My Bridgestone Motorcycle
Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2012 7:25 am
Classic Garage (Barn) find, have known about this baby for a bit and things fell my way and she became mine
about a year ago, a Bridgestone 175cc two stroke. (Yep you read correct) Bridgestone of tyre fame had a stint
making motor bikes in the late sixties and early seventies. They had quite a unique set up having a mechanical
rotary fuel pump, very fast to the extent that the other japanese bike manufactures put pressure on Bridgestone
telling them if they didn't stop making the bikes they would stop buying the tyres, yep corporate bulling in the
seventies, Bridgestone gave in and their bikes ceased to exist!
How she was when I picked her up.
The original plan was to clean her up put her back together and one day when funds and time allow have a crack
at getting her running. Where I am lucky to live the speed limit is 25klms and we have around 9klms of road with
few hills so I was thinking about electrifying her. After searching the net I found a guy quite close by, Jon
Eggenhuizen has a company called Catavolt in Newcastle on the east coast of Australia not far from where I live,
he made me up a suitable 12 volt set up and with not to much fiddling she is in a running. Of course quiet and no
exhaust fumes!
Now she is no speed demon but does not have to be 25klm speed limit, for the purest worried about damaging the
jem I managed to use the original engine mounts for the engine and battery holder. Original chain too, she had 12
volt lights and horn, no indicators will go for rego inspection next week.
about a year ago, a Bridgestone 175cc two stroke. (Yep you read correct) Bridgestone of tyre fame had a stint
making motor bikes in the late sixties and early seventies. They had quite a unique set up having a mechanical
rotary fuel pump, very fast to the extent that the other japanese bike manufactures put pressure on Bridgestone
telling them if they didn't stop making the bikes they would stop buying the tyres, yep corporate bulling in the
seventies, Bridgestone gave in and their bikes ceased to exist!
How she was when I picked her up.
The original plan was to clean her up put her back together and one day when funds and time allow have a crack
at getting her running. Where I am lucky to live the speed limit is 25klms and we have around 9klms of road with
few hills so I was thinking about electrifying her. After searching the net I found a guy quite close by, Jon
Eggenhuizen has a company called Catavolt in Newcastle on the east coast of Australia not far from where I live,
he made me up a suitable 12 volt set up and with not to much fiddling she is in a running. Of course quiet and no
exhaust fumes!
Now she is no speed demon but does not have to be 25klm speed limit, for the purest worried about damaging the
jem I managed to use the original engine mounts for the engine and battery holder. Original chain too, she had 12
volt lights and horn, no indicators will go for rego inspection next week.
