MotoFiaccone RD400 Chopper/Cafe build--for real this time.
- Thread starter chrisf
- Start date
Thanks for the compliments guys.
I finished up wiring the rear of the bike. The PO did a shit job, which explains why the rear blinkers never worked...or so I say. Who knows? The flasher might be out. Anyway, I meant to begin wiring up the front of the bike: the new ignition/key, the new headlight and the new clocks.
Well, my 13 year old has been beating me up about teaching her to weld. She's actually a cool mix: She's creative like me but smart like her mom. Perhaps this will one day help her. We just started with the basic machine setup, how to sharpen an electrode, start a puddle, control it, etc. She didn't have a go at the filler yet, but started to get the hang of it. I thought about starting her on the little MIG, but the sparks would scare the shit out of her. Anyway...
No progress tonight.
--Chris
I finished up wiring the rear of the bike. The PO did a shit job, which explains why the rear blinkers never worked...or so I say. Who knows? The flasher might be out. Anyway, I meant to begin wiring up the front of the bike: the new ignition/key, the new headlight and the new clocks.
Well, my 13 year old has been beating me up about teaching her to weld. She's actually a cool mix: She's creative like me but smart like her mom. Perhaps this will one day help her. We just started with the basic machine setup, how to sharpen an electrode, start a puddle, control it, etc. She didn't have a go at the filler yet, but started to get the hang of it. I thought about starting her on the little MIG, but the sparks would scare the shit out of her. Anyway...
No progress tonight.
--Chris
It's latin: nil satis nisi optimum. Translation: Nothing but the best is good enough. You like it?
I used to be a huge soccer fan, and that statement is brand tagline for Everton Football. I try to live my life by that statement, and I certainly try to build by that statement.
--Thanks, Chris
Do you mind if I steal that? I think that's the perfect articulation of how I want to live the rest of my life and build the rest of my bikes. Solid.
perattzi said:
Yeah, bikes have a soft spot in my heart because they're basically instant gratification. Cars just take sooo much longer to build. I'm trying to wrap up this RD400 project in a hurry so I can get back to the MG Midget project for my wife. Bikes are also a lot cheaper.
On a different note, I didn't feel like working on the bike much this weekend. It was cold in the garage, and I was pretty disinterested. Just the same, I got the tank and side covers completely stripped of paint. I'll post up some pics of what I used, because it was dead easy--and cheap too. I also finished wiring the bike.
luckily, the tank and side covers don't need much filler. I will skim it this week/weekend and sand it out. Then, whilst it's getting painted, I'll bleed the brakes and make the new carbon clock mounts. Light at the end of the tunnel. Then again, I'm starting to get bored with this project, so I might push it into the drive and get back to the Midget project. I seem to get a bit anxious if I haven't welded in a while.
--Chris
Don't yank this post!
I didn't get much done today except bleed the brakes, which is a bit of a leanering process. In the past, I just bled the brakes on cars, and that seemed a bit easier. Probably due to familiarity.
I also spent some time making templates for some new alunimum seats I'm offering soon. I'm making the bucks in steel and dropping the materials off the sheet metal guy early next weeke. I could cut and bend the stuff myself...but cutting through 1/8" steel is a bitch. Anyway, look for some new seat offerings on my website in the next few weeks.
On a different note, my brother-in-law went into the ICU with complete kidney failure! Turns out, his kidneys fused when he was an infant, and he was on borrowed time all along. So tomorrow we make the 7 hour round-trip to see him. Looks like no building tomorrow. I'm at a stopping point anyway until I get the tins to Kit in primer. I need to TIG a bit on the tank to fix a mistake, but I really need to bite the bullet and get it done.
--Be well, Chris
I didn't get much done today except bleed the brakes, which is a bit of a leanering process. In the past, I just bled the brakes on cars, and that seemed a bit easier. Probably due to familiarity.
I also spent some time making templates for some new alunimum seats I'm offering soon. I'm making the bucks in steel and dropping the materials off the sheet metal guy early next weeke. I could cut and bend the stuff myself...but cutting through 1/8" steel is a bitch. Anyway, look for some new seat offerings on my website in the next few weeks.
On a different note, my brother-in-law went into the ICU with complete kidney failure! Turns out, his kidneys fused when he was an infant, and he was on borrowed time all along. So tomorrow we make the 7 hour round-trip to see him. Looks like no building tomorrow. I'm at a stopping point anyway until I get the tins to Kit in primer. I need to TIG a bit on the tank to fix a mistake, but I really need to bite the bullet and get it done.
--Be well, Chris
Thanks for the kind words. He's actually doing much better now that he's done some dialysis. He does need a kidney transplant though, and I'm highly anxious my wife is going to have to be the donor. Hopefully, my motherinlaw can donate or they can find a kidney on the donor list. Scary times indeed.
Regarding the jetting, I just left it stock. It idles great and pull very well at WOT. Partial throttle is a bit rough, though. I'm going back up there next weekend, so I may play around with it a bit.
On a different note, I know what you mean about paint stripper melting plastic sidecovers Hopefully I can get a new one on eBay.
--Chris
Regarding the jetting, I just left it stock. It idles great and pull very well at WOT. Partial throttle is a bit rough, though. I'm going back up there next weekend, so I may play around with it a bit.
On a different note, I know what you mean about paint stripper melting plastic sidecovers
Hopefully I can get a new one on eBay.--Chris
JRK5892 said:
Not my brother, thank god. Nah, it's my brother-in-law; not the same thing. If it was my brother, I'd be on a plane with kidney in hand. This is different because it involves my wife.
But thanks for the kind words gents. I'm turning wrenches tonight! Actually, I'm spreading bondo unless my carbon fiber arrives.
--Chris
