Ascot Forum

Second Generation Ascots => The V-Twin Years: Modified To Full Customs => Topic started by: J6G1Z on August 17, 2013, 09:17:06 am

Title: Custom VT500FT Ascot Pictures...
Post by: J6G1Z on August 17, 2013, 09:17:06 am
These are some pics that I found listed on the 'net. Unfortunately I don't have any build information to go with them.

I'll start off with what is most likely the only "Real" VT500 CAFE Bike. Instead of some hack job with upside down handlebars. Normally I would consider the Ascots as unfit for CAFE Bikes, but this one is certainly the exception.
Title: Re: Custom VT500FT Ascot Pictures...
Post by: J6G1Z on August 17, 2013, 09:18:43 am
Here is a real clean custom with MAC Exhaust on it.
Title: Re: Custom VT500FT Ascot Pictures...
Post by: J6G1Z on August 17, 2013, 09:19:41 am
Here is another clean custom...
Title: Re: Custom VT500FT Ascot Pictures...
Post by: J6G1Z on August 17, 2013, 09:21:14 am
Here is a super Trick VT500 & probably my favorite of the bunch.
Title: Re: Custom VT500FT Ascot Pictures...
Post by: J6G1Z on August 17, 2013, 09:24:37 am
For some reason unknown to me... This pic was included in my search. Although not an Ascot, 'tis definitely a smooth looking ride! :P
Title: Re: Custom VT500FT Ascot Pictures...
Post by: J6G1Z on August 17, 2013, 09:26:17 am
Here's a more "Patriotic" color scheme...
Title: Re: Custom VT500FT Ascot Pictures...
Post by: J6G1Z on August 17, 2013, 09:27:25 am
Here is a "Euro" version...
Title: Re: Custom VT500FT Ascot Pictures...
Post by: J6G1Z on August 17, 2013, 09:29:13 am
...And the last one for today, a serious Street Tracker.
Title: Re: Custom VT500FT Ascot Pictures...
Post by: Dougie on August 17, 2013, 04:50:45 pm
My favourate has to be the silver one, excellent attention to detail.
Title: Re: Custom VT500FT Ascot Pictures...
Post by: cdntfindanAscot on August 18, 2013, 06:24:15 pm
have you seen this beauty??
its what inspired me to get the grinder out :)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-VT500-street-tracker-by-Spirit-of-the-Seventies-/171101051598?ViewItem=&item=171101051598&nma=true&si=OHkivOAgVoaMveGr0qZvkoNla3Y%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

(http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Honda-VT500-street-tracker-by-Spirit-of-the-Seventies-/00/s/NjczWDk2MA==/z/yYIAAMXQTQpR-TQa/$T2eC16JHJF8FFqMKLT9wBR-TQ,W2eg~~60_57.JPG)
Title: Re: Custom VT500FT Ascot Pictures...
Post by: Trinorman on August 19, 2013, 05:55:18 pm
John,

I'm the owner of the cafe Ascot that you started this thread with.  Thanks for putting it up!  Best of luck with your new forum.  Here are a couple more photos (if I figured this out) and a link for more photos if interested.  Also, here is the build info.

(http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k55/trinorman/Honda%20Ascot%20Cafe%20Racer/AscotFinalVersion064.jpg) (http://s85.photobucket.com/user/trinorman/media/Honda%20Ascot%20Cafe%20Racer/AscotFinalVersion064.jpg.html)

(http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k55/trinorman/Honda%20Ascot%20Cafe%20Racer/AscotFinalVersion082.jpg) (http://s85.photobucket.com/user/trinorman/media/Honda%20Ascot%20Cafe%20Racer/AscotFinalVersion082.jpg.html)

I have posted some photos on my Photobucket page of my 1984 Ascot that I converted into a café racer over.  It’s not an obvious choice for a café bike, but I always liked the engine, gearbox, and driveshaft of this bike.  I bought the bike in 2008 just for this project.  I thought you might be interested as I think it is probably one of a kind. 

The last photo in the album is my first café bike that I built back around 1970 from a 1965 Honda CB77 Super Hawk.  I fitted it with a Paul Dunstall tank, seat and clip-ons, among other things.  It took me a few years to get around to building my second one, this Ascot, which was a bit more involved.

