Oilhead projects

[beachcomber]

Things are moving pretty rapidly now. The bodywork shape has been finalised and production run moulds being made.

Along the way we've developed a Belly Pan that [ operates with both stands ], 1 piece front mudguard, hugger, BCR valve cover "Covers" , AND an alternator cover [ ??? ]. Production moulds also being made.

We're just finalising the seat / upholstery base and choosing a rear light, which for some reason is proving a difficult choice !

The Adjustable Paralever is being productionised - the p.o.c. model working out fine.

The adjustable Telelever is nearly there, we're just waiting for some new parts to come from the machine shop.

The whole engine /powertrain has now been shot in Textured Black, and awaiting the "matt" finish. The next batch of texture paint will hav ethe matting agent already added.

In order to give us more room [ capacity ] for the fuel reservoir, ALL the electrics have been moved to a position under the seat. The battery will also reside there.

We've also developed a "Y" piece exhaust - that will allow the fitting of our upswept [ nearside ] GP can, but with a simple switch of pipework, allow the OEM underseat system to be fitted.

[beachcomber]

Has anyone replaced the clutch line with stainless hose ??

[beachcomber]

Still moving along, although we've been developing new items along the way which HAS slowed progress a little. However, there's no rush - just want to get it right. Talking of right, we've now got the Matt wrinkle Black paint and it looks the biz.

The Acewell multi finction digi instrument arrived and we're busy frenching it in to the tank top cover.

We're doing some basic geometry checks on the front end at the weekend, as we've come up with a cunning plan [ in my mind anyway ! ] for the adjustable Telelever. We want to be entirely certain what happens to the geometry with the lower pivot in various positions - as well as the 10mm [ 'ish ] shorter dimension for the lever itself.

The replacement "Y" piece has also been prototyped - the plan being that the base unit can be used for our side upswept system, or with the OEM cans.


The new matt wrinkle finish



The new fuel reservoir [ 20 litres ]

[Boxermed69]

That finish does look the biz. I presume it should stay attached to the engine longer than BMW's finest?

Mike

[beachcomber]

BM,

we first came across this finish about 12 years ago.

My pal uses it for the textured finish on the C Type [ and other ] dash boards after getting fed up with the price and poor consistency of Sperex.

I guess it was around 10 years ago that I asked him to paint a 912 Porsche engine [ cooling casings and various covers ] that I was putting in a customer's 550 Spyder Replica. At the same time we did a V6 Ford engine he had lying around. I last saw the customer's 550 3 years ago, and the finish is still intact and pristine !

The Cossie engine has been lying under [ partially and sometimes - not ! ] a tarp in his yard ...... yes, all still attached and looking the biz.

Unfortunately it's not commercially available in practical quantities or rattle cans - believe me we tried to persuade the manufacturers !

We DID persuade them to run us off a batch in Red some years ago - like the Ferrari valve covers. It's a 2K finish, so is inherently tough AND it has unbelievably good covering properties.

Unlike Sperex / VHT, there's no need to heat either the product or to bake it after - and the texture is always consistent. Think Leica camera cases.

I beleieve you can get the H-D version in a rattle can these days - at a price.

[beachcomber]

Here it is then - the P.O.C. / pre-production unit. Therefore excuse the non David Bailey pix - this is the real World WE live in ! Sparkly promotional pix later.

The concept [ single turnbuckle adjustment ] is one we've used for over 35 years on our various race cars where simple trackside adjustment is required.

In the real World of Oilheads [ fits all models ], this is not a daily or even monthly chore. Once the optimum rider set up has been reached, it's simply locked off.

Not happy with that setting ?? 15 minutes later and it's changed.

We noted that others on the market only had a small range of adjustment - we've added + /- 5mm for experimentation.

We're experimenting with some alternative finishes. Raw [ as is ], hard clear anodised [ as the RAMSHOX ], or maybe the Black textured finish for the body and yoke ?

The adjustable telelever proyotype is nearing P.O.C. stage.

We've also finalised the "tank" [ cover ] shape and designed the actual fuel filler and the dummy Aston / Monza cover. The housing for the single Acewell instrument has also been designed and in the process of being integrated into the "tank" top.

We're also getting our exhaust / silencer supplier [ for the cars ] to quote for a "Y" piece exhaust that will suit both stock upswept systems and our own side exit upswept version.

After 3 failed attempts - we finally got the right shade of Gold we were after !

[beachcomber]

Moving along quite nicely now, the new developments along the way sidetracked us a bit [ Adj telelever. RAMSTRUT, Shox, GRP ], but most were required for the new project anyway.

The body panel re-style is now completed - with a slight nod back to our sixties roots [ Cafe Racer ].

We've gone for a single Acewell instrument and frenched / blended it into the tank top [ cover ]so we can keep the top yoke clear of squitter.

In fact - all through we've taken the nod from the 60's and de-cluttered wherever possible. The single race seat has been moulded - we're still undecided about the rear lamp - OEM ?

We're aiming for late August / early September for completion.

[beachcomber]

A few visits to our workshop from "interested parties" has brought encouraging feedback ... we might just be headed in the right direction ............

[beachcomber]

Just bought our third R1100S [ Yellow ] - the plan is to build two immediately the pre-production bike is completed [ 4 weeks ? ], using one of the 3 as a rolling development mule.

We're aiming for 3 distinct themed [ paintwork ] looks, so there'll be at least three sets of bodywork to be made ready for painting. Oh yes, and one set of wheels will be a certain "Blue" powder coat ! We plan to fit all the other bikes with Gold powder coated wheels. The POC mule is predominantly Matt Black [ GRP parts out of the mould - and together with the Matt Black textured finish, looks a bit menacing.

That means unwanted parts will be going up for sale - fairings, seat, tank, mirrors, lights, indicators, instruments, screen, etc. Don't worry Brad - the air filter has been earmarked for you when it comes off !

Not sure if this one has a centre stand [ arriving early next week ] and other "fast moving" items. Will list up as and when.

AC bought one of those clever hydro-dippy kits that allows film transfer [ Carbon Fibre amongst others ] - he's got the hang of it now and nothing in the workshop / office is safe ! We've just invested in a larger tank that will allow larger pieces to be done - tank, seat, etc.

[Archie]

[beachcomber]

Wheels refitted with new bearings and discs and new tyres fitted.

The "cosmetic" mule is now rolling - ready for final critique and fine tuning of panel shapes etc.

There's a couple of areas we're not happy with - the "open" area below the tank [ side view ] and the shape for the "side panels" [ 60's style ].

In house we've named the 3 styles as - "Valkyrie", "Stealth" and "BCR" [ Boxer Cafe Racer ].

Yellow R1100S donor now arrived if anyone needs any bits.

[Duane]

Following this with great interest... Keep it up!

[beachcomber]

Duane, many thanx for your interest.

As stated we have had visits to the workshop fom several "very knowledgable" peeps from the World of the R1100S - AND all the comments to date have been extremely favourable.

When you embark on a project like this you immediately polarise opinion ........ into those like yourself who have an open minded interest, and those who are in the "why are you messing with our perfect classics machines"

Of course, there is no such thing as a perfect man made anything - especially motorcycles and cars.

Hands up anyone who hasn't changed something on their OEM R1100S machines ? Thought so - they are also customised - just the degree thereof

Styling is subjective - engineering has no room for ineficiency and as long as our engineering stays true to our own high standards we'll accept critique on the style in that light - a Marmite jobbie !

In the meantime the stainless bends have arrived for our particular take on the exhaust [ upswept left side ] and been knitted up ready for duplication [ jigs ].

Our tame US electronics guys are busy profiling a suitable version [ de-cat / Y Pipe, K&N style filters, freeflow silencer ] of their over the counter R1100S chip for us in small [ 10 per ] quantities. Naturally, they will suit other so equiped machines.

[beachcomber]

Theoretically the bike is finished in a couple of week's time. I'll actually be away for a Summer chill break at my Saxony home.

Full catchup and pix when I get back.

The Y Pipe prototypes are due back early next week and will be developed to suit OEM and our own application.

The US developed chips are being completed and the first 5 sent over to us asap.

All of the GRP panels are now finalised and production moulds being made.

Adjustable Paralever and fixed [ 10mm shorter ] Telelever jigs completed and productionised.