RELUCTANT SALE
Gez sacrifices the CB460F in the hope of hitting the summer with at least one bike that works properly
I’ve seen it written in adverts a thousand times, but now I know what ‘reluctant sale’ really means. I’ve reached something of an impasse in my shed. I have two bikes (three if you count the ‘one day project’ Gilera) in need of attention, time and cash to get them into a useable state. The two. So I’ve decided to part with the CB460F to free up time, funds and space to get the TY finished before I’m too old to actually ride the thing in a trial.
My intention was to fit a Yoshimura exhaust to the CB, get the carbs set up to suit and hit the road. But the cost of a Yoshi pipe put a halt to that. And there are couple of other things to sort out. So, bad points first .... Motad exhaust, although it’s sound and not too shabby, it’s also horrible.
When he rebuilt the bike, Rick found a couple of tiny pinprick holes in the Dresda swingarm – they’ll need repairing or a stock swingarm could be fitted.
The front brake line needs attention to stop it rubbing on the front mudguard. Now the good points... Engine rebuilt with new camchain, tensioners, primary chain, mains and big ends and the original 460cc Yoshimura pistons and cams (all within tolerance) and myriad new parts from David Silver Spares (davidsilverspares.co.uk). Frame and wheels powder coated. Many original parts rechromed. Top paint job from KAS Racepaint (kasracepaint.co.uk). New seat, mudguard and countless other parts from Mr Silver. New Hagon shocks and Avon tyres. All rebuilt and assembled by the ‘Sultan of Spanners’, Rick Parkington.
There is, as they say, too much to list, but you can check out past issues of CB to see the full extent of the work that’s gone into this bike. I’m looking for around £2700 and you can contact me with any questions on 07875 736021.
In the meantime, I’ve made progress with the TY175. The frame is back from the powder coater’s and a parcel from Trail and Trials (tytrials.co.uk) has provided new hardware to re-install the engine in the frame, among other things. I’ve collected the yokes, machined to take the TY250 forks, so the front end all’s here.
There’s very little that needs polishing – just the yokes and sump guard. The forks are good enough to just rebuild and maybe rub down with Scotchbrite, so I’ll drop what needs doing to Cross Customs (07778 589209) who did the polishing on the CB460F. Then it’s time to clear the bench, fit the engine – and brace myself for another hit on the wallet to get the wheels rebuilt and new tubes and tyres.
Where will it end?
The month in numbers (TY175): Miles 0
Money spent £200 parts, £30 machining, £80 powder coating Workshop time 0 hours (running about with parts: 3 hours)