Fire In The Hole!

A frame, wheels and engine a motorcycle do not make. So it’s time to start connecting electrical and fuel systems in the vain hope that Project GSX-R10/11 barks into life.

- Martin Child

There are certain mini-milestones in a build that give your jingle a tingle.

Particular moments have this effect – for example, when the front-end got slipped in for the first time, or when I realised that the bigger swingarm and rear wheel would be part of the build, rather than just parts collecting dust in the depths of the shed. And that frisson of excitement certainly ratcheted up a notch when the engine went in. But, and it is a big but (insert your own ‘Yo momma’s,’ joke in here), it’s of absolutely no use if you can’t ride the bloody thing.

And yes, we are still talking about the bike – stay with me here. The Internet often serves as a visual reminder of bike builds started with good intentions but finished in can’t-be-arsed-once-it-gets-too hard lack of determination. But this, as you’ve hopefully realised by now, isn’t the Internet you’re reading. And failure to launch isn’t an option. So today is the day this 32-year-old new build barks a fresh tune and keeps the momentum streaking towards the finish line: even if it kills me…