The Photobucket links are (the first is individual photos, the second a slideshow):

http://photobucket.com/AscotCafeRacer

http://s85.photobucket.com/albums/k55/trinorman/Honda%20Ascot%20Cafe%20Racer/?albumview=slideshow


Here is what I did to it:

1.   Custom twin exhaust system using chrome Shadow header pipes with 17” Emgo megaphone style mufflers.  Custom pipes fabricated to join headers to mufflers.
2.   K&N air filter and DynoJet jetting kit.
3.   Seat from a 1989/90 Honda GB500 with about 1” removed from the front to allow for a longer tank.
4.   Gas tank and side covers were custom made by Fred Muhlenhort of Racetec in Oxnard, California near where I live.  They are strictly one-off items that Fred designed after I showed him photos of the look I was going for.  Fred makes a lot of the gas tanks for AMA Pro Flat Trackers among other things.  His workmanship is outstanding, a true artist!
5.   Raask (Sweden) rearset foot pegs. 
6.   Tommaselli adjustable clip-ons.  I’d like them lower for the true look, but at my age my back can’t take them much lower, so a compromise. Front suspension is stock, albeit moved up about 30mm to accommodate the clip-ons mounted above the triple tree.   
7.   Alloy headlight brackets (Tommaselli copies) with a 7” classic British headlight assembly.
8.   Stainless steel mini speedometer and tachometer.  The speedo has warning lights for oil pressure, high beam, neutral and turn signals.
9.   Handlebar mounts removed from top triple tree and then polished.  The fuses were relocated to inside the headlight.
10.   Both wheels stripped of the black paint to the natural aluminum.
11.   Norton Commando fork boots.
12.   Lower fork legs polished.
13.   Digital water temperature gauge.
14.   Alloy fenders, front and rear, with hand fabricated mounts.
15.   Lucas type alloy tail light.
16.   Hagon rear shocks.
17.   Stainless steel front brake line (not fitted in photos).
18.   Roller bearing headset
19.    Lots of time and TLC!

UPDATE:  Since that description was written and the photos taken I have made a few changes, but don’t have any new photos to show the changes.  But here is what has changed.  The 17” Emgo mufflers were replaced with Norton Commando peashooters.  I replaced the digital water temp gauge with a round analog gauge.  I made a custom gauge mount for the  speedo, tach, and water temp gauge.  And finally, I changed out the rear end for one from a 500 Shadow for slightly taller gearing. 

Chris





Title: Re: Custom VT500FT Ascot Pictures...
Post by: J6G1Z on August 20, 2013, 10:37:08 am
Chris,

Thanks for the info & the update. I have seen pics of your bike for a while, but didn't know any of the details. It is truly a unique & great looking bike!

What's it like to ride & what made you select an Ascot as your base model?

J.
Title: Re: Custom VT500FT Ascot Pictures...
Post by: Trinorman on August 20, 2013, 05:32:05 pm
J,

I got interested in the Ascot about a dozen years ago when my wife learned to ride by taking the MSF course.  They supplied motorcycles during training, but we needed to get her a bike of her own to ride after training.  I found a used Ascot, but she thought it was too heavy for her.  So I rode it a little and it just made a good impression on me.  It was pretty lively for a 500, handled OK, 6th gear was a plus, and I liked the shaft drive.  We sold it pretty quickly though and bought her a Honda 250 Nighthawk that suited her better.  But the impression stayed with me and I felt it would be a good, but unusual, platform to build an old style cafe bike.  So, some years later, looking for a project bike, I bought a used Ascot for a song and went from there.

It's fun to ride and always get a lot of comments from all types of riders no matter what their particular ride might be.  When I bought the bike it had a pair of mismatched brand tires on it, but almost new, so I rode those for awhile.  I finally installed new tires, Pirelli Sport Demons, and those tires transformed the handling.  Went from OK to pretty darn good.  Also, the fork tubes are moved up in the triple trees about 30mm to accommodate the clip-ons.  To partially compensate for that 30mm, the Hagon shocks are slightly shorter than stock, about 1/2" if memory serves.  The change to the forks/shocks quickened up the steering a bit so turn is faster.  It did not seem to affect high speed stability.  I also prefer the Shadow 500 rear end.  The bike is more relaxed.  I always felt the stocker was geared too low.  I used to start off in 2nd gear with stock gearing without having to slip the clutch.

