My Wing: progress shots

[Alley Kat]

Bled it tonight, it behaved a bit weird doing that. Level up and down all over; before now it's been a very standard sort of process. Chucked a lid on and went for a blast on the local twisties, boy does it run better now... Didn't get to take it above 4k (bike still not road-taxed, didn't want to wake the boys in blue) but it pulls strongly, ticks over nicely, temp stays in the lower zone. The merest hint of popping on the overrun.

Need to synch it with gauges next, and when the K&N arrives, do some plug chops & see how the jetting is. Very chuffed at the moment though.

[Cookie]

Cool, there is hope! I have my red bike almost done and I'm taking a break for a moment. If it doesn't short out and pee oil all over the place I'd like to ride it over to Doug's for my parts.
Then soon I'll be able to assassinate my carbs.

[Alley Kat]

Just done around 250 miles over today & yesterday, mix of really tight country lanes and A-road/motorway cruise. All fine except a slight weep off a valve cover bolt. Impressions:
Really doesn't like our twisties; feels like the front wheel magically grows in size... Back brake locks the rear quite easily going into corners a bit hot. Tyre's not the greatest though.
Lovely on moderate bends and faster sweepers.
Speed weave crossing white lines at 90. Note to self: don't cross white lines at 90, and check Some Stuff sometime.
High bars/low seat is superb, except 80-85 is max easy cruise, 90 is work, 100 for shortish stints only.

Is it a fast bike? No. Not exactly slow, but certainly it's not a quick bike. Rode a mate's 750 Zephyr and that's not a fast bike but is quicker than the Wing; it's power-weight ratio is better, but I'd hoped the Wing torque would help a lot. The torque is lovely to have though.

But still, it's just great to ride and I love my Wing. After we got home today, I had a drink and headed off again, just riding out without a plan. Even passed a pub and didn't stop, so it must be good

[Whiskerfish]

just riding out without a plan. Even passed a pub and didn't stop, so it must be good

That says it all!!!!

I was trying to exercise a long sitting engine this weekend. I ended up doing about 450 miles on accident

[Alley Kat]

On a nice sunny day like this I swear you can hear the pints of beer calling...

I've been doing stuff ready for work etc this evening, but all the while thinking, can I go out, where will the next ride be, can I go now, it's addictive...

450, excellent WF, send us over some of your roads will ya (or take some of our traffic - please!). Actually we should have a new traffic system: when a biker wants to go out, car owners should have to stay at home. When I'm World President, it will be so

[Whiskerfish]

450, excellent WF, send us over some of your roads will ya (or take some of our traffic - please!). Actually we should have a new traffic system: when a biker wants to go out, car owners should have to stay at home. When I'm World President, it will be so

My problem is the first 15 miles or so. Where I live (Hampton Roads) is basically an Island. You have to use bridges or tunnels to get out of town and it seems like they are always a mess with cages. But once out of town the riding is pretty good!! Not a lot of twisties in the area but some very nice country roads that make for some real nice cruising.

[Alley Kat]

Just a quick one; been riding the Wing all over, most days. No probs at all, don't even take any tools with me. Very comfortable, even with a half inch of seat padding.
It's changed a little bit only, the wheels are now satin black with polished rims (never painting Comstars again...), and the exhausts are all silver.
Discovered the speedo under-reads, while riding with other folks. So the wobble crossing white lines at 90 is actually 105...
o yes, did one-off faces for the clocks:


It's sort of up for sale, selling the Wing means something to ride + chop funds. Although, I start a job in a week, so it may stay yet...
Anyway, i just popped back really to say thanks to everyone on here for an excellent time! Good luck with all your rides & projects.

btw my chop build has a thread going at our SOHC4 brethren, over here

[Cookie]

How is the regulator working?

[Alley Kat]

All good Cookie working spot on.

[Cookie]

Cool, perhaps we can approve that design then. Running them on the shop floor is nowhere near as telling as in the bike.

[Alley Kat]

The final update: re-made the bars, the first lot were cut-n-shut and these are bent up on the tube bender. End cones made out of some strange old tool that was in the garage when we moved in, the handle happened to be solid 7/8". Powdercoat done by a friend, cost zero bar the beers I gave him.





A guy on a chop forum got in touch, asking about buying it, so it's just gone to a new home. Decided it's prob easier to sell when someone's doing the asking.

It's been just great, I've ridden it most days, and with not one problem bar a radiator leak, and won the "most like to take home" prize at the one show it went to. I'm missing it already, got my eye on another couple though...

For now, all the best folks.

[Old Fogey]

I'm missing it already, got my eye on another couple though...

For now, all the best folks.

Great idea, Bill!

Sell one, Buy two!

A case of goodbye and welcome back, maybe!

[Roady]

Congrats, Alley Kat.

Truly a beauty and the profit is well deserved.

Thanks for sharing the build, I learned a lot.

Hope to see it on the road ...

[Cookie]

We'll miss ya so get another wing!

[rogue1000]

What an inspiring and well written thread! I learned so much...nice to have such well documented projects as guides and inspiration instead of making it up as I go. Congrats, Ally Kat and Cookie! I think this thread should be included in a "Best of NGW " Book, along with many others.
Has anyone thought of producing a book about early 'wings, maybe start with a history, throw in some road tests, then follow with various threads and projects ? Man, I would buy one!!!