Classic bike / bike modifying forum suggestions.

[norlander]

Norlander, you should be banned from Google, you made me look at Bobber photos again and I found this........

Currently sat in a mates shed is my Fathers Nimbus, I can hear him turning in his grave. Maybe I should build the Wooller engine special he started collecting parts for with a flat steel hardtail frame. Link.

Nice.

 

[julianthegypsy]

That's a bit gorgeous. I'd want a few more ponies, and a bit more stoppie stuff, but what a lovely look, and I bet its lovely to ride.

 

[Big Pete]

The britchopper forum is pretty friendly, good mix of guys on there, and they don't have a problem with noobs, or Jap bikes.

 

[rich the mechanic]

I'll start a new thread, but my initial question is that I want to fit a smaller rim so that I can fit a tyre with a much larger sidewall. Do I just buy a smaller rim with the same spoke count and smaller spokes or is there more to it?

The answer is yes but check the tyre fitment out first, speed rating won't be a problem but load might if the tyres are only available for very heavy bikes then it will be rock hard for a lightweight CD. Once your happy with a tyre that will fit with clearence (get a good tyre hot it can get 10mm bigger and they don't always start out the right size) and then check the correct rim is available to suit the 36 hole hub and the tyre if you want a chat and a price up give me a call at work on 0208 502 6222 and ask for Rich in wheels I'm off tommorow but back in Saturday then all next week.

 

[Psychosaffa]

The answer is yes but check the tyre fitment out first, speed rating won't be a problem but load might if the tyres are only available for very heavy bikes then it will be rock hard for a lightweight CD. Once your happy with a tyre that will fit with clearence (get a good tyre hot it can get 10mm bigger and they don't always start out the right size) and then check the correct rim is available to suit the 36 hole hub and the tyre if you want a chat and a price up give me a call at work on 0208 502 6222 and ask for Rich in wheels I'm off tommorow but back in Saturday then all next week.

That is a very kind offer. I have decided to put the bike up for sale as it's been dry stored for over 10years and is pretty solid. I'll do a cx500 build instead.

 

[Robotstar5]

......I'll do a cx500 build instead.

Cue the "plastic maggot" jokes

 

[julianthegypsy]

I can actually imagine a cx500 making a very tasty bobber. I once looked at the turbo version but was put off by the reports of nightmares servicing it. I'd be inclined to ignore it all, get one and rip all the fairings and junk off it and make something nice these days :-)

 

[rich the mechanic]

There are plenty of CX cafe racers about I can't recall a bob'd one, there is a firm on the IOW who makes up the flanges to convert the comstars to conventional spokes which look like they have seen the ones the firm I work for made back when the bikes were current.

 

[ronan]

Weren't the cx's the favorite of the dispatch riders ?

 

[julianthegypsy]

Weren't the cx's the favorite of the dispatch riders ?

I believe so, they had a reputation for being bombproof.

 

[Robotstar5]

Weren't the cx's the favorite of the dispatch riders ?

They were certainly comfortable over long distances, a pillion passenger once commented "there's enough room to hold a party back here"

 

[Wallace]

I used to see a guy on a '78 S reg CX500 regularly up to around 2002 dispatching in London, sad thing is I recognised the plate from the early 80's. Might have been like Triggers broom, same plate......

 

[fixerupper]

Oooh I like the look of that.....jeff....

 

[Wallace]

Found a photo of the Nimbus on one of it's last visits out into the open.

 

[ronan]

Are the frames of those nimbus's made of flat steel wallace ?

 

[Wallace]

Are the frames of those nimbus's made of flat steel wallace ?

Yes, rivetted together. I'm not sure of the dimensions, I think it's about 1/4" thick. The engine is a SOHC 750 four, shaft drive with a 3 speed gearbox. This one has sidecar gearing and I struggled to keep up with my Father on it riding a DT175MX! When a few of the other projects are out of the way I will get it running again, 1983 was the last time I remember hearing it, sounds like a tractor with the exposed tappets. Never ridden it either.

 

[julianthegypsy]

Ahem. I would like to own one of those, and that is all. Thank you. :-)

 

[Robotstar5]

An old college friend had an in-line 4 think it was a Henderson

 

[Shox Dr]

Are the frames of those nimbus's made of flat steel wallace ?

A very rare mix of Steel and elastic bands. Think of a plunger frame but twisting at both ends

 

[rich the mechanic]

Take a close look at the front wheel the spokes are all bent in the middle - on purpose I will add because it was designed as a sidecar machine it was built like that to allow the wheel to flex under the extra side loads on the side of the wheel.