Roadster/Interstate/Thruxton R tank (2020)

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Gixxer 600 brake on Commando, part A complete.
Still have to figure out left footrest details including master cylinder mounting, brake light switch and make a brake pedal.

Even managed to get a bit of anodized gold on the bike, just enough to annoy some folks:)!
I'm not overly fond of the gold but it sure stands up. It also tones down after awhile, the shine diminishes. I can live with this much gold in this location.

Glen




 
Only made a tiny bit of progress today, not much time available. Getting the right side footrest mounted looked like a reasonable goal.

The Kickstart clears by an inch, should I forget to fold the footpeg out of the way.





 
The rear brake and footrests are finished.
The GSXR brake lever is made out of very stiff but malleable alloy so I was able to flip it over then recurve it to suit. I'll do the final bend once the primary cover is figured out.
One of the fellows on the 961 site weighed his complete new carbon wheels to compare against the standard 961 wheel.
That seemed a good plan so I weighed the finished complete rear wheel. The only reduction from here will be when LCRKen's titanium sprocket bolts replace the existing bolts.
Ken and CJ have kindly given me some titanium items to use for further weight reduction.
Anyway, this late model GSXR front wheel made a pretty light Norton rear.
IIRC the complete MK3 wheel with sprocket is around 40 lbs.
An earlier drum brake complete wheel isn't much lighter.





 
worntorn said:
IIRC the complete MK3 wheel with sprocket is around 40 lbs.
An earlier drum brake complete wheel isn't much lighter.
Click to expand...
From Kens what do wheels weigh thread

MKIII Commando 1.85x19 rear wheel with disk but w/o sprocket – 20 lbs. 14.4 oz.
MKIII Commando sprocket with stub axle – 5 lb. 5.2 oz.

Jones WM2x19, with spokes nipples and bare hub (no bearings, no drum) 13 lbs 11 oz.

Then a tire...
 
Thanks for those numbers.

A Roadrider and tube will weigh right around14 lbs.
So 26 lb 3 oz+ 14 = 40lb 3 oz+-
 
That is a good weight savings you have made.

When I built my mk2 wheels, using Excell flanged 18” Rear wheel:
With hub, bearings and 8/10 gauge SS spokes weighs 12.8 lbs.
Add rim strips, tube and a new Avon AM26 4.00 weighs 27.7 lbs

Then you need the drum...
 
Yes, that cast iron drum complete with brake plate is a chunk. I couldn't find weights for it.
The GSXR hollow axle also knocks off a fair bit of unsprung weight.

Glen
 
An example of spending a lot of ounces to obtain a not-so- great result.
The stock Commando footrest is non pivoting and is much too far forward for myself and other Commando riders I know.
And just look at the weight of it!



This hollow alloy GSXR footpeg is folding plus it includes a bearing surface for the brake lever pivot.



To get it mounted in the correct spot required fabrication of a 1 ounce mounting tab. This does away with the z plates, which are probably a couple of pounds + apiece.
Total weight savings will be around ten pounds or so, but comfort and usability is improved. Non folding pegs can be painful!

Glen
 
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I've seen examples where the stock peg has bent/broken inward and destroyed the primary cover.

Glen
 
The peg ran into this Commando primary and someone decided it was worth fixing.
I'm hoping that the 300 lb weight of this special will be light enough that low speed crashes will not occur....for a few more years at least:)
I had the last low speed crash on the Vincent loaded 2 up with luggage, about 900 lbs loaded. Not much you can do once the mistake has been made and gravity has you defeated.
No damage on that one, just the bruised ego. Crash bars saved the tank.

 
And license plate mounts added



I'm hoping with the plate there will be enough protection to keep the crud from flying off the rear tire and onto the seat/me. Perhaps I should order the brown hipster seat now and get it over with.

 
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A bit more weight off-

The stock steel tailight/brakelight assembly must weigh about 2 lbs or so.
This alloy unit is nice and less than half that weight. Unfortunately the decision to omit the rear mudguard means there is nowhere to mount this unit.

 
That won't matter as this LED will do the job plus has turn indicators and it weighs less than 1 ounce.



 
Borrowed the MK3 Interstate side cover to have a look.
I think Nigel was correct, a black side cover looks good on there.
Perhaps the smaller roadster type would be best. For one thing, the RGM folding kickstart comes up against the Interstate side cover before fully folding.
Opinions?

 
Looks amazing Glen.

Pretty sure you’re gonna get tired of “where dya get that tank from mate”?

Although probably not as tired as with the ubiquitous “I had a bike just like that“ !!

Does the gearchange work ok? Gear lever looks a bit close to the kicker, unless its just the angle of the photo?
 
That's right, the gearchange won't work properly as it is.
I've just received an unfinished gear lever from RgM, same standard pattern as the one on the bike in the photo.
The plan is to alter it such that the toe end will be in the right spot.
I have some riser clip ones to mount first. They will change things slightly.

Glen
 
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I'd get tired of the bar height in about 5 minutes. :)

Nice looking machine though.

How's the kick start when going past the rear-set foot peg? Is that 1 inch of clearance working when the peg is down?
 
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