budget bikes?

[Marc.com]

you can see from that how channeled the tank on the Cheney framed BSA is, seems to be a  common modification with all the top Brit B44s. Allows you to get over the front wheel more.

[bazza]

I had B44 one on the Beeza and now have GP tank it is way smaller

[firko]

That's Bazzas yellow B44 tank on the previous page.

[mainline]

cheers again guys. I guess I'll mock it up with some sort of seat and see if I can get it looking the way i want it before I go looking for another tank.

I'm not trying to make the bike look like it has a safety seat on it but I just really like the proportions of that Cheney BSA. I can't afford the frame or the other paraphenalia that goes with it, but I'm pretty sure I can get it close aesthetically (even if it weighs 40 kgs more )

[firko]

I reckon the tank you've got is a cool period thing, especially for a B40.

[Marc.com]

I reckon the tank you've got is a cool period thing, especially for a B40.

Nah its crap, hack the bottom out of it and drop it down on the motor. Make the seat the same height as the top of the tank and then show the frame some love with some swingarm work, I would weld top brace in and make it stiffer but light.

[mainline]

mmmm... I dunno about cutting it up. I think the seat on the last BSA pictured is pretty bloody flat which doesn't help things. Actually there's a few bits on that bike that don't help

What do you have in mind though re the swingarm and bracing?

I had intended to lose a few bits of excess bracketry later on to lighten things up after I'd bolted everything in place.

[mainline]

some nice tanks in here

http://www.rickman-motorcycles.com/parts-and-prices.php

[firko]

It all comes down to what you want out of your bike Paul. If you want to build a competitive racer you've probably got the wrong combo. If you're attempting to build a good fun bike to cut a few fun laps with the old farts, you're on your way. Building your B40 to look like those Brit Cheneys takes away any historical relevence your bike posesses. Those  Cheney B44s have little resemblence to what was actually raced in the pre 65 era. Just look at Jonesys Cheney which first raced in 1965. It's nothing like the bikes Simon Cheny builds. Chopping and channeling tanks, building up seats, fitting Grimeca hubs and Marzocci forks undoubtedly makes them better race bikes but they're nothing like the bikes ridden during the pre 65 period. Those Brit Cheney Beezas have little in common with what the pre 65 class was developed for, it's a classic example of what happens when you allow open slather on eligibility criteria.

I'm the poster child for building hot rod bikes but I reckon we have to keep them within the parameters of what was accepted and used during the period we're building the bikes for. Your tank might not fit into a modern perspective of what the class is about but it's most definitely more historically correct.

[mainline]

Fair call. I suppose the main aspect I have a problem with is the massive nut-cracking gap between the seat and the tank on a lot of the old bikes

Like I said earlier, I won't start chopping things up, I'll piece it together and see how it all fits, and go from there. If I re-jig the seat a little to keep my manhood intact, well... I certainly won't be fitting a seat from an 86 Cr250

I know where you're coming from with regards to keeping things era-correct. As far as chopping cars up goes, my custom car preferences are definately late 40's, early 50's traditional customs. I'm not a fan of big billet wheels, modern interiors, or late model mercedes headlights. While we're at it the whole matt black thing has gone on far too long.

But back to bikes, I suppose me carrying on about the tank is more about not being able to find many pictures of that style tank on any of the old racebikes I've looked at. I picked up a copy of that book that Jikov mentioned, and pretty much every BSA in it has a tank more like the GP style.

Anyhow, thanks for the ongoing help.

Cheers
Paul

[mx250]

Your budget Enfield inspiration



http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Classic-vintage/auction-255903484.htm

[firko]

Yep, that's an ugly Enfield. This one shows that if you've got a good eye for proportions and use of the right parts, ugly ducklings can turn out OK.

[mainline]

that seat definately needs a touch more padding especially over the tank bolt

[EML]

"the seat needs more cushion over the mount bolt"
Maybe try some progressive coils under the seat, Wally will have the right ones.

[vandy010]

that green #435 Enfield looks pretty sweet... 
but i think the seat looks out of place.