Ascot Forum

Hello all, I have a couple questions: is the front fork tube threaded for the pinch bolt? I have two sets of front forks one is threaded and one is not. Which is correct?

You have shared great idea for simple welding. It seems to me less time taking too.

This video was posted on the Yahoo Ascot Owners Group & I was impressed with the simplicity & usefullness of the procedure displayed. Check it out & see if it doesn't help you repair some broken plastic sometime.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7GRNvPSf7k

Good luck
J.

I am the new owner of a VT500 Ascot.  Owned an FT500, but sold it to someone who would use it more, as it was not the best bike for 65 mph interstate riding. I have a Shadow VT500 parts bike.  The Ascot had a substitute coolant tank that was just a plastic bottle zip tied to the lower rear engine mount.  In order to remove the coolant tank from the parts bike, I had to remove a lot of parts.  I ended up taking the battery box, tool kit holder, air box, and rear wheel off. It appeared to be the only way to get to all the bolts and pull the airbox out through the back.  Before I start taking apart the good bike, did I need to take all this stuff off?
     Also, the Shadow pipes have a heat guard where it comes close to the coolant tank. The Ascot no longer has this guard and the tab on the pipe is missing and a small hole welded shut.  I am certain that the shield is important for the life of the tank.  Can I just the swap the rear pipe from the Shadow?  I could use the whole  Shadow exhaust system if necessary.  It has what I would call a "muffler" or "expansion" box after the pipes join.   This box on the Ascot has been cut off and a plate welded over the opening.  Is this wise?  Would re-jetting have been necessary?
      Lastly, the Clymer manual was of no use is explaining how to remove the coolant tank.  I found an old post on this site that had a link to a copy of the Honda factory service manual, but I could not get it to open and download.  Is there a newer link somewhere?    Thanks.

Where are you located? 

Have now completed the conversion (after a break for medical problems) and used a VT250 15 tooth front and a 39 tooth rear that I machined down to the 520 size in my lathe. I fitted an O ring chain and bike runs smoothly and very little rev drop from standard (about 200 rpm at 100Km/h (60mph)) and chains will now be cheaper and easier to find.