Not done a lot this week, work got in the way followed by a bit of decorating that I really couldn't get out of any longer, the book of excuses was empty. Been out on the Harley though and managed to fit new fork seals in the Temptress, sort out the floppy gear change and give it a fairly decent test ride. It's 100% better than when it landed at my house and is pretty rideable now.
XS 650 has come to a bit of a standstill for no other reason than I wasn't prepared to pay the stupid prices people charge for brake line fittings. Managed to find some now though on e bay and they are in the post, should have new brake lines made up and fitted over the weekend, then it just needs to go on the dyno and all will be complete.
What next...........!
I'm getting overcrowded so something has to go, I can't seem to get a buyer for the Z650 and I think it's just down to the colour so I'm gonna bite the bullet and paint it a more sedate colour, can I get it done before winter though as the Harley is going to be completely torn down over the winter for a major going over, watch this space.
Tuesday 28 June 2011
Monday 20 June 2011
The Temptress has landed!
Temptress has arrived, not in as good condition as I had hoped. When I said to the bloke "Tell me everything that is wrong with it" I did mean everything. Fork seals leaking isn't a problem, neither is the slightly rough running.
Gear lever flopping around all over, busted speedo, awful paintwork on frame and mudguards was a bit of a surprise, so was the snapped throttle cable mount on the carbs. However............. Carbs stripped and cleaned and 4 new o rings on the pilot jet bungs and 2 extra turns out on the air screws and it's running lovely, bracket welded up and throttle cable is smoother than ever.
I decided to take some 2000 grit wet and dry to the front mudguard and found that only the tank has been lacquered, so after a rub down out came the T Cut and I managed to find a shine under the orange peel.
New gear lever should arrive tomorrow so I've got to alter that and mate it up to the forward controls and then we're laughing, just needs a tax disc holder as the one fitted is bust. Obviously the last owner wasn't using it up until last weekend as he said, particularly as it's only done 300 miles in 2 years.
Just as it arrived, bars pulled right back, last owner said his wrists hurt riding it, no bloody wonder. I've moved the bars and it's spot on now.
Today just before the carbs come off.
Number plate at the side or should it move, can't decide.
Just before the bars got adjusted.
Gear lever flopping around all over, busted speedo, awful paintwork on frame and mudguards was a bit of a surprise, so was the snapped throttle cable mount on the carbs. However............. Carbs stripped and cleaned and 4 new o rings on the pilot jet bungs and 2 extra turns out on the air screws and it's running lovely, bracket welded up and throttle cable is smoother than ever.
I decided to take some 2000 grit wet and dry to the front mudguard and found that only the tank has been lacquered, so after a rub down out came the T Cut and I managed to find a shine under the orange peel.
New gear lever should arrive tomorrow so I've got to alter that and mate it up to the forward controls and then we're laughing, just needs a tax disc holder as the one fitted is bust. Obviously the last owner wasn't using it up until last weekend as he said, particularly as it's only done 300 miles in 2 years.
Just as it arrived, bars pulled right back, last owner said his wrists hurt riding it, no bloody wonder. I've moved the bars and it's spot on now.
Today just before the carbs come off.
Number plate at the side or should it move, can't decide.
Just before the bars got adjusted.
Tuesday 14 June 2011
It's running!
It was a scary moment but I plucked up courage, oil in, fuel in, ignition on, jump on kick start. First kick and it fired up even before the kick start got to the bottom of it's stroke, fantastic! Motor has had some big changes and so the most it does at the minute is tick over ok, doesn't rev up very well but I was told that after the head work it will need to go on a rolling road so i'm well chuffed so far.
Latest pics with only a few jobs to go.
Latest pics with only a few jobs to go.
Thursday 9 June 2011
It's only nearly bloody finished!
Yes, it's true. There is light at the end of the tunnel, my XS 650 is almost done, I'm down to a short list of jobs now;
Finish the wiring, I've got lights and indicators and brake light working but the idiot lights aren't right and neither is the oil pressure light.
Oil to go in, front brake hoses to make and fit, fuel taps to clean and fit, tank to cut and polish and then it's just a good check over and a clean before the big start up, fingers crossed already.
This week I've finished polishing the engine cases, fitted the new engine sprocket to lower the gearing a bit, put the chain on, adjusted the clutch, made and fitted the exhaust brackets and refitted the side stand that was a bit stiff due to the powder coating.
The last polished case fitted.
Out in the sun and looking gorgeous.
Finish the wiring, I've got lights and indicators and brake light working but the idiot lights aren't right and neither is the oil pressure light.
Oil to go in, front brake hoses to make and fit, fuel taps to clean and fit, tank to cut and polish and then it's just a good check over and a clean before the big start up, fingers crossed already.
This week I've finished polishing the engine cases, fitted the new engine sprocket to lower the gearing a bit, put the chain on, adjusted the clutch, made and fitted the exhaust brackets and refitted the side stand that was a bit stiff due to the powder coating.
The last polished case fitted.
Out in the sun and looking gorgeous.
Wednesday 8 June 2011
Tempted by a Temptress
Got all excited this week when I saw a long lost chop from sunny Bridlington for sale on E bay. Built in about 1984 by my mate Charlie and featured in Back Street Heroes magazine in 1985. I couldn't resist and 3 days after i saw it the winning bid was mine, it arrives from Gloucestershire next week.
Thursday 2 June 2011
A Shit Week!
A reshuffle at work means that from 1st Sept I will have a 100 mile round trip to work and back that will result in £5000 per year just in diesel, bastards! So...........a bit of retail therapy was called for, e bay calling.
Before.
After.
Screamin Eagle heavy breather air cleaner, used for 100 miles and then taken off by the owner cos it wasn't fancy enough, sold for just over half price. Come to daddy!
Day off tomorrow so it's in the garage working on the XS 650, I need it finished now.
Before.
After.
Screamin Eagle heavy breather air cleaner, used for 100 miles and then taken off by the owner cos it wasn't fancy enough, sold for just over half price. Come to daddy!
Day off tomorrow so it's in the garage working on the XS 650, I need it finished now.
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