New motorbike project

[The Devils Reject]

I've done it and taken the plunge and got myself a wee bike project.

I know I've asked for advice from you guys about what to get, pros and cons etc so I ignored absolutely everything (including myself) and I've got hold of a Kawasaki Eliminator 125. The engine has totally eaten itself and it has been dropped a few times but it was ridiculously cheap. It's a bit small for me, it's a cruiser style which I'm not keen on and it's only a 125 (but as I don't have my bike licence I'm not going to complain)

I'm picking it up tonight so pictures to follow, along with myriad bone questions as I go along. It's more of a tinkering project than being my bike for life but I'm going to see what I can do to make it a little unique.

 

[eSCHEn]

Just a "bit" small eh mate

Did you get your engine okay?

 

[The Devils Reject]

Just a "bit" small eh mate

Not my fault I'm a lanky git with abnormally long legs...

Did you get your engine okay?

Aye, the engine is already in my mates shed. Going to strip it all down and rebuild it as it's a bit of an unknown (but for what I paid for the engine you couldn't have a decent night out)

 

[eSCHEn]

Nice one

I shall expect baccers when it's done

You keeping the chop style or gonna switch it up more radically?

 

[The Devils Reject]

Nice one

I shall expect baccers when it's done

You keeping the chop style or gonna switch it up more radically?

Probably going to keep the chop style (I think I may have watched too much Sons of Anarchy recently) Just aiming for subtle changes so when people see it they go 'hmmm, that's a bit different'

And no chance of a backy when it's done as it's gonna be a single seater.

 

[eSCHEn]

Awww

Well given the height differences I think I'd probably fit on your knee

 

[Screwdriver]

Could you make a one a these:

 

[CompoSimmonite]

I could have sold you a 250cc version - EL250 !

 

[The Devils Reject]

I could have sold you a 250cc version - EL250 !

Would have been nice but as I'll be starting out on just my CBT far too big and scary...

 

[zx9]

I could have sold you a 250cc version - EL250 !

And I could have sold you the wife's ZL400 well something has to go to make room for a lathe and it will not be either of my bikes.

 

[BrokenBiker]

I had a 125 eliminator for a short while before my 125 marauder...hated both of them but that's because I had been riding a kx250 for 3 years previous and these seemed awfully slow compared to the 250 lol. Nice enough bikes for what they are. I wanted to mod my marauder but it got nicked before that could happen

 

[The Devils Reject]

No pictures yet as it was dark by the time I got it back to the shed...

 

[ronan]

That bike picture that Screwdriver posted is the way to go, get all the crap off it and have it nice and light.

 

[BrokenBiker]

I fear about the range that bike will have with such a small tank...

 

[ronan]

yeah, but a slightly larger tank would be a good idea, and its only a 125 after all.

 

[The Devils Reject]

That bike picture that Screwdriver posted is the way to go, get all the crap off it and have it nice and light.

Does that go for the rider too? Poor thing is going to have to haul a 6'2" 17 stone lump around...

 

[BrokenBiker]

Does that go for the rider too? Poor thing is going to have to haul a 6'2" 17 stone lump around...

It's a valid point, I saw a noticeable difference on my cbr600, I had stopped riding it for a while after I bought the bandit as it was was just far more fun, and put on around 25kg of weight. Went back to the cbr as i was out on a track day and it felt noticeably slower. Was also told by a Suzuki rep at the bike show that all the people that come to him asking how to get more power out of their bikes usually just need to drop a bit of weight themselves to make the difference lol.

I went back to riding the bandit after that, not that noticeable on a bike that will power wheelie in 4th...

 

[AndyStobbs]

Haven't read the whole thread, but only the first post. You might struggle like hell to get a ring set. A mate of mine had one and they had been messing with the starter motor, removed the cam chain tensioner - it promptly ratcheted right out, they didn't know it should be reset and screwed it back in. Some time later the cam chain snapped IIRC. The thing was a mess, think it needed valves and piston, anyway Kawasaki can sell you a piston but no rings. We (I) ended up buying a ring set for a pitbike engine I think, same diameter but thicker, got them surface ground to the dims of the kawasaki. I have a manual here in PDF. PM me if you need it.

 

[Wendelspanswick]

It's a valid point, I saw a noticeable difference on my cbr600, I had stopped riding it for a while after I bought the bandit as it was was just far more fun, and put on around 25kg of weight. Went back to the cbr as i was out on a track day and it felt noticeably slower. Was also told by a Suzuki rep at the bike show that all the people that come to him asking how to get more power out of their bikes usually just need to drop a bit of weight themselves to make the difference lol.

I went back to riding the bandit after that, not that noticeable on a bike that will power wheelie in 4th...

How can you put on 25kg in weight!
I'm 5'8" and I only weigh 60kg to start with!

 

[Robotstar5]

How can you put on 25kg in weight!
I'm 5'8" and I only weigh 60kg to start with!

Don't forget Brokenbiker is only his user name, his real name is Aaron Gibson who weighs 170kg