My Christmas Project - New Build

[LouSCannon]

Well, thought I'd post up a little picture diary of my latest bike build... and phew this one was a killer... I've linked direct to the images so you can view as you read... please feel free to comment on any areas of my work you might have approached differently. This being my first major build a lot of it was all new to me!

With all the needed parts organised and laid out I thought it was about time to begin this challenging project. Fortunately my other half didn't mind me doing this project indoors...
Custom Bike Build Project - Picture 01 (http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t6/j1mb02001/BikeBuild01.jpg)

Over a strong cup of tea I thought it best to take stock on what I was about to undertake, and give the instructions a quick glance over, only now did I start to realise just how much work was ahead of me...
Custom Bike Build Project - Picture 02 (http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t6/j1mb02001/BikeBuild02.jpg)

Thought it best to start with the engine block, having given the pistons a good de-coking and assembled the block things looked to be off to a good start.
Custom Bike Build Project - Picture 03 (http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t6/j1mb02001/BikeBuild03.jpg)
Custom Bike Build Project - Picture 04 (http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t6/j1mb02001/BikeBuild04.jpg)

Time to mount the block in to it's new home, a newly assembled custom frame, it slotted in perfectly, I was actually starting to feel confident!
Custom Bike Build Project - Picture 05 (http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t6/j1mb02001/BikeBuild05.jpg)

Before long things were really coming together, the main frame was complete, new sprockets fitted, even parts of the fairing were on... but it was at this stage I started to think something wasn't looking quite right...
Custom Bike Build Project - Picture 06 (http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t6/j1mb02001/BikeBuild06.jpg)

The custom exhausts fitted in to place perfectly, I think my excitement around the awesome sound these would make slightly blinded me to a massive design flaw...
Custom Bike Build Project - Picture 07 (http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t6/j1mb02001/BikeBuild07.jpg)

Think I was doing a grand job I reach for a well deserved beverage, this was proving thirsty work, and with my lack of engineering background it wasn't until after this break I realised what had been bothering me for so long...
Custom Bike Build Project - Picture 08 (http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t6/j1mb02001/BikeBuild08.jpg)

Yup, with the front forks fitted it became glaringly obvious... it was the wrong style of bike?!?! What I now had after all my hard work was not what I had set out to build...
Custom Bike Build Project - Picture 09 (http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t6/j1mb02001/BikeBuild09.jpg)

After a long think, it was time to start all over again, disaster, all I could hope was that all the parts were up to a second attempt. At this stage any breakages or loses could mean the end of my ambitious project..
Custom Bike Build Project - Picture 10 (http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t6/j1mb02001/BikeBuild10.jpg)

Before long things were moving forward again. The engine block had been repositioned and my brand new Ohlins was in place...
Custom Bike Build Project - Picture 11 (http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t6/j1mb02001/BikeBuild11.jpg)

[LouSCannon]

The final parts of the frame came together nicely, with the custom exhaust in their intended position and the hand made high performance chain seated nicely in to the titanium sprockets...
Custom Bike Build Project - Picture 12 (http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t6/j1mb02001/BikeBuild12.jpg)

The custom light weight front fairing and electrics took longer then expected, but I think you'll agree well worth the effort.
Custom Bike Build Project - Picture 13 (http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t6/j1mb02001/BikeBuild13.jpg)

Finally, I was able to mount the specially ordered Marchesini wheels and take a step back to admire my work.
Custom Bike Build Project - Picture 14 (http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t6/j1mb02001/BikeBuild14.jpg)

Who'd have thought, after trials and tribulations encountered throughout this monstrous project I could finally climb on and take my hand built bike out for a spin...
Custom Bike Build Project - Picture 15 (http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t6/j1mb02001/BikeBuild15.jpg)

[uksurfer]

fantastic pictures and description of build, hope it might help others when taking on such a project!
Only one can of lager, think it might have deserved two, unless you took it out for a spin afterwards :biggrin:

[neilbaldry]

LouScannon, that was a great write up, it might even inspire me to try my hand at a monster winter project next year!

[Chass]

Great job:)

Here,s mine from last year.

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m135/chass1/IMG_1903.jpg

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m135/chass1/IMG_1897.jpg

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m135/chass1/IMG_1899.jpg

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m135/chass1/IMG_1901.jpg

[neilbaldry]

Oh, I forgot, I have a project for this coming year. Its an Italeri 1/9 scale Ducati 999 F06........ It going to be (hard as) nails!

[LouSCannon]

Thanks guys, hope your big project goes as well Neil!

Oh and there was more then one beer had... just thought it might be worrying to have every picture with beer! ;)

[J.P]

There I was thinking you'd already stripped down Logyk's bike !

[neilbaldry]

Could we do a 'UKMOC on toys'? As in, a /1 scale monster made of meccano? Then get some nutter to ride it down a hill?

[gary tompkins]

Wot - no rocket launchers or laser cannons? :grump:

Almost compulsory issue on Lego these days

[LouSCannon]

Wot - no rocket launchers or laser cannons? :grump:

Don't I need to tell my insurance about those?!