back on track building the CH250 Spacy/Elite

You could pretty say this is a sad excuse for a blog. The latest entry was about six months ago! I've been busy moving from the old workshop to the new one, making ends meet to finance that whole enterprise and other distracting business. 
But I decided no more and set myself a dead line. I entered a bike build-off contest which takes place on September 24-25, so now I have a date to work towards to.

I was lucky to get myself a donor bike, a CN250 clone with only 1600 kms on the speedo, that has a good running engine.Also  parts like the radiator and hoses have a better fit then the Spacy/Elite parts.
I lengthened the fork stem of the RS125 front fork and was able to refit the original bearings with only a 25 to 30mm shim on the bottom.
The rear wheel still aligned on the CN250 engine, but the rear shock mounts have to be widened a bit at the frame.
I have to build some struts to strengthen the engine mount to the top of the frame..

Spoke wheel on the Helix

Placed the spoke wheel on the Helix. Needed to trim the right of the swing arm 5mm to get the wheel back in the middle. No luck finding a 190mm brake disc with a 95mm bolt pattern. I will probably need to have a brake disc laser cut.

working on the Helix spoke wheel

Today I had some time so I did some turning on the lathe. I made a two piece bearing cup for the speedometer.It needed two slots in front of the bearing. I do need to align the wheel in the fork, but so far so good. I did a mock up with a 10 inch inner tube, looks quite like a slick tyre. Not bad…

quick tyre flip for the Helix and some work on the lathe for the Elite fatty

 Used the drill press to release the old tyre from the rim. Quick and easy without tyre spoons flying around...

 And some good leg work...

Voila, back on nice new 120/70-12 rubber

 Made a bearing cup for the right swing arm on the Spacy/Elite. It fits right in a 57mm inside tube.

Had to drill a new hole for the valve on the other side of the steel rim and close the other side. My initial tyre 225/45-10 turned out to have too little clearance to the engine. I'll probably end up using a stretched 150/80-10 inch tyre.

Helix exhaust update

Been working on the Helix straight pipe exhaust. All stainless parts which I make on the good old lathe. For me making the braces for welding is easiest using plywood strips, bolts and nuts.

new handlebar for the Helix

installed the handlebar yesterday. Has a nice narrow fit. Proper bosozoku style!I'll take it back off for paint en maybe colorful surprise...

Helix handlebar shizzle

fabricating a custom handlebar for the Helix. came from a Yamaha SR500. Narrowed the middle and gave it serious pullback, probably 400mm.

parts for winter project Honda Helix

I'm saving up new parts for winter. Time to swap the original Helix front wheel for a 12 inch spoke wheel from a PitsterPro bike with a 120/70-12 tyre . Plus a Japan import adapter for a custom handlebar. The Helix stainless exhaust and the fatty swap 'n stretch for the Elite is also still on the agenda. The list is long, but slowly will get there...

the International CSC

the godfathers nose-to-nose. 

the International CSC stands for the International Classic Scooter Customs, Custom Scooter Classics, Custom Scooter Crew or Custom Scooter Club.My big scheme to start an International Custom Honda CN250-CH250 something…

new seat for the Helix

A new metallic purple seat made by Miller Kustom Upholstery. Great job!

The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride 's-Hertogenbosch 2014

The second edition of the Distinguished Gentleman's Ride 's-Hertogenbosch took place on the 28th of September. A great day; beautiful weather, lots of nice bikes and a cheerful number of riders.
Riding the Helix in front of a lot of cool bikes was bliss.

working on the new Helix exhaust

Apologies from the lack of posts. Too many unimportant distractions. 
I've been working on the Helix exhaust, finding the parts. I plan to do a long and straight pipe, probably with a separate extension, so I can still park it in the workshop. This setup is still too long, but the stainless pipe has the right diameter.

the Helix on new shocks

Finally finished the new shocks for the Helix. Front 245mm instead of 295mm, the back is now 270mm instead of 315mm. I like the new stance, but definitely need a custom exhaust.
Also coated the underskirt in the Mulberry Red, a great color...

Deep purple beauty in the workshop!

Yep, the time has come. The CH250 Spacy/Elite has his big brother in the workshop. It is a 1994 Helix with a beautiful deep purple colour is very good condition.The overall state is pretty nice, it only needs an engine check and a new clutch. It has 48,000 kms on the speedo.

I plan to coat the grey fairing in the same deep purple color, drop it 5cms and an XXL longshot exhaust. Plus a new matching upholstery.

I'm a happy man...