1977 Mugen 125 # 12 Steve Wise replica build

Bluelion
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Lafayette, IN, USA
9/15/2026 9:50am
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RDnutz
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Dolores, CO, USA
9/15/2026 12:53pm Edited Date/Time 9/15/2026 12:54pm
Bluelion wrote:
Front and rear suspension is installed. And test fitting the gas tank. The bike is actually starting to look somewhat like a motorcycle.

Front and rear suspension is installed. And test fitting the gas tank. The bike is actually starting to look somewhat like a motorcycle.
C0F37AFD-4A35-44D9-B195-A297A0FC8A92.jpeg?VersionId=mPSSQBro6Jxf

are those Vintco copies of the original Fox air shocks?

Bearuno
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AU
9/15/2026 10:23pm Edited Date/Time 9/16/2026 4:08am

Bluelion : Why the 1" for the top nut?

Were the Simons made with Imperial sizings, or, a mixture of that and metric?

 I know they were called 38s, or were they actually 38.1mm  (1.5") OD?

Closest I ever got to them was unpacking a couple of Aberg Repica kits the company I worked for in the late 70s / early 80s brought in.

My Fox 44s, were  /are Metric, though I think some internal parts / dimensions ( as still, so many things will use, which can be a surprise / problem at times) . I think the 'special tool', to undo the bottom damper rod caps, was / is nothing but an imperial sized bit of square tubing - I can't get to the 44s to confirm (but I welded 2 Allen keys to it for an easy to use tool for  them the second I got the 44s)  as they hang behind my lathe, out of my 'limited' reach.

Oh, and that curved lower rear engine mount tube - was that  originally to accommodate a down pipe, in the model lines history? 

 

1
Bluelion
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Lafayette, IN, USA
9/16/2026 3:14am
Bluelion wrote:
Front and rear suspension is installed. And test fitting the gas tank. The bike is actually starting to look somewhat like a motorcycle.

Front and rear suspension is installed. And test fitting the gas tank. The bike is actually starting to look somewhat like a motorcycle.
C0F37AFD-4A35-44D9-B195-A297A0FC8A92.jpeg?VersionId=mPSSQBro6Jxf

RDnutz wrote:

are those Vintco copies of the original Fox air shocks?

Yes

The Shop

Bluelion
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Lafayette, IN, USA
9/16/2026 3:19am
Bearuno wrote:
Bluelion : Why the 1" for the top nut?Were the Simons made with Imperial sizings, or, a mixture of that and metric? I know they were called...

Bluelion : Why the 1" for the top nut?

Were the Simons made with Imperial sizings, or, a mixture of that and metric?

 I know they were called 38s, or were they actually 38.1mm  (1.5") OD?

Closest I ever got to them was unpacking a couple of Aberg Repica kits the company I worked for in the late 70s / early 80s brought in.

My Fox 44s, were  /are Metric, though I think some internal parts / dimensions ( as still, so many things will use, which can be a surprise / problem at times) . I think the 'special tool', to undo the bottom damper rod caps, was / is nothing but an imperial sized bit of square tubing - I can't get to the 44s to confirm (but I welded 2 Allen keys to it for an easy to use tool for  them the second I got the 44s)  as they hang behind my lathe, out of my 'limited' reach.

Oh, and that curved lower rear engine mount tube - was that  originally to accommodate a down pipe, in the model lines history? 

 

Yes, The Simons forks were made with American standards.

1
Bluelion
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Lafayette, IN, USA
9/17/2026 9:39am

Now to build the wheels.

0C2B2CF6-1F47-459F-A0FB-199118E209420AD9D57B-6184-4301-9311-4FCE1F5C819396D2AF17-CDE9-40FB-8106-B5243072C761
4
Bluelion
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Lafayette, IN, USA
9/21/2026 5:21am

I have the wheels completely taken apart. The hubs are ready for sandblasting.
E1254EF5-3483-4CD3-BE01-D81939673176EC6F385E-BF9B-454F-8043-4BF94C5978E7.jpeg?VersionId=NI122z9u93ole

1
Bluelion
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9/21/2026 5:22am
03B92677-9EDF-4A0C-8B55-3E4D07566DE2
The handlebars finally arrived. Got them installed.
2
Bluelion
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Lafayette, IN, USA
9/21/2026 5:24am

Starting to install the plastic front and rear fenders permanently installed the side panels just test fit. The front number plate is also a test fit.

 

1
Bluelion
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9/21/2026 8:06am
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Bluelion
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Lafayette, IN, USA
9/30/2026 5:44am

The hubs, break plates, and miscellaneous small items are sandblasted, primed, and painted.

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Bluelion
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Lafayette, IN, USA
9/30/2026 5:48am

Time to lace up the wheels tonight. Still waiting on new tires to get here.
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4
redman
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east coast, MD, USA
10/1/2026 8:02am

What spoke sets are you using for the build?

Bluelion
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Lafayette, IN, USA
10/1/2026 3:25pm
redman wrote:

What spoke sets are you using for the build?

I’m using spoke sets from Vintage Avenue. I like them. They seem to be a very well-made. Spoke that fit properly.

Bluelion
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Lafayette, IN, USA
10/1/2026 3:26pm

The wheels are laced up and Trude. Ready for tires.
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Bluelion
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10/1/2026 3:27pm

I’ve got a lot of the small parts laid out ready to install onto the bike.
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