Chris
Title: Re: Custom VT500FT Ascot Pictures...
Post by: speedy on September 04, 2013, 02:40:43 pm
Here is another clean custom...

That's my bike now.  She's in Austin Texas. 
Here's the build write up:   http://www.johnnystoybox.com/honda_vt500fc_ascot.htm (http://www.johnnystoybox.com/honda_vt500fc_ascot.htm)
John did a great rebuild on the bike.  He does a great job on all his bikes it seems. 
Title: Re: Custom VT500FT Ascot Pictures...
Post by: cdntfindanAscot on September 04, 2013, 02:56:50 pm
Here is another clean custom...

That's my bike now.  She's in Austin Texas. 
Here's the build write up:   http://www.johnnystoybox.com/honda_vt500fc_ascot.htm (http://www.johnnystoybox.com/honda_vt500fc_ascot.htm)
John did a great rebuild on the bike.  He does a great job on all his bikes it seems.

That has to be one of the cleanest builds I've seen. Kudos to the man for taking the time and no little expense to produce such a beauty.
Title: Re: Custom VT500FT Ascot Pictures...
Post by: J6G1Z on September 04, 2013, 06:40:23 pm
That's an extremely clean Ascot & looks real sharp with that color scheme!

Here's a couple more pics.
Title: Re: Custom VT500FT Ascot Pictures...
Post by: speedy on September 05, 2013, 11:29:11 am
Yes..the color scheme is in honor of the Elisinore CR250 bike.  And it does look great.  I'm not keen on the gold wheels so I may redo those.  Thanks.   
http://www.motorcyclemuseum.org/asp/membersonly/museum/images/b96/HondaCR250_600.jpg (http://www.motorcyclemuseum.org/asp/membersonly/museum/images/b96/HondaCR250_600.jpg)
Title: Re: Custom VT500FT Ascot Pictures...
Post by: WmVIII on September 07, 2013, 05:01:35 pm
Hey folks, new to the forum and thought I'd share.

Here's a few pics of my '84 VT500FTC "ShAscot", so named because I have swapped on to it numerous items from the VT500C Shadow.  I always liked the 'custom' aesthetic of the Shadow yet I vastly prefer the sportier tank/seat/pegs/bars arrangement and riding position of the Ascot. 

Shadow parts include front facia and gauges, dual outlet muffler, centre stand (required for compatibility with the dual muffler), driver and passenger foot pegs, and 16" rear wheel with Avon AM26 Roadrider tires (F&R), as well as differential (the C had higher gearing due to smaller diameter wheel) and matching silver rear brake housing. Plus I have replaced the headlight with a 7" round unit.  Very little customizing was required - most of the parts just bolted right on. Also installed is the optional Hondaline rack designed for the VT500FT.

Engine performance upgrades include Dynojet Stage 1 jet kit and dual Emgo reverse megaphone shorty mufflers re-packed with more substantial FMF 4-stroke glass matting.

Braking performance upgrades are limited to the front - EBC cross drilled brake rotor and HH sintered pads, with custom Galfer SS braided brake line.

Chassis performance upgrades include Progressive Suspension shocks and fork springs, and Pro Taper bars.  Aftermarket seat cover is by Travelcade.

I've added a 12V socket for my GPS, a throttle lock, and customized a new radiator shield from expanded steel sheet (painted black) which reduces some of the visual bulk of the original shroud.

Everything else is original, including paint!

Cheers,

Bill
Title: Re: Custom VT500FT Ascot Pictures...
Post by: J6G1Z on September 07, 2013, 09:14:04 pm
Hey Bill, Welcome to the forum & great looking bike! I really like the exhaust. 8) How loud is it with the reverse megaphones? I have one of the black one piece EMGO reverse megs on my FT500 & it's a bit on the loud side.

