followers, pistons, valves, guides, and springs, engine bolts ,washers, and nuts, new bottom drain plugs, inspection covers, and oil pressure valve rounds out the list.

Still need shocks to get it off the table. The shocks need to be 14.5 inches to get the stance right. At this point, a pair of Racetech shocks is being considered.

Still need shocks to get it off the table. The shocks need to be 14.5 inches to get the stance right. At this point, a pair of Racetech shocks is being considered.

One piece of tubing off the oil breather needs to be put on, and the oil system plumbing will be done.

One piece of tubing off the oil breather needs to be put on, and the oil system plumbing will be done.

The brakes are done, front and back. The folding pegs are on and the exhaust brackets are being worked out. A set of Norton Commando rubber shock mounts in the frame passenger peg brackets are being used to make the rear tailpipe bracket.

The brakes are done, front and back. The folding pegs are on and the exhaust brackets are being worked out. A set of Norton Commando rubber shock mounts in the frame passenger peg brackets are being used to make the rear tailpipe bracket.

The Ceriani front end is on, with a fork stop on the to-do list. The fender is a 1965 alloy reproduction. Rubber bumpers on the fork brace keep it in place for now, but there will be supporting struts added.

The Ceriani front end is on, with a fork stop on the to-do list. The fender is a 1965 alloy reproduction. Rubber bumpers on the fork brace keep it in place for now, but there will be supporting struts added.

A little fun. This was started a while back, and I just moved it along a little farther. Obviously an exhaust clamp, there is a glass lens from a WW2 US navy airplane, and an LED light fixture in there as well.

A little fun. This was started a while back, and I just moved it along a little farther. Obviously an exhaust clamp, there is a glass lens from a WW2 US navy airplane, and an LED light fixture in there as well.

To attach the LED and the weather boot, a custom threaded nut was made with a concave surface to fit the domed rear of the fixture, and a ridge that secures the lip of the boot.

To attach the LED and the weather boot, a custom threaded nut was made with a concave surface to fit the domed rear of the fixture, and a ridge that secures the lip of the boot.

The domed back is made from a cymbal scrap.

The domed back is made from a cymbal scrap.

It is very bright. Though a single filament element, the brake/running light brightness will be controlled by diodes and a resistor in the lines.

It is very bright. Though a single filament element, the brake/running light brightness will be controlled by diodes and a resistor in the lines.

This 1979 Z50R came through recently for some engine work. A stock top-end refurb was done, and a new Z50J model muffler replaced the stock rusted unit. The heat shields from the 1979 model fit perfectly

This 1979 Z50R came through recently for some engine work. A stock top-end refurb was done, and a new Z50J model muffler replaced the stock rusted unit. The heat shields from the 1979 model fit perfectly

Finishing the 1970 Honda CT70 custom and the 1972 Honda Z50 Cafe racer.

It did not take too long with so many of the parts on hand. Although mostly stock in appearance, there are custom touches that set it apart from the stock ride. The 108cc engine with race head and heavy duty clutch is the biggest modification, doubling the stock horsepower. Wider aluminum wheel rims, heavy duty rear shocks, tighter front fork internals, slotted brake pads, a grab handle, and the heel-toe shifter round out the list.

It did not take too long with so many of the parts on hand. Although mostly stock in appearance, there are custom touches that set it apart from the stock ride. The 108cc engine with race head and heavy duty clutch is the biggest modification, doubling the stock horsepower. Wider aluminum wheel rims, heavy duty rear shocks, tighter front fork internals, slotted brake pads, a grab handle, and the heel-toe shifter round out the list.

This bike is the same color and model my buddy had when I was a kid. Though I never got the chance to ride his, it was stuck in my memory like a first love. The Honda candy colors and chrome are still like jewels to me. The styling, while a little wonky to some, was smooth 1970 pop culture gold. A bike almost anyone could ride (and wreck) without too much trouble. The paint, while less than perfect, still looks fine for fifty years old!

This bike is the same color and model my buddy had when I was a kid. Though I never got the chance to ride his, it was stuck in my memory like a first love. The Honda candy colors and chrome are still like jewels to me. The styling, while a little wonky to some, was smooth 1970 pop culture gold. A bike almost anyone could ride (and wreck) without too much trouble. The paint, while less than perfect, still looks fine for fifty years old!

With the small nicks and scratches, there is little fear of messing up a perfect restoration. The saying is; “a slice off a cut loaf is seldom missed.”

