Shapeshifter Builds An Sl70

[ShapeShifter]

Been away from the forums for a while. I've got a steady job again but it is an extremely high stress project. Sometimes the stress seems so crushing that I literally feel myself aging. Still, it's better than unemployment.



Times have been tough but I feel like I'm back on me feet enough to try something simple. The Classic Japanese Motorcycle Club had their annual show and swap meet a couple weeks ago. Last year I won 2nd place in the show with my Monkey-R. It was also 105 degrees in the shade last year. This year the show was pouring rain and in the 60s the whole time. I waited all year for the show because I wanted to exhibit my CL70 but this year bummed me out so I left it home.



I slogged through the muddy swap meet and found a 1974 XL70 frame. Since the world in ending soon I figured I had better buy it.











Then I picked up an SL70 roller on craigslist, and geezer and the garbage man hooked me up with some other bits.











I will be using the XL frame because the SL frame has some of the important mount points cut off. I have an XL tank and an SL tank in transit so I don't know which tank I'll end up using. What I really need is a speedometer and headlight parts.



Here I go again.....





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[PlanetMinis.com]

[geezer]

Nice start Todd. I got one of the complete seat assy from E bay. Its worth the money. Tank will shipp this week.

[garbage man]

what motor is gonna go in?

[ShapeShifter]

what motor is gonna go in?

I have a choice:

• Takegawa 124 Superhead SPA w/Takegawa 3 speed
  
• Takegawa 124 Superhead+R w/Honda 4 speed
  
• Kitaco 88cc race head with 3 speed auto
  

I kinda want to have the girls learn to ride on this so the auto shifter is proably going in. However, my creative juices are oozing so I may hot rod this one. I just wont know until I get the tanks and do some head scratchin'.



I plan on using an XL100 swingarm which is about 3" longer.....

[elitexsenate]

What's the difference between the superhead SPA and the superhead +R?

[ShapeShifter]

What's the difference between the superhead SPA and the superhead +R?

The main difference is that the +R head uses roller rockers. There are other differences too. They are completely different heads so cams, rockers, etc can't interchange.

[JDMCIVIC]

Looks like a cool project Todd! I just took the monkey R out yesterday and it was a blast! Just know that she is being well cared for. Do you still have the orange monkey? You need to come down to SoCal to ride with all of us.

[ShapeShifter]

Looks like a cool project Todd! I just took the monkey R out yesterday and it was a blast! Just know that she is being well cared for. Do you still have the orange monkey? You need to come down to SoCal to ride with all of us.

That's good to hear, bro! Yeah I still have the Orangutan, SoCal ride this summer sounds great! We should drag some of the other NorCal mini riders down too!

[garbage man]

That's good to hear, bro! Yeah I still have the Orangutan, SoCal ride this summer sounds great! We should drag some of the other NorCal mini riders down too!

i want to go ride with you guys. i have 1 street legal mini and hopefully 1 more soon if all goes well at the dmv. be sure and post when you guys do a ride

[elusive]

ShapeShifter, what do you plan on doing about rear suspension with the XL100 swingarm? Will the XL100 swingarm bolt right in?



I have an SL70 I'd like to extend the swingarm.. and go for a little lift.. kinda wanna sit a little higher.

[ShapeShifter]

ShapeShifter, what do you plan on doing about rear suspension with the XL100 swingarm? Will the XL100 swingarm bolt right in?



I have an SL70 I'd like to extend the swingarm.. and go for a little lift.. kinda wanna sit a little higher.

This project is stalled, but still on the books....



I am pretty sure an XL100 will fit but it may take some modification. I wont know for sure until I get one and try to fit it up.

[ShapeShifter]

Okay so my hobby interests have been drifiting and my work schedule has been taxing but I am leaning back towards the mini bikes. I crashed my favorite UAV drone so I am sifting through the other parts of the workshop to see where I left off on the mini bike obsession....

I was going to build up the SLs pictured above but, at the same annual show I bought that bare SL frame last year, I found a complete 1971 at this years show that I am going to base things on. It needs some TLC but that is what I do best. Working on getting the CA plate for it. This one may be harder.....

I need some help sourcing a longer swing arm. Any ideas would be great.
I would also like to find a speedometer and bracket.

[T Smith]

That one looks like a good start, it's pretty much all there. Really doesn't matter since you're probably going to repower, but does it run?

[ShapeShifter]

I actually runs really nice! Shifts good too! The engine is worth keeping because it is the four speed manual. But yes, it will get more power

[geezer]

longer swingarm? Possibly a XR75 racing swingarm. I think XRminiracer.com makes a old DG copy. Its 1-3|4 longer

[hokoman]

That looks way better than I thought it would! Great find.

[ShapeShifter]

That looks way better than I thought it would! Great find.

Not too bad for $400. Now I just have to wrestle with DMV for the plate......

You should post pics of your new XL70 somewhere, Augi.

[tmas]

Good score SS.... Can't wait to see how this turns out........Check link below PM members.
tmas


ShapeShifter Customs

[hokoman]

Todd, where the heck did that '78 show up from?

[ShapeShifter]

Todd, where the heck did that '78 show up from?

Was my first mini and build.