Project RM175F

[DR]

Looks okay to me There's some ugly things kicking about in vmx circles but for mine this project of Mario's won't be one of them once it's completed

[Mick]

I reckon it is looking good, I am enjoying watching your progress with it.

Cheers Mick.

[Marc.com]

It currently looks like a "backyard job" (sorry) but to have done it the other way would always have people guessing what it was.

Sorry Mario mate but I am with Geoff on this one, using old PE frame front rails would sort your front engine mounts, but Geoff is right man of your undeniable talents could do it all from scratch and make it look factory..

Honest answer mate, did the loop for the exhaust used to be a door handle 

[LWC82PE]

You would have been better off to extend the downtube down & then join the lower rails into it.

I was thinking EXACTLY the same yesterday.

[suzuki43]

Mario,block out the 'constructive feedback' and continue with your project,and keep sharing your progress.

I think some people forget that we all have finite budgets, and not all of us can do a 'cheque book' restoration.There will always be a better way of modifying anything,but not all of us have unlimited funds to finance it.
Also everyones taste is different,i.e. some people think that Thor swingarms are butt ugly,but the only person who really counts at the end of the day,is the bike owner.
Cheers
Craig

[monaro308]

ALRIGHT ALRIGHT you bastards....
GMC the reason it looks like a backyard job is because it's done in my backyard!

Marc that "handle" is the LH frame rail that was cut out and modified.

"IF" i go with the straight down tube,i know its fairly easy to do which i could have done....would anyone have noticed??
I bet once the engine goes back in and the pipe is there,it will probably look like a barrel/head protector loop for the big fat PE topend...i'll wait and see.
Mind you i do now have the luxury of fitting a centre port or offset port engine of my choice  
I'll dummy fit it all today and take a piccy for you and see what you think.
I dont have the luxury of jigs,cut off saws,pipe benders and a rack full of chromemoly tubing to replace sections.
Remember this is a play/woods bike.
Its an easy change to the frame if i have to....keep em coming....i can take it!

I  agree  with you Craig...like marc's "swingarm of the gods"...people hate it but i thought it was something different from the norm'
Thats what we are here for...ideas

[Tex]

Hey Mario,

I'm pretty sure I have a crappy RM125Z frame if that's any use to you?

Tex

[Marc.com]

I  agree  with you Craig...like marc's "swingarm of the gods"...people hate it but i thought it was something different from the norm'
Thats what we are here for...ideas

Ah the "swingarm of the gods" bike is almost finished and might I say the final result may surprise a few of the knockers.   

Sorry Mario, not knocking your bike only intended constructive opinion.

Come clean Craig, you have used the occasional cheque to buy trick bits yourself along the way. 

[vmx42]

Don't listen to them Mario,
This stuff is better than any TV soap opera… much more entertaining.

As someone who's restos take years [for what seem like good reasons to me - and the family], I love following the progress of somebody elses shed time where things acutally seem to happen.

Look forward to the next installment…
VMX42

P.S. but if you aren't happy with the end result, you can always do what Geoff suggested later.

[GMC]

Well, I wasn’t bagging the project, just the frame mods and yes it was meant as constructive criticism.

“I think some people forget that we all have finite budgets, and not all of us can do a 'cheque book' restoration.There will always be a better way of modifying anything,but not all of us have unlimited funds to finance it.”
That doesn’t really come into it as Mario’s labour and costs are much the same to do it either way.

“I dont have the luxury of jigs,cut off saws,pipe benders and a rack full of chromemoly tubing to replace sections”
Yes, but I wouldn’t be using jigs or cut off saws to do this modification.
(Not using the Brobo at all at the moment since a tube grabbed and spun and I broke the effin blade. )
The tube bender and Cro-mo on the shelf are handy but it's easy to work around that, just as you already have.

“but the only person who really counts at the end of the day, is the bike owner.”
I agree entirely.
But   I think I have an old 78 RM 125 frame your welcome to as well if you want.

[huskibul]

   I'am sure all the pundits will crap em'selves when mario goes blowin' by em on the little "bush bike"(woods only in sepland)at least he will have a handle to lift her over a log if he needs to,as long as it's a good litte goer who gives a rats

[monaro308]

Whoa fella's......no ones bagging anyone here including you GMC....i'd love to have what you have because you've worked for it and thats your field of work.
So everyone....chill out its just a 4 inch section of frame.

Anyhow,I've gone out and done a refitting of the engine,pipe etc.....and i have to say with all the stuff back on,it doesn't stick out like a sore thumb and i'm gonna keep going with what i have.
The other thing i have just noticed/convinced me was because the engine is offset to the right nearly 10mm the much talked about down tube "looks" to be inline with part of the exhaust port...not a major issue but more work on either the down tube/header pipe or both.

Thanks for the offers TEX and GMC for the frames...i'll keep them in mind.
Huski you are right....bush bike..i've been hanging around "Thumpertalk" too much (in the 2 stroke/vintage) section of course 

I'll upload some more pics later and see what ya's reckon...and thanks for ALL the comments
They are all good...so relax and enjoy.
cheers...mario

[floberts]

I am really enjoying following this project and the unique approach you are taking to all the problems that arise. I dont think it looks too bad and once its painted will look fine.

Keep up the excellent work.

Cheers

[DR]

Mario, weld another matching loop on the otherside and you're right, it will look like some sort of factory case protection

[frostype400]

I am liking the project I may even steal a few of your ideas when I get my project started.

I think whatever you do out of the ordinary people will talk about it is good to see the amount of work you are doing on it I am doing a few minor mods not major ones a disc front end which is off a ts250 or there abouts and that will fit using some 82-84 pe175 t/trees because they are 38 over the earlier 36mm. Also I am going to have the lighting made to 12V if I can might even make a new loom so that it feeds every thing as I think that a few items are feed only by the coil and not the battery.

Keep up the good work I think once your pipe is on and frame painted you won't even notice the modified frame keep posting your build and good ideas thanks Michael.