Project MC28

Hi all,

Managed to get my hands on an MC28. It's a 96 model R2T (SE) which came with Rothmans Chinese fairings (with tank skin) and a box full of a mixture of original and aftermarket fairings all painted some horrible purple and yellow colour (as is the tank). Apart from that, the bike is in completely stock condition including original brake lines and, as far as I can tell, original chain and sprockets. Took it for a spin (unregistered naughty boy) and it runs well so I'm definitely happy about the whole thing.

So I took it down for a rego check and it came up pretty well - just needed new chain / sprockets, headstock bearings and replace a bent clipon. So I thought stuff it and ordered Tyga billet triples (with new bearings), Tyga clip ons, new chain sprockets, a set of Dunlop Sportmaxes and threw it all on. As often happens once I had the fairings pulled off, I started tinkering and tinkering and now it is almost completely disassembled and sitting under the house.

Then I went to town on more parts. To date I've ordered full Tyga exhaust, HRC reed stuffer and carbon reeds, Tyga carbon airbox lid, braided brake lines, full set of cables, complete bearing carrier assembly for the rear (looks like the previous owner used a chisel to adjust chain tension), shock and linkage bearings / seals, carbi kits, brake caliper kits, swingarm pivot bearings / seals, power valve seals / circlips and a set of billet rearsets. I also managed, with much hunting around, to find a used (but working) PGMIV with 030 HRC card (for 95 octane unleaded) and Ethos Wire Splice so I can de-restrict the bike once it's registered. Lastly, a MC21 speedometer and speedo takeoff so I can have a working speedometer once I throw the HRC card in (the LCD display on the MC28 turns from a speedo to a big temperature gauge with the HRC card).

Future plans include a full engine rebuild (before I run the HRC card), suspension work and possibly CBR600 or Brembo calipers on the front. Not sure what I'm going to do with the fairings yet. Cheapest option is just paint the tank in Rothmans colours but I've been thinking about restoring to original (price is very scary for the new panels I need and decals from Honda though) or perhaps Silhouette cowlings and Tyga 250 GP tail unit.

Anyway. Fun and games and lots of work ahead. I've attached few photos of the bike as it arrived.

Cheers
Jim

 

Dash and Maxell Key ignition

 

Left side

 

Ha ha. Imagine how I felt when it turned up!

 

Right side

 

Thanks guys. I'm looking forward to getting back and getting it done too. Rebuilds may be fun but I'd rather be riding . Also I'm renovating at the moment so under the house is just dirt. For now I'm going to give it a really good clean, get the cables, seals, bearings and billet bits and pieces in and get it registered. Once it's registered I'm gonna install exhausts, braided lines and fine tune the jetting. Engine rebuild, HRC card, airbox mods etc can wait until I have a decent place to do the work.

 

Hi Phil. Thanks for the comments mate. If you like this bike you should see my mates MC21. He has spent a lot of money on it including 300 kit with VMR Heads, original MC28 Rothmans fairings, Ohlins rear shock and Honda RS250 NX5 inverted front forks with Tyga triples and Brembo monobloc brakes. It is one sexy, fast bike. That said, it would be hard to make anything look better than that Rothmans MC18 on the MC18 thread. That thing is a beast. The wheel colour has got me thinking........

 

Hi Duggs. Definitely would like to come out for a ride. Unfortunately the mate in question resides in Perth so getting him along might be a bit difficult! He likes his 2 strokes though - he has an original Lucky Strike RGV SP, KR-1S and slant cylinder TZR as well. I'm more than a little jealous.

 

No worries Phil. I'll see if I can dig a few out.

 

Here is a few shots of 3 of his bikes Phil. I haven't got any of the TZR and it's in the middle of a rebuild at the moment. After these were taken he fitted the NX5 forks to the NSR. It's an original Rothmans NSR but you may notice he has put MC28 fairings and tank on the MC21 because he prefers the look. The Panigale is sex on wheels and without doubt the quickest bike I've ever ridden. Scary fast. For road use, too much for me to be honest. Whenever I find myself over in Perth doing a bit of work we normally head out for a ride. He had a 48 Sportster as well which was pretty nice too but he got rid of it.



Here's another that shows the Panigale a bit better.



This is another from a bike show in Perth. You can just see the back of his KR-1S and that's his RGV as well. In that show his NSR won best bike in class.