Category Archives: Bike

New Old Stock (NOS) Campagnolo GRAN SPORT brake levers from the 70’s-80’s.

Love the details. You spin the brev inter logo to spin the cable catchers inside.

I tracked down some nice soft and gummy hoods, amazing reproduction of the old stuff, so much love.

NOS Campagnolo Victory Pedals with Toe Clip and Straps. Yeah unused from the 80’s, what a win!

So amazing.

Campag winged logo toe strap end clips, so so awesome.

The Campagnolo winged logo, it’s all over the bike now.

I put so much care into installing the pedals, what is usually just a routine installation all of a sudden is something special.

Just like old times. Into the zone with some wine, Alice in Chains on iTunes and some internet references to get the brake cable routing right.

Vintage bike brake cable ferrules made for non-aero brake levers.

Took my time to get the cables right, so so right.

She’s now period correct, makes me so happy it sure took a long time to ditch those Japanese Suntour Superbe Pro aero levers which belong to bikes from the mid to late 80’s.

Waiting for some period correct bar tape now! So close to being “done” :)

Goodbye Anthem. You were great.

Goodbye Mr. Ti. What an up and down journey it’s been. You’re a work of art despite your flaws.

Goodbye deathtrap. You were crazy fun!

Due to my fucked up financial situation I was forced to sell a few toys on eBay in order to pay off the Zoomer (why do I do this to myself?!). The Anthem sold for $2550 (rrp is over $6k!). It’s an awesome bike, climbs hills better than anything I’ve ridden but in the end of the day hills aren’t my thing. Riding it helps me to keep up with the fast boys but I’ve never had fun on the thing. My Reign on the other hand just carves up the corners when going downhill and it kicks ass on technical stuff too so it won, anthem lost and now Anthem is gone.

The Titanium bike sold for $810 which isn’t too bad. The frame has a defect in the bottom bracket but I managed to find a BB that fits and works fine. It’s a work of art with that huge imperfection. I love it lots and I’m going to miss this one for sure.

The deathtrap went for $521. It was crazy fun to build and even more fun to ride. It’s a shame it’s illegal to ride on the streets otherwise I’d have kept it and not got the Zoomer. I’ve got a feeling I know the guy who won it on eBay. I’ll soon find out I suppose!

I’ve also got a buyer for my 20inch SSR wheels which I ordered for the V35 Skyline I owned before owning the Golf. They’ll be gone next weekend, so all up that covers the Zoomer purchase, now to re-top-up my savings (which will never happen as I’ll most likely spend this cash on mods for the Zoomer!).

Standard plastic footwell had to go.

When I ride I place my heels at the edges of this plastic piece (circled) in an attempt to stretch myself out over the bike.

Strip it!

I had to remove the fuel tank to get to the plastic bits at the bottom which I also removed.

I’ll be getting some sort of brace + foot pegs soon. The fuel tank itself could either do with a polish/clean-up or some sort of cover (there’s lots to choose from).

Can’t really afford mods right now so the next best thing is to just start ripping useless shit off that I’m going to replace at a later date in any case (LOL). Due to the lower seat rail the standard bars become very high and riding the Zoomer as is feels a little cramped, the bars sweep back a lot too which really doesn’t help (will be addressed in future). In an attempt to stretch myself out over the bike I’ve found that I ride with the heels of my feet at the very edges of the plastic footwell so I’m planning to install some BMX style footpegs at the front which will do the trick nicely.

I’ve decided to really finish off the Paino with period correct parts, and in order to do that I’ve got to spend time on eBay hunting down New Old Stock (NOS) which is not only rare, but usually quite pricey too. Found these lovely NOS toe clips. So so special, they sure don’t make stuff like they used to!

Frankenstein Honda at Deus.

Zi’s new 2007 SR400.

New seat, blinkers and tail light.

Zi had the idea to come around with his cat today to play with Mia. As a previous dog owner (and first time cat owner) I’m not sure he gets that cats are pretty different to dogs. I suggested it wasn’t such a crash hot idea and that instead we should just go to Deus for lunch. Instead of driving over he rode over on his new SR400. He only bought it yesterday and already he’s replaced the chunky and ugly stock seat with a much sleeker and lower seat. He’s ripped the battery covers off and also replaced front and rear blinkers and rear tail light too (modifiers will be modifiers!). Take note of the first picture, with a few subtle changes this bike will look crash hot in no time.

PS: News just in – this bike’s previous owner was Michelle, the personal trainer from Australia’s Bigger Loser show!

Creative Factory Posh Super battle Racing CDI

Paul mentioned something about upgrading the ECU. It’s a little frustrating not knowing exactly what’s been done to the bike so far so I’ve done my research and I’ve started a modification list (see below) of stuff I’ve been able to spot on the bike.

I took the battery cover off and found this little unit above the battery. It’s a CDI (capacitor discharge ignition) made by a Japanese company called Creative Factory Posh (lol) and it advances timing and eliminates the factory rev limiter (which increases top speed). Installation images can be found here.

Paul has suggested he’s done about all you’d want to do to a stock 50cc engine. He bought and installed a performance variator (Italian brand Polini) which (paste) “aids in acceleration by getting to a higher rpm range faster with different drive face designs and more aggressive roller ramps.”. (/paste), he’s also upgraded to a Polini kevlar belt.

Pics of the variator can be found here.

Mods list as far as I can figure out, is as follows:

Modifications
– Creative Factory Posh Super battle Racing CDI
– Polini Performance Variator
– Polini Kevlar Belt
– Kijima Long Wheelbase Kit
– Daytona Sus-Drag Muffler
– Yamaha YZF R1 LED Smoked Integrated Tail light
– NCY Lowdown seat frame
– Eurosport Side Mirror
– Daytona side stand
– Foam air filter
– Chrome radiator cover
– Chrome variator cover
– Maxima Tyres
– Rego tube

It’s actually a black bike with a red battery box (phew). I’ll definitely be replacing the red battery box at some point in time.

Just the one dial, so simple. Unfortunately the speedo only goes up to 60km/hr and once you go over that the needle just keep going (I’ll look into a new Speedo later on).

I own a Honda (again).

JDM decals.

Long wheelbase kit has been installed, drag muffler too.

Aftermarket LED tails tucked away under the seat.

I’ve got my Zoomer! More pics soon :)

PS: I’ve dug up some old threads where I’ve expressed my want for one of these things, memory lane! 2006 Sydney Motor Show thread here, 2009 Deus thread here.

Helmet head!

I couldn’t ride a scooter in my Stig helmet (people would surely point and laugh!) and I didn’t want to look too tough in an all black full face so I thought this was a good compromise!

Yeah I know open face helmets are not as safe as full faces, but when I saw and tried this one on at the helmet warehouse I just had to have it. It’s super cool old school as the sides come down a lot lower than the usual crappy open face retro styled helmets on offer (I tried others, super mushroom head!). The fit feels very very good too.