| Bikers1 - Feature Bike | JACKY's BENLY RESURRECTION | |
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Inspired by my mate's BSA, which always thumps reliably up my driveway - I decided to get a project bike. Got hold of an old & tatty CD Benly 200T - because it was small, ie me feet touched the ground :-) Rode it up & down, it seemed ok - that's the extent of my mechanical talent... Got it home...had a closer look, & wished I hadn't. It was either orange with rust, or black with oil & road crap - 20 years of it ! Ho Hum...Then came upon Bikers1.com - & Marty's 185... |
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Inspired again - (& it wouldn't fit
in the bin) - the re-build began in earnest. A new frame & swing-arm later & the pace picked up. The bike was in the kitchen by now, the only place to do this, in the middle of winter...! My mate, she being ever safety- concious, with a thing about making it vibration- proof (shame) insisted on new spindles & bearings, & rubber mounted everything - (years of British bike riding...) The engine was de-coked & given a clean bill of health by John & Brian, J & B Motors, who helped with a lot with other stuff - without charging the earth ! |
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I ground the crap off the alloy with a wire brush drill attachment,
& 'shinyness' appeared. Wheels were sound, so wire brushed & polished them & pin-striped the soldified rust on the rim, a bodge to some, but pretty effective, - keeping costs down too. Cut & shut the rear guard - which had snapped anyway, covering the join with a home-made bent alloy bracket. Kept the front guard - it was the best bit on the bike ! Transfered the wire loom over, as it was in good shape... |
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A small solo seat, & tool bag (for me waterproofs) from
eBay USA, richmcparts, only $35 - bargain ! Aquired black brush-on paint from local bus garage... Painted the side panels, headlamp shell, bits, pieces & hunky tank...took a lot of patience, but didn't cost anything. All replacement nuts & bolts from same garage... Gaitered the front forks, as they were ok, (just minging), & kept the top half of the chainguard, & clocks. Replaced battery, chain, rear light, headlamp bracket, indicators...put on Triumph Bonnie import bars & grips, 'cos I love that look ! (So Do We, frrrrr, Ed) |
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With shorty mufflers on original down pipes, it growls
too ! I think this is a crackin' inspirational story that produce a proper home grown custom, just shows if ye put yer mind to it ye can turn out something right smart, a real grass roots bike, Jacky's done a fine job of it, Thanks for the story Jacky, Respect ! Al |
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