Mechanically Ignorant

I had some ups and downs since my last post.

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:

- tightened some bolts and got the driver's footpegs on.

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...

I figured the best way to put in the engine would be to lie it on it's side and lower the bike onto it. We are deciding how to accomplish this.
I originally planned on Mike, Paul and my Dad helping out but Jack, my grandmother's 79 year old boyfriend, jumped right in there...without his shoes! As you can see, it is quite oily and greasy in there.
This is about the time where my Dad realized that the turn signal light would be crushed if we continued this. Oh and this is just before ALL of the fork oil (actually ATF) started spilling from the forks. That was my fault.
We decided to lift the engine in. Clearly more people were needed for this.
The end result.

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!

Well there was some setbacks BUT the engine is ready to be put back into the frame. Hopefully this will be done tomorrow evening when I have some helpers over (i.e. my brothers and my dad).

However, I still need to get the front wheel on. I got the forks off, replaced the seals and got them back on (this was a huge pain). Hopefully the front wheel (along with the brake caliper) will be on before they get here.

I also got the back wheel back on. Easiest job so far!

This seemed like it would be a longer post...I guess it's because I didn't elaborate on the setbacks. One of them made me feel sick to my stomach. I honestly thought I broke something REALLY important. It was awful. Turns out it was something minor and the part is on order.

FINALLY!

Piston rings came in today along with the rear brake pads I ordered and the fork seals.

I started to put the engine back together and I got pretty far into it. I am tired and therefore I will take pictures tomorrow.

Also, my tires came in. I dropped off the wheels and they should be ready tomorrow.

Still waiting for my piston rings to come in...maybe tomorrow?! Ugh. Until then, I can't start rebuilding the engine. I also can't complete the engine build until I get a new bolt for my cam sprocket (I stripped it pretty bad trying to remove it) which is on order from Dewildt Honda (amongst other odds and ends I need).

Made a big order into Bike Bandit on the 12th. Awesome right? Not so much. Two of the four items are on back order and they won't let me know how long it will take as the manufacturer didn't give them a time frame. I wasn't aware of this until FOUR days after ordering. Also, the BIG item (exhaust pipes) are being cross shipped (??) and will be delayed. So really the only item that should be sent in a timely fashion is an air filter...which I can't do anything with until everything else comes in.

Venting complete.

On a more positive note, my tires should be in on Wednesday. However, Paul informed me that the owner has a habit of forgetting to put in tire orders. This should be fun!