With the small nicks and scratches, there is little fear of messing up a perfect restoration. The saying is; “a slice off a cut loaf is seldom missed.”

An online buddy, Kirrbby, set me up with a nice used speedo, some fork extensions, and a side stand. Some of these parts are getting really hard or at least, expensive to find. So many parts in this picture are still available from Honda, like all the throttle parts, triple tree hardware, reflectors, top beauty trim, knobs, grommets, straps, and electrical parts. Even the horn is a brand new Honda piece.

An online buddy, Kirrbby, set me up with a nice used speedo, some fork extensions, and a side stand. Some of these parts are getting really hard or at least, expensive to find. So many parts in this picture are still available from Honda, like all the throttle parts, triple tree hardware, reflectors, top beauty trim, knobs, grommets, straps, and electrical parts. Even the horn is a brand new Honda piece.

Even with the custom parts, the rest of the bike was put as close to stock form as far as the parts selection. All the rubber and hardware was replaced with OEM Honda parts.

Even with the custom parts, the rest of the bike was put as close to stock form as far as the parts selection. All the rubber and hardware was replaced with OEM Honda parts.

Honda knew how to make a sexy little bike!

Honda knew how to make a sexy little bike!

The front forks were slightly bent, binding the forks enough that straightening was needed, This is the rig that did the job. No paint was disturbed in the process.

The front forks were slightly bent, binding the forks enough that straightening was needed, This is the rig that did the job. No paint was disturbed in the process.

The last moments on the assembly table. There is always a little excitement when one finally moves from the table to the ground.

The last moments on the assembly table. There is always a little excitement when one finally moves from the table to the ground.

The “Golden Boys.”

The “Golden Boys.”

Since we are doing gold, it seemed appropriate to trot this one out.

Since we are doing gold, it seemed appropriate to trot this one out.

Stay Gold.

Stay Gold.

1970 Honda CT70 K0 custom build begins, and 1965 Triumph TR6 update.

A frame purchased long ago. The original paint is in fair shape, with some nicks and scrapes. One of the six engines built last year in “The Festival of Engines 2020,” a 108cc stroker with race head and heavy duty clutch, has been dropped in, and tons of new OEM Honda and reproduction parts are going into this custom rider.

The frame as purchased. Some scrapes and dings, but for 50 year old paint, not bad.

The frame as purchased. Some scrapes and dings, but for 50 year old paint, not bad.

After the frame was broken down, cleaned and buffed out, Reproduction shocks, handlebars, and fenders are going on.

After the frame was broken down, cleaned and buffed out, Reproduction shocks, handlebars, and fenders are going on.

Aluminum rims and Bridgestone tires. The hubs are originals, rebuilt with new bearings, seals, dampers, and sprocket, and repainted with Honda cloud silver paint.

Aluminum rims and Bridgestone tires. The hubs are originals, rebuilt with new bearings, seals, dampers, and sprocket, and repainted with Honda cloud silver paint.

Many of these original parts were gathered a piece at a time, like the tail light bracket, brush guard, and engine, and replated or rebuilt along with other projects over the last couple years. Every time I head to the chrome shop, there is an extra piece or two that gets thrown in from another bike. Over time, enough parts get accumulated to start the build. This particular project has sat on a shop table 2-3 years, slowly increasing the hoard of parts, till the engine completion was enough of a tipping point to get started.

Many of these original parts were gathered a piece at a time, like the tail light bracket, brush guard, and engine, and replated or rebuilt along with other projects over the last couple years. Every time I head to the chrome shop, there is an extra piece or two that gets thrown in from another bike. Over time, enough parts get accumulated to start the build. This particular project has sat on a shop table 2-3 years, slowly increasing the hoard of parts, till the engine completion was enough of a tipping point to get started.

A new OEM muffler and guards from Honda are going on. The seat is a high quality reproduction.

A new OEM muffler and guards from Honda are going on. The seat is a high quality reproduction.

A simple tool made to spread the lower frame tubes on the 1965 Triumph TR6 project to allow the spacers to fit in on the main motor mount bolt. Works well.

A simple tool made to spread the lower frame tubes on the 1965 Triumph TR6 project to allow the spacers to fit in on the main motor mount bolt. Works well.

The engine is in the 1965 Triumph TR6.

The engine is in the 1965 Triumph TR6.