steam/diesel punk elite project By dryshave (Read 13,519 times)

[dryshave]

I've completed the restoration on one of my 85 honda elite, original to the bone. However, left with enough parts to build another scooter (with crappy panels) I've chosen to go total custom with my second bike.
I've not taken a picture of it yet, but I've stretched the frame 13" and thus able to drop the seat forward and down 9". The battery box sits under the seat and no changes were made to the engine mounts. and then shortened to just behind the frame shock mounts.
I started with a cardboard mockup and then on to foam, polyfil and bondo and am currently detailing in plasticine.
My goal is to fiberglass the two panels over the next month or so, but right now there's a lot of modeling work left to do.

I'd like to mount a 250 in place of the original 150, but if I don't find one in time, I've got a complete e150 ready to run.

The radiator was moved up and all the electronics will fit under the gas tank (not shown - old fire extinguisher) that will run up the middle of the scooter between the seat and front cowling.

Hoping for a cross between a steam/diesel punk scooter when finished

will update as I progress through the stages.

[tvnacman]

Nice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[alleyoop]

WOW!! you are a fabricator, looking really good and different. Can't wait to see it all put together it is going to be one of a kind that is for sure VERY NICE.
Alleyoop

[jahunt]

Wow! Very cool and fine work. Reading through before I looked at the pics, I was thinking to my self "hack job".

Again, keep up the good work. That is going to be a marathon project for sure!

[dryshave]

Thanks! I've got an old fashioned domed police light that I'm adding LED lights for a strobing brake light (not sure if legal here or not). The two "eyes" at the front are going to be the turn signals and the big mouth will be a serious custom grill.
Still working out the dash details and fabricating a new handlebar mount that will accept regular motorcycle handlebar. Headlight will be a mounted teardrop off of the handlebars.
Still thinking about how I'm going to handle the speedo and gauges.
Lots of fun!

[dryshave]

jahunt- Know what you mean! I mounted the frame directly to the table before cutting was done. When I cut the main tube, the front and back pieces were still trued and I have a lap of 4" on the centre tube on each end. Will post new pics of the stretched part once I get the first negative cast done. I've got all the mounting points marked but will have to adjust when I get set to do the positive cast. Not all the pieces of the panel will be fiberglass, I'm not using chrome, but will be working with cast brass and copper for highlight rings around the front and rear turn signals as well as for the front grill.
Long time project, good thing for me as I generally am like a dog with a bone on projects. This gives me time to reflect on all aspects of access and maintenance before I strap it all down.

[JR]

I'm speechless!

JR

[justbuggin2]

wow that is gonna be one bad *** bike

[cruiser]

I like the looks of this project. Great pictures too. Keep them coming. Looks like a prime candidate for the Special Projects Classroom.

[dryshave]

I realize that I have to rejig the brake pedal, but I didn't change anything on the steering column or in the engine compartment, I didn't want to have to re-invent the wheel as well. From the initial pic of the naked frame, to clay modelling it's been 7 weeks. The clay modelling will take the most time as I have to measure everything twice. I cut templates of the side I think is finished the best and overlay on the opposite side and measure then trim... eyeball. measure and trim. Takes a lot of time but the CNC quote I got was insane. I thought about using latex and then inverting the latex cast to create the opposite mold, but have decided that I can figure this out with enough time and plasticine.

[dryshave]

Wait until you see it with the fire extinguisher gas tank in the middle.... Thinking that I am going to have to go with an electric fuel pump as there is no gravity feed from there.

[dryshave]

If the weather is sunny tomorrow I'll move it outside and get a better shot. Shooting in the low light and no flash is murder on the quality.

[damin69]

WOW I can not wait to follow the progress on this project. That is pure Talent to do work like this. Very Nice job keep up the great work and I look forward to seeing the final product.

[Bong]

You have skillzz my friend!!!!! Can't wait for the finished product!!!!! Is it gonna be for sale???

[dryshave]

Latest update: Have made my final decision on the dash and instrumentation placement. It's a pain to cut away the original foam shell, but much easier than making those changes when I get to the fiberglass stage.
I've roughed in the tank location, you don't see all the tank as there is still work to be done on the bullet end where I've located the fuel gauge.
I plan on welding in a locking fuel cap on the top dead center.
The rear signal lights aren't the ones I'm using, but good enough to give you an idea of the overall look.
Most of the modeling has been completed on the riders left side rear and the right side has been sized and is in it's final carving stages.
I'm much happier with the "tom tom" dash arrangement. Speedo in the middle, with temp and oil pressure on either side.
I'm going to have a big "easy" start button that is activated by a hidden keyswitch.

Behind the front forks you can see how I laid up the foam for the front leg shield. I will cut away the foam and shape this properly once I have cast the inside piece and top in glass, that's why it looks messy. Still making it up as I go along.

I should be able to get to final modeling over the next couple of weeks. Just about ready to drop it off the table and check the look with the motor and wheels in place... More soon!

and in response to your inquiry bong... it will be for sale.... eventually. I never sell anything until I've ridden it for a while and have worked all the bugs out of it.

I hope that I will have a good set of molds that can be used a couple of more times. I might just do another on for my grand daughter, now that the difficult part of designing the shell has been completed.

I've been keeping a cost and labour log and so far I've got @ 120 hours into it and @ $150 in materials (scooter was free)