Isadora is mostly done!!
- Thread starter t71ford
- Start date
t71ford
Over 1,000 Posts
We have had some pretty good warm temps here the last few days, and I have been able to ride this little outfit quite a bit. It is really muddy and wet around, so the mudguard has been tested. It works fine. At least as fine as any other mudguard I have ever been around. Once it dries out, I will probably be taking if off. I just like the look of nothing a lot better. I had her to 92MPH today (by the speedo). It would take a pretty good downhill to reach the ton. Not bad, but certainly not the 1100.I think it will be just what the doctor ordered for my wife to ride.
I have had this bike about a month, so I did pretty good, I guess. My A.D.D kicked in, and I spent a lot of late nights working on it. The mechanics of these are pretty basic compared to what I do all day, it is just the paint, polish, and powder that takes a long time!
I have had this bike about a month, so I did pretty good, I guess. My A.D.D kicked in, and I spent a lot of late nights working on it. The mechanics of these are pretty basic compared to what I do all day, it is just the paint, polish, and powder that takes a long time!
klx678
Been Around the Block
Other than naming bikes with a woman's name, which I still don't quite get... I can understand California Hot Rod, Mr. Max, Hawk Killer (a guy went off the road on a Super Hawk following me on my KLX), and some more objective names, but not quite the female thing - please forgive me.
That said, you've got one really great looking clubman. Clean, ridable, not off the hook, but attention getting. I really like it. A rider for sure. Reminds me of what I often tell my students in one design project - sometimes less is more, simpler is better, and less flash can be elegant. The subtlety of your bike makes it stand out - reminiscent of a 1974 Moto Guzzi V7 Sport. I've also ridden a Yamaha Seca 400 and if the standard one runs that good, that thing is going to be a blast (hope the drum front brake is working good). Great work!
Are you running K70s or a copy? Also are the mufflers stock or aftermarket, and if aftermarket, what brand?
One last question, what year is the bike and was the front fender plastic? I think I can use a front fender like that to cut down a bit and use on a street tracker - I hate getting crud thrown up in front of me and find that making one semi-gloss black makes it sort of "disappear". I canned the original SR fender because it was steel and difficult to cut down to look good.
That said, you've got one really great looking clubman. Clean, ridable, not off the hook, but attention getting. I really like it. A rider for sure. Reminds me of what I often tell my students in one design project - sometimes less is more, simpler is better, and less flash can be elegant. The subtlety of your bike makes it stand out - reminiscent of a 1974 Moto Guzzi V7 Sport. I've also ridden a Yamaha Seca 400 and if the standard one runs that good, that thing is going to be a blast (hope the drum front brake is working good). Great work!
Are you running K70s or a copy? Also are the mufflers stock or aftermarket, and if aftermarket, what brand?
One last question, what year is the bike and was the front fender plastic? I think I can use a front fender like that to cut down a bit and use on a street tracker - I hate getting crud thrown up in front of me and find that making one semi-gloss black makes it sort of "disappear". I canned the original SR fender because it was steel and difficult to cut down to look good.
t71ford
Over 1,000 Posts
klx: Thanks for the truly analytical and well thought out review! By your questions, you must have a pretty good attention to detail, and a pretty good picture of what you like and don't. I am glad my bike is in the former 
I did keep it simple, trying to understate the theme as a means of letting it advertise itself. It was also an exercise to myself, as I airbrush, an often in my zeal for the project end up making things a little too busy. I am happy with how it came out. It is not a radical cafe, since if it was difficult and uncomfortable to ride, and if any adapting had to be done on the riders part to use it, my wife would not have any part of it. So I had to keep it very user friendly just so she would use it.
The name was picked by my wife, who I built the bike for. I figure, girl's bike, girl's name. That part was up to her.
They are not Dunlops but copies. I am really not happy with them for this build, but I was not one to throw away the free new tires that came with the bike. I would like a more streetable tire that does not throw things quite as badly. But they will work for now. I don't expect them to last long.
The aftermarket exhaust was made by SITD silencers. I don't really know a lot about them. Those were another brand new gimme that came with the bike. I liked the looks of them well enough to include them on the build. The length helps to give some dimension to an otherwise small frame bike. I had thought about a 2-1, but I decided against this as well to keep the bike streetable for my wife's use. She would not care to shift around any pipe induced power bands, and the gain would be negligible, and she wouldn't care anyway. It does a smooth 90+ now, so she does not need more power on this frame.
The front fender is plastic and in terrific shape. I still have it if you are interested.
Thanks for your review. I appreciate it a lot!
I did keep it simple, trying to understate the theme as a means of letting it advertise itself. It was also an exercise to myself, as I airbrush, an often in my zeal for the project end up making things a little too busy. I am happy with how it came out. It is not a radical cafe, since if it was difficult and uncomfortable to ride, and if any adapting had to be done on the riders part to use it, my wife would not have any part of it. So I had to keep it very user friendly just so she would use it. The name was picked by my wife, who I built the bike for. I figure, girl's bike, girl's name. That part was up to her.
They are not Dunlops but copies. I am really not happy with them for this build, but I was not one to throw away the free new tires that came with the bike. I would like a more streetable tire that does not throw things quite as badly. But they will work for now. I don't expect them to last long.
The aftermarket exhaust was made by SITD silencers. I don't really know a lot about them. Those were another brand new gimme that came with the bike. I liked the looks of them well enough to include them on the build. The length helps to give some dimension to an otherwise small frame bike. I had thought about a 2-1, but I decided against this as well to keep the bike streetable for my wife's use. She would not care to shift around any pipe induced power bands, and the gain would be negligible, and she wouldn't care anyway. It does a smooth 90+ now, so she does not need more power on this frame.
The front fender is plastic and in terrific shape. I still have it if you are interested.
Thanks for your review. I appreciate it a lot!
klx678
Been Around the Block
t71ford said:klx: Thanks for the truly analytical and well thought out review! By your questions, you must have a pretty good attention to detail, and a pretty good picture of what you like and don't. I am glad my bike is in the former
The name was picked by my wife, who I built the bike for. I figure, girl's bike, girl's name. That part was up to her.
They are not Dunlops but copies. I am really not happy with them for this build, but I was not one to throw away the free new tires that came with the bike. I would like a more streetable tire that does not throw things quite as badly. But they will work for now. I don't expect them to last long.
The aftermarket exhaust was made by SITD silencers. I don't really know a lot about them. Those were another brand new gimme that came with the bike. I liked the looks of them well enough to include them on the build. The length helps to give some dimension to an otherwise small frame bike. I had thought about a 2-1, but I decided against this as well to keep the bike streetable for my wife's use. She would not care to shift around any pipe induced power bands, and the gain would be negligible, and she wouldn't care anyway. It does a smooth 90+ now, so she does not need more power on this frame.
The front fender is plastic and in terrific shape. I still have it if you are interested.
Thanks for your review. I appreciate it a lot!
Now I understand the name... one girlfriend years back had a penchant for naming hier cars. The Dodge Dart was Betsy. Present wife doesn't do that. I just see it so much.
As an air brush artist, I take it you understand what I mean about going too far.
I like the pipes in particular, because it keeps with that old V7 Sport look. The tires I just wondered about. What brand are they? I know some here might want to know. My biggest complaint with the K70s I ran was that with the new compound, they wear out way too fast for goofing around on the street, but they look so right. Maybe the low buck specials might be adequate. If I want to run hard I'll do the Zephyr or KLX, the SR will be a bit milder. Don't forget to tell the model number of the tire too.
I PMed you on the fender.
t71ford
Over 1,000 Posts
KLX: I pm'd you, and will have more info soon. The term "airbrush artist" is a very loose one when applied to me. I am actually the service manager of an ag diesel shop, and wrench a little on the side with emphasis on heavy diesel/ electronics. But I do quite a bit of airbrush and painting on the side, mostly for my own enjoyment. It seems like once they know you can, you have more than enough work...it is real easy to get carried away, too.
I will let you know on the tires. They are some Taiwanese brand, so I think will wear out very quickly. But I bet they were cheap!
I will let you know on the tires. They are some Taiwanese brand, so I think will wear out very quickly. But I bet they were cheap!
t71ford
Over 1,000 Posts
You can see it a little better in this pic:
It is just aluminum stamped mesh from the hardware store. It catches most of the road stuff just fine, but probably would not do for water. Not perfect for sure, but it'll do, donkey.
Here is another cool pic I had. I can;t believe how dusty it got in a 2 block ride, but it is still neat:
It is just aluminum stamped mesh from the hardware store. It catches most of the road stuff just fine, but probably would not do for water. Not perfect for sure, but it'll do, donkey.
Here is another cool pic I had. I can;t believe how dusty it got in a 2 block ride, but it is still neat:
