Final Builds of KTT 305 and the DOHC 250

It took a bit longer than expected to complete the final build of the DOHC 250 because the UK (and much of Europe) has experienced temperatures normally associated with the Sahara desert for many days and it has been impossible for certain jobs to be completed. Anyway, the final builds of the first 2 bikes, KTT 305

and the DOHC 250,

are now complete. I have not made any attempt to start either of these yet – that will have to wait until after the final build of the 3^rd bike, KTT 55. There are also a couple of minor jobs yet to be done such as adding oil (!!) and setting the vertical position of the remote float chamber on the DOHC 250 to get the correct fuel level on the downdraft RN carburettor.  

Why has it taken a bit longer to complete the DOHC 250? Well, my powder coater first has to grit blast all of the components and he does this in a confined space (rather than a blasting cabinet) so that he can blast large structures such as a complete vehicle chassis and he dresses in full protective gear. This is a photo of the graphics from the side of his van

and it would be unreasonable to expect him to be working dressed like this in an enclosed space in the recent extreme hot weather when my car is registering 36⁰ C ambient temperature and I’m sitting in the shade of a large apple tree in the garden drinking cold beer. 

There were quite a few more bits and pieces to go in the plating bath for the DOHC 250, mainly due to the number of external oil pipes.

The parts to be chemically blacked were completed,

the exhaust pipes for the 3 bikes came back from Dorsetware after chrome plating and polishing (they have made a stunning job and highly recommended),

the petrol and oil tanks were painted in the back garden

and the bike reassembled.

So, the last bike in this batch of 3, KTT 55, is now up on the bench for the same treatment.