Advice/suggestions

[Moto63]

Evening all 👮😉
I’m thinking of getting a one off lightweight frame built and building a single cylinder street tracker based machine. I’m thinking of a Brit single and being pretty much a complete novice when it comes to Brit engines I’m wanting any advice/suggestions of what NOT to go for and what I should potentiality be looking to put in said one off frame.
Someone has suggested a BSA C15... which if I’m correct is a 250?? Are they reliable?
My page is a blank one at present so I’m totally open to any ideas. Please feel free to throw any ideas/suggestions you may have at me.
I look forward to hearing some of your ideas
Cheers. Michael

[Ian]

Good evening Michael, I'm surprised that you are thinking of starting another special since we haven't seen the finished results of your last one 😱.
Anyway, that aside, I'm not a big fan of Brit singles , but that harks back to the days when I had Tiger Cubs. I'm sure that there are reliable British 250s or thereabouts available but I would have thought that there are more jap singles available and historically more reliable. I'm also sure at the end of the day, this project will be down to your feelings/thoughts etc and what is readily available. If I can help in anyway, you know how to get in touch.
Sorry I can't be anymore objective than that but my knowledge doesn't run deep enough.
Hope you succeed whatever you choose to do.
Ian 🤞

[Moto63]

Good evening Michael, I'm surprised that you are thinking of starting another special since we haven't seen the finished results of your last one 😱.
Anyway, that aside, I'm not a big fan of Brit singles ,
Ian 🤞

Strike thee down with lightening ??
My new year’s resolution is to get “the tracker” finished and road worthy, now that I’ve all but finished building the high chapperell 🙄 I can start to get back in the ol garage/workshop and carve up some ally plate etc 😁
It doesn’t have to be a Brit single, I just fancy more of a traditional “Thumper” but having spent quite a few hours last night scrolling through various options I keep coming back to a Yamaha XT350. Just enough power not to be silly and light enough to make a very lightweight bike when it’s finished.
Anyway, very early daze but I do fancy doing one 🤷🤞
Name withheld to protect the unfinished project bike builder

[iansoady]

The C15 was never a good engine but later B44s were much improved, and the B50 was quite a beast. One of my current projects which I have mentioned here before is a Suzuki DRZ400E engine (actually I believe from a CCM) in a BSA B25 (later C15) frame. I have only ridden it once and was very impressed. Something like that may be worth a thought? The Suzuki engine apparently delivers around 42 bhp in CCM form so much more than a C15 etc.

Here it is as bought although looking much better now.

[Moto63]

Thanks both Ian’s for your input. I’m definitely wanting to go air cooled and carb’d no fuel injection.
I keep coming back to either a Honda XR400 or a Yam XT350.
Both light(ish) engines with a reasonable amount of power, coupled with hopefully slotting it into a very lightweight frame. Would hopefully make for a light, nimble bike. Certainly something one would be able to have some fun on 🤷
Thanks again to both bits of advice/suggestions. Please feel free to keep contributing as in these dark miserable evenings it’s giving me plenty to think about
Cheers, Michael

[Ian]

You could always use an SRX engine ...... 🤔🙄🏍?

[Moto63]

I have considered one Ian. Have you got one for sale? 😉

[JOOLZ]

The trouble with getting a frame built is registering it at the DVLA and the insurance companies will charge you a hefty premium

[iansoady]

That's true, DVLA have really tightened up over the last couple of years.

[Moto63]

The company I approached about possibly building me a frame, Metal Malarkey say they take care of that side of things. Full engineers report etc.
However, the project has been put on the back burner for the time being. I’m going to concentrate on getting my tracker build finished and road worthy this year. Then once I’ve ridden it a few times (hopefully back end of this summer) I’ll make the decision whether to sell the tracker or my triumph speed twin, then go forward with possibly getting a frame done, we’ll see.
However, thanks to all that have contributed with Advice/suggestions
Cheers, Michael

[Ian]

Sorry to hear you have "back burnered" your project Michael, but so glad you are finally getting the tracker finished. Metal Malarkey aren't really very far from me (unless they have moved!) Bishops Castle at the last count, so if you need a temporary go-between I'm quite happy to oblige. Meanwhile good spannering and get that bike finished!

[Moto63]

Yes Ian metal malarkey are still based at bishops castle and thanks for the offer.👍
Also. Thanks for the encouragement on my tracker build. Although I’ve already hit a snag with my front wheel. Which I thought I’d finished.
What’s the saying
“Two steps forward, one step back”
🙄
Cheers, Michael