Introduction:
'74 Duke four fufty. Owned since '76. Sole transport for 3 years, moved house (caravan) on it, daily commute to work/college/home. Thrown up the road, wiped out the right hand side on the kerb. Cut off the obvious bent bits, knocked it 'straight' and rode it on and off until autumn 2000, with 2 engine rebuilds, various rattle can paint jobs and 70K + under the wheels. Italian Smiths instruments are ?!?!? and the digital bike speedo is in a drawer! Pulled it apart that winter and various bits have been renewed/ restored since, but never rebuilt. Blue tit's nested in the 'silencer', life and work interrupt various plans, buy SRX600's, a Funduro, a Skorpion, a Morini 125. Finally, a ruby anniversary/ birthday comes around, not sure if I'll be about for the Golden, so will try to rebuild and set off a few car alarms while the positive side of life is still about.
The idea is to have a clean, mechanically sound bike, but not worry about the 'patina'.
Frame on the right was to be straightened, 10mm squint in the headstock and 5mm twist in the swing arm, hitting kerbs at speed isn't good. Frame on the left was supposed to be true! No, 15mm squint in the headstock, but the swing arm was true. Note: Get the frame checked in a jig afore progressing further. A shiny twisted 'dog' doesn't go round corners!
Will post more as 'progress' is made.
Thank you for reading. Bill.
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