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Project Project 162 - RC162 replica

Discussion in 'Your 250cc Projects' started by jmw76, Jan 20, 2019.

  1. mark Dyas

    mark Dyas Active Member

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    Very interested to read this thread as I have been an Ace owner since 2012, and put on CR93 fairing for it back in 2015. Recently, I managed to purchase a replica RC162 based on a Honda 400/4 and looking to add a authentic fairing to it much as I did with the Ace. I will post some pictures.
     
  2. mark Dyas

    mark Dyas Active Member

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    [​IMG][/IMG]
    [​IMG][/IMG]
    [​IMG][/IMG]
    Not sure if the pictures are uploading - Had to transfer my account from Photobucket to imager, but not familiar with the process!
     
  3. Andych

    Andych Moderator Staff Member Premium Member Contributing Member Dirty Wheel Club

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  4. jmw76

    jmw76 Well-Known Member

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    Hi Mark,
    Thanks for your post.
    I would certainly be interested in seeing some images of you bikes.
    Your profile image sparks some interest.

    Peter.
     
  5. mark Dyas

    mark Dyas Active Member

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    Hopefully, I've managed to suss out the photo uploading now! I only just purchased the Replica RC 162 which is based on a Honda 400/4. My intention is to put a fairing onto it, much as I did with the Ace.

    Although there is not a huge difference in wheelbase between the Ace and 400/4, my concern with your project is that the CBR250RR engine would be considerably wider than the stock ACE unit.

    With my ACE, it uses the standard block but with the enlarged 150cc barrel and with the std CR93 / RC 110 type fairing, there is only about 1cm clearance either side between the engine and the fairing. In fact the exhaust actually touches the fairing on the bottom corner, but I have lined it with adhesive heat shield which has protected it so far!

    Just measuring the ACE engine against the 400/4, in width, the ACE is approximately 300mm wide, whereas the 400/4 engine is 460mm wide, so I think that you can begin to appreciate the problem. Hopefully the CBR250RR unit is less than 460mm wide , but you may have to modify the fairing to make it fit properly I think!

    For the RC 162, I am looking to use a Honda K4 fairing which is a similar shape to the ACE / CR93 unit, but is just bigger (& wider)

    Anyway, good luck with the project and I am very interested in it! If you have any questions, just let me know. Cheers, Mark
     
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  6. jmw76

    jmw76 Well-Known Member

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    Mark, your bikes look great.
    The cbr250rr engine is only about 400mm wide. The head is only 280mm wide. Being water cooled, you do not have the cooling fins to contend with, but you need to find space for a radiator. So yes, a bit wider than the ACE, but narrower than the cb400.
    Probably similar width to the original rc162 engine, but I have nothing to compare against.
     
  7. maelstrom

    maelstrom LiteTek Staff Member Premium Member 250cc Vendor Contributing Member

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    Good idea. Don't use stainless like those other guys did the ring would be terrible.
    This is a great project and here is a crazy idea for it. Maybe you could think about putting the radiator under the seat.
     
  8. jmw76

    jmw76 Well-Known Member

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    Yes, lightweight steel helps recreate the period sound.
    Not sure putting the rad under the seat will work that well. I am a bit concerned about air flow through it. Plus not happy about cooking my backside in hot weather. I will be using the Jade rad which is a little smaller in height compared to the 250rr rad. So should be a little easier to squeeze in close to the bottom of the headstem and above the engine.
     
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  9. Andych

    Andych Moderator Staff Member Premium Member Contributing Member Dirty Wheel Club

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    Lovely bikes.. both of them although my preference is for the 400/4 but I am biased that way.
    When I picked up my CB250 K5 from Dubbo the guy had numerous bikes and cars.. most in some state of either disassembly or repair (not sure which to be honest) apart from the one finished bike was an ACE125 that had been fitted with a 1990's Honda 250 twin.. It looked pretty good actually.. it didnt have a fairing but apparently he was searching for a suitable one.
    The bike as it stood there was registered but I am guessing still as the 125. Not sure if he was thinking of racing it or what but he said he picked up the ACE with 2500km on it for $800.. not sure if that is good or bad but there was nothing at all wrong with it.. other than being underpowered.
     
