Candy Rocket Specials

Fuel Tank TV

2011-09-27T21:52:00.004+10:00

Fuel Tank TV (Fuel Magazine) and Bandit Films have been working together making great short movies, one of which has featured me.

Click here to view the movie

Much Much Build

2010-12-04T11:39:00.010+11:00

The build diary in pictures:

The once neglected 1979 CB250T

Evaluation of stance: After striping the bike down I experimented with dropping the rear of the bike which gave a natural rotation to the motor and rake to the forks - but not enough! I then cut into the frame to further rake the forks and better centre the mass of the motor between the wheels.

Tank Modifications: the original flip-up tank cover was missing, I detail which I didn't much like anyway. The bayonet opening was cut out and moved to the new infill panel.

Details of some of the fabrication and modification:

Detail of some of the smaller components made: while the gear change and rear brake linkages look simple they took a long time to make, the brake in particular had to be set so that it didn't crash into the swingarm. The turnbuckle on the bottom right is the brace for the carburettors.

All in a days work - actually 55 days work.

Much Much to Post

2010-12-03T10:54:00.004+11:00

People have been feverishly posting comments about Much Much Go on various sites, many of whom have missed the point. These two pictures are for them...

photos by craig

Much Much More....

2010-12-02T23:24:00.005+11:00

Bike Exif have posted some amazing images of Much Much Go on their Facebook page.

Deus have also updated their gallery to include images of the entrants, their bikes and coverage of the day. Also, their coverage of the day in Flickr.

I just need to get my images of the build posted too.

Much Much Go...

2010-11-29T00:07:00.010+11:00

Much Much Win!

I'm so excited to announce that I won both first prize and people's choice award at the inaugural Deus Boundless Enthusiasm Bike Buildoff yesterday.

More images to follow soon, I've only just driven back from Sydney....

Much much thanks to Shayne, Craig, Rob, Tim, Sam, MMSr, Simon, Pete and especially Esme for all your help, advice and patience.

And, much much thanks to Deus and Snap-on and all my friends who were there on the day!

(images by Deus)

or check out the coverage of the day as posted on Pipeburn

A false calm...

2010-10-10T23:35:00.008+11:00

It's the end of week one and just 47 days remain until the deadline for the Deus Build Off. A plan has been laid out and the first week's progress has been good, though I still don't know if my bike runs... lucky I haven't entered yet...

The race is on....

2010-10-03T23:43:00.002+11:00

With 54 days remaining until the deadline for the Deus Bike Build Off I've decided it's as good a time as any to start!

Model: Shayne.

Shayne is sporting this years latest fashion - the donated bike - much thanks!

Don't judge me by my welding

2010-09-26T22:00:00.005+10:00

I've spent the weekend using some metal that's been leaning against the workshop wall to make a bike carrier for the Caddy. The big hoop of metal was already welded that way but I fabricated the two posts with the quick release axles. The whole thing hooks into the tie-downs at the back of the bed, anyway, the test will be if the bikes stay upright!

Slowly moving forwards to look backwards... a bit...

2010-09-19T19:19:00.003+10:00

This week I've changed the mirrors on the SR. While these are much smaller than the ones I put on originally, they stick out further and I now get more than a view of the back of my hands. It will take some of the aspect of Russian Roulette out of lane changes.

The perfect project...

2010-06-01T21:45:00.004+10:00

The perfect project is the project that keeps on giving - a project that facilitates projects while being a project in itself... my new Volkswagen Caddy!

Neglectarino...

2010-04-26T22:47:00.002+10:00

... anyone remember this?

I've been enjoying pulling this old bike out from behind the SR - it's been like meeting an old friend again.

I'm changing the front fender, the hoses and probably the plugs... then maybe it's time to let her go?

Any project is a good project

2010-02-14T10:47:00.003+11:00

Bicycles are a great ongoing project - I've been buying new bits for this bike since 2005. I never liked the curved steel forks that came with the bike so straight carbon forks seemed like a good idea until I didn't have enough clearance to put my brakes back on.

Adam, this is how I fixed it:

Picture Perfect

2010-02-07T22:05:00.005+11:00

Last week my friend Luke took a few pictures of my bike which he has posted on his web site. It's nice to have some professional pictures finally!

Luke publishes Fuel Magazine - check out his website http://www.fuelzine.com/news/

Thanks Luke!

Mods vs Rockers... more images

2009-11-15T15:35:00.007+11:00

Sure I could repost images of the whole ride but I think its far more important to post image of me... so I can prove I was there! Find me in this one:

These images are by Gazi Photography

Mods vs Rockers... images

2009-11-14T23:08:00.006+11:00

I have finally found some great images of October 25th's Mods vs Rockers Ride posted by Rob Steer. He has great images showing the meeting place at Brighton Beach through to the destination of Kustom Lane Gallery in Hawthorn.

