Building a motorcycle can be a complex business. So, if we are asked a particularly good question, we’ll assume others might also want the answer...

What do I need to do, prior to getting my Armac front frame?

We weld a new engine mount to the gearbox, remove the bottom engine mount and countersink the oil union. We need your centre crankcase and oil union to do this; you can bring it to the workshop, where Duncan will do the work while you wait, or you can post it. If you prefer to do the work yourself, we can provide full instructions.

Do I need to strip the engine?

It’s easier to do the mods with just the crankcase, but it is also possible to do it with the engine intact, provided you remove the ignition and drain the oil.

How much oil do I put in the Armac frame?

Capacity is 750ml, but put in 600ml. We use PJ1 Fully Synthetic

Which rear shocks do you recommend?

Rockshocks: I have a sample pair and am very impressed by their quality, ease of assembly and adjustment. I have had them for a few months so can’t yet comment on the long term. Even so, because you can rebuild them yourself, rather than having to send them away, these are the shocks I currently recommend (www.rockshocks.co.uk)
Falcon: I have used for the longest time. I like these shocks but revalve them to have less compression damping. They need rebuilding by Falcon about every 18 months (Rockshocks, you can do yourself) with new damper rods, seals etc.
Betor: I feel these have too much damping all round and the lightest spring seems heavy. Also it is a dual rate spring, the first part of which is OK but the balance between the soft part and hard part is too great for most Cubs.
Length: 13.5 inches / 340-350mm. Shock mounts on the swinging arm: 12mm diameter.

I would like Armac yokes, but what forks do you recommend and will they take standard Cub hubs?

To go with our yokes: you should look for a fork with 35mm diameter stanchions, from Ossa, Montessa, Bultaco, Marzocchi.

Then machine the slider so it drops into the standard Tiger Cub steel slider as a cartridge. This gives the same fit as a standard Tiger Cub wheel, so there is no problem with standard hubs. You need a distance, from the top of the top yoke, to the centre of the wheel spindle, of between 29 inches and 30 inches.

Have a question? Email us: trials@armac-design.com