The rat ride (polishing a turd)

[Azrael]

Righto gangsters, this heap o shite is my rat ride.
Thanks to this global economic shitfest we dont have much on at the moment which is great because i have more time to fuck around with bikes and bad because i dont have the money required to finish other more interesting projects.
So for lack of anything better to do today, I built this frame and if by some miracle im not dead from swine flu, terrorists, arse chaffe or any of the other vaguely remote threats to my health i couldnt care less about, tomorrow ill do the tank and battery box.

http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1241490884.jpg


http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1241479142.jpg


http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1241521272.jpg


http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1241521119.jpg


http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1241459074.jpg

[Azrael]

Oh, yes, for those that dont know, that motor is of the virago variety, 1984's ugliest heap of shit award winner. Its been sitting in the shed for fucking ages and is too heavy to lift to move around so i had no other option than to get it in a frame..of sorts..

http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1241464694.jpg


http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1241496416.jpg


http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1241459840.jpg


http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1241511083.jpg


http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1241512651.jpg

[camlark]

how is it you people have this shit just lying around!!! looks awesome, is it gonna be a bobber type set up ?? very cool[8D][8D]

[Bear]

You're making the virago engine look cool.

[hyofighter]

nice work tom , gonna be a interesting ride thats for sure

Fuck dude you just "knocked that together" cos you were bored? I was bored today and started making a cup of coffee but got confused half way through and ended up with an ice tea

[el sammo]

should make a cool bobber! how do you go keeepin neverything straight when youre weldin the frame?

[Azrael]

quote:Originally posted by el sammo

should make a cool bobber! how do you go keeepin neverything straight when youre weldin the frame?


This frame was a bit of a fucker as those motors sit just to the left of the wheel centre line and the motor hangs from the frame by the head bolts which are offset. The easiest way to keep it straight is to tac weld everything first then work the welds out from the engine which is also tacked to the bench(on its perch). I generally use the mig to tac things up then check and recheck the geometry then tig everything you can comfortably then pull the frame down and bench weld the harder spots with the tig.
The more complicated the frame the more bracing and jigs required but this was a pretty simple one so just a simple mock uptac then weld.

Now all i gott do is put the compliance plate and frame id on hehe..

[rock hard]

Nice Work Tom,

[Jup]

Mythbusters proved it, and now you're proving it.... you can polish a turd!

[KATO ZX7]

That looks cool.

Nice curves [}:)]

[Gix11]

Fuck you've got some skills Tom. Nice work mate.

[Weaselman]

thats a whole lot of glitter going on that turd lol

[Azrael]

Pulled the beast down off the bench today, think i might do an alloy tank to slip in between the top and bottom frame rail and possibly change it to hardtail.. hmm got some thinking to do.. any thoughts?

http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1241617772.jpg


http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1241571576.jpg

[Bear]

You may have to make a jig for that sucker by the time you're finished. How many Virago engines or wrecks would there be lying around a wrecking yard I wonder...
Never been a good use for them until this.
Is that an 1100, by the way?

[hyofighter]

its the extreme makeover the virago needed

http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1241645178.jpg

[Azrael]

Soooo I made this tank today, not everyones cuppa tea but i fucken love it..

http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1242191722.jpg


http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1242160537.jpg


Then i put it in here..

http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1242217378.jpg


http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1242189921.jpg


http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1242193583.jpg

[BANDITROD]

thats fucking awsome mate i love it

[Azrael]

I welded inch thick blocks of ally inside the tank, two on the bottom one against the front of the tank so i can drill and tap them to hide the mount points inside the frame and tank so it will have no apparent fixings and look like its just floating there[8D]

http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1242174676.jpg


http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1242200366.jpg


So that was my day..

[rock hard]

V.F.G. very fuckin good Tom

[Elapid]

It's OK I guess.

Seriously, top work. Looks great.

Kris.

[Gix11]

I love the originality of your stuff Tom. Bloody great mate.

[Iceman]

I can't believe I missed this thread, awesome work Tom.

[Gsxar]

I like the lines of the tank, looking good. Keep the pics coming:D:D

[Loz]

Tough lines! Loving this build.

[LKC73]

Man you have got some skills, not just in welding but design also! Great looking build and I look forward to more installments of this thread!

[Azrael]

Cheers all for the positive comments, ill be adding some more polish to the turd as the weeks roll on so ill keep ya's posted. I woulda put up more pics of the tank build but i got a bit carried away with it an the next thing you know it was done, there was a few beers involved and again some staring for long periods but i have some more cool ideas to finish it..

[el sammo]

nice! tank looks great

[Azrael]

Now then, bit of an update..
Since last update ive added a tray for the battery as I'm turning the area under the seat into the wiring basket/potential suprise fire hazzard
Spent the day cleaning, sanding, flap disking and die grinding the frame to get it to here..

http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1242665276.jpg


Shiney and pointy!

http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1242693296.jpg


After some discussion about the awesomeness of shiney raw metal it has been decided i need to do another bike like this and clear coat it.. just so happens i have a bike for that..

http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1242652108.jpg


Added the final support struts to the back end..

http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1242677818.jpg


Hit it with Etch primer..

http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1242687588.jpg

[Azrael]

quote:Originally posted by Bear

You may have to make a jig for that sucker by the time you're finished. How many Virago engines or wrecks would there be lying around a wrecking yard I wonder...
Never been a good use for them until this.
Is that an 1100, by the way?


Fark just re read this, sorry mate, its a 1000 an 84 model..

[Fight_fan]

Shit Tom this is coming along sweetly! Awesome work mate...

[Azrael]

Made the side for the battery box/firey death compartment today, the battery is fucken huge so i had to fuck about but i think it came out ok...?

First i made some of these..
http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1242860462.jpg


Then a coupla these..
http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1242831826.jpg


Then stuck em together to make these..
http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1242903917.jpg


Which live here..
http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1242891631.jpg


and here..
http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1242870863.jpg

[Azrael]

Then i drilled and tapped these..

http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1242888071.jpg


and this one..
http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1242880296.jpg


So it all holds in place like this..
http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1242866973.jpg


Not sure how it'll look on the bike but fuck it, its a rat bob so nearnuff..
http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1242811332.jpg

[Bear]

Dood, I'm just going by the photos here but does the gap between the subframe and the rear wheel measure up against the travel in the shocks? By the photos it looks like the wheel will touch the subframe before the shocks bottom out.

[Large]

I want some of whatever you're on.[8D]

[Azrael]

quote:Originally posted by Bear

Dood, I'm just going by the photos here but does the gap between the subframe and the rear wheel measure up against the travel in the shocks? By the photos it looks like the wheel will touch the subframe before the shocks bottom out.


Suprisingly not that easily, i jumped on it and managed to get it to kiss but only just and thats 115kg coming down on it.

I do plan however once i get the back of the bat box done and the seat on to make a bump stop somewhere, not sure how but ill work it out..

[Azrael]

quote:Originally posted by Large

I want some of whatever you're on.[8D]


What? Oxycontin, quantum theory and cheap cider? Drop in any time:D

[abusa]

Sweet ride, nice lines!!

[BANDITROD]

fucking wicked mate looks awsome

[Watto]

onya Tom ya got some ideas in that head of yours thats for sure

[fimpBIKES]

nicely done!

the tapped holes for the tank, where do they end up when its all together?
its so well hidden LOVE IT

[Azrael]

Cleaned all the shite off the motor yesterday in ready for painting, it came up pretty good, mustve beenthe inch of black oily shit protecting it from the elements..

http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1243064182.jpg


Then hit it with some good ol matt black..

http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1243012777.jpg


I finished the paint this morning and started cleaning up the side covers..

http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1242992889.jpg


Slowly getting the shiney back, seems a nice contrast to the matt black so i think ill stick to this theme for the rest of the build..

http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1243030844.jpg

[Azrael]

quote:Originally posted by fimpBIKES

nicely done!

the tapped holes for the tank, where do they end up when its all together?
its so well hidden LOVE IT


The bolts are hidden in the frame mate, ill put up some picks when i do the final assembly[8D]

[geesexar]

tom thats gonna be insane mate..

[Bear]

What sort of performance do those Virago's put out or can potentially put out? I gather there are a few mods for them? They look like 2 SR500 cylinders mated together.

