Enfield Tracker: War Pig Rennaissance

Some people build really beautiful bikes.

Just not me, apparently. But by hook or by crook, I'll have something to ride in a few months. Or I'll have a flaming pile of metal, I suppose.

So, lesson 1 for me was...don't get ahead of yourself. The finish work is mismatched and neither color matches the original grayish olive green, but that's the consequence of doing things piecemeal and half-assed as I was home on leave. It wouldn't bother me if it hadn't taken so much time and effort and money during my leave times to get the work done.

That said, fuck it. The metal is protected, it's roughly two shades of military-ish green, and I'll tear it up in African sand until the paint is a relatively uniform shade of dust and wear. And it's an authentic testament to my ability to fuck things up and waste money, if nothing else.

Lesson two is that time remains a bitch. My buddy with the engine couldn't bring it to New England so we could get the engine into the frame before I flew back overseas. He'll get it done next week, the day before my family packs up all our shit. So I hope he can build a roller out of the assembled frame and fork I left for him on my patio.


Anyhow, he's a madman and an artist, and to vent the Newby dry clutch, he couldn't do something simple. Spent all night and half a day drilling my outer primary cover all fancy-like and brazing brass mesh over the holes.
 

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Chumma's got the engine coming together and it should be in the frame on Monday, along w the excel wheels to make the rolling chassis for shipment.

Previous owner of this engine mangled the cast-in case breather elbow, so he welded over and drilled/tapped for a brass elbow, then primed and painted a mostly-matching shade of spray paint.

New precision main bearings from NTN to replace Indian-made enfield crap, and crank running quite true.
 

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Fuck
Yes
ytugabe5.jpg


du8yzuha.jpg
 

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In front of what's going to be shipped to Africa...I owe these guys tons.

Chumma from Ace, and Kai from this board. (Don't recall his screen name though!!)
 

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Well, the shipment's confirmed on its way to Mali by slow boat and truck. (probably just sitting in a container waiting to be picked up...) Engine was ultimately wrapped in Saran Wrap with tons of assembly lube inside for the trip, to cover the intake/exhaust, oil line attachements, and other assorted holes that are still open. Hope the entire thing doesn't turn into an orange rust pumpkin along the way...one of my main reasons for working so hard to get it re-painted properly.

Ordering a bunch of small bits and hardware I'll need for re-assembly, and looking forward to the arrival. I'm hearing it can take as little as two months for the shipments to show up, but I'm not holding my breath.
 
Kelly--I think you've inspired a theme song for the bike:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMOAXm94VWo



I don't recall if I mentioned this earlier, but I'm not a fan of naming my own bikes. However, the riding club of which I was a member in India insisted upon it. This bike's name, therefore, has and will always be "Bhenchod."

It never ceases to live up to the monicker.
 
Still. waiting.

Got some 6061 AL bearing cups turned up by machinist Patrick Duffy, who was briefly on the board a few weeks ago... All I've seen are these pics, but they look great. Can't wait to get them and get the bike together!

I debated using steel, but Junior's been kind enough to inform me 6061 is up to the task. Much rather have them corrosion-proof.
 

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I think it looks good...so does Willie. Hope everything mounts up OK.

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Too bad things got so dramatic around his initial posts so quickly.
 
Holy hell. It is here in Africa and nothing is too badly beaten. (Yes, handlebars are on upside down from shipping.)

And I have a lot more work to do than I imagined. Yikes.
 

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Those handlebars arent upside down they are CAFE RACER bars.
Duh.

Glad it made it in one piece 8)
 
What the fuck is a cafe racer?!

Whatever it is, I am getting a priority of work down for this thing. First step is getting the chassis in order. Once I can justify working on the bike instead of further unpacking and homemaking. But my toolroom is set up...so game on may be sooner than anticipated!
 
Thanks, man. I have persistence if not talent or skill.

Worked up a good layout for the electrics. Debating whether to Velcro them down or bolt everything. Think I will start w Velcro then bolt it all when I am sure it is well-placed, and/or if the Velcro doesn't hold.

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This weekend, hopefully the new head cups go in with the steering stem machine work getting completed.
 
Oh, and there is a BSA I found down the street. Allegedly part of the first president's motorcade. It is an a65 of some sort (I think) and was offered to someone I know for $1000... Even has some funky African touches, like wood carved tank badges to replace the lost originals. The turn signals sort of mystify me; current owner seems to have put them on. Allegedly runs but has carb probs.
 

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