Lillhonda K1 Restomod

[RustySkills]

It started about 18 months ago with a 117cc stroker engine built by FatCaaat. He was selling a 108 and after a double check of the internals he said it needed some work and offered to rebuild it for me using the 117cc kit from Tbolt.

RacerX built the super stealth exhaust and prepared the hubs. He blasted them, painted and polished them perfectly and installed NTN bearings for higher speeds.

I was planning to convert a K1 I already had but decided it was too nice and original...so I bought a frame set and many associated parts from CT70 Passionate. He made me a nice package of basically a basket K1.

Why Candy Yellow Special? Well, the frame set was in very good shape but the swing arm was too ugly to run so I sent it to Mikes MiniTrail. It looked great when I got it back but didn't match the old paint on the frame...no big surprise so I decided to paint he whole thing. I wanted to stay with a stock color and I like CYS when it's not all faded out.

I fired it up on Christmas for the first time. It runs and rides Awesome!! Everyone needs a bike with a stroker motor.

It took me some time to figure out the12 volt wiring but I'm glad I did. The lights are great and the CDI ignition fires right up.

I used the CDI conversion harness from CHP with their rectifier and CDI unit. I'm running a factory Honda ignition coil from a 1991-1994 CT70. That fit very well and is nice quality. I decided on handlebars from a K3 since this a 3 speed auto tranny setup and I don't need the left hand lever. I also like the mirror mounts on the K3 bars and will install my mirrors this weekend.

My only issue is the carb is leaking out of the drain line. It was a used Mikuni VM22. I think I will just buy a new one...maybe even a VM20, not sure which is best but the 22 ran great.

Happy New Year





RustySkills

 

[bruces]

Nice !

 

[69ST]

Very nice! I like the subtle approach and am fond of polished aluminum.

Your overflow tube leakage indicates excessive fuel entering the float bowl. Most likely, tweaking the float height adjustment a tad lower will cure the problem.

FYI, that's a Chinese knockoff a.k.a. "minkuuni":19: That doesn't mean that it cannot possibly work right; we have a few cheap carb fans on this board. What it does mean, however, is that it appears to be much smaller than a real VM22-133 Mikuni. Should you decide to source one, expect totally different jets & jetting requirements and a much tougher time getting the off-idle through 1/4 throttle response dialed-in. A VM20 would most likely be more tractable (i.e. tuner-friendly) but, the 117 tune can really breath deeply at peak rpm and thus there may actually be a few mph of top end to be gained with the bigger metered air & fuel leak:3:

BTW, good to see an oil thermometer installed, from the get-go. Methinks that it's going to ultimately tell you to add an auxiliary oil cooler.

 

[bigredx7]

Looks really nice. Love the color. Very clean.

Great work!

 

[darrel gunderson]

Looking sharp Ryan!

 

[RustySkills]

Very nice! I like the subtle approach and am fond of polished aluminum.

Your overflow tube leakage indicates excessive fuel entering the float bowl. Most likely, tweaking the float height adjustment a tad lower will cure the problem.

FYI, that's a Chinese knockoff a.k.a. "minkuuni":19: That doesn't mean that it cannot possibly work right; we have a few cheap carb fans on this board. What it does mean, however, is that it appears to be much smaller than a real VM22-133 Mikuni. Should you decide to source one, expect totally different jets & jetting requirements and a much tougher time getting the off-idle through 1/4 throttle response dialed-in. A VM20 would most likely be more tractable (i.e. tuner-friendly) but, the 117 tune can really breath deeply at peak rpm and thus there may actually be a few mph of top end to be gained with the bigger metered air & fuel leak:3:

BTW, good to see an oil thermometer installed, from the get-go. Methinks that it's going to ultimately tell you to add an auxiliary oil cooler.