[Elapid]

This is looking great. Good work Tom.

Kris.

[Azrael]

quote:Originally posted by Bear

What sort of performance do those Virago's put out or can potentially put out? I gather there are a few mods for them? They look like 2 SR500 cylinders mated together.


Not sure about outright performance on these motors, a mate has the old midnight special which is what prompted me to build this because he rides it like a lunatic and it always makes me laugh watching him going sideways on the old girl with a durry in his mouth, no shoes on and a shoulder bag fulla kingbrowns.. Well that and v twins in any frame even if a little sluggish are a hoot to ride:D

I have been warned that these things have a tendency to shit starter motors, not sure how true that is but its a hurdle ill jump when i get to it..

[Azrael]

Spent the best part of today pulling all the small bits apart and painting them, got a little carried away and did most of the bike..[}:)]

The front end on these things look snot so im not sure how well it will dress up but i started by pulling it to bits..
http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1243423615.jpg


Then taped and primed..

http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1243344498.jpg


Then hit it with the matt black..

http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1243379685.jpg


http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1243365628.jpg


I now have a pile of painted parts covering every flat surface throughout the workshop..

http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1243377893.jpg

[Azrael]

As with most old shitheaps the forks are pitted with rust so i hit em with crc and a green kitchen scourer and they came up not to bad..

http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1243374236.jpg


http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1243363924.jpg


Then taped, primed and hit em with the black..

http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1243421596.jpg


Been slowly painting all the bolts and nuts that im not replacing with new so theres no rusty old shite on the final bike..

http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1243342106.jpg


Finally welded the last few nuts/boltmounts on the frame and hit it with of course..more black..

http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1243346544.jpg


Im hoping to start assebly tomorrow so i can build the new wiring harness and work out the artwork for the tank and frame..[8D]

[hyofighter]

nice work tom , but i think it needs more black , haha :D

[Watto]

shite mate you got more done in a couple of days than I have managed in a couple of years :D

coming along very nicely

[CBRRRT]

Looking good Tom, good luck with the wiring mate, its had me scratchin my baldy heed the last couple of weeks. Mind you, I reckon your wiring will be a lot harder to figure out mate, coz I'm thinking every wire will be 'BLACK' Ha ha.

[Azrael]

quote:Originally posted by hyofighter

nice work tom , but i think it needs more black , haha :D


Wait tillthe tanks polished[8D]


quote:Originally posted by Watto

shite mate you got more done in a couple of days than I have managed in a couple of years :D

coming along very nicely


Yeh but you have a proper job mate, haha, bring it to me, ill fix it good eh[:p]


quote:Originally posted by CBRRRT

Looking good Tom, good luck with the wiring mate, its had me scratchin my baldy heed the last couple of weeks. Mind you, I reckon your wiring will be a lot harder to figure out mate, coz I'm thinking every wire will be 'BLACK' Ha ha.


I wanted to start the assembly today so i can start the wiring but the fork ran outta gas and i couldnt lift the motor down from the bench without blowin me shitvalve.

Im gonna start from scratch cos all the wiring is going to run up the top frame tube. Shouldn't be a problem though, i know a thing or 2 about wiring..;)

[Azrael]

Just some pics of the bits i could assemble today, starting to look the business..

http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1243468877.jpg


http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1243512711.jpg


http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1243493077.jpg


http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1243427468.jpg

[wackyrider]

Looking good mate

[morrigan]

That's awesome. Can't wait to see the next bit...

[Azrael]

Started putting the uglybus back together today, it went a little like this..

http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1243561609.jpg


http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1243550583.jpg


http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1243507985.jpg


http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1243570684.jpg


http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1243517298.jpg

[Azrael]

http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1243518718.jpg


http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1243531685.jpg


http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1243507887.jpg

[Azrael]

Now all i haz to do is..

Make footpegs, mounts and controllers.

Mount the dash, indicators and headlight.

Put a filler cap and tap on the tank and polish it.

Rebuild the front brake calipers and paint them.

Fabricate front and rear guards.

Build the shortest loudest pipes int the history of viragos..

And of course make this wiring harness from scratch..

http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1243543671.jpg


The holes in the lower frame that holdthe tank...

http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1243527004.jpg

[HueyonaBlade]

The side covers with contrast of black and polish look wicked

[LKC73]

This thing is unreal for a turd! Nice work mate.

[FallenHeaven]

Very good job mate!I really like it!
Keep those pics coming!

[pt]

FUCKING SPECTACULAR. So what was the decision on hardtail/softtail? i imagine it will be no suspension?

[FallenHeaven]

Go for HardTail,IMHO of course!

[CBRRRT]

My god, check that out. [:p] How C[8D][8D]L is that!

[Azrael]

Havent had time to do much on the beast due to preparing to move house so i thought id post up some pics of how we bent the frame tubes and what the bike looked like before i got to it..

http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1244112416.jpg


http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1244179085.jpg


http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1244169180.jpg


http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1244158143.jpg

[Azrael]

I didnt take too many pics during the bend process as it takes two of us to do it but you get the idea yeh..

http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1244101815.jpg


http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1244187511.jpg


This is how i got it, one fuck ugly bike. There is literally not one asthetically pleasing feature on the fucken things. The cool thing about bikes this ugly is the turd polish challenge. I know theres a lot of brand bias in motorcycling and people who hate certain bikes, brands or genres of bikes. Personnally im a dedicated bike tart, ill whore myself to any form of riding, brand or genre and i rekon there's a cool bike in even the biggest heap of shit:D

http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1244140624.jpg


http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1244134958.jpg


I mean seriously look at this frame... fucken ugly doesnt even come close..

http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1244102848.jpg

[Azrael]

quote:Originally posted by pt

FUCKING SPECTACULAR. So what was the decision on hardtail/softtail? i imagine it will be no suspension?




quote:Originally posted by FallenHeaven

Go for HardTail,IMHO of course!


I would've liked to go hardtail on this bike, unfortunately being a shaft drive and the swinger being offset it looks really fucked and kinda amaturish welding frame rails from the swinger to the seat/frame so im sticking with the springs on this build..[B)]

The good news is i have this sitting in the shed.. its an 84 cb 250 <s>supergay</s> superdream..
It looks like its sat in a vat of caustic for the last ten years so it needs some work but this is gonna get a serious pimpin hardtail bobber frame, no paint, clear coated metal frame, tank and tins..

http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1244139384.jpg

[Bear]

I'm in agreement with your bike philosophy. I've had some of the maddest fun in my days on shit-box scooters and lame 2-stroke 250 roadies I've scavanged from my local tip and ressurected.

I'm keeping my eyes open for a similiar cruiser based project - I need a bike with a comfy pillion seat. Your "Viagro" has inspired me.

[CBRRRT]

Yeah well, thats how I would av dun it too!!!!! [:o)] ha ha.

http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1244198806.jpg


Top job Tom.

[morrigan]

Will you marry me?
That's awesome work Tom

[Azrael]

quote:Originally posted by morrigan

Will you marry me?
That's awesome work Tom


Does ya dad own a brewery? haha

Cheers guys and gals, now im moved into the new place i can finish the bloody thing!

[TwinMatch]

Az,
Mate this turd build has inspired me much more than the evil gixxer jobbie you're still working on![}:)]
I never thought i'd actually say that about a Virago????[?]
Im now gonna look for a big V for a cafe project.....

Cheers

[Azrael]

Took this this morning, put it back together to bring home so the boys can have a look tonight..

Cheers twinmatch, keep us posted onyour build eh!

http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1245401198.jpg

[Fight_fan]

quote:Originally posted by Azrael

Took this this morning, put it back together to bring home so the boys can have a look tonight..

Cheers twinmatch, keep us posted onyour build eh!

http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1245401198.jpg




Thats an absolute killa Tom! Awesome work mate! [^]

[holyman_999]

That's lookin' the ducks nutz mate... top effort!:)

[Large]

Fuck yeah that's great

[zx12argh]

Fuck me - I had my doubts but your onto a winner mate. Shit hot!

[geesexar]

yeah thats bloody awesum mate

[Azrael]

A bloke on another forum has asked me to do some fab work on his chopper and in particular make some bars, so in anticipation i thought id make some to see howlong it took and whether it was worth the fucking around...soooo i made these bars this morning, they are rough as fuck but i made them in a rush, not sure what kinda bars im gonna use on this build but i made these extra huge for a laugh and i dont rekon they look too bad.

http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1245711538.jpg


http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1245725172.jpg


http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1245668634.jpg


http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1245749278.jpg


FOOKINMEOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWW!!

http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1245705462.jpg

[BANDITROD]

awsome as always tom that bike looked big till you sat on it mate ....you are a big bastard arent ya

[FallenHeaven]

Nice house by the way!!
Incredible view!
I can only wish i had that view from my window!

[Azrael]

quote:Originally posted by BANDITROD

awsome as always tom that bike looked big till you sat on it mate ....you are a big bastard arent ya


Yeah, unfortunately it limits what i can ride comfortably but thats why we build bikes to suit ourselves eh!


quote:Originally posted by FallenHeaven

Nice house by the way!!
Incredible view!
I can only wish i had that view from my window!


Cheers mate, ive been meaning to take some pics of the view and post em up, we can see the whole of perth from our bbq and more importantly, form our bedroom window hehe.

[rock hard]

hey tom,just a suggestion,if you need a brand name for those bars.try a pair of "get the fuck out" hand made handle bars.i remember when you told me about these bars as usual nice work mate.

[Bear]

I just have one question - why is the bike inside your house unfinished? [?] :D

[LKC73]

Looks cool man! You do have huge amounts of skills. Cant wait to see this thing complete.

[Azrael]

quote:Originally posted by Bear

I just have one question - why is the bike inside your house unfinished? [?] :D


Which one?

http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1245742810.jpg


http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1245796149.jpg

[Bear]

You've got too many goodies there, man. I should take one off your hands. :D

[Azrael]

Thats not the half of it:D

[BANDITROD]

hahahaha i see we have the same taste in pushbikes mate i have one exactly the same

[Azrael]

quote:Originally posted by BANDITROD

hahahaha i see we have the same taste in pushbikes mate i have one exactly the same


Thats Tans, i gotta build mine!!

[Large]

http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1245742810.jpg


Does it snow in Perth? cause that looks like a chairlift station

[Azrael]

Looked like it was going to this afternoon, these pics were taken as a front rolled in, couldnt see shit after it came up the hill..

http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1245876324.jpg


http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1245886377.jpg

[Azrael]

Woohoo, school holidays are over, kids have somewhere to go for 6hrs a day and this thing is gettin a big push.

Mounted up the footpegs today and hope to get the suicide shift and rear brake done tomorrow, then move on to the headlight..

All i really did was cut the bullshit off the original footgear and use some left over frame tube for pegs but they will be getting a finishing touch..

http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1248336451.jpg


http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1248315665.jpg


http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1248268165.jpg


http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1248265124.jpg


http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1248287130.jpg

[Azrael]

Picking up where i left off yesterday i continued to hack up the old gear shifter bits to build the suicide shift.

http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1248347162.jpg


Bent up some tube to the same curves of the frame then cut it and made a switchback lever similar to the bars..

http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1248409205.jpg


http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1248372026.jpg


http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1248352799.jpg


http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1248342990.jpg

[Azrael]

Made a bracket and mounted the headlight i got from mcm for cheaps (cheers Moz and friends) and i rekon it looks ok considering the stock headlight looks like spotlight off a landcruiser..

http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1248434111.jpg


If you look at the suicide shift it follows the lines of the frame and meets it in places giving the appearance it was meant to be there and hopefully not just something chucked on..

http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1248430286.jpg


http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1248426870.jpg


http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1248434123.jpg


I popped the speedo up where im gonna mount it but didnt have time to finish the brackets so itll have to wait till tommorrow..:)

http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1248413723.jpg

[GammaBoy]

Foot clutch?

[Azrael]

quote:Originally posted by GammaBoy

Foot clutch?


Nah, gonna do a lever or trigger clutch on the shifter and try an run the cable up the lever[8D]

[Weaselman]

personally having a jocky shift on my HD i prefer a foot clutch so i can still keep 2 hands on the bars.

If you want to mind fuck people run an internal clutch cable kit that Exile Cycles make on that jocky arm.

[timbo]

Looking good Tom