Click to see the full Flickr set courtesy of Rob Steer Photography

Another good set of images is contained in a thread posted on the Melburg Luft web site - lots of images of the bikes and scooters parked outside Kustom Lane.

Mods vs Rockers

2009-10-25T19:49:00.004+11:00

Today I went on the Mods vs Rockers Ride - it was huge and an amazing thing to be a part of. It was my first showing AND I WON BEST CAFE RACER!

I'll post some pictures when I find them elsewhere... I was riding.... I couldn't take pictures!

It's not a big man's bike

2009-10-25T19:14:00.005+11:00

I've been passing this wall on my way to work for 19mths and have been planning this photo every morning - yesterday I finally took it! As you can see my hand beaten side covers have been mounted properly this week... and they haven't fallen off yet.

Fuel Magazine

2009-08-02T22:52:00.004+10:00

... and the T-shirts are done.... http://www.fuelzine.com/shop/

Drag Racer

2009-07-31T20:03:00.004+10:00

Another painting... and a t-shirt for Fuel Magazine on its way.

Decisions, decisions, decisions....

2009-06-02T12:45:00.007+10:00

I've mocked up the bike and wheeled it out into the sun to take a look at the side cover in position, but more importantly to look at the orange dynoc on the tank.... I like it! But it also looks good without a stripe... does anybody want to comment?

It's only going to get shinier!

2009-05-12T21:38:00.007+10:00

Seven months and two TAFE courses later, I've finally started to make aluminum versions of the factory plastic side covers.

The first night class that I enroled in was on welding steel (oxy, arc and MIG), and the second was on panel fabrication (panel beating). I got to use an english wheel and a vast array of hammers and dollies - then I taught myself to arc weld aluminium.... a proud moment indeed!

Since this image was taken, one of the covers has been polished - I'll post a picture as soon as I remember to take a camera to the workshop.

Major Stage Completed.... back on the road!

2008-10-05T22:34:00.004+11:00

This picture was taken a week ago when I was about to take the bike out for a test ride. I consider this to be the first major phase complete, and probably how I'll ride the bike for the next couple of months. The next thing I want to do is make my own set of body side covers to replace the red ones and to be more in keeping with the rest of the bike.

Some time down the track I'll remove the side covers completely but this won't happen until I'm ready to remove the airbox and fit a new exhaust... and I'm yet to find some yellow/orange vinyl to do the final stripe on the tank.

Call to Auction...

2008-09-09T22:39:00.004+10:00

Though someone once posted a comment that I should be building and not drawing I've been busy drawing and painting again!

These are for an art auction organised by work to raise money for juvenile diabetes research.

Scooter Girl - Oil on Stretched Canvas, 355mm x 455mm

'Ace' - Oil on Canvas Panel, 305mm x 406mmIndy Cafe Racer - Marker and Ink on Watercolour Paper, 420mm x 297mm

I have been working on the bike too - I'm about to tackle wiring in the dials and indicator lights.

Is home made better than store bought?

2008-08-10T23:08:00.005+10:00

Over the last couple of weekends I've been whittling away at a piece of 4mm aluminium to make my own bracket which holds the small diameter after-market gauges in place. This positions the gauge faces flush with the yoke and at least 50mm lower than a standard bracket. I'm also integrating the warning lights onto the wings on the side of each dial.

Making your own stuff is incredibly satisfying even if this is just a small start!

Back on the Build... it doesn't get any better than this!

2008-06-28T22:19:00.007+10:00

Well, I'm finally set-up, settled in, and back on the build!

The Honda is in for a service and minor upgrade. The world wide web of eBay has been kind and plentiful so I've bought new cables, clutch plates, short winker storks and a front fender.

The Yamaha is entering its next phase of transformation. The bike now has it's rear-set foot pegs and the pillion pegs have been removed. The next job will be replacing the original dials with two smaller Daytona units.

With all the cool stuff that's happening in the workshop I'm not short of inspiration... I'm thinking seriously about making some aluminium side covers.

Chinese Food and Parking on the Footpath

2008-05-27T12:29:00.004+10:00

The bike and I have settled into life in Melbourne where I've been fulfilling my dream of riding into the city and leaving my bike on the footpath in front of the Chinese restaurant where I'm getting dinner.

Most importantly I've joined a bunch of guys who share a factory that has been turned it into a car haven where classics are being restored and hot rods are being built... I get the office 'cause its perfectly suited to someone working on bikes. It's way cool!

I'm about to get back on the build!

One step forwards, two steps back... the bike becomes a 'mule'

2008-03-18T20:29:00.001+11:00

With the likelihood of a move to Melbourne I didn't want to transport a disassembled motorbike. But with no hope of finishing in time, I thought it wise to reset the bike and get it running again. So its back on with the original tank, seat, gauges and headlight but also on with new decompression cable and a Daytona decompression kit from Vanem.

I don't mind putting lots of the original parts back onto the bike because I'll be able to test the adjustment of the cables and routing of the wiring in a much more straight forward manner. The original headlight is great for hiding all the wiring - I'm starting to think I should keep it!

The Second Major Stage

Hopefully with the original, rather than final parts in place, the bike will be less delicate to transport... I'd hate for something to happen to that shinny aluminium fuel tank.

Amazingly the motor turned over on the second kick - the tank had been off for 3 months! It was good to go for a ride and to test the new reduced turning circle (caused by the steering limiter which stops the clip-on bars hitting the tank). It was also interesting to experience the first stage of the new riding posture... reaching down onto the handlebars certainly does add strain on both the wrists and the neck. But these will be sacrifices worth making!

When I pulled up at the first set of lights another motorbike came up along side - the rider immediately started asking questions and complimenting me on my bike - and this without the cool tank and seat! It wasn't until I pulled away that I noticed that I'd forgotten to put on the rear view mirrors.

Well, the 'to do' list:

install the shorter throttle cables and a new black hand grip on the throttle
install the shorter clutch cable
mount the smaller stainless front mud guard
bolt on the now silver stone guard
Cap-off the top yoke with a aluminium handlebar post cap
reintroduce the indicator light kit - this is going to fit more neatly if I get a stainless steel bracket cut
replace the gauges with smaller diameter Dayton units (both a speedometer and tachometer, probably mounted to the same bracket as the indicator lamps)
install the engine breather filter
remove the airbox and install the K&N air filter
move the battery, fuses, etc. and introduce the required battery plate
mount the carburetor support bracket
remove the engine vapor return hose
mount the horn (this will probably need a custom bracket)
introduce the rearsets (removing the existing rider and pillion foot pegs)
install the ducktail seat
swap the petrol tanks (including swapping over the fuel tap)
mount the new stainless steel exhaust and re-jet the carburetor
resolve the graphic treatment on the tank... and the many other things that I haven't even identified yet!

First Major 'Stop Work Meeting'

2008-03-07T21:47:00.009+11:00

I'm back on the build! And this time I mean business!... well, I thought I was back on the build. I've encountered my first set of problems which are either based on a slight incompatibility of the parts I purchased or I need more parts!

After slowly jacking up the bike, and in turn loosening and lowering the forks, I managed to slide in place the new headlight brackets and clip-on bars (top left and right images respectively). This is when I discovered the first of three problems (bottom left image). Firstly, the vintage headlight overlaps the main switch assembly (ignition) so that if I want to use this light I have to move the switch and probably replace the top yoke, which is my second problem. My third problem (bottom right image) is that the decompression lever hits the broad tank... I think I need a new clutch lever with the decompression lever on top. In this final image I have reverted to using the original headlight which is shallower but of a much larger diameter.

While in my possession the bike has only done about a weeks worth of riding, and the motor hasn't been turned over for 2 months now so I'm getting eager to ride the bike again. I'm also keen to check that I haven't inadvertently done something to the engine immobiliser so that the bike no longer starts. I know that the longer I wait to start the bike the harder it will be to diagnose starting problems as the number of variables climb.

Minor Works Report

2008-03-02T15:32:00.005+11:00

I don't have a lot to show for my tinkering over the last few weeks - I keep telling myself that I can make time for the build 'next week'... next week is yet to come!

(Top left) This once black stone guard is now shinny and silver. I don't want to be accused of not doing things properly (if not actually over doing things)... this part bolts into place underneath the bike and is unlikely to be seen but is likely to get damaged, but I painted it anyway.
(Top right) The new 'vintage' headlight and brackets are ready to go onto the bike... once the forks are dropped out!
(Bottom left) Most of what has to come off the front of the bike has been removed and some of the new electronics have been fitted.
(Bottom right) The tacho cable has been removed and the hole in the top of the engine has been plugged... I'm not running a tachometer on the finished bike though I am toying with the idea of mounting a little dial on the side of the headlight... but that's something to think about later.

... not having time for the build is OK 'cause I'm getting some other cool things done...

Design Variations - Alternate Concepts

2008-02-15T15:31:00.011+11:00

I thought it might be a good idea to post more of my early designs. Each drawing not only explores a different look but also what I could achieve with a different budget. For instance, in these drawings I have retained the factory exhaust so that I could divert funds to buy a fairing, or pay for a paint job, or have a seat custom upholstered... who knows, I might yet change my mind and build one of these...

NYC Checkered Cab

This is one of my earliest drawings and dates back to December 2006. The paint job is a not-so-subtle play with a hot rod tradition of painting a car's firewall in a checker pattern, and when blended with a yellow paint scheme you get a checker cab. This design focussed on paint and not parts - nearly everything is stock with the exception of the side covers below the seat, the 'eyebrow' over the headlight, ribbed engine side cover and the stock tank gets black rubber kneepads. I think it looks silly, but it was worth a try!

Indy Racer

This drawing was also completed in December 2006 and is the only other design that I've considered in any seriousness as an alternative to my all silver/metallic scheme. The design is based on a 1954 Kurtis Kraft driven by Johnnie Parsons at the Indianapolis 500. This concept features stock exhaust (with exhaust tape) and the original gauges but otherwise introduces many of the custom parts that the silver design does.

Really, it all started here...

2008-02-10T23:04:00.000+11:00

I have not given any time to the 'build' over the last few weeks but I don't want this stopping me from updating this blog! That's why I'm stepping back in time to make mention of where the Candy Rocket Specials really started.

This was the first project, a 1969 Honda CB175 K3. I purchased the bike about eight years ago and even though the bike was not running, and required some serious mechanical repair, it does still carry its original Candy Blue/Green paint. How could I not name her Candy?

Candy

The only modification is the replacement of the handlebars which now have a one inch rise instead of the original four inches. All damaged or lost parts on the bike where replaced with new-old-stock factory parts. The intention from the very beginning was to modify the bike and turn it into a nimble little cafe racer but it became to precious and I ended up restoring her instead.

The build - snapshots

2008-01-30T22:24:00.000+11:00

These are some shapshots taken over the last few weeks - they give context to the build:

(Top left) the new winker and the big factory fitted unit. All new parts are machined aluminium, polished stainless or chrome.
(Top right) the wiring harness and connectors within the headlight - the new headlight doesn't have room for much of this... its my first big hurdle!
(Bottom left) the reorganised garage dedicated to all things two wheeled.
(Bottom right) boxes and boxes of parts.

The build commences...

2008-01-29T22:33:00.001+11:00

It's serious business...

The starting point: stock 2005 model Yamaha SR400

The first major stage:

Short stainless mudgaurd at rear (Daytona)
Small indicators and tail light (Posh and Daytona)
Aluminium fuel tank (Daytona)
Ducktail seat (Nitroheads)

and the headlight has been removed...

The Grand Plan

2008-01-29T22:32:00.000+11:00

These are the modifications that are going to be made to the stock Yamaha SR400:

Remove stock handlebars from on top of yoke and replace with clip-ons mounted to forks, retaining the levers but replacing the mirrors.
Replace hand grips (current bike has been retro fitted with heated grips).
Replace headlight, speedo and tacho with a 'vintage' headlight that has a recessed speedo. All gauge/indicator lighting is also replaced. This requires new headlight brackets.
Replace front mud guard with a shorter stainless version.
Replace turn indicators with smaller machined aluminium units.
Replace all cables and wiring with shorter versions
Replace exhaust with a stainless race type exhaust
Remove side covers, airbox and existing air filter and replace with a smaller K&N filter
Re-jet the carburetor
Introduce a metal battery mounting bracket
Replace rear mud guard and brake light with shorter stainless steel unit
Replace seat with 'ducktail' single
Replace petrol tank with a raw aluminium tank
Remove existing foot pegs (including pillion), brake lever and gear lever and replace with rear set units (moving feet up and back about 200mm).

Inspiration

2008-01-29T22:31:00.001+11:00

Rockers!

It's all lifestyle...

This has always been my favourite BSA - the american version was called the Barracuda

61-64 Ferrari 250 GTO styled by Giotto Bizzarrini - nice car, but it's the paint scheme that I like!

This image is from the January 2005 edition of American Rodder - all metal!

Bare metal Rat Rod built by Savage Speed Shop.

Coker Tyres hot rod.

A bobbed rare american-made Crocker motorcycle as featured in Easyriders.

Cool custom SR400 with a Manx-style tank - and it's build on the less common silver frame.

It all started at Deus.....

2008-01-29T22:24:00.001+11:00

Test ride January 2007... yes it has been a long time in the making!

My bike at Deus (November 2007)

Time to take it home (December 2007)

Official Yamaha images:

2008-01-29T21:00:00.000+11:00

SR400 Custom - BSA Style

2008-01-29T20:04:00.000+11:00

After contemplating the design for a year, the final goal is a raw metallic cafe racer. All I needed was a silver framed SR to start the project...

This drawing (above) most accurately represents what I'm trying to do. I've updated my earlier drawing to include all the parts purchased for the project.

... and these are some of the earlier design variations that have explored more 'hot rod' themes.