Author Topic: Grittty not pretty build  (Read 116888 times)

J6G1Z

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1597
Re: Grittty not pretty build
« Reply #25 on: January 04, 2015, 09:35:48 am »
Please let me know how that battery performs for you.

I bought an AntiGravity small case 12 cell for my FT Ascot. The LI battery does not like the cold weather. My battery set for about 3/4 of a year before I used it. Then the winter weather rolled in. The last time that I tried to start the bike in 35-40 degree temperatures, it would not spin it fast enough. The battery has been returned to the factory for inspection/replacement.

When the battery first arrived, it spun the engine real fast, as it is rated at 360 CCA. It is real small & weighs slightly less than 3 pounds. I mounted it sideways to the cross tube behind the engine. This placed the battery right above & inline with the swing-arm pivot.

For some reason that I'm not aware of, you cannot use a standard battery charger or trickle charger on these LI batteries. It would be a good idea to remove it from the bike & bring into the house over the winter.

Good luck
J.

wrk2ride_ride2wrk

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 85
Re: Grittty not pretty build
« Reply #26 on: January 04, 2015, 06:08:42 pm »
Your right they dont like the cold. If you had a hard starter, and minus conditions you might be left hangn

That bike was starting on the 1st/2nd crank anytime with the normal battery last week, at around 10 C'.
Now its -1 C' here in the morning, its still starting 3rd crank ok, but just turning over slow to do it.
After the 1st start it turns over quick & fires 1st crank

But I've a Shorai in a 1200 and its been bangn away fine for 3yrs now

Lefty

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 215
Re: Grittty not pretty build
« Reply #27 on: January 04, 2015, 07:22:35 pm »
Odd(for me, in the staes) speedo, looks kind of Yamaha-ish?

wrk2ride_ride2wrk

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 85
Re: Grittty not pretty build
« Reply #28 on: January 04, 2015, 09:30:52 pm »
yeah you could be right there, the wiring colors are odd.

Honda pretty much uses the same colors all the way through their models I think.

wrk2ride_ride2wrk

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 85
Re: Grittty not pretty build
« Reply #29 on: January 10, 2015, 12:12:44 am »
Chose this Dunlop D605, good reviews for durability on the road & should be good when, I get to where I want to be. 

J6G1Z

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1597
Re: Grittty not pretty build
« Reply #30 on: January 10, 2015, 08:22:01 am »
That's a pretty gnarly looking tire for the street. Please let us know how it rides & corners.

J.

wrk2ride_ride2wrk

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 85
Re: Grittty not pretty build
« Reply #31 on: January 11, 2015, 08:52:58 pm »
Tire answers here J

First good tryout for ma project;                                                                                                                                                 

100klm/80mph on the slab; comfortable

80klm/30~50mph on twisties; Carved really well, could go in and out hot on most corners. Good rake on the FT500. Both tires spot on. Frnt forks a little soft, Rr was ok

50klms on back roads & fire trails; A ton of tourque, Rr tire great, Frnt bigger blocks needed. Stiffer forks/shocks. Need to grow 3 teeth on the back sprocket ( 6.75 tourque increase & 9mph drop in top speed/85mph ) could be about right, we'll see?
Wheels & brakes; Good, thought they's be too heavy & I'd change the out, but power to weight is great, might stick with them

wrk2ride_ride2wrk

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 85
Re: Grittty not pretty build
« Reply #32 on: January 11, 2015, 08:56:10 pm »
more pics of a great day out

J6G1Z

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1597
Re: Grittty not pretty build
« Reply #33 on: January 12, 2015, 09:15:05 am »
I installed an '89 CBR600 Hurricane forks on the front of my FT & Hagon shocks on the back. It handles excellent on the street. I would not recommend the CBR forks for an off-road bike, due to them lowering the bike & reducing ground clearance by about 2". Maybe some Progressive or RaceTech front springs & experiment with the fork oil viscosity. That should straighten out the front end.

Good luck... I still think that classic bike looks too clean to be out in the dirt, but it looks like you take good care of it.

J.

Lefty

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 215
Re: Grittty not pretty build
« Reply #34 on: January 14, 2015, 03:46:08 pm »
Looking killer! I love that  rear tire & the front fender looks sweet trimmed up, very nice!

wrk2ride_ride2wrk

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 85
Re: Grittty not pretty build
« Reply #35 on: January 16, 2015, 11:07:00 pm »
Tried some flat track last nite on some slimmy grass, frnt tire clogs up and slides out ;)

wrk2ride_ride2wrk

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 85
Re: Grittty not pretty build
« Reply #36 on: January 26, 2015, 07:13:20 pm »
PIAA H3 Exteme white into oldschool bucket, already tried this out without the bucket in the boonies, has plenty of range & clear white light

wrk2ride_ride2wrk

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 85
Re: Grittty not pretty build
« Reply #37 on: February 03, 2015, 06:21:12 pm »
FT "s for Flattrack right? so I was curious how it was, and It wasnt too bad either, other than the track marshal asked me to come off after about 10 laps or so cause my rear was ripping up the surface. But it was great still needed maybe 4-5 more teeth on the back for that kinda tom foolery though

Lefty

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 215
Re: Grittty not pretty build
« Reply #38 on: February 19, 2015, 07:05:35 pm »
I gotta admit, the more I look at the exhaust, the more I like it!
Thanks for the shots, that's one badass FT!

wrk2ride_ride2wrk

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 85
Re: Grittty not pretty build
« Reply #39 on: March 06, 2015, 08:26:02 pm »
Cleaned up the headlight & triple tree with a back plate and added cage to the headlight bucket.

Think I'll try those forks with 10 weight oil & maybe a 1/2 inch spacer for starters.
I have 5 weight in the now forks which according to a Japanese blog is the recommended weight
( however.. the average japanese guy is on 60-65kgs wet )

330cc & level 120mm from the top of fork tube


wrk2ride_ride2wrk

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 85
Re: Grittty not pretty build
« Reply #40 on: March 17, 2015, 08:23:31 pm »
At 12.5 oil in the forks now with a 1.2" spacer & some better rear shocks. Cleaned up the headlight bucket and added a cage.
Dropped the ignition below the tank, added a digital gauge

wrk2ride_ride2wrk

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 85
Re: Grittty not pretty build
« Reply #41 on: March 17, 2015, 08:25:32 pm »
Ignition

J6G1Z

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1597
Re: Grittty not pretty build
« Reply #42 on: March 18, 2015, 06:18:31 am »
Looks like that gauge just barely clears the tank. What model of gauge is that? Looks nice.


What power plant is that in the background?

J.

WTF304

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 174
Re: Grittty not pretty build
« Reply #43 on: March 18, 2015, 10:47:34 am »
Huh? ..... lol I'm lost. The gauge is mounted at the bars close to the original units location. Power plant in the background ?

WTF304

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 174
Re: Grittty not pretty build
« Reply #44 on: March 18, 2015, 08:20:39 pm »
Nvm lol

wrk2ride_ride2wrk

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 85
Re: Grittty not pretty build
« Reply #45 on: March 20, 2015, 05:02:36 am »
the gauge is about 1 1/2" off the tank, its a Takegawa;
rev counter
milage / speed
indicator
nuetral
High beam

That thar is a water purification plant, theres an old grass airstrip down in front of it,
took it down to fool around with the jetting and get straight runs

J6G1Z

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1597
Re: Grittty not pretty build
« Reply #46 on: March 20, 2015, 09:24:14 am »
That was my other thought. It looked like either a power generating station or a water purification plant.

J.

wrk2ride_ride2wrk

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 85
Re: Grittty not pretty build
« Reply #47 on: May 29, 2015, 09:45:59 pm »
dig it when bike stuff gets delivered  :)  FCR 39mm

wrk2ride_ride2wrk

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 85
Re: Grittty not pretty build
« Reply #48 on: June 17, 2015, 05:37:49 pm »
adaptor $ 60... ouch

Lefty

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 215
Re: Grittty not pretty build
« Reply #49 on: June 19, 2015, 09:37:00 am »
Very cool, I'm looking forward to your ride report!