Good luck
J.
Title: Re: Custom VT500FT Ascot Pictures...
Post by: WmVIII on September 08, 2013, 07:28:58 am
For about the first year after I installed the dual exhaust I had the oem Shadow mufflers on it, and they were loud enough to give the bike character but they had road rash on them and I wasn't overly committed to the slash-cut style.  Having seen pictures of the gorgeous cafe racer of Trinorman's that began this thread (standing ovation btw Chris!), I took inspiration in the look of the mufflers and was surprised to be able to source a set fairly easily. 

They come with very little fibreglass installed, and when I tried them initially it was very loud with a harsh popping edge to the note.  So I immediately re-glassed them with FMF 4-stroke fibreglass wool mat, and that made a tremendous difference to the sound - dropped the decibels to a more reasonable level, but also mellowed the note. Now, probably 2,000km later, they've mellowed even further and sound amazing.  I've received no complaints from neighbours or the law so far so I think I'll be ok with these unless our town starts cracking down on aftermarket mufflers.  I've kept the oem's such as they are just in case.

Cheers,

Bill
Title: Re: Custom VT500FT Ascot Pictures...
Post by: J6G1Z on September 08, 2013, 10:20:38 am
I may have to try one of those reverse megs later on down the road on my FT500 hybrid. I have a feeling that the meg that is on there now will draw too much of the wrong type of attention. It's about half a Harley loud right now.

I used to own a VT500FT many years ago & I installed the MAC dual exhaust system on it. It was a bit on the raspy side, but so was I back then. ;D  That's when "Loud Pipes Saves Lives" seemed like a logical motto. Now I like a pipe that's loud enough for pedestrians walking alongside the road & bicyclists can hear me coming, but not obnoxiously loud. I have one bike that is whisper quiet & have had a couple of bicycles weave out in front of me.

J.
Title: Re: Custom VT500FT Ascot Pictures...
Post by: Bucko on September 10, 2013, 06:49:38 pm
Hey folks, new to the forum and thought I'd share.

Here's a few pics of my '84 VT500FTC "ShAscot", so named because I have swapped on to it numerous items from the VT500C Shadow. 

Just wondering why you didn't call it an AsCow.  ;D
Title: Re: Custom VT500FT Ascot Pictures...
Post by: WmVIII on September 10, 2013, 08:12:41 pm
Ahhh hahahahaha!  I love it, and from a man named Bucko to boot :-)  Consider it renamed - AsCow it is!
Title: Re: Custom VT500FT Ascot Pictures...
Post by: redlynr on September 12, 2013, 07:52:54 am
A few pics of my vt... I need to get current ones.

I removed everything unnecessary, jetted up, added uni filter to the intake 'plenum' under the gas tank, harley headlight, sport bars...

(http://www.redpepperracing.com/gallery/d/235241-2/P1010063.jpg)

(http://www.redpepperracing.com/gallery/d/235238-2/P1010062.jpg)

(http://www.redpepperracing.com/gallery/d/235244-2/P1010064.jpg)


And another one I found along the way...

(http://www.redpepperracing.com/gallery/d/186268-3/de13.jpg)


Cheers

Title: Re: Custom VT500FT Ascot Pictures...
Post by: cdntfindanAscot on September 12, 2013, 08:20:36 am
Redlynr -  8) That was the bike (the red one) that  put me onto VT's!! Can't remember what I was surfing the net for at the time, but came across that pic and decided there and then that THAT was what I wanted.
Unfortunately it turned out Ascots are a bit thin on the ground over 'ere  :( , but I'm working on it.

Can you remember what jets and filter you used? could be a good starting place for me when I get round to removing the std airbox.

cheers
nev
Title: Re: Custom VT500FT Ascot Pictures...
Post by: J6G1Z on September 12, 2013, 09:47:01 am
That Sportster headlight looks like it belongs there & sits about perfect! 8)

Do you have any pics of the left side?

Thanks
J.
Title: Re: Custom VT500FT Ascot Pictures...
Post by: redlynr on September 12, 2013, 12:31:30 pm
those pics are terrible. so bright.  :-[

(http://www.redpepperracing.com/gallery/d/235228-2/P1010058.jpg)

The whole album...

http://www.redpepperracing.com/gallery/v/crxfanatic/album13/vt500_002/


Title: Re: Custom VT500FT Ascot Pictures...
Post by: J6G1Z on September 12, 2013, 04:32:21 pm
If it were my bike, I'd work up some kind of side covers to hide the battery & maybe even put the tail-piece back on.

