Good builders in Ontario?

[Syscrush]

I got word today that my contract is being extended, so now that I know I'll actually have an income over the winter, it's time to get serious about figuring out what my next bike will be. Current front runner is a modded CBX. I'm a decent wrench but not a fabricator, and I have no shop space these days, so 100% of the work will have to be outsourced.

I'm in Toronto, and would prefer someone in the Toronto area. I also have family in KW and Stratford, and would consider someone in those areas.

The plans basically call for a front end swap, fabrication of custom triples, installation of new aftermarket gauges, and a VFR swingarm swap. I don't want a prolink bike, so this will require frame mods to come up with a top shock mount, and whatever mods are necessary to the swingarm to get everything fit and lined up.

There will probably be some custom exhaust work too, and I want a custom luggage rack with some form of quick-release mount.

Not super ambitious, but not a bolt-together project, either.

I'm going to talk to Jason Parker, but if anyone can recommend someone else that I should be talking to, that would be awesome.

Thanks,
Phil.

[steve murdoch icoa #5322]

Phil, i would contact Richard Biggs in Guelph., p.m. sent on his phone #.
He does large and small manufacturing jobs and is a good guy as well.
He did the work on this '80.

[daves79x]

Hope it was a huge contract - building the likes of what you're talking and paying someone to do it would go into the stratosphere, don't know if $20K would touch it. Good luck.

Dave

[Syscrush]

Phil, i would contact Richard Biggs in Guelph., p.m. sent on his phone #.
He does large and small manufacturing jobs and is a good guy as well.
He did the work on this '80.

Thanks very much. If I pull the trigger on this project I'll definitely give him a call.

[Syscrush]

Hope it was a huge contract - building the likes of what you're talking and paying someone to do it would go into the stratosphere, don't know if $20K would touch it. Good luck.

That's part of what I'm trying to figure out. Doing research, got a big spreadsheet going now to try to come up with estimates.

[Syscrush]

I've changed some parameters of the build (keeping stock gauges and decided against the VFR swingarm), but I talked to Richard Biggs last night and he's gonna do a few small jobs for me (fitting footpegs, fabricating a chainguard, and installing my oil cooler, lines, & t-stat). If that goes well, then I'll have him do the front end fabrication & installation.

[Syscrush]

I went out to meet Richard yesterday, and had a chance to take an up-close look at this bike:



The stuff that he's done on it is very similar to what I need done on my '79, and it looks to be very well done. I'm getting excited about riding again in spring. :)

[steve murdoch icoa #5322]

I talked to Richard today at the swap meet in Milton. He is a good guy.
Did he show you the hot rod Katana? It is a fast bike.
He also used to a legit ELR that i saw at his old place.

[Syscrush]

The Katana was under wraps - I was fixated on the KZ because it was at eye-level, and it features the same kind of mods I want.

He said he expected to see you at the meet - I told him that it was you who referred me.

I assume that he told you he's excited as hell about this sweet CBX that's sitting in his shop now.

[steve murdoch icoa #5322]

I don't think Richard quite gets the appeal of the CBX. haha.
That guy bleeds Kawi green.

[Syscrush]

Well, I'll have some Kawi parts on my CBX when he's done mounting my oil cooler - he uses Kawi battery tie-downs to hold 'em in place.

[bikeymikey748]

Phil, it seems you've got CBXitis in a bad way. There's no known cure, but spending loads of cash and keeping your buddies updated on your progress has been shown to lessen the pain
Projects, you just gotta love 'em.

[jkotsi]

Steve, is this Dean's CBX?

[steve murdoch icoa #5322]

Hi Jim, nice to see your here.
Yes that is Deans bike from your Try the Track at Mosport 2 years ago. That was a fun day.
Didn't Richard do some work on Todds 900F?
I just noticed that the Kat in the background is Richards.

[jkotsi]

Looks like I will be here more frequently. Dean has been busy, CR's and cams have been added. Looks great, saw it last week. This was John Nelson's former bike.

Shame about the Try the track. There was an off track excursion that day, someone riding over his head, made some changes for 2013 but didn't work out. New guy for 2014 made more changes but not successful. Not likely to see any parade laps for 2015.

Best part of the volunteering was a follow up call to the off track rider. I told him I was with Mosport properties, that he had damaged the facilities and needed to cover the cost of repairs to the grounds. His wife was in the background and didn't know he was at the track. Best time I have had on the phone, wish I had it on tape. He was getting grilled from both sides, beautiful dodging on his part until I broke, I couldn't hold back the laughfter, he got the joke, his wife didn't.

Biggs has worked on Dean's CBX as well at Todd's 900F, made some triples, very nice work.

More to come, Dean will be racing next year, CB1100F, has a 750 for endurance and Todd has my 1100 as an upgrade. Biggs should be working on both at some point. Todd finished second on a 985 CB to a Kat at Mosport last season, he is hoping to close the gap.

I will be setting up your old CBX for the track for next season, if you don't ride fast ride something everybody will watch.
Will be talking with Denis about lifting the engine. Should be fun.