New Project - 1974 850

Onthelake · Dec 18, 2014

Just starting a new project and could use some advice on replacement parts. My plan is to build a mostly stock machine that I can ride - I'll be happy to upgrade for performance with non stock parts. I've already ordered electronic ignition from Oldbritts. I've rebuilt the Amals and plan to use them for now. I'm sure there are better preforming carbs out there and I might upgrade later.

What pipes would you recommend? I written to Viking in New Zealand and really like his description. Expensive but are they worth the extra?

Is there a replacement gas tank recommendation? I may or may not replace the tank but I'm not going to spend much time trying to rehab this one.

Fork tubes - I seen quite a few on EBay with a pretty broad range in price - Any poor quality replacements I need to avoid?

Thanks for any advice.

john robert bould · Dec 18, 2014

Most ebay stanchions are eastern origin ,not the best ..Andover or Norvil "Genuine" made in England,

concours · Dec 18, 2014

Hi, OTL. welcome. EMGO has a nice quality tank, about $475USD

Forking by Frank in the US has been top quality for decades. Where on the planet are you located?

ILLF8ED · Dec 18, 2014

Sounds like you're on the right track. I got my fork tubes from Phil Radford at Fair Spares America in 1998 and they are still doing well with more than 30K miles since and no accordion gaiters.

Amals can be problematic. Got mine sleeved by Mike Gaylord, now retired and same as the fork tubes have more than 30K miles and still working OK.

Assume your gas tank is quite dented as the reason to replace it...or rusted. Original steel tanks are still out there, but getting pricey. I bought one two years ago for $450 and it cost me another $650 to get that and the steel side covers painted.

Electronic ignition - good move and any of them work good on an 850. If you get a Boyer, there is a known issue with the low tension leads at the PC board. They tend to fracture inside the insulation then you get intermittent ignition failure. It's repairable, just be aware.

concours · Dec 18, 2014

http://www.frankmain.com/

SquareHead · Dec 18, 2014

I would suggest you check out Colorado Norton Works. They are a great company with excellent service and quality products. They have a very nice set of mufflers and also carry the latest Emgo gas tanks, if I am not mistaken. http://coloradonortonworks.com/. Also, your original idea about using Old Brits is also one of my recommendations. Great people, great service!\

Welcome!

thackero · Dec 18, 2014

Walridge cycle have made in uk stanchions on sale for $110. be quick ?

Onthelake · Dec 18, 2014

Thanks to all for the quick and helpful feedback. I'm in South Texas - (someone asked. ) I'll make sure and order the fork tubes now from UK. I guess I need to research the Viking Exhaust claims a bit more. Seems like a real nice system but much more money.

htown16 · Dec 18, 2014

Couple of recommends
Amal Premier Carbs much better than the OEM ones and look the part
Mark III type iso's
Seamless peashooter mufflers, 750 pipes and exhaust nuts
3 phase alternator. I have a Sparx, seems to work fine
podtronics to replace rectifier and zener
Dyno Daves clutch seal
Waldridges has some of this stuff on sale right now. Commando Specialities also is reliable and runs discounts sometimes. I've bought fork tubes from them and they were good quality. Got my Premiers from Jerry Doe on this site.
Where abouts in South Texas? I'm in the Houston area.

rx7171 · Dec 18, 2014

If you are on a budget I got stancions, headers and silencers from Commando Specialites.
All fit no problems.
10,000 miles later they've held up real well.

Onthelake · Dec 19, 2014

john robert bould said:
Most ebay stanchions are eastern origin ,not the best ..Andover or Norvil "Genuine" made in England,

Thanks for this - I ordered some made in England after reading your post.

Onthelake · Dec 19, 2014

concours said:
Hi, OTL. welcome. EMGO has a nice quality tank, about $475USD

Forking by Frank in the US has been top quality for decades. Where on the planet are you located?

