Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature currently requires accessing the site using the built-in Safari browser.
We noticed you are blocking ads. DO THE TON only works with community supporters. Most are active members of the site with small businesses. Please consider disabling your ad blocking tool and checking out the businesses that help keep our site up and free.
Managed to get the "special" washers for the swingarm yesterday - in reality no reason why the s/arm and forks can't go in now. I have managed to round up most of the pre-finished parts that seemed to go awol over the past 3 months or so [?], but at least all the major bits are now in one place and accounted for.
The current situation / meds are taking a bit of a toll now - lack of energy, tiredness - still remaining positive. 8)
So after eventually finding the "safe place" where I'd put the s/arm grease seals - swingarm now installed and ready to move on to the forks. First I need a drastic clear up of the wokspace. While I was sorting the relevant parts to sell with the Vindicator project - my bench and storage shelves became an absolute mess and I had a total lack of enthusiasm to do anything !
Final decision required before I fit the forks - Cafe Racer vs Flat Tracker? I'm erring towards Flat Tracker from purely practical / back problem issues - Jeeeez, don't get old folks. 8)
I hope to have the forks in place before I have to go to hospital for the Kidney complaint assessment - only 4 weeks a way now. Was originally scheduled for mid July now in August ! :
That does leave me with a set of Cafe Racer accessories - clip-ons, rearsets, tank, seat, etc..........................Oh yes and a set of alloy rimmed Grimeca 4LS hub wheels - NO don't even think about it !!!!!!!!!!!
Not earth shattering progress - but moving forward at least ;D
Swingarm now installed with temp RAMSHOX unit - might go for polished alloy with red spring.
The electrics undertray has now been laid out again to take account of the battery [ ooops ] and larger than I thought fuse box !
The polished alloy top fork tube covers have been fettled for final fit and a suitable "O" ring fitted to buffer against the top yoke to eliminate any potential rattles.
So, I decided to use the Tarozzis after all. Gear side all fitted and fettled. Just needed to cut off the lower mounting boss for the original mount for clearance. It was really the sight of the OEM brake lever that decided me - a fuggly thing !
The fork legs are now pre-assembled and ready to fit - feeling really positive now.
I came accross an Amal [ repro ] choke lever that I'd bought for the Vindicator - so I'll use that for the choke on the Weber DCOE carb.
I now have the date for my assessment - armful of blood taken yesterday in preparation and the tests should take no more than a morning - and results within the week. Hopefully all done and dusted by the end of the month.
Thanx guys - must say I'm feeling "lucky" for next week.
So today's job should have been patternmaking the tank shape - then I remembered I'd loaned the extension lead to my Daughter ! Extension lead ? Yes, I planned to do the rough shaping in the garden rather than queer up my shed space with loads of GRP dust :
Plan B - turn the frame around on the bench and finish fitting the Tarozzi brake lever. It's going to mean some ingenious linkage, but that's a small matter. Glad I decided to use them.
While I was checking out the OEM brake ever for useable parts - lightbulb moment .............. chop the front part of the lever off, attach a bracket to act as a lever for the connection to the Tarozzi and Robert's your Pater's Brother.
All the original links / lever / pivot etc. work as OEM and makes a neat unit.
Major CKD assessment tomorrow ............................... so no more work until Thursday.
Cheers Brodie - Don't want any more of them there tests thank you ! That's 6 hours of my life I'll never get back.
Results promised within the week.
While I was in the shed feeling sorry for myself - I decided I didn't like the matt finish of the textured paint I used on some of the components. So stripped all the parts back down and a swift rattle can Satin Black finish has now been sprayed on - MUCH better.
So how to keep the next 7 days from dragging by while I'm waiting for results ?? GET STUCK IN !!
I decided to start on the tank today - it was still in the roughly shaped filler coat - all over. Yes it was THAT bad originally. Looked good until I had it blasted. Showed up all sorts of mayhem and dents.
So an hour later I have the first knock down pass and actually isn't that far away from shape !
I've subtly reshaped it to get rid of the flanged fabrication joints around the bottom and front to give it a smooth transition to the edges.
Just to clarify [ having had a good look at the pix !! ] - this was just a first knock down pass to get the rough shape prior to the real work.
Of course there's lumps and bumps all over - but the basic shape is now there. A bit more filler needed on the left side bottom seam - my plan is to lose the OEM "pie crust" pressed look ! Still another couple of passes required and then it's down to the detailing.
Now the wrinkle Black has had a couple more coats [ Seat base, front mudguard, odds and sods ] I'm well pleased with the look - almost as if I meant it !
I've also decided on the "Zinc Yellow" for the main colours - but maybe some Satin Black graphics to match the seat / mudguard ??
Off to see a pal this AM to get my modified brake lever bracket welded up. I made up the actuating arm and fettled it ready for the welder.
AC normally does this kind of work for me, but his master welder is still in hospital having come off second best in an argument with a tree [ car related this time ]. Inconsiderate bastard. :
Brake lever cut and the new actuating bracket was welded by my pal yesterday.
The action is perfect and will also allow sufficient adjustment to place the lever where I want. I even found the return spring in my box of passivated parts !
Just needs cleaning up and finish - wrinkle Satin Black ?. I'd prefer chroming - but costwise that's out of the question.
The same pal is going to make up the 40DCOE Weber manifold - I have all the flanges already [ lazer cut ] - that will just leave the exhaust to outsource.
I also scored a complete re-conned Weber in a trade for some unwanted BMW Kay bits. It was from a 1500cc Ford pre crossflow with twin Webers. Half of 1500 is 750 [ !! ] so maybe the base settings won't be too far away.
Duplicated here - sorry about that, but I AM a happy chappie .......................... :
AND THE WINNER IS ....................................... TJ ;D ;D
Guess that group hug, Prayers, and sacrificial offerings worked.
Not out of the woods - but certainly in the clearing [ just saw Red Riding Hood ]. New meds have taken effect and halted the decline [ for now anyway ] and apart from another load of daily meds and a resonable diet, etc. just down to every 6 month assessments for the forseeable.
Effectively NO further decline in function since Christmas. No guarantees of course, but looking positive after the uncertainty of the past 6 months. Prognosis is good - while I was at the hospital awaiting the assessment, I spoke to 2 others there in the same situation - but 12 months and 18 months down the road from me. Both had remained stable for that period since their initial assessments. 8)
Side effects [ condition and meds ] is in the main an irritant rather than a problem ........... a few years left in the old fart yet.
I sincerely thank you one and all for your pms, phone calls, kind thoughts words and good wishes.
Scored this 40DCOE in a swap for some unwanted BMW parts. It's been internally re-conned and shouldn't be too far off correct spec as it's one of a pair fitted to a 1500cc Ford. Once the intake manifold has been fabricated that just leaves the scrambler high level type exhaust to outsource down the road.
This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
:
