Engine in, carb on, and details starting to matter

With the engine back in the frame, things are finally starting to feel like a real bike again. It’s a big moment in any build. The point where parts stop living in boxes and start living together.

Alongside that, I’ve also installed the Mikuni TM40 carburettor. It’s the same one I run on the Rally bike, which makes tuning more straightforward and keeps things familiar. This time, I’m pairing it with a pod filter instead of the stock airbox to free up space and keep the rear triangle visually cleaner.

That shift in layout brings up something I’m spending more time on now: how to hide and package all the bits that make the bike run without disrupting the lines. Battery placement is a big part of that. I’m testing smaller batteries to see what fits best, both physically and visually. Getting that right will shape how I build the electrical tray and what kind of housing solution I go with later.

While I was at it, I also test-fitted a small low front fender. Completely different from the one on the Rally. It’s one of those choices where I’m still not sure if I actually like it or if I just like that it’s something else. But that’s part of the point with this build. To explore a different direction and not just repeat what I’ve already done.

Another small detail I’m working on is a new footpeg mount. The stock NX setup is dated and doesn’t really fit with the feel of this build. I’m trying to develop a mount that allows me to run more modern pegs. For this bike I’ll be using CRF pegs, to keep it in line with the rest of the front end and give it that sharper off-road feel.

More soon. Next step is sorting the intake and starting to lock in the electrical.