By any chance have you seen my post on the Antigravity mini-batteries? They're awesome! They only weigh 3lbs & are a bit over 5" long X a bit over 3" wide X a bit over 4" tall. They come packaged in a box that has some closed cell foam pieces to make up the difference between the battery & the OEM battery box. Not only is it compact & lightweight, it produces 360 CCA! They are pricey but they last a good 5 to 6 years or so.

Good luck
J.
Title: Re: Custom VT500FT Ascot Pictures...
Post by: redlynr on September 13, 2013, 11:36:35 am
Yeah, she's a work in progress...

I'd really like to come up with a custom seat pan, with a  rear bump that I can tuck an sla and other electronics under, and with sides that would come down to meet/hide the seat rails... If that makes any sense...

That battery would be perfect for what I want to do!
Title: Re: Custom VT500FT Ascot Pictures...
Post by: J6G1Z on September 13, 2013, 11:58:12 am
What's an "sla"?

Are you familiar with the copies of the Harley Davidson XR750 seat pan & tail section? It is the classic Flat Tracker tail-piece & fits the Ascot vibe real well. There is a part that runs the length of the seat pan that covers the frame rails. Here's a pic of one that is sized for a Yamaha RD350/400 frame. It's a bit wide for the FT Ascot, but I don't know how well it would fit the VT.

Here's an FT with a XR750 tail-piece on it. http://ascot500.com/index.php?topic=13.0

Keep up the good work
J.
Title: Re: Custom VT500FT Ascot Pictures...
Post by: redlynr on September 13, 2013, 01:01:49 pm
sealed lead acid... they can be mounted in any orientation, no spill, no worry. Lithium is even better due to smaller dimensions than a similar output sla...

Yes, I have seen many seat pans; that one is high on my list if I choose to buy instead of make...

Cheers
Title: Re: Custom VT500FT Ascot Pictures...
Post by: thumperdh on December 14, 2013, 11:44:14 pm
A few pics of my vt... I need to get current ones.

I removed everything unnecessary, jetted up, added uni filter to the intake 'plenum' under the gas tank, harley headlight, sport bars...

(http://www.redpepperracing.com/gallery/d/235238-2/P1010062.jpg)

(http://www.redpepperracing.com/gallery/d/235244-2/P1010064.jpg)


Cheers

That. Is. Absolutely killer. I want a VT so much right now.
Title: Re: Custom VT500FT Ascot Pictures...
Post by: J6G1Z on December 15, 2013, 12:54:43 pm
...I want a VT so much right now.

Keep an eye on Craigslist. Or better yet, place a Wanted Ad on CL stating that you are wanting to buy a 1983-84 Honda VT500FT Ascot. When doing a Craigslist search, do a search for "Ascot", "Ascott", "VT500" & "VT 500". I have found Ascots labeled as all four of those search terms. I'm not certain, but I think there may be more FT's out there than VT's. I have had better luck running a Wanted or WTB: Ad than finding a bike listed for sale. I have seen VT's advertised for $1200 on up to over $3K for the dreamers. You should probably be prepared to go as high as $2K to maybe $2.5K for a Cherry bike with less than 10K miles on it. The problem with Ascots is that there just isn't a whole lot of them around. A lot of people think they are rare & collectable, but that is not really the case.

Good luck & happy hunting
J.
Title: Re: Custom VT500FT Ascot Pictures...
Post by: thumperdh on December 15, 2013, 10:06:09 pm
...I want a VT so much right now.

Keep an eye on Craigslist. Or better yet, place a Wanted Ad on CL stating that you are wanting to buy a 1983-84 Honda VT500FT Ascot. When doing a Craigslist search, do a search for "Ascot", "Ascott", "VT500" & "VT 500". I have found Ascots labeled as all four of those search terms. I'm not certain, but I think there may be more FT's out there than VT's. I have had better luck running a Wanted or WTB: Ad than finding a bike listed for sale. I have seen VT's advertised for $1200 on up to over $3K for the dreamers. You should probably be prepared to go as high as $2K to maybe $2.5K for a Cherry bike with less than 10K miles on it. The problem with Ascots is that there just isn't a whole lot of them around. A lot of people think they are rare & collectable, but that is not really the case.

Good luck & happy hunting
J.

I was tracking one down a few weeks ago but when I got to finally look at it there was extensive rust damage all over the frame of the bike. One of the downsides of living just a few blocks from the ocean.
Title: Re: Custom VT500FT Ascot Pictures...
Post by: Luke on July 16, 2014, 11:09:04 pm
Apologies if this beauty has already been posted ...  :-\


http://jokermachine.com/joker-racing/johnny-jumps-1984-honda-vt500ft-street-tracker/ (http://jokermachine.com/joker-racing/johnny-jumps-1984-honda-vt500ft-street-tracker/)
Title: Re: Custom VT500FT Ascot Pictures...
Post by: J6G1Z on July 17, 2014, 11:56:45 am
Apologies if this beauty has already been posted ...  :-\

http://jokermachine.com/joker-racing/johnny-jumps-1984-honda-vt500ft-street-tracker/ (http://jokermachine.com/joker-racing/johnny-jumps-1984-honda-vt500ft-street-tracker/)

Hey, That's Johnny Jumps Ascot. He's a member of the Yahoo VT Ascot Owners Group. There are some pics on this forum of that bike somewhere, but I didn't have any build details to add. Now here they are:

1984 HONDA VT500FT – Street Tracker

•Renthal Bars
•CRG Levers
•CBR F4i Front Brake
•ODI Lock-On Grips
•Motion Pro Clutch, Speedo, Choke Cables
•Honda CB750 Front Headlight
•Twinline Customs Handmade Rear Cowling and Seat Pan
•Saddlemen Custom Suede Seat
•DynoJet Jet Kit
•K&N XSTREAM Series Air Filter and Custom High-Flow Intake Tube
•Accel Ignition Wires & Coils,
•D&D Exhaust 2-1 Megaphone
•Joker Machine – Brake Rod, Brake Tip & Bar End Mirrors
•Hammerhead Designs Shifter
•K&N Filters Handmade Side Panels & Speedo Mount
•Honda CBX250 Speedo
•Honda CRF450 Foot Pegs
•Progressive Rear Shocks
•Round Bulb type rear blinkers
•AirTech “Frenched” Rear Brake Light & License Plate Mount
•Stock Honda VT500FT Wheels – Powdercoated Gloss Black
•Avon Dystanzia Tyres
•Paint by: Gauvry Customs – Riverside, CA

It is one of the best looking VT Ascots that I've seen. I was supposed to receive a write-up & ride report, but Johnny is a busy guy.
Title: Re: Custom VT500FT Ascot Pictures...
Post by: Woodguy on August 19, 2014, 10:39:23 am
Hello, I am new here and just wanted to add, I think you all have done some nice work on your VT 500's.

I am in the process of getting my first VT 500 shadow, and hope to do some work changing the stock look of it. One of my biggest questions is where do you find the 2 in 1 exhaust systems that you use. I saw for example the machin from johnny jump has a D  & D 2 in 1 megaphone exhaust, but on their website, there is no mention of such an exhaust system. I have also seen other bikes that have similar 2 in 1 systems on them,

Any help or info would be much appreciated.
Title: Re: Custom VT500FT Ascot Pictures...
Post by: J6G1Z on August 19, 2014, 11:57:56 am
Hello, I am new here and just wanted to add, I think you all have done some nice work on your VT 500's.

I am in the process of getting my first VT 500 shadow, and hope to do some work changing the stock look of it. One of my biggest questions is where do you find the 2 in 1 exhaust systems that you use. I saw for example the machin from johnny jump has a D  & D 2 in 1 megaphone exhaust, but on their website, there is no mention of such an exhaust system. I have also seen other bikes that have similar 2 in 1 systems on them,

Any help or info would be much appreciated.

I believe that exhaust on Johnny Jumps bike was fabricated by the owner.

