waltergallons ST70

Steve (waltergallons) has emailed me these pictures of his work in progress:

Thanks for posting the pictures James !

The only thing I've done so far on the bike has been engine / electric related. It's still in it's grubby state after having been languishing in the shed and garage for years. To tell you the truth, I quite like it that way ! I don't plan to do much cosmetically to it, just get it mechanically / electrically sorted.

The original seat base had split and the cover was tatty. I ordered a new seat cover from CSM and originally intended to get the base welded up and cover it myself. I probably will still do this, but to speed things up I've ordered one of Litch's seats. At least I'll have spare then.

Putting a new petrol tank in it as the original was too rusty.

The bottom half of the engine is now from a 6 volt Chaly with the original ST top half. I didn't recondition any of the parts. Just stripped everything down, cleaned all the parts and built up from what bits I had,using what appeared to me visually good items. I've kept the original ST crankcases, and the plan is in the future to build up a well sorted reconditioned engine to slot back into the bike.

Ordered a new 6 volt coil off the American ebay site. The part came from Thailand, and the benefit of it was that it still has the same mounting points as the original. The only pattern coils that I could find availble in the UK weren't like this.

I've also freshened up the carburettor with new jets, etc.

Got hold of a Chaly footrest bar with a sidestand. Going to see if this supports the bike OK. The only thing about this is that the footrests don't fold up like the ST. Still, if it works OK, then I'll probably keep it on, as I never did like ST centrestands. Very wobbly ! Also I believe that they're the cause of the broken seat bases, as people lift the back of the seat to get the bike off the stand.

Just trying to find time to tinker around with the bike. I enjoy doing this..... Next step is to get it up and running and get an MOT. It's a 1972 bike, so at least i don't have to pay for the road tax !
I'll ask James to post some more pictures once the seat is on and it's up and running.

Seeya.....Steve.

Good idea about running it around without worrying about the cosmetics, it is heartbreaking to spend lots of time/money making something look nice only to find that it doesn't run right. I have completely rebuilt my engine and am looking forward to hearing it run and taking it out for a spin. Only when I am happy everything is as it should be will I strip the bike down for a complete respray and nut & bolt rebuild.

With regards to the seat (yours is now here as you already know), you may want to fit a rack as they help with the centrestand issue. Apart from being really usefull in there own right for carrying luggage, they give you something to hold on to.

Centerstands are known for sagging so you end up with both wheels touching the ground and the bike wobbling around, the trouble is that people tend to sit on them when it is on the stand and they just aren't designed for the extra weight. Mine is currently in the pile of 'things to do', when I reach it I will weld on some extra metal to make it sit more upright again. I am not keen on junking the centerstand and just having a sidestand as a centrestand is very usefull for maintenance.

Which fuel-tank did you buy, a genuine one or one of the Chinise Dax items off Ebay? If it was the copy, did it fit ok?

I like the bike that way myself!

About the fuel tank, here are two options you might like:
1) get a plastic CT70 tank (no dirt/rust, adds 0,2liters)
2) get a chinese 3,5 liter tank (adds 1,2 liters) fits with only a small modification.

I have the CF50 support myself. (SS50, but they are the same)

Good luck!

Hi Waynus

What modification is required to get the Chinese tank to fit? I am not worried too much about originallity when a usefull increase in fuel capacity is the end result.

Man I like those big fenders!!

I also like the center stand, although I know what you mean about sagging. In US we only got the side stand and the footpeg support is much beefier. I was planning to rework the sidestand to be a center.

Randy

Litch,
the only modification required is to slightly change the position of the battery.
You've got to move it a little to the back.
Might be worth it, for an extra liter of fuel.


The fenders as seen above are the German / Swisse / UK style.
They look like German WWII helmets.
I fancy them myself.

Others are the Belgian / Japan / French version and the Mighty Dax USA version.

The double centerstand was only used in the UK and Japan.

Waynus wrote:They look like German WWII helmets.

Hi Wayus

I see from the photo that is a 12V model, is it the same with the 6V model (I guess it may be because although the battery is far smaller the front is probably in the same position)?

Yeah, the location is more or less the same.
6v battery is positioned somewhat different, but has to be moved around the same distance to the back.