Well, we’ve sure had our fair share of CB160s to check out in this series! Here’s hoping the third time’s the charm…
Did you miss Part 8? I sign up for my first race.
I’m currently in Boston for two weeks so I haven’t actually seen my new bike in person. But I asked our shop to take a quick look at it and see how much work it may need. Let’s find out together!
It does not need skinnier tires!
For a little context, here’s the seller’s description from the for sale listing:
“GP200 racebike for sale. This was the 2015 Build bike out of Bradley Tech in Milwaukee. The top end was rebuilt a few years ago with 2nd over pistons and a kibblewhite valve train. I put the highwayman ignition on it so no more batteries needed. Tires are in ok shape but I’d probably plan on replacing before racing but otherwise it’s a turnkey AHRMA racer. It’s available for pickup in Chicago or can discuss other arrangements if inclined. I also have a ton of spares that we can add to the discussion.
I haven’t raced it in a couple of years since moving on to NextGenLightWeight. I recall hitting the podium once on it but it’ll take a little extra to be a winner (including a better rider:).”
Photo from the seller.
The seller has been great in terms of post-sale communications. We’ve been trading emails and he kindly filled me in on more of the history:
A gentleman named Mark Hoedel is a shop teacher at Bradley Tech High School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He runs a program called Build Moto, which “provides students an opportunity to learn technical skills including design, welding, fabrication, repair, machining, media, and more through motorcycle construction.”
The CB I bought was from their 2015 program – I’m hoping to get an introduction to Mark so I can tell you more about the program in a future post (it’s grown dramatically since my bike came out of it and now has sponsorship from Royal Enfield).
In 2018, the bike was used to compete in Flat Out Friday at the Mama Tried Motorcycle Show. Flat Out Friday is an interesting take on flat track – it’s an indoor track that’s only 1/16th of a mile long and it’s covered with the syrup in Dr. Pepper soda to provide grip! My old number for sports teams was 17, so I was excited to see that this bike was rocking the same number in a previous life:
The seller bought the bike out of the BUILD program and road raced it over a couple of seasons with AHRMA at tracks in the Midwest before rebuilding the motor with the aforementioned 2nd over pistons and Kibblewhite valve train.
The previous owner with the 175.
And now, the bike is at Iconic…
Steve the Professor got it up on his lift to give it a once over, and I’m humored by Olly’s expression as he peers in from the next bay over. I think it’s a combination of amusement and concern:
I texted my shop manager Daniel that evening asking about the bike, and he said it’s “rough but it runs, so better than the rest. Needs carb clean, and intake manifold hose things, and filters. Probably some other stuff.”
Apparently, it also shoots fire – the previous owner figured it was related to timing from the HPI ignition.
Just like with my first CB160, we’ve ordered a few parts from Charlie’s Place – electronic ignition, regulator/rectifier, and Dyna coils.
The guys then threw it up on a roller starter and fired it up:
One carb clean later and I got the following video from my guys:
There’s still plenty to address but at least we seem to have the basics. I’m definitely antsy as I’m not there to see the bike yet, but I’ll be back next week. I can’t wait to take a spin and see what I can get done before the first outing – race school at Willow Springs on March 30th!