  10. jmw76

    jmw76 Well-Known Member

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    $800 isn't bad for an ACE. Particularly if it had some rego on it. They are an interesting little bike to ride. Absolutely horrid if you are trying to go fast. I rode from Melbourne to Philip Island for the GP last year. Trying to sit on 100km/h was a trifle uncomfortable. If you are prepared to do a very minor amount of assembly, you can buy a new ACE from the importer in Perth for about $1700 inc. As a city commuter, they are a bit of fun. Just minimise your time ridding on the freeways.
    You will probably want to change a few things to improve the rider ergonomics also. Chassis/frame wise, they seem pretty solid.
    I will be adding a little metal to the frame to get it closer to the RC162 frame which should make it a little stiffer.

    A twin cylinder 250 I would imagine would be pretty good.
     
  11. mark Dyas

    mark Dyas Active Member

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    Here in the UK, Ace are no longer available for the last couple of years due to the Euro engine emission regulations, so they are becoming more sought after as people begin to realise what a fun bike they are, especially for the money. Perhaps the first authentic Chinese classic! Only real problem I've suffered with mine are broken rear spokes, but in fairness, this is more a consequence of my frame (6"3" & approx 107kg) rather than the bike. Original OE spokes were useless, so swopped to Honda OE (CG125) which were much better, but finally resorted to having them custom made in thicker gauge by a local UK manufacturer, which has hopefully now solved the problem!
    Anyway, good luck with the project and look forward to seeing your updates.
     
  12. jmw76

    jmw76 Well-Known Member

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    Interesting about the broken spokes. I have not heard of that. The spokes on mine are 4mm diameter. Where abouts do they break? At the bend?
     
  13. Andych

    Andych Moderator Staff Member Premium Member Contributing Member Dirty Wheel Club

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    It is more common than your think.. especially when Fat ba$stards like me decide to ride small capacity bike with spoked wheels.. :)
    Hasnt happened to me before but I had better lose some KGs before the Honda 400/4 or CB250 are up and running..
    The SRX250 is ok... cast wheels :confused:
     
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  14. mark Dyas

    mark Dyas Active Member

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    Yes the Ace / Honda spokes fracture on the bended end which I guess is the main stress point. The original ACE & Honda rear spokes are just too weak, especially when you consider that virtually all the rider's weight sits on the rear wheel. Just have to lose some weight I guess!
     
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  15. T M Fulcher

    T M Fulcher Active Member

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    Please use that beautifully rebuilt twin cam 4 cyl. 250, the original race bike had a twin cam engine, this replica rebuild would be much more period accurate than a single cam engine, & very visually discernible.
    Keep us posted with this awesome replica.
     
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  16. jmw76

    jmw76 Well-Known Member

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    A little progress. The frame is not quite as faithful to the RC164 as I had hoped. I need to work within the confines of the existing ACE frame. The motor is fully stressed in this design.

    DSCF4963.JPG DSCF4964.JPG
     
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  17. mark Dyas

    mark Dyas Active Member

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    Looking good. Although it is a very compact engine, it's still going to be a tight fit. With the extended frame, it must have increased the wheelbase by at least 2 -3 " which is probably no harm as it should help the stability
     
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  18. jmw76

    jmw76 Well-Known Member

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    Yes. Wheelbase had to grow slightly, more to give clearance for the radiator. Now out to about 1310mm.
    I am using a hornet radiator which sits up very high to clear the front wheel/guard at full bump. It is all very close.
    Rake on the Skyteam was about 27-28 degrees which I have reduced to 24-25 in keeping with the MC19/22. The smaller offset of the front forks on the mc19 helps by adding back a bit more trail though.
     
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  19. jmw76

    jmw76 Well-Known Member

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    With its wheels on for a quick dimensional check.
    Rear wheel is essentially Ace. Front wheel is hybrid Ace/Mc19.
    DSCF4966.jpg
     
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  20. T M Fulcher

    T M Fulcher Active Member

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    What an awesome project bro, you are doing a great job, but you may need change the color of the clutch cover & cam covers,
    From my memory the original engines were unpainted aluminium alloy or magnesium.
     

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