RC45's Project-NS500 Replica - RS500 mudguard/screen found

[AndyT]

Mate

Have a look at this You tube post the guy talking was a well known british racer from the 70s and 80s and talks briefly about the Honda NS500 which he rode very successfully to many British Championships

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGvVd9pWKA4

Hope you find it interesting

Cheers

Andy

[RC45]

Thanks, that was a good watch.

Here is a video from back in the day

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=re2cKgGt-GI

[gpaddict]

Rally????? "cripons" from Japan? really.....

[RC45]

The chassis is getting closer to being ready to roll.

I am using TZ250 wheels for the build, until the Comstars are widened and ready to go.

The RS250 forks in all their miniscule glory. Holding up a partially hacked up NS400 frame.


The NSR250 MC18 FIII swingarm and linkage doing the rear suspension duty - the shock tower will need to extended.

[oktrg500]

Thanks for the update. I'm looking forward to this build very much. Any news to report regarding the engine?

[RC45]

Thanks for the update. I'm looking forward to this build very much. Any news to report regarding the engine?

THe engine is still in the tub under bench. You can see it off to the right in the last photo.

I think am going to do all the chassis development, bodywork etc with the engine in stock form - and once the bike is completely working, circle back around and tackle the engine.

[oktrg500]

Presuming the required money is available, I would have started developing the engine in a parallel process. It is my experience the months tick by very fast when waiting for e.g. tuned cylinders and custom pipes.

[RC45]

Presuming the required money is available, I would have started developing the engine in a parallel process. It is my experience the months tick by very fast when waiting for e.g. tuned cylinders and custom pipes.

The downside of that approach is that if the engine changes are very radical, the first time the chassis gets tested is while the engine is also being tested. I prefer to use a close to stock engine to perfect the bouncy bits as you dont have to be too concerned about the engine and can focus on the chassis.

So unless I can find a complete runnign NS400 engine for a reasonable price so I can have a stocker and a modded one, the engine stays stock for the first go round.

I learned the hardway with my car - the drive train mods took a lot longer to debug that expected and as such the aero and chassis mods never got to be tested properly for almost 4 years.

[oktrg500]

So unless I can find a complete runnign NS400 engine for a reasonable price so I can have a stocker and a modded one, the engine stays stock for the first go round.

I understand your approach. So off to look for another NS400 engine, then?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Honda-NS400R-go ... es&vxp=mtr

[RC45]

The Freddie Spencer roller saw the light of day today for the first time. Gave me a chance to walk around, squint with 1 eye - stare and then line it up alongside Kenny's bike






I think I have the general layout of the rear suspension sorted. Now to cut the bits and pieces and get it all welded up.

[RC45]

I have managed to track down a gent in the Orient that had a couple sets of Comstar bolts made up for himself. I bought one of his relaced wheels and have been able to secure 2 more sets of bolts.

Once I send the 17x3.5 rimmed NS400 rear off to be widened, I will have 17x3.5 front and 17x5.5 rear and be able to have decent modern rubber on the bike.

Bolts & wheels





Stock vs custom

[RC45]

When Honda says 'Do Not Disassemble'....


Is this what they mean?


Because I think they just said that because it is so difficult to get the damn things to pieces. 1 full day to butcher 1 VF1000 rears to redo the previously re-laced NS400 front I managed to find. It already had the 17" spokes and rim from a donor NS400 rear in place.

The magical bolts


Fresh and minty 17x3.5 inch front Comstar...




I am already struggling with the task of disassembling another VF1000 rear (for the rim) and disassembling an NS400 rear (for the hub and spokes) to construct a new 3.5" x 17 rear that will be sent off to Kosman o be widened to 5.5".

[rd84]

Not sure if you would consider them suitable but Astralite wheels are available again - similar in style to Comstars in some ways.

http://www.k21.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=4074.0



Cheers
Paul

[RC45]

The new rear wheel - another 3.5 x 17" - this one is going to Kosman to be widened to 5.5 x 17"

[RC45]

I looked around for some larger diameter NS400 rotors - found nothing, but I think using R1 298mm Brembo floating rotors with custom carriers will work.

Here is a rendering of the rotors superimposed on the front wheel.


Another rendering of the custom carriers