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SuzukiSavage.com
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl General Category >> The Cafe >> Spring Fever /cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1679852608 Message started by Ruttly on 03/26/23 at 10:43:28 |
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Title: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 03/26/23 at 10:43:28 Spring is here , open practice at Lodi Cycle Bowl today and TT coming up soon. I know I won’t be ready but maybe I can catch a TT near seasons end. It’s a good goal anyways. Mocking up the BSA , still needs frame/swingarm cleaned then assembly will begin. Most everything is cleaned and most everything is here (stuff ordered). Hopefully , have a roller with brakes , tank & seat by this time next week. I did say hopefully ! I was doing good with my $500 budget , but front brake pads and rear shocks broke the bank. So I’m in for a penny and in for a pound , I won’t say I’m drawing the line cause I’ll go over it , but I’m at a whopping $900 , guess that’s still pretty good for a basket case project. Not to sure of its value , I really don’t know what a vintage BSA flat tracker will fetch , maybe as high as $5500. The coolest thing is it will also make a great road racer too. I gonna need leathers for that. Think they will let me TT in motocross gear. Gotta go clean the frame/swingarm. New shocks will need some aging , just enough so they don’t look new that would ruin the patina effect. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 03/27/23 at 10:35:36 Cleaning frame today , just maybe I’ll get some shocks today ! It has the possibility of rolling by morning. Stopping by Tuesday. Tank & seat by Wednesday. Image in my head , becoming clearer , even after a simple green bath that I thought would leave the bike smelling like a urinal cake , nope she still fills the garage with her special smell of vintage motorcycles. Almost same smell as a motorcycle museum. My guitar room smells just like the guitar shop downtown. Vintage & expensive woods has a very special smell. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 03/27/23 at 22:12:57 Wrong shocks , that will be at least a week delay , way bummed Turn it around and start at the other end I’ll make a 13 1/2” strut to hold it up tomorrow and continue. :( |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by MMRanch on 03/28/23 at 08:25:14 So Ruttly , Your working on restoring an old BSA . You mention the term "TT" makes me remember an old Honda 350 twin I had years ago that I wanted to put "TT-Pipes" on. The curve of the TT's makes me grin ! :) is yours the 500 or the 650cc ? |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 03/28/23 at 10:46:14 MM , It’s a 1970 BSA B50MX 500cc single vintage flat tracker/ TT. A TT is a flat track race with usually at least 2 right turns and a jump whereas flat track is wide open and turn left. TT pipes are downswept an under usually but not always out on the right. A guy who worked at the local dismantler built and raced it in the mid to late 70s. I think I got it in 82 , made it into a street tracker with mirror & lights , never had a lic plate , I didn’t worry they couldn’t catch me. It been a basket case for 40 years , no excuses , time flies , it’s time has come. Plan to build it as a race bike with all era correct parts so it looks just like it rolled off the track in the 70s. It also has optional front disc brake for TT racing. So by changing left side foot peg and adding a front brake it becomes a TT bike. Plan to do at least 1 TT race at Lodi maybe later this year. She is a very primitive beast and might be competitive in the vintage class , if not it will be hella fun to be back at the track again. That’s what it’s all about anyways. Maybe this is the reason she was mothballed for 40 years ! 8-) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 03/28/23 at 21:31:25 MM , I used to really like the chrome TT pipes on the old CB450s and then later with the CB360 they had a 2 into 1 with TT pipes , ol skool. They were early street trackers. All of the 70s bikes is where I get my influences from the Savage tracker was to replace the BSA for a street bike like the SR500 and the Sportster did. They all are emulating Flat trackers either by oem design or mine , I don’t know how to stop , fevers a raging ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by LANCER on 03/29/23 at 04:01:40 Rage on brother. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 03/29/23 at 09:42:28 Todays rant. I’ve been seeing a modern electronic ignition for the BSA singles but I think it’s for street versions with lights with a full stator. The MX model only has a partial stator. About 1/3 on as compared to a full stator. Less weight and less magnetic drag with the 3 volt MX ignition. But like I said she is very primitive and still uses ignition points. I know I could probably adapt an electronic ignition to it from like a lawn mower or weed whipper. I would rather the points system. The rotor is the same rotor only the stator is different making 3 to 4 volts , after that there is only points , condenser , coil and a kill switch. Did some digging the hot set up was a Mallory condenser from a hot rod ignition( huge brass cased condenser ) and an Accel solid core spark plug wire with silicone plug cap. Did more digging found both condenser and plug wire with cap and a new set of oem points. Going back to school here , setting points and timing , might have to make a static timing light to help indicate the points opening for static timing , then when it’s running set timing with a timing light. I still have timing lights , dwell meters , vacuum gauges for the ol skool stuff. Speaking of dwell the MX model uses a different mechanic advance unit than the street models , street uses a 12 degree advance unit while the MX uses a 5 degree. Also the 5 degree unit has been advanced to full advance and welded in that position. Flat track wfo slow wfo slow wfo slow , so this gives me instant advance and instant and crazy throttle response. I never lost a drag race on that bike it beat Honda 500 , Yamaha SR/XT/TT , Suzuki 370 and give the twins a bad time too. I get to use my forgotten skills for points & timing. Can’t wait to see a big fat purple spark ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 03/29/23 at 10:01:22 Wait a minute we’re talking Lucas electronics , I’ll settle for any spark what so ever , I’ll take it. ;D ;D ;D |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 03/29/23 at 10:24:01 She is a fair weather bike not for riding in the rain , unless you enjoy the electric chair ! Yeah once your both good a wet , if your left knee gets anywhere near the spark plug wire your still safe , till you rev up gettin ready for a 5000 rpm shift from 3rd to 4th and your fingers reach for the clutch lever BAM you just provided the ground to the positive ground system , you are officially lit up. The smell of burning flesh and hair lingers in your helmet. Almost enough to make you drop the bike. Your fairly well insulated by the rubber pegs and grips in the rain , but go ahead touch the clutch , I dare ya |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by MMRanch on 03/29/23 at 19:17:33 I'm glad you can understand all that ! :) The HEI was one of the best things that came out of the 70's , I think . I never quite understood the point system except that the motor fired when the points opened and the points needed cleaning once in a while. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 03/29/23 at 20:10:37 I agree , the hei was the best thing to happen since rubber tires. But this is no girly man bike with a rev limiter , this will rev till the valve float , straighten out you elbows and make your as$ cheeks pinch the seat cover , hanging on for life. I wouldn’t want to change a thing. I used to keep half of a broken points file in my wallet. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by LANCER on 03/30/23 at 05:07:16 “straighten out you elbows and make your as$ cheeks pinch the seat cover , hanging on for life” Yes indeed; a light weight big single, properly set up & rightly tuned, wide open and pulling hard … Yeeee Haaaa ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 03/30/23 at 10:41:38 A B50 MX stock about 310 lbs , not exactly light. If I had to guess mine is right about 300 lbs still heavy in the flat track realm. I’m not one for lightening everything it has to be tough & durable. Old vintage stuff is different not as refined as modern singles all those valves and counter balancers with electronic ignitions of course they are faster , smoother. The power delivery is much less refined , much more primitive more like riding a worn out carnival ride. Scary at times , hella fun , can’t wait for it to scare the hell out of me. Again ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 03/31/23 at 11:16:42 Did a quick polish job on the aluminum tank. That is the only part I’m gonna hit with an electric buffer & polish. Everything else is hand cleaned with Simple Green. Most of the patina is gone leaving a nicely aged bike , but have no fear , patina cleaned not removed , it will slowly reappear as time goes on. A step back in time , in a sense part of my going up. Besides the grips & tires & peg rubbers , nothing has been changed. A Time Machine right down to the points. Ooh shocks n stuff gettin delivered today , gonna burn some midnight oil. The roller will emerge tomorrow and greet her first dose of sunlight in 21 years. How cool is that ! 8-) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by LANCER on 03/31/23 at 13:04:19 Very. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 04/01/23 at 08:47:13 The Savage and the Honda TLR200 were both educational in learning not to overlook anything. Mock ups can’t be skipped , or you wind up with do over that leads to another mock up. Ah yes our best tool , no not the hammer , pen & paper , make a list for every mock up. Don’t overlook anything , make notes(new list) , some issues take an adjustment or two. Got a couple of items off the list and find the stand for it before I roll it outside for some way overdue sunlight. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 04/02/23 at 10:57:15 Roller set out front for an hour , lots slowing down to look , especially motorcycles. She’s rough but gettin better. Waiting on seal snap rings to finish front forks and front brake and a shock spring compressor , I like to remove spring from shocks to check travel , make sure tire and chain have adequate clearance in there area of travel. This is important part of mock ups , with no springs on shocks checking clearance and any binding , chain adjustment. Remember your chain is tightest when rear axle , swingarm pivot , counter shaft are lined up. After that find total travel when bottomed out , at this point you can make chain adjustment , go back and forth to find that sweet spot. When you’re satisfied with travel and clearances. Put springs back on shock , now you know for sure it’s right , there are no doubts , most important , no do overs ! She already has that rock solid feel , steers & rolls like a race bike. That and some little details too ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 04/03/23 at 01:00:24 I had posted dry weight at 310 lbs, well that’s wrong. All the road going B50 are 309-310 lbs dry weight. The MX model weighs in at a trim 240 lbs. I’ll be goin to Wallyworld to buy a couple bathroom scales to weigh the beast when she’s all dressed out and then check the Savage and Honda too. I’m real happy with 240 lbs over that 310 lbs , possibly lighter. Haven’t yet pulled the trigger on that vintage Borrani rear rim , that may shave a pound or two , not a lot after that unless I start drilling vent holes in everything. But that’s not gonna happen. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Dave on 04/03/23 at 06:15:22 557273736B7E070 wrote:
A couple months ago I went to the Thrift Store and bought a good working scale for $5. You can use just 1 scale if you put the other wheel on a 2x4 or something that is equal in height to the scale...so the bike stays level. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 04/03/23 at 09:05:09 Thanks Dave , Goodwill store bout a mile. Yeah I like the old mechanical style. I just read that using a bathroom scale is just as accurate as other methods +/- 1% for weighing motorcycles. I don’t think there will be much of a difference , my guess is 236 lbs dry. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 04/03/23 at 10:05:58 At a stand still , waitin on stuff to show up. I been goin at it hard. Take a few days to chill. I want the roller to be ready to accept engine , all suspension & brakes & controls done. I have everything needed for the engine and it’s already on the bench. A quick repair and give it a Simple Green shower and in the frame she goes. Then it’s all details after that. I finished the Honda awhile back , Tracker needs seat & horn to finish it and if I finish Beezer , I will have finished 3 bikes in a year , a first for me. The SR500 will be next on the lift table and I don’t see it getting done this year. It’s gonna need tires & hoses , timing & jetting and a whole lotta cleaning. At this rate I may have to build the Sportster too ! I still want another lift table. Gonna take that opportunity when beezer is done is to dig out the SR. Line them all up in the driveway for a very special Kodak moment ! :o |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by LANCER on 04/03/23 at 11:12:59 You best be sharing that photo dude, when you have it. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 04/04/23 at 07:09:59 It might take a minute to get the sporty out but the SR. It looks like a pyramid stuff stacked on both sides and on top , bike covered in multiple sheets/blankets beneath it all , flat tires. Half the day , easy. I keep pickin at the pile , I got some time before picture day. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Dave on 04/04/23 at 15:56:23 1E39383820354C0 wrote:
I worked with a fellow that was a hoarder...and so was his wife. When the stuff got piled high and collapsed - they called it a "Crapalanche"! ;) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 04/04/23 at 23:14:32 Thanks Dave |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 04/04/23 at 23:26:18 I puttin up that wall of denial. I am a collector collector collector collector collector of all things vintage ! Hey it’s kept me out of the prison system for all these years ! :D |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by LANCER on 04/05/23 at 04:47:35 16313030283D440 wrote:
A Nobel effort that is. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 04/05/23 at 09:33:01 Bike building must be a passion for me , all my other hobbies may be a bit stressful at times. Hobbies come & go ! It’s something I been doing since I was 8 with my first Nova mini bike , it’s like your favorite comfort food. It’s second nature , relaxing , where I wanna be. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 04/08/23 at 18:26:22 Just got back from safari, locating our lost chihuahua in the back yard that hasn’t been mowed since the week before Thanksgiving. Yard was trashed by all those winter storms. Finish the pool tomorrow , then it’s ready for some r & r , bbqs & pool fun. First mock up was successful. Rear hub has a bad bearing pocket has a tad to much diameter , I’m runnin it till I get another , then it becomes the spare. I found a rear rim that matches the front rim and also found a stock rear hub that’s been lightened & polished. The hub with new bearings and brake backing plate too. Trying to swing a better deal on the pair , they will work good together. All still vintage and era correct. Building an era correct vintage flat tracker isn’t as easy as you might think. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by LANCER on 04/09/23 at 03:52:01 Besides parts, I watch eBay for BSA’s of any variety that come up. There isn’t a lot of them at any one time, maybe a half dozen, but there sure are some nice examples for sale, and most are decently priced. There are some really nice ones out there. I would need a lot more $$ and a new larger barn to house them though. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 04/09/23 at 11:39:31 If I ever win the lotto , purchase a small warehouse and start a shop/museum with at least 4 lifts and some space. No bike be allowed into the collection unless it’s 100% road/race ready or it’s stays in warehouse till it is. Generally I don’t need much space to build , storage always takes the most room. I don’t know how but when a bike is done there’s 5 to 10 boxes of spare crap , some worth saving some not. Getting my crapalanche of motorcycle parts organized will take some time. I’m a COLLECTOR , I hate being forced to sell m/c due to lack of space. I wish I had back every one of my m/c I ever owned. It’s my history and it hurts to sell it. Not quite sure but it would be around 25-30 bikes , many BSAs,Honda,Yamaha. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Dave on 04/19/23 at 11:56:21 Hey Ruttly! I got the Savage out for the first ride today.......spring does make a fellow do strange things! ;) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by LANCER on 04/19/23 at 16:32:25 Did your wife know what you were doing ? |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by J Mac on 04/19/23 at 18:27:15 I thought our top speed was 80-something. Oh, maybe that's stock. :D |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 04/20/23 at 12:27:52 That’s more like it Dave ! I knew she’s got it in her. Thank You for stepping up your game , at 101 I knew I could beat that. At 107 well let’s just say , l gots a huge grin and very happily accept. I can almost get my leg over the BSA but haven’t tried the tracker yet. So do tell us all about the conditions , that were obviously really good. Time of day , temperature , downhill , wind at your back , backpack full of bowling balls. More than one run ? I bet it felt good , maybe a tad scary ? Inquiry Minds want to know , spill the beans , all the dirty little details , give it up Super Dave. Ok , finish tracker seat or not , it’s the BSAs turn on the lift. Someone has thrown the gauntlet down , I freakin love it ! Oh yeah congratulations ! :o |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 04/20/23 at 12:31:43 No nitrous , right , Dave ? |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 04/20/23 at 12:35:48 Spring Fever is definitely infectious Long winter does that |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Dave on 04/20/23 at 18:36:20 Well...the truth is not as exciting as the lie! ::) Last year when I was riding the Cherohala Skyway with Armen.....my battery cable came loose and my speedo and tach went crazy. All that electrical mayhem tricked my speedo and tach into recording bogus numbers. 101.1 is still my best "real" speed, and there is really no reason to try and improve that with my current setup....it just doesn't want to go any faster. A better header/muffler would likely help - my current setup has a nice sound, but is likely a bit restrictive. In the future for this bike is a 97mm flat top piston, a bigger header and less restrictive muffler....and a steering damper. This bike gets really wiggly as you approach 100mph! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 04/20/23 at 20:56:42 Ok you got me , bad ! I was excited for you , got me all excited. I’m always ready for a challenge. I was skeptical about the 8000 rpm , default numbers. I should have known. Throw that gauntlet down anytime , I’ll be ready. Just for that I’m gonna ride it this weekend. Found a perfect road not far from here , a bit over a mile and straight & flat , no trees for gps. Try out my new skid lid ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Dave on 04/21/23 at 03:34:31 When I started my bike up yesterday and saw those numbers....I just had to do something with them! They couldn't just be erased and forgotten. The unfortunate thing about the way the GPS records the maximums....is that they are not necessarily concurrent. If you hit the maximum rpm in third gear yesterday...and the maximum mph today - then those are the numbers displayed. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 04/21/23 at 05:25:04 Can’t wait to try the GPS , big fun , instant gratification. Most of my SR500s would pull 107 with stock gears , no reason tracker can’t do it , absolutely obtainable ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 04/23/23 at 09:42:27 Hey Dave , I might be out and about today , testing gps. Stop & get a shot of super , just cruise it downtown. No speed runs , nice & easy , no stupid stuff (yeah right). Check out the Dunlops , wanna find the R/R crossing but the hip says NO. I’ll bring my phone just in case I need to record any accidental crossings into the Ton territory. I’m changing the name of that road I found to Ton Rd. That area prone to flooding during snow melt especially this year , yesterday it was 90 so it’s a comin. Keep telling myself slow and easy , not sure I know how ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by LANCER on 04/23/23 at 10:24:43 684F4E4E56433A0 wrote:
Baby steps dude. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 04/23/23 at 22:17:09 Baby steps , now he tells me ! Ok , first ride was successful , that means I’m alive. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 04/24/23 at 00:26:05 First rides are always exciting , this ride fit the bill. A slow putt down the block & back. Love the big single , its is a compact bike. Straight to get a tankful then out of town , pulled over to mess with gps , tried to set for a speed , did a nice hole shot on the edge in the gravel but it didn’t work. So tried again , hole-shot really wound her up & that Dunlop grabbed the roadway went straight up in the air my left grip came off the bars. Now I’m on a one handed wild as$ed wheelie wfo in first the bars turned right when a I lost the left grip so I had to keep the wheelie up till I could throw the grip and then grab the bars , straighten up then set it down all staying in my lane. Never a dull moment kept it wfo 2nd , 3rd traffic , shut it down at 87 mph and was unable to reset for another run. Hard to set with gloves on I’ll have to figure it out. Bike was strong , brakes good , Dunlop 404s surprised me , went thru a huge gravel patch in an intersection , pulled clutch in she drifted thru it like a race bike. Carb needs a tune , she runs well and has no problems passing. Collect my grip from the road side and head home