Thank you I'll check them out. I have the origianl tank and it's in great shape externally - just worried about debris given the condition of the carburetors and how long it seems to have been sitting.

N0rt0nelectr@ · Dec 19, 2014

What part of Texas are you in? I'm in Granbury, S.W. of Ft. WORTH.
Use full gators on you forks, they will last longer. The short ones trap dirt under them and that will cause a lot of ware.
John

concours · Dec 19, 2014

Onthelake said:
concours said:

Hi, OTL. welcome. EMGO has a nice quality tank, about $475USD

Forking by Frank in the US has been top quality for decades. Where on the planet are you located?

Click to expand...

Thank you I'll check them out. I have the origianl tank and it's in great shape externally - just worried about debris given the condition of the carburetors and how long it seems to have been sitting.

Does it LOOK horribly rusty using the flashlight inspection method? Many great ways to clean them... caustic wash, pea stone/bag of bolts shaken about, or the electrolysis method: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=477759

Onthelake · Dec 20, 2014

htown16 said:
Couple of recommends
Amal Premier Carbs much better than the OEM ones and look the part
Mark III type iso's
Seamless peashooter mufflers, 750 pipes and exhaust nuts
3 phase alternator. I have a Sparx, seems to work fine
podtronics to replace rectifier and zener
Dyno Daves clutch seal
Waldridges has some of this stuff on sale right now. Commando Specialities also is reliable and runs discounts sometimes. I've bought fork tubes from them and they were good quality. Got my Premiers from Jerry Doe on this site.
Where abouts in South Texas? I'm in the Houston area.

Thank you this - I've ordered the les Harris pipes and seamless mufflers from CS. Will take your advice on the alternator etc. I live on Lake Conroe-

Jerry Doe · Dec 23, 2014

I have a set of new Amal Premier carbs in stock if you need some. I will match any price on the internet you can find. PM me if you need them.
Cheers-

htown16 · Dec 23, 2014

Hope every thing goes well, keep us posted. I live around Magnolia. I ride 149 north out of Montgomery quite a bit. One of the few roads around here with some decent curves. My bikes down right now waiting for AMR to return my timing cover with their anti wet sumping mod.

Onthelake · Dec 24, 2014

concours said:
Onthelake said:

concours said:

Hi, OTL. welcome. EMGO has a nice quality tank, about $475USD

Forking by Frank in the US has been top quality for decades. Where on the planet are you located?

Click to expand...

Thank you I'll check them out. I have the origianl tank and it's in great shape externally - just worried about debris given the condition of the carburetors and how long it seems to have been sitting.

Click to expand...

Does it LOOK horribly rusty using the flashlight inspection method? Many great ways to clean them... caustic wash, pea stone/bag of bolts shaken about, or the electrolysis method: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=477759

Helpful info. Thanks. I went with the KBS kit. On the last step now and it looks good

N0rt0nelectr@ · Dec 24, 2014

I have used the Emgo fork tubes and as long as I use the European style fork gators there doesn't seem to be a problem. The originals on my bike only lasted a year due to dirt getting caught under the short dust seals and sanding down the tubes. I like the Pazon electronic ignition which I have used without problems. The Boyer uses the original wiring going into the points cavity and every time you need to take the cover off you have to remove the bullet connectors to get the wire through the hole. The Pazon has wiring coming from its control box and set screws to fix the wires to the pick up.

John in Texas

Tonyv · Dec 26, 2014

Well onthelake this is my first post and I wish you well with your project. As far as Viking exhaust systems are concerned I can say that I ordered a 2 into 1 into 2 Dunstall lookalike system for my 850 roadster and it came back on price and on time and so beautifully made that it really looks like jeweller's work - almost too good to use. The craftsmanship was beyond what I expected and a perfect fit too. I live only an hour or so away from Viking and must get down to show Paul Bryant how good they look. You won't be disappointed as far as my experience goes.

New Project - 1974 850

Similar threads