What did you do to your motorcyle today?

[Wheels]

I also failed to mention they only sell only one marque at their dealership which must be tough in these days of multi brands in one location.

[Galactica]

So I was into Burnaby Kawasaki today and got the poop on their relocation.  Their lease runs through February of 2020 (next year), so although it’s likely they may be there another season or even longer, they are beginning to scout for a new location.  Most likely they will try to stay in Burnaby/Coquitlam but not necessarily.  It’s all still a bit nebulous, but there you go.

[hardrockminer]

So I was into Burnaby Kawasaki today and got the poop on their relocation.  Their lease runs through February of 2020 (next year), so although it’s likely they may be there another season or even longer, they are beginning to scout for a new location.  Most likely they will try to stay in Burnaby/Coquitlam but not necessarily.  It’s all still a bit nebulous, but there you go.

There was a large building in Falkland that was vacant and for sale...used to be a grow op.  Maybe they can change their name to Falkland Kawasaki?

[Glenn]

So I was into Burnaby Kawasaki today and got the poop on their relocation.  Their lease runs through February of 2020 (next year), so although it’s likely they may be there another season or even longer, they are beginning to scout for a new location.  Most likely they will try to stay in Burnaby/Coquitlam but not necessarily.  It’s all still a bit nebulous, but there you go.

There was a large building in Falkland that was vacant and for sale...used to be a grow op.  Maybe they can change their name to Falkland Kawasaki?

They could have a great logo. 

[Galactica]

HEH, HEH, HEH.  Too funny.

[Wheels]

Saw that the last couple of weekends in Falkland and assumed it was Henry's house

[hardrockminer]

Henry probably spent a lot of time walking around the place smelling the "roses".

Meanwhile I'm busy trying to figure out why my brake torque arm doesn't match up closely to the brake hub.

[kaw74]

Saw that the last couple of weekends in Falkland and assumed it was Henry's house

Nope, I live in the bush away from others

[jetta90]

Henry probably spent a lot of time walking around the place smelling the "roses".

Meanwhile I'm busy trying to figure out why my brake torque arm doesn't match up closely to the brake hub.

Your drum will swivel on the axle - when connected the rear brake actuating rod will be a factor as well.

[Bucko]

Meanwhile I'm busy trying to figure out why my brake torque arm doesn't match up closely to the brake hub.

Not unusual for people to bend them to fit a wider tire in.  Not sure if that applies to your Kawi but definitely done on similar vintage Hondas.

[hardrockminer]

The problem is a 2.5 cm left to right gap between the torque arm and the brake hub mounting hole.  The photo was taken from the rear of the bike looking forward. 

The torque bar was straight when installed but the bracket on the swingarm may be bent.  I have the wheel off right now and will remove the swingarm tomorrow to investigate.

Some interesting date codes...

Bike build was Sept/74, torque arm is June/74, (probably original) rear rim is Jan/75, (definitely not original)  swingarm is Aug/73, (a full year before the bike was built and likely not original).  The brake hub doesn't have an indicator gauge which suggests it probably came from an H1 or H2, or possibly an early Z1.  The rear hub is Z1...the cush holes are offset.  The H2 used a similar setup but the cush holes were centered in the hub compartments.

[754]

 First roll the strap  then try it, now swap end for end, try both ways... could be the brace is bent.

[hardrockminer]

First roll the strap  then try it, now swap end for end, try both ways... could be the brace is bent.

Good suggestions Frank, thanks.  One side always shows outwards but I can switch it end for end.  Today I'll try that before pulling the swingarm.

[hardrockminer]

Problem solved!  Thanks to Frank's suggestion.  There was a very slight bend in the end of the torque arm that attaches to the swingarm.  You can see it in the photo below where the arm rests on a flat surface.  I couldn't switch end for end as the holes in each end are different sizes, so I gave the arm some gentle tugs while held in a vice and took the bend out.  Second photo shows how it fits now...a perfect fit!

I still need to re-spoke the wheel, as the last time I did it I was off by one spoke hole when I started on the inners.

[jetta90]

Started up the RD250 project for the first time ever since finding its way to me.  Probably hadn't run since the mid 70s.
Lots to do on it yet.

Couple of past crank and piston pics.