The VT Ascot came from the factory with a 2 into 1 exhaust. There are a couple of after-market offerings, but they are both a true dual exhaust system. Both systems are manufactured by MAC. The first set of pipes they produced for the Ascots in the 80's have been discontinued. Here is a link to the last NOS MAC pipes for the Ascot: http://ascot500.com/index.php?topic=33.0
The new system from MAC can be found here: http://ascot500.com/index.php?topic=34.0

Some Ascot owners have swapped over to the Shadow exhaust to gain a factory dual exhaust system with a pipe on each side of the bike. Often the mufflers are exchanged for a classic reverse megaphone, such as the first bike in this post: http://ascot500.com/index.php?topic=20.0

That's about it on readily available exhaust systems.

Here is a post that you might find inspirational. This member wanted an Ascot, but could not locate one. So he built his version of an Ascot out of a Shadow. I think he did an excellent job: http://ascot500.com/index.php?topic=25.0

Good luck
J.
Title: Re: Custom VT500FT Ascot Pictures...
Post by: cdntfindanAscot on August 19, 2014, 02:46:41 pm


Here is a post that you might find inspirational. This member wanted an Ascot, but could not locate one. So he built his version of an Ascot out of a Shadow. I think he did an excellent job: http://ascot500.com/index.php?topic=25.0


aw shucks  ;)

Originally mine had a 2 into 2, well two separate 1 inti 1's, we just found a random 2 into 1 collector and cut and welded at the furthest point that the two pipes ran parallel - this leaves just enough flex in  the downtubes to be able to be pulled a little to enable fitting the exhaust to the heads (they sit in the sockets freely but need a little tug to clear the recess when removing, but nothing untoward.
and now painted black :)
Title: Re: Custom VT500FT Ascot Pictures...
Post by: Woodguy on August 19, 2014, 06:02:11 pm
well, thank you both for your replies, I had already read the post about 'couldntfindanascot' and smiled, because , well mine is a shadow as well. I have seen some riders use the shadow exhaust system up through the collector beneath the bike, and then run megaphone exhaust tips from the collector to the rear. First I have to get the bike running, the PO had trouble with it only running with full choke, as soon as he shut off the choke, the bike dies,, thats where I come into the picture.

Well, I dont want to hijack this thread, I will start my own when the bike is in the garage..
Title: Re: Custom VT500FT Ascot Pictures...
Post by: Woodguy on August 19, 2014, 06:10:40 pm
oh, I do have one last question. Since the frame on the VT 500 C shadow is different then the one that comes with the VT 500 FT Ascot, ( known as the PC 10 ) I am considering a frame swap..

Is the US PC 10 frame identical to the european PC 11 frame? I have compared a number of pictures, and they sure do look the same.
Title: Re: Custom VT500FT Ascot Pictures...
Post by: J6G1Z on August 19, 2014, 06:57:26 pm
oh, I do have one last question. Since the frame on the VT 500 C shadow is different then the one that comes with the VT 500 FT Ascot, ( known as the PC 10 ) I am considering a frame swap..

Is the US PC 10 frame identical to the european PC 11 frame? I have compared a number of pictures, and they sure do look the same.

This would be a good question to post up by itself.

Good luck
J.
Title: Re: Custom VT500FT Ascot Pictures...
Post by: thumperdh on August 20, 2014, 11:56:52 pm
Apologies if this beauty has already been posted ...  :-\


http://jokermachine.com/joker-racing/johnny-jumps-1984-honda-vt500ft-street-tracker/ (http://jokermachine.com/joker-racing/johnny-jumps-1984-honda-vt500ft-street-tracker/)

Finally I get to see more of this glorious machine. I can't seem to remember my Yahoo login anymore so I haven't been on the Ascot group site in some time. Interesting that it's linked to Joker Machine, they do that really nice magnetic oil drain plug that I hear so much about.
Title: Re: Custom VT500FT Ascot Pictures...
Post by: J6G1Z on August 21, 2014, 10:16:33 am
Joker Machine makes some really cool parts. That's where my horn came from. Unfortunately, what sounded loud as hell in my shed, is actually about average loud on the street.

Check out the CAFE parts on JokerMachine.com

J.
Title: Re: Custom VT500FT Ascot Pictures...
Post by: J6G1Z on March 17, 2015, 08:32:38 am
That is a nicely done VT500FT.

Super-Trapp is still around & have a few designs that will fit the Ascot's head pipes.

J.