Jason Jones Art: November 2004

Monday, November 15, 2004

Bike Build IV

I lied.

We hadn't finished the bike. This is why.

When you do a liter bike front end swap you need 6 things.

1) 929 triple clamp - check
2) 929 forks - check
3) 929 brake calipers - check
4) 929 brake discs - check
5) 929 front wheel - not check
6) 929 front wheel axle - not check

The F4i front axle is smaller than that of the 929. So is the axle hole in the wheel. So are the axle holes in the forks.

This means that the axle holes in the 929 forks are too large. And we leave in 45 minutes for Key West, which is 12 hours away.

So, the axle fits the wheel, but not the forks. Well, one end of it. With a bit of grinding. The F4i axle is tapered at one end, and hence 2 different diameters. The 929 forks also have 2 separate diameters.

It turns out, that when swapped end for end, the large end of the axle is snug in the small hole of the forks. This leaves the small end of the axle very loose in the large hole of the forks. I envisioned that this would prove unsatisfactory at 155 mph, which, as we all know, is the posted US speed limit.

Anyway, the axle had approx. 1/8" all the way around it, where it went through the forks. The exact thickness of PVC tubing. And that's what went in. A section of pvc pipe, cut into a "C" so that it could be clamped, and shortened to the width of the fork opening.

So off we went.........

Sunday, November 14, 2004

Key West - Bike Build III

As my memory serves, we got the F4i running fine, once we had replaced the motor. Turns out the motor that I bought with the bike had a bent crankshaft, which was awesome. So, I found another used motor on eBay for $500, called up the guys in Miami, and they had it in Jax by 4pm the next day - perfect. I was SO happy with the bike, apart from one thing. I was not a Florida resident. This meant that I couldn't tag my bike, due to the NY Salvage Title. There were 2 ways around this. I could become a FL resident, or I could buy another frame, with clear title. I chose the frame. In fact, I chose a polished frame. In fact, I chose a polished frame, polished rims, polished swingarm, 929 front end, and ceramic coated headers, plus lots of other parts. I worked out that from the original salvage bike I had bought, the only original parts were gas tank, seat, rear plastic, and hand controls.

On the positive side, I thought the bike would look killer - and it did.

Typically, I like to order all the parts, have them sent to Bri's house, ask him to find someone to polish everything (thanks again, Bri), and build the bike the night before a long ride.

This was a LONG ride. This was the length of Florida. In one day. On a sportbike. 6 of us. With race pipes. Here's how it went..........

This must be day one. This is how I know.

1) It's dark, so we've just arrived from Bermuda.

2) Nothing has been started on the bike.

3) We left for Key West 2 days after we arrived. Early.

Due to the genius that is tagged images on digital cameras, I'll take you through a chronological (re)build of the bike. We built the bike "gubment" style, which is to say, one guys works while 5 guys watch. It works pretty well, especially if it's Bob doing the work........

10:30pm