Split head caper, restore or not restore, that is the question?

Here you can post a picture of you and your bike. Also where you are located and if you are prepared to give local kettle owners some of your time and experience.Please don't do discussions here just some facts about yourself. This was Glens idea! Thanks BAZ
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Bigmick
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Location: Walsall, west mids

Split head caper, restore or not restore, that is the question?

Post by Bigmick »

Well, finally my new toy has arrived from Japan. Baz said to put some pics on so here they are. The next question is restore or not restore? What do you think?
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IMG_0821.JPG
IMG_0830.JPG
IMG_0829.JPG
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PaulD738
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Re: Split head caper, restore or not restore, that is the question?

Post by PaulD738 »

That is something else, I've never seen a split head kettle in the flesh and yours is only the second picture. In my opinion it's too nice to restore, I would do what I did with my 71J and just tidy it up. As they say they are only original once ;)
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My "tidied up J"
My "tidied up J"
They're rubbish them Jap bikes lad they won't last five minutes! you want to get yourself a nice Royal Enfield!
A quote from my old dad 8-)

I started out with nothing and I’ve got most of it left!
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Bigmick
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Re: Split head caper, restore or not restore, that is the question?

Post by Bigmick »

Hi Paul, yeah I think I'm airing on the tidy up kinda thing.
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Alan H
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Re: Split head caper, restore or not restore, that is the question?

Post by Alan H »

Astrax and others do lots of lovely stainless bling to smarten it up.
Twin discs would look good and a 3 into 1 too. ;) :lol:
Proof that four strokes are over complicated
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PaulD738
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Re: Split head caper, restore or not restore, that is the question?

Post by PaulD738 »

Alan H wrote: Twin discs would look good ;) :lol:
It's already got twin discs you blind old wassock :lol:
They're rubbish them Jap bikes lad they won't last five minutes! you want to get yourself a nice Royal Enfield!
A quote from my old dad 8-)

I started out with nothing and I’ve got most of it left!
barney01
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Re: Split head caper, restore or not restore, that is the question?

Post by barney01 »

So I'm curious what is the benefit of the split head as apposed to the normal? Any ideas?
NO SMOKE .......NO POKE
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Alan H
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Re: Split head caper, restore or not restore, that is the question?

Post by Alan H »

PaulD738 wrote:
Alan H wrote: Twin discs would look good ;) :lol:
It's already got twin discs you blind old wassock :lol:
Thatsworrasaidinnit?
Proof that four strokes are over complicated
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Bigmick
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Re: Split head caper, restore or not restore, that is the question?

Post by Bigmick »

I have no idea why the split head? I going to try and find out.
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yeadon_m
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Re: Split head caper, restore or not restore, that is the question?

Post by yeadon_m »

I recall Ian Sandy 'Old Japanese Bikes' knows a lot about this. From memory, they were *Japanese only and might have related to resolving questions about best manufacturing methods.
Try Ian's site: https://www.oldjapanesebikes.com/
Your machine looks to be *unusual but genuine colours?
Nice bike!! Lightly polish, bling! IMO, but its your bike.
Mike
(*well, they would be...your post does say "from Japan", doh!)
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PaulD738
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Re: Split head caper, restore or not restore, that is the question?

Post by PaulD738 »

yeadon_m wrote: (*well, they would be...your post does say "from Japan", doh!)
Mike, I don't want to be pedantic but they all come from Japan :lol:
They're rubbish them Jap bikes lad they won't last five minutes! you want to get yourself a nice Royal Enfield!
A quote from my old dad 8-)

I started out with nothing and I’ve got most of it left!
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