"A Bird in the Hand" take 2. DR650 Deadtail Bobber, now with a sidecar

Thanks @Brodie

Another thing that I was unhappy with was my original plan for the cdi/reg/rec mount. I didn't like how it closed off the area under the seat. It's also been a constant challenge to figure out where to hide things on a bike with almost no body work. I decided the best place to mount it was on the bottom side of the seat pan, which will be out of sight when the bike is in the ground.

I whittled away at a piece of aluminum angle until I came up with this piece. It attaches to the seat via the spring studs, and also mounts my rear turn signals discretely. I still have to find a place to stick the reg/rec, but that should be easier. Excuse the messy shop. That's it for tonight. Time for bed.

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Thanks fellas!

On tonight's episode of "simple project that took far too long" I made an ignition switch mount. I tried to match the contour of the bottom of the tank. The switch came from an old airhead roller that @VonYinzer picked up for me a while back. I did get to use my "new" die filer to open a hole up at least as my step drill only goes up to .750" and the hole needed to be .820".
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Also, I couldn't find an idler sprocket for a 520 chain anywhere to use for my tensioner. All of the motorcycle specific ones are for 530 chains and stupid expensive imho. However I did find a #50 chain idler sprocket at rural king for $15, complete with what seems to be a quality sealed bearing. They are the same pitch, just wider. Nothing a little turning on the old south bend can't fix. More work on the tensioner to come..
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I made up a little engine stand to help with the build up of the final motor. The little effort it takes sure makes it easier than wallowing a motor around on the work bench.

Looks like I'll end up with bits from all 3 motors I've picked up. It's cleaning up good enough that I'm not going to mess with painting the whole thing. I'll find the best clutch and stator cover of the batch, but I'm thinking all the stator covers have enough corrosion that I'll be happier if they're re painted. The bottom end of this one seems good. I saw a bit of (usual for dr650's) pitting on 3rd gear. Also usual fuzz on the drain plug, but no huge chunks. I have fresh rings to put on the piston and barrel that I just picked up, and will likely do valve stem seals while it's apart and a light valve lap.

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...I'll find the best clutch and stator cover of the batch, but I'm thinking all the stator covers have enough corrosion that I'll be happier if they're re painted...
That's what I did w/ the Hedgehog. I think maybe we talked about this, but I'm getting old and forgetful... check out the VHT "Black Pearl" paint for those case covers. It goes on nice, can be bake/cured in an oven, and looks really sharp. If you can't find it in a parts store over there the O'Reillys over here has it.
 
That's what I did w/ the Hedgehog. I think maybe we talked about this, but I'm getting old and forgetful... check out the VHT "Black Pearl" paint for those case covers. It goes on nice, can be bake/cured in an oven, and looks really sharp. If you can't find it in a parts store over there the O'Reillys over here has it.
I do think it looked sharp on your 378! I will think about it for sure, but I am kinda hoping to find a closer to stock paint match if possible. I'll see what I can come up with.
 
I am really liking this bike! When you get ready to trade it off I am prepared to up my previous offer. Here goes - a new three blade Old Timer stockman pocket knife, a pound of prime ground beef and wait for it.....a pound of premium thick cut bacon from Findley's Butcher Shop. WAIT THERE IS MORE! I will include your choice of one of my Daytona Beach Bike Week caps, a well worn Harley T Shirt so you won't look like a poser on that Soft Tail and a $25 gift card for Amazon!
 
I am really liking this bike! When you get ready to trade it off I am prepared to up my previous offer. Here goes - a new three blade Old Timer stockman pocket knife, a pound of prime ground beef and wait for it.....a pound of premium thick cut bacon from Findley's Butcher Shop. WAIT THERE IS MORE! I will include your choice of one of my Daytona Beach Bike Week caps, a well worn Harley T Shirt so you won't look like a poser on that Soft Tail and a $25 gift card for Amazon!
That is a generous offer no doubt, BUT... I sold the softail a few weeks back... so a well worn Hardly Ableson shirt would only prove to heighten my poser status...
 
I was sure the HD shirt would seal the deal. Guess I'll have to hunt for something unique to replace it. Wish you would hurry up and get it finished. I'd like to ride it before winter.
 
Yeah, me, too. He's going to have to figure out a way to light a fire inder the guy doing the wiring harness!
Maybe if I didn't load you up with so many wiring projects lol I'd love this to be rideable by barber at the beginning of October if possible... even if not painted yet
 
It doesn't need paint! Let the glory of those welds shine! If you think wiring takes a while just wait on a a painter!
 
Haha the bare steel is surface rusting as it is. It'll get painted or powder coated eventually... I do want to ride it first though. Being as everything was hand built, I can't expect there not to be anything that needs cut off or re welded before it's all done.


In other news, I found the best two side cases outta the bunch. Unfortunately the stator cover had a couple bolts broke off in it, these ones being little 4mm bolts that hold the pickup coil on. Lucky I was able to tig weld a couple nuts on and extract them both without a world of fuss.. A little trick I've picked up is using a wad of copper wire under the ground clamp to make sure not to get little arc strikes from a poor connection.
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I also remembered that I had half a can of the good ozone depleting paint stripper from a decade ago kicking around in dad's barn. Two coats and a minimal amount of scrubbing and the paint is off. I need to pick up a can of paint so I can spray them and let them cure for a solid week or so, and then hopefully final engine assembly will commence..
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That old stripper is worth it's weight in gold. The new stuff is awful. takes 10X as much and 10X as long to get the same results.
 
That stripper works wonders on removing gaskets too.

I did a bunch of cleaning, prepping and masking on the case covers.
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After going to literally 7 different stores, I found the last 2 cans of this stuff in Central Ohio.
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It laid down OK, but it's not a prefect paint job. It'll do well enough for what it is. Now it'll go up in the hot garage attic to cure for at least a week.
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