I have not given up. I have simply been putting it off. Why? Every time I think about the state of the engine I feel sick to my stomach.
Flashback to October 2010. Ted dropped by to look at the bike and was brutally honest with me. The bottom line is 1) I made a lot of errors and 2) I focused on the little details instead of, oh I don't know, making sure the engine works!
I made some huge errors on the cylinder head (I don't even want to talk about it but, suffice to say, it is definitely messed up beyond repair and will need to be replaced) and the exhaust won't sit right. Also, the timing of the pistons are off and I've messed up the points somehow.
So I was left pretty discouraged and, with winter on the way, I really did not want to even look at the bike. I felt embarrassed. I'm failing at this.
Last summer came and went. I was pretty busy with summer school for the first half of the summer and August just flew by. I didn't do any work on it. I knew I had to seek professional help but I couldn't bring myself to do it.
This spring my father-in-law bluntly asked me what I wanted to do with the bike. I said that I wanted to get it running but I need to get a professional to look at it. He proposed that we bring it down to Ultimate Cycle, a motorcycle garage in Hamilton, and get it done right.
That was what we did today.
When Bryan, the owner, asked when it last ran and what I wanted done with it he simply wrote down on the work order: 'Get it running'.
My thoughts exactly.
The Waiting Game
Ted!
I got in touch with Ted, the guy Steve recommended, last night and we chatted about the bike. He told me to call him back on Monday as he was currently working on 2 or 3 bikes and by Monday he should be wrapping up those projects. He told me that he would drop by to look at the bike and see if it's a project he would like to take on. He would also be able to pick up the bike, which is a plus!
More to come next week.
Work...
So school has consumed my life. I have been pretty busy planning and this has left me little/no time to work on the bike.
What has occurred since I last posted (over a month ago)?
- FINALLY got the exhaust on and it looks pretty awesome.
- Got the entire bike back together and threw some gas into the gas tank.
This is where it ends. Why? Well I can't get it started and I don't have the tools required to do it. On top of this, fuel is leaking out of one of the carbs into the air filter. Awesome. It probably has something to do with the float being stuck but I haven't had the time to look into this.
I have decided to seek professional help to get it running. I made a call to 679 Bike (where I purchased my tires) about getting it up and running. Steve, the owner, told me that they are not able to take on this project right now BUT he knows a guy who specializes on older bikes. He does this a side business and, therefore, his rates will be lower (yay!). I'll be calling him later today. Hopefully I will be able to drop the bike off this Saturday as the weather will be nice and my dad can get a trailer to transport it.
Stay tuned for updates....I swear!
Delay...
I had some ups and downs since my last post.
- LOTS of problems with getting my exhaust on but I THINK it is pretty much sorted out. I haven't attached it yet mainly because it has been incredibly hot out.
- Reattached the carbs and air filter box (huge pain).
- STILL waiting on the two parts...
- My starter works! Tried it two days ago and it sounds great.
I need to pick up another in line fuel filter (I only ordered one...duh), some gas and then I'll reattach the gas tank and fuel lines.
I am getting pretty excited to try to start this bike!
Happy! And Annoyed!
My exhaust came today!
I took a picture but i'm too lazy to get the camera and transfer it to the computer. Plus, it will look better when it is actually on the bike.
Here is the journey it took:
I have no idea what was going on with Windsor but at least it got here!
Anyways, turns out I really should have removed the stock flanges on the engine earlier because they need to come off and they are turning out to be a PAIN to remove. I successfully removed one of the 8 screws the old fashioned way. The rest turn out to be so seized (I smashed them repeatedly with an impact driver) that I need to drill them out. This is the point I'm stuck at. I'm pretty sure I spent more than 2 hours wrestling with them today and I'm still not done.
Tomorrow I will complete this (dammit!), clean the engine and then attach the exhaust header. I should also install the carbs and air filter box. I'll try to clean up the fuel tank as well...more on that tomorrow...hopefully.
Things I Did Yesterday...
- tightened some bolts and got the driver's footpegs on.
- hooked up the clutch cable and replaced the cover.
- hooked up the tachometer and speedometer cables.
- properly attached the rear brake and the rear brake pedal.
- reattached the oil tank and oil hoses (this was a huge pain).
- reattached the kickstarter and gearshift pedal.
- replaced the headlight fuse (there were extras in the fuse box cover!) and verified that all of the lights work!
- installed the drive chain.
I still need to get the top bolts on the forks but I need a GOOD jack to do this. My little one for the car just won't cut it. I also need to get at the oil pump and clean out the screen and just check out the condition. Carbs need to be reinstalled along with the air filter.
These are just a few of the things left to do before I can try to turn over the engine.
My exhaust is in Windsor right now waiting to go through customs!
A Family Affair
Earlier today I got the brake caliper back together (with the new brake pads), attached it to the left fork and mounted the front wheel.
Earlier in the evening I had a whole bunch of help putting the engine back in. These pictures will help explain...
Many of the bolts holding the engine to the frame have been tightened. The heavy stuff is almost done. Getting really close now...
Edit: I forgot to mention. My exhaust has been shipped! It is coming in from Chula Vista, California. Excitement!