Bob - thanks for clearing up the carburetor issue! I read another post where you outlined this but I didn't realize I had the knock-off version of the carb. I'll try the float adjustment tomorrow so I can ride it some more this weekend but I will go ahead and get a real Mikuni for it...and I think the VM20. It revs nice but is very torqey and I think the VM20 will be enough flow for my purposes and riding. I geared it with a 17T counter-sprocket and a 35T driven. I think I could have gone 31 on the driven. In fact, I had one installed but changed to the 35T because the 31 looked almost funny on the hub and I was concerned the chain would run too close to the swing-arm. The chain geometry looks good and has a good separation from the bike with the 35T on the back. I think this setup could pull a "taller" gear and maybe the 31 is about perfect but I'm going to stay at 35 for now.

I'm sure I will need an oil cooler. In fact I ordered one from CHP during the "black Friday" sale. I will likely install it soon. It's been 45 - 55 degrees here during the day so very cool weather and it ran about 85 -90 degrees C on it's first outing. I just wanted to sort the bike out and figured I'll get to that soon. I'm also going to keep working on the throttle setup. I used a universal adjustable throttle cable and grip twist setup to get up and running. I might stay with the universal twist setup...I like the extra pressure from the return spring and it may work better with a big aftermarket carb. I'm not sure the stock throttle has enough travel for a VM20...but it might if adjusted correctly.

I also am very happy with the K2/K3 tail-light setup. I love the K1's but I never loved the giant tail light that looked more at home on a CB750. I got most of the tail-light setup from CT70 Passionate and had it re-plated.

Finally for tonight anyway...I have a chain-guard for this but it won't quite fit over my flywheel cover. I got this flywheel cover from one of the mini-bike suppliers overseas. I like it and it's very good quality. If I trim the chain-guard a little I think it will fit and I might just do that. It's a resto-mod after all and I don't think I need a perfectly painted CYS chain-guard for any other purpose.

Thanks for the replies!

 

[Spizz]

Looks good, and I was gonna ask about the chain guard.

 

[Deoodles]

That's a good looking machine well done!

 

[69ST]

There is just enough travel, in the stock throttle assembly, to work with a VM22. That carb has a much stronger & longer return spring that mostly overcomes the "factory cruise control"...a.k.a. sticky throttle. Mine returns acceptably well. Just use an old throttle pipe, that's been worn smooth and has the internal helix in the right position.

With the gearing, go by what the engine can pull. Otherwise, you're likely to be undergeared. Over time, you'll tire of looking for one more gear to bring the cruising rpm down. These motors don't make enough torque to allow much leeway with the final drive ratio. You're probably pretty close, already. No way it'll pull 17/31 with stock-diameter tires, that'd be way overgeared. As for chain-to-dust-shield contact, won't happen with a 31t wheel sprocket.

85-90C is a good minimum oil temperature range. 90-100C is ideal, enough to get 20W50 flowing freely and drive-off moisture; anything over 110C is unacceptable.

As for a chainguard, the 12v bikes used a different setup, with a secondary piece on the swingarm + guide. Too late to weld a mount to your swingarm. However, you could source another 6v type, cut it to fit, then have it chrome plated...that should compliment your restomod theme well.

 

[OLD CT]

Looking sharp! Mike's did a fantastic job on the paint!

 

[Adam-NLV]

I fired it up on Christmas for the first time. It runs and rides Awesome!! Everyone needs a bike with a stroker motor.






RustySkills

Agreed. These Bikes feel happier with a bigger motor! I really liked the way your engine looks; natural metal finish. I noticed your in AZ and a oil cooler will soon be needed, I do like the uncluttered non oil cooler look tho. :3:

 

[RustySkills]

Small update...I installed a real VM20 and added my mirrors. The VM20 is a great carb and I got DR. ARV's K&N filter too. It runs very well with this setup and I think it's the right match. It needs more fuel at the top end so I'll try a larger jet soon.

The chain is contacting the swing arm a little so I'll run that a bit tighter. I've not had this happen on stock bikes so maybe the power level is moving the adjustment. I hit 50 plus MPH today.












RustySkills

 

[darrel gunderson]

Nice set up!