Wednesday 27 May 2015

Retainers

Took the bank holiday weekend off from dragbike building, and instead went to Santa Pod to watch the main event, and guests of Bob Brooks - Yellow metal racing team. It was a great weekend even though the bike wasn't on form. Some upgrades are due and the bike should make it into the 6's sooner rather than later. Thanks to Bob for inviting us.

Back in the cellar and it's been wheely bar construction time. The bars are of a similar but improved version of my current ones, just in larger diameter tube. And this time i was able to use the lathe to thread the tubes and ends rather than a tap and die, as the headstock tube on the lathe has a much bigger diameter than the old one.


Another mission is currently underway too. The V&H head uses valves with 6mm stems, but the retainers and collets i have are for 7mm stems. To buy them new off V&H is quite expensive, so i'm attempting to make retainers out of titanium, and i'm using collets/locks from a Toyota Supra.

This one is a test piece, i have enough bar to make a full set and a couple of spares.

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