Willow...An Evolution
- Thread starter troybilt
- Start date
beatnic
Coast to Coast
Re: Willow...An evolution..
Hey brother, thanks for the kind words! The fork lower looks fantastic, and i'm sure the wheel will also. The bike looks so much better in person, the pics don't do her justice!
Jim ordered the seat material and should be able to pick it up tomorrow. He ordered two patterns so he could see what looks better in a bigger sample.
The tank is unbelievable. I can not wait to see it finished. It's truely a piece of art.
Canuck Plumber, the stacks are trick!
Hey brother, thanks for the kind words! The fork lower looks fantastic, and i'm sure the wheel will also. The bike looks so much better in person, the pics don't do her justice!
Jim ordered the seat material and should be able to pick it up tomorrow. He ordered two patterns so he could see what looks better in a bigger sample.
The tank is unbelievable. I can not wait to see it finished. It's truely a piece of art.
Canuck Plumber, the stacks are trick!
Re: Willow...An evolution..
Doug, I 'm so glad someone finally got to get a peak at her. Even better to get some help so thank you again for that. Brother, having such words come from someone I have such deep respect for you have no idea what that means to me. Honestly brother I'm honored and humbled. I'm so glad you appreciate the work that has gone into this thing so far. Thank you!!!
Yeah thanks man. I don't use Prep but I'm gonna start. Sucks to have to start over. It jsut ain't worth losing all that work..JRK5892 said:
beatnic said:
Doug, I 'm so glad someone finally got to get a peak at her. Even better to get some help so thank you again for that. Brother, having such words come from someone I have such deep respect for you have no idea what that means to me. Honestly brother I'm honored and humbled. I'm so glad you appreciate the work that has gone into this thing so far. Thank you!!!
Re: Willow...An evolution..
started building the mold today. Yesterday Jim shot Gel coat over the several layers of
Caranuba wax. That will be the inside layer of the mold. Today I started laying up the top part of the mold. Jim wants it to be fairly flexable so it will pop off the plug easily. I started by cutting a solid piece of 2oz mat that would cover the entire half of the plug. There were a total of 2 layers of 2oz. I started by painting on a layer of polyester resin on the Plug. Then laid the first layer of mat. Then with a brush saturated it with resin. I used a special roller to roll out any air pockets that might have formed.
The plug bottom was taped so not to get resin on it. Jim built a little stand made out of a piece of board with nails for the plug to sit on. The nails are taped to the plug. Jim told me to be careful because the tape is only pretending to help hold the plug. He has a pretty funny sense of humor anyhow, here the first layer needed to be trimmed around the tight corners in the front so it would lay down
There is a line of tape at about the middle of the plug that will represent where the two halfs will go back together. Today we worked just past this line. The tape will come of with the mold and will make it very easy to know where to trim to.
Working resin and glass around the front. The plug is actually very black. I guess the flash is picked up as reflection and caused parts of the plug to look white
The hardest part was getting the resin out of the cup before it 'kicked' or set up. Once it was out of the cup and on the mold it could be worked for several minutes longer (up to about 20minutes). Jim said that the plug cools the resin and slows its kick.
once on the mold I could pull resin from one area to another with a little squeegee
After two layers of 2oz we then cut several small pieces of 6 oz and made a total of 2 layers.
Using the roller to roll any trapped air pockets. This is after 2 layers of 2oz and 2 layers of 6 oz
we then cut several long pieces about 2" wide to make a strong edge. The material was cut on a 45% angle. Jim says this makes small pieces stronger. The edge of the mold is susceptible to cracking so we beefed it up with two layers of these long pieces
The frame is finally under primer. I spent about 6 hours working on all the joints. Every joint got re-ground and sanded smooth. All grinding marks were sanded smooth and any weld that had any undercutting was ground down and re-welded. Then it was sanded till smooth. The frame has a pretty nice seamless look.
I also re-painted the hub and painted the motor mounts. This time I wiped with acetone twice and twice with Prep. Did the trick. Turned out super smooth like glass. I'm super stoked. I was a little worried when I thought I had the hub clean and it ended up being contaminated. I think my mistake might have been to use hand soap instead of dish liquid. I don't remember doing that but there is a chance because thery were side by side at the sink I used. If that's the case the hand soap had a moisturizer in it. Anyhow, Both wheels and the motor all are ready for paint. Hope to get them painted tomorrow. Its down to the last second on the frame color. It will between hammer finish dark grey or flat black epoxy. The tins will be brushed stainless with black panels and gold pinstripes. Stay tuned...
started building the mold today. Yesterday Jim shot Gel coat over the several layers of
Caranuba wax. That will be the inside layer of the mold. Today I started laying up the top part of the mold. Jim wants it to be fairly flexable so it will pop off the plug easily. I started by cutting a solid piece of 2oz mat that would cover the entire half of the plug. There were a total of 2 layers of 2oz. I started by painting on a layer of polyester resin on the Plug. Then laid the first layer of mat. Then with a brush saturated it with resin. I used a special roller to roll out any air pockets that might have formed.
The plug bottom was taped so not to get resin on it. Jim built a little stand made out of a piece of board with nails for the plug to sit on. The nails are taped to the plug. Jim told me to be careful because the tape is only pretending to help hold the plug. He has a pretty funny sense of humor anyhow, here the first layer needed to be trimmed around the tight corners in the front so it would lay down
There is a line of tape at about the middle of the plug that will represent where the two halfs will go back together. Today we worked just past this line. The tape will come of with the mold and will make it very easy to know where to trim to.
Working resin and glass around the front. The plug is actually very black. I guess the flash is picked up as reflection and caused parts of the plug to look white
The hardest part was getting the resin out of the cup before it 'kicked' or set up. Once it was out of the cup and on the mold it could be worked for several minutes longer (up to about 20minutes). Jim said that the plug cools the resin and slows its kick.
once on the mold I could pull resin from one area to another with a little squeegee
After two layers of 2oz we then cut several small pieces of 6 oz and made a total of 2 layers.
Using the roller to roll any trapped air pockets. This is after 2 layers of 2oz and 2 layers of 6 oz
we then cut several long pieces about 2" wide to make a strong edge. The material was cut on a 45% angle. Jim says this makes small pieces stronger. The edge of the mold is susceptible to cracking so we beefed it up with two layers of these long pieces
The frame is finally under primer. I spent about 6 hours working on all the joints. Every joint got re-ground and sanded smooth. All grinding marks were sanded smooth and any weld that had any undercutting was ground down and re-welded. Then it was sanded till smooth. The frame has a pretty nice seamless look.
I also re-painted the hub and painted the motor mounts. This time I wiped with acetone twice and twice with Prep. Did the trick. Turned out super smooth like glass. I'm super stoked. I was a little worried when I thought I had the hub clean and it ended up being contaminated. I think my mistake might have been to use hand soap instead of dish liquid. I don't remember doing that but there is a chance because thery were side by side at the sink I used. If that's the case the hand soap had a moisturizer in it. Anyhow, Both wheels and the motor all are ready for paint. Hope to get them painted tomorrow. Its down to the last second on the frame color. It will between hammer finish dark grey or flat black epoxy. The tins will be brushed stainless with black panels and gold pinstripes. Stay tuned...
Maritime
Over 10,000 Posts
Re: Willow...An evolution..
Wow Troy, home stretch. Love it. I have made the mistake of hand soap with moisterizer in it, heck even some dish soaps have it in them. It would make sense as the hub looked like it had oil on it, and that's what moisterizer is. Can't wait to see more. Been waiting for a Willow fix all weekend. Good shots on the mould making. How are the 2 halves of the tank going together? If you do gelcoat to get it smooth? Make sure you get pics of that part.
Cheers,
Maritime
Wow Troy, home stretch. Love it. I have made the mistake of hand soap with moisterizer in it, heck even some dish soaps have it in them. It would make sense as the hub looked like it had oil on it, and that's what moisterizer is. Can't wait to see more. Been waiting for a Willow fix all weekend. Good shots on the mould making. How are the 2 halves of the tank going together? If you do gelcoat to get it smooth? Make sure you get pics of that part.
Cheers,
Maritime
JustinLonghorn
No Purple Hearts, No Blue Ribbons
Re: Willow...An evolution..
Hey man,
Even though I have my chopper for sale, I think we need to get these two bikes together for a ride before I let her go.
What say you, sir?
Hey man,
Even though I have my chopper for sale, I think we need to get these two bikes together for a ride before I let her go.
What say you, sir?
Re: Willow...An evolution..
hahahaha i love it! those attention to details make a bike brother! i dig it... and i do have to admit... as much as i nay say'd the small tank, it is growing on me for sure! Hammer on the frame for sure man!!!! everyone has a gloss blakc frame, this bike is way to out of the box to have a standard gloss black frame! plus if you end ups scratching it hammer touches up really easy and will be much eaiser to blend in than a gloss would
hahahaha i love it! those attention to details make a bike brother! i dig it... and i do have to admit... as much as i nay say'd the small tank, it is growing on me for sure! Hammer on the frame for sure man!!!! everyone has a gloss blakc frame, this bike is way to out of the box to have a standard gloss black frame! plus if you end ups scratching it hammer touches up really easy and will be much eaiser to blend in than a gloss would
Re: Willow...An evolution..
Thanks fellas really appreciate it.
Hey Mike the tank should come out of the mold super smooth with very little body work. There will be a top and bottom half that will have a lip attached to the inside. That will get glued together will a product call G-Flex. Jim says the product is killer and could be used without a lip and just but seamed. We will be adding the lip just for added piece of mind. Hope to finish the mold tomorrow so today i'm jsut trying to get stuff done. I'm finally wiring up shop lights in the garage today. Its been 4 years of working with a trouble light. I didnt want to start the job unless I could do it right. Just never had the time or money.
anyhow, I know its dangerous to start asking for opinions on colors because its such personal thing. Usually no right or wrong just a matter of taste. Anyhow, I'm really stuck. I actually could go 3 ways.
Let me know your thoughts...
Flat black frame with brushed stainless tins. Black insets would be gloss and the pins would be gold
Dark grey hammer finish frame with same brushed stainless tins/black insets...
This is really starting to grow on me. The frame color would be flat Italian olive and the tank and fender gloss Italian olive or vise versa. Panel insets are Creme with black pins and possibly gold
Thanks fellas really appreciate it.
Hey Mike the tank should come out of the mold super smooth with very little body work. There will be a top and bottom half that will have a lip attached to the inside. That will get glued together will a product call G-Flex. Jim says the product is killer and could be used without a lip and just but seamed. We will be adding the lip just for added piece of mind. Hope to finish the mold tomorrow so today i'm jsut trying to get stuff done. I'm finally wiring up shop lights in the garage today. Its been 4 years of working with a trouble light. I didnt want to start the job unless I could do it right. Just never had the time or money.
anyhow, I know its dangerous to start asking for opinions on colors because its such personal thing. Usually no right or wrong just a matter of taste. Anyhow, I'm really stuck. I actually could go 3 ways.
Let me know your thoughts...
Flat black frame with brushed stainless tins. Black insets would be gloss and the pins would be gold
Dark grey hammer finish frame with same brushed stainless tins/black insets...
This is really starting to grow on me. The frame color would be flat Italian olive and the tank and fender gloss Italian olive or vise versa. Panel insets are Creme with black pins and possibly gold
tweakin
Beer and Grease
Re: Willow...An evolution..
Yes! Love it! its extremely unique and well thought out just like your bike. Props to you Troy.
troybilt said:This is really starting to grow on me. The frame color would be flat Italian olive and the tank and fender gloss Italian olive or vise versa. Panel insets are Creme with black pins and possibly gold
Yes! Love it! its extremely unique and well thought out just like your bike. Props to you Troy.
Maritime
Over 10,000 Posts
Re: Willow...An evolution..
Very cool. Can't wait to see it finished. I like the olive colour scheme. But I like olive green. Olive and creme are a pretty vintage combo and may look "right" on Willow. That's just my .02 though. It will probably be great lookign what ever you choose.
Very cool. Can't wait to see it finished. I like the olive colour scheme. But I like olive green. Olive and creme are a pretty vintage combo and may look "right" on Willow. That's just my .02 though. It will probably be great lookign what ever you choose.
VonYinzer
Over 10,000 Posts
Re: Willow...An evolution..
Not everyone wants to paint there scoot in colors so bright it can be seen from space Joe. And really whats the point of crazy paint if ya dont have 3000 LEDs and a 5000 watt sound system?
Hahaha.
In sticking with the vintage board track feel of the bike, quiet, natural and subtle paint is the way to go. Troy has never let his bikes down with his decisions on paint and finish. I doubt he will this time either.
JRK5892 said:
Not everyone wants to paint there scoot in colors so bright it can be seen from space Joe. And really whats the point of crazy paint if ya dont have 3000 LEDs and a 5000 watt sound system?
Hahaha. In sticking with the vintage board track feel of the bike, quiet, natural and subtle paint is the way to go. Troy has never let his bikes down with his decisions on paint and finish. I doubt he will this time either.
