So I got bit by the Minibike bug. Don't know why, but I did. After the eBay find Flexo I decided to build an Azusa.
Started out with a rusty frame. The poof can paint job did not hold up well on the coast. I was told that this is a later, perhaps 90's vintage frame, it's not out of the 60's I really don't know when it was made.
This is as it came back from the media blasters, I reflowed a couple of suspect welds, didn't want it falling apart when I was riding it. Also shown are the new parts I will be using.
In paint. I opted to paint it Highland Green, to pay tribute to the Bullet Mustang in the movie Bullet with Steve McQueen.
Forks -
Fuel tank.
Let the build begin. It's not hard...
Forks and wheel on. I used the Azusa 10" wheels. Nice, chrome option.
Rear wheel with the dubious expanding drum brakes.
A bit about this. The bike will have a proper B&S 5HP flat head, it's not ready just yet. Got the block, got all the tins, but they will need to go to powder coat, the engine will require an overhaul. This Titan JF-200 is a placeholder. I will tell you this, the Titan, although not vintage is a very good engine. One thing, the tank must come off for it to fit into the frame.
So this is it pretty much finished. Wheels on, engine bolted, throttle hooked up, gas tank bracket bolted up, seat on, pretty much ready to go.
One thing, the Asuza doesn't have room for a jackshaft, at least with this engine, so the engine will stick out the right hand side, at least with the Titan JF-200. In fact, as I found out it still needs to move left about 1/4 (or more) as the clutch to rear wheel is off just enough to cause chain problems, as it tends to jump off the rear sprocket. Looks close, but it's alignment is not good enough.
Moving the engine isn't an option I want to take right now as that would require drilling some holes and this engine is not the final one. What I have tried to do is space the sprocket out by adding washers. Made a big difference, but it's still not right. I'll get longer button head bolts tomorrow and add a second round of washers, this should solve the problems.
Okay, so if you want a great, fun, relatively simple project, build an Asuza. Is it the best? No. Is it a classic? Yes. Fun to ride? Oh yeah. Now, with a second round of washers I should really be able to take it out and ride!
- The Bee
Started out with a rusty frame. The poof can paint job did not hold up well on the coast. I was told that this is a later, perhaps 90's vintage frame, it's not out of the 60's I really don't know when it was made.
This is as it came back from the media blasters, I reflowed a couple of suspect welds, didn't want it falling apart when I was riding it. Also shown are the new parts I will be using.
In paint. I opted to paint it Highland Green, to pay tribute to the Bullet Mustang in the movie Bullet with Steve McQueen.
Forks -
Fuel tank.
Let the build begin. It's not hard...
Forks and wheel on. I used the Azusa 10" wheels. Nice, chrome option.
Rear wheel with the dubious expanding drum brakes.
A bit about this. The bike will have a proper B&S 5HP flat head, it's not ready just yet. Got the block, got all the tins, but they will need to go to powder coat, the engine will require an overhaul. This Titan JF-200 is a placeholder. I will tell you this, the Titan, although not vintage is a very good engine. One thing, the tank must come off for it to fit into the frame.
So this is it pretty much finished. Wheels on, engine bolted, throttle hooked up, gas tank bracket bolted up, seat on, pretty much ready to go.
One thing, the Asuza doesn't have room for a jackshaft, at least with this engine, so the engine will stick out the right hand side, at least with the Titan JF-200. In fact, as I found out it still needs to move left about 1/4 (or more) as the clutch to rear wheel is off just enough to cause chain problems, as it tends to jump off the rear sprocket. Looks close, but it's alignment is not good enough.
Moving the engine isn't an option I want to take right now as that would require drilling some holes and this engine is not the final one. What I have tried to do is space the sprocket out by adding washers. Made a big difference, but it's still not right. I'll get longer button head bolts tomorrow and add a second round of washers, this should solve the problems.
Okay, so if you want a great, fun, relatively simple project, build an Asuza. Is it the best? No. Is it a classic? Yes. Fun to ride? Oh yeah. Now, with a second round of washers I should really be able to take it out and ride!
- The Bee
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