Future Bopchop

Some 4 years after building the second generation bopchop, some pretty firm foundations have been laid towards the third generation - future bopchop.
It started, in a way with the purchase - over a year ago now of the Vance & Hines 2 Valve cylinder head. That head created a problem in that it's bigger than the GSX head, and the GSX head is a pretty tight fit in the frame of the bopchop. So basically, it wasn't going to fit without some modification to the frame.
Rather than modify the frame it's been decided to build a new one. Longer, Stronger, wider & lower than the last. And so, over the course of the next 12 months or so you should be able to follow the build progress of 'future bopchop' I do have a name in mind for it, but it's remaining undisclosed for now. Build progress may be slow at times as funds allow, and a lot depends on how we do this season and what breaks.
Future bopchop will have a wheelbase of 79" (10 longer than the current bike).
Engine will be 1640cc and have a 8 valve cylinder head rather than the current 16 valves.
Back wheel and tyre will be 1 inch wider than before. This is quite significant really as it means with the current rules we will no longer be able to race in Competition bike. And will be forced to move to the Funny bike class.

Last week, over 20 meters of aircraft grade T45 (high tensile carbon manganese) tube arrived at the workshop. A lot needs to happen before actual frame construction can start. To set the ride height and ground clearance it's a lot easier if you have the forks and wheels in place. So, i have some Cagiva Mito forks and a bottom yoke, plus a blank headstock tube. And a new back wheel will have to be made and a tyre fitted to get the axle height.

New lathe is now fully set up and installed in the cellar too, theres even room to still get the bike out.... just. Time then, to put  new lathe through it's paces on wheel construction and much much more no doubt!