Caesar Racer No.6

I always like to run in my new bikes for 500 or so miles and as such the last posts have all been about No.7 which is going to be my summer ride of choice  - and its real test will be the 1400 or so miles to Croatia.

However Bike No.6 is well run in as I have owned this bike in various incarnations since new in 1999 and its done 25,000 reliable miles.  So here are a few excellent pictures taken by Mike Prior the other week for BSH magazine - I am never quite sure of my view on draping babes over the bikes - but this one does look rather good.

BMW R80 Wheels

My new wheels are finished from Taylor Made wheels - they are 23" diameter and have been CNC'd to match the original spoke pattern of the original 1982 BMW Cast wheels - they are looking pretty damn sweet!
Now they can be added to my forks, the original engine and a hardtail frame built around them....

BMW Custom Bike No. 7 - the rear wheel

I know its not that exciting, but my rear wheel is nearly ready from Steve Taylor - and then I can really start to get the bike planned.

23"front wheel - front fender with number plate - HD FXD forks raked out to 35 degrees - hardtail frame - stretched R80 tank - drag bars - R80 Boxer twin engine with colour coded parts - sprung seat - 23" rear wheel - rear fender with leather tool box.

It will be cool.

BMW Custom Bike No. 7 - update

The BMW R80 is the big project for 2011 - not sure whether its going to be bike No.7 - or I might move it back to Bike No. 8 as my other project is a lot simpler!
Anyway the reason for the delay on this is that I have commissioned some new BMW spoke pattern 23" wheels from Taylormade Wheels, which have proved to be not so easy - particularly the rear which will have the original hub and brake mechanism.  Anyway the front is now done and here is a picture:

Caesar Racer (Bike No. 6) - Final Build

Those regular readers of my blog will realise that I have been a bit of a slacker in respect of new bikes - well Bike No.6 The Caesar Racer based upon my old 1999 Dyna is on the ramp and making progress.  More pictures and progress over the next few weeks as I want it finished for my birthday later in September.

The 2011 Projects Bikes No.7 & 8

When I set up 7Ages, the aim was to try and do about 1.5 bikes a year - on the basis that each bike takes about a year to materialise and getting 2 out a year was just too much effort for what is a part-time project.
So 2008/9 produced Macbeth and Hamlet, 2010 has produced Othello and later on in August Bike No. VI  Caesar Racer will appear.
I now have the projects ready for 2011 and its good to know that there is something to plan ahead and look forwards to:

• Bike No.7 - I have already posted about this on the blog and its provisionally called Romeo's Beemer - a 1982 BMW R80 I bought on Ebay earlier this year.  I have just made the first investment in this bike by commissioning a set of wheels for it, from Taylormade Wheels in Wales - they will be matching 23" diametre wheels like on the last three bikes, but this time I am having them made from Billet Aluminium with the same spoke pattern as the original wheels.  In addition I have had to have the old BMW shaft drive and drum brake hub incorporated in the rear wheel - not an easy job.  Once the wheels are here I can then think about how the frame is going to work and how I am going to style it.

• Bike No.8 - I have agreed to buy the remains of the Blower Bike (see earlier post), and I am going to restore it to its former glory - only without the twin superchargers - by putting a brand new 93" S&S Shovelhead engine in which is totally appropriate for the 1971 vintage of the original bike.  When it was created as the Blower in 1995 all the styling cues were very much of Arlen Ness  - the undisputed King of custom bikes, such as the masses of billet aluminium and the huge extended fenders.  I really want to retain this feel, as I believe its due a resurgence in the custom field, after a period of back to basics bobbers.  The bike will be a beach cruiser with wide bars and a summery Californian paint job - I also want it to appeal to women riders after I watched huge crowds admiring a friends' female designed Sportser in St Tropez - and of course this bike has a very low seat height and ride position.

Caesar Racer (Bike No. 6) - Progress

Et Tu, Brute? - Yes its all coming along nicely - we got it outside today for a proper look at the proportions and details and I am feeling really pleased with the design.  I have a slot booked for the paint in a few weeks and that will take a month, so I am realistically hoping that this bike can be finished sometime in early June - ready to ride in the glorious English Summertime!  I still have a few details to finalise, controls, grips, indicators, mudguards etc - but the style is definitely 7Ages.

Romeo's Beemer - Bike No. 7 - update

Well we just pulled apart the marvellous 1982 BMW R80 and I am left with this very impressive chassis and engine - and a whole load of bits, which will end up on Ebay one day. The first decision I have made is to run this new bike with 23" Wheels front and back, with a 4.25" wide rear wheel and a 3.75" wide front wheel. I am going to get them CNC'd up by Taylor made wheels replicating the existing pattern from the BMW wheels, and keeping the large rear hub for the brake and shaft drive. Not sure about the forks yet - I have two sets sitting in my garage a 2" under set of springers and a a stock set from a new Harley. To keep the bike simple it will be a hardtail frame and I will be sketching away for a few weeks to get the lines how I want. Thats enough to be getting on with - except - I am running the working title of "Fortunes Fool"  - BMW Blue frame and white / grey paint.

Othello Tracker (Bike No. 5)

I have been waiting for the sun to shine, so that I can ride the bike over to Roddy Paine's studio and get some professional shots done.  (A full spec of the bike is available on the Main Site).  The bike rides well indeed like Bike No.4 Hamlet, the 23" wheels give a precise feel when cornering and the HD lump has bags of grunt and a fantastic noise through the fish tail exhausts.  Its been registered brand new as a 10 plate and I will be selling it this year - contact me for details.

Caesar Racer (No.6) Update

Its nearly there now, just the exhausts and some details like foot-peg supports and a battery cover to be made. Check out the new stainless oval section swingarm.  The pipes are going to run along the right side through the gap and follow the lines of the shock down to  be ground pounders.
Et tu, Brute?

Othello Tracker - Ready to Ride

Its a shame is just above freezing, wet and the roads are still covered in salt - otherwise I would be out tearing about on this one to see how it goes.  Its essentially the same as the Hamlet Tracker, but as they are hand built there are a few subtle differences - paint (Obviously), pipes, slightly longer frame, bars, mounting positions of rear light and plate, lower gearing, air filter......etc...etc....
Look and enjoy.

Et Tu, Brute? - Caesar Racer No.6

Ok after a lot of thought I have the name now and I rather like it "Et Tu, Brute?"- as the bike is a bit of a Brute if not a Brutus or a famous 70's after shave.  We have gone with the original Dyna mid-position pegs, and when sitting on it - its like a Sportster - rather comfy!
Colours - Burnt Orange, White, Black, and Silver/Metal.

Bike No.6 FXD Cafe Racer - Update

Just got the tank and rear cowling mocked up and its beginning to look the part.  The next big design issue is foot control location and exhausts.

Bike No.5 Othello Tracker - Getting There.

No.5 is getting there and looking superb - I have to admire the work of ImageDesign on the paintwork - it really is first class.  Picked up the last few bits for the bike from Shaw Harley Davidson this week - battery, a few clips and bearings and I hope by the end of the month it will be ready to fire up.  Then just need a nice clear dry day for a test run. - and then get it ready to show at the Ace Cafe Bike Show!

Bike No.6 FXD Cafe Racer

Well we are getting there, slowly but surely. I am trying to keep this bike as true to its donor bike as possible and trying to use more "genuine" Harley parts. I have added a Dyna chin fairing and quarter fairing (bought cheap on eBay) and I am keeping the stock rear shocks as well. But you can see from the pictures its slowly taking shape. I now need to consult my resident Shakespeare expert for an appropriate name for the bike.