Z750 Twin Forum

Finally got the old fork bushes out ... what a mission. All ready for re-assembly with the new bushes now. 

The springer hoop arrived this morning and I've done the final POC mock up - all seems OK. The weld bungs just need a skim out of the bore to be a good press fit on the hoop prior to welding. 

It's a mad rush now to get as much done before my pal is off to the US for 3 months.

Oh yes - there is a special plate in 5mm Brass to go on the top. I hope to have it engraved with the name of the bike "Cafe Creme".
Here is the template.

The special RAMSHOX unit now mounted and functioning as I envisaged.   Good to have mates eh !!   The springer hoop should be here this week so the front end design can be finalised.

Both Mitas "period" tyres have arrived now and the old knobblies removed from the wheels - decision made they will be powder coated - Buttercream. Just trying to get the right "flavour" for the contrasting Coffee Cream colour !

Vielen danke Gerd.

I have the Bantam headstock and also the weld bungs for the springer front loop arrived. 

Now I just have to join it all together !!

The old section from the bantam was £10 !!! The quote for a specially made item - £85 !

Hi TJ,

an unusual solution, it remains exciting. Keep it up.

Cheers, Gerd

Michael - the "EXPERTS" on the BSA Bantam forum are horrified !! However, some of the more "free thinking" guys are liking my modifications. 

Especially my plan to use 3 bronze bushes in each fork leg [ standard is 2 ] and hypoid oil instead of grease ! The tubing for the springer front is being made and I have some really nice clevis ends to mount to the fork bracket.

I thank you all for the discussion about the modification.

Hi TJ,

that looks good !

I am looking forward to hear your stories about "technical experts", who try to find out how this fork works

Cheers, Michael

The final measurements are done. The tube for the front springer has been ordered and the top Bantam yoke has been modified to mount the RAMSHOX unit top mount. I also have a section of Bantam frame with the tube for the front fork stem.

I have ordered another set of stainless steel exhaust bends [ same as before ] but this time there will be one high level exhaust per side.

The latest "Live-Cam" P.O.C. mock up from England !!!!

A bit more progress on the forks. The POC mock up has been completed - and  YES it will work ! 

Pix self explanatory. There will be a plate on the top yoke for the pin RAMSHOX unit fitting and there will be a decorative plate added to the top of the "Springer" loop [ see green garden hose stand in ] with the mount bracket for the shock bottom mount. 

The forks are shown 1" shorter than stock, and with pre-load / sag that will reduce to about 2". My pal Brian has fettled the fork legs so that the Honda wheel spindle slots straight in - just needs shortening and re-threading.

I wasn't keen on the "look" of the Mitas rear tyre [ 3.50 x 18" ] when it arrived - looked far too modern - so I've just ordered a 3.50 x 18" H03 TT 59P - we'll see.

Michael - you have invented a new phrase ..... "Live-Cam" !!  :biggrin:

In the days when it was my business to design and manufacture new auto products, I did of course use correct technical drawings. LONG before computers and Cad-Cam !! 

But I found that a rough POC sketch often instantly showed what was in my mind.

My sketches were famous around the industry for being drawn on all sorts of media - serviettes, old boxes, receipts ........... even Carroll Shelby kept one of mine when we were liaising over his Caddy Northstar powered Cobra [ 1990 ] ! 

One of the best compliments I ever received from Shelby was being introduced to his [ Shelby American ] chief designer as - "TJ, that good ole' British Hot Rodder."

The Bantam forks are now completely stripped thanx to my pal Brian. BOTH springs were broken and very difficult to remove.

Surprisingly the bushes and the hard chrome on the stanchions are OK. That simplifies the means to shorten the forks. We simply shorten the springs ! 

As there is NO oil / hydraulics to worry about, nothing else is affected. By simply opening up the spindle [ wheel axle ] hole by 1mm the Honda axle is perfect. It needs to be shortened and re-threaded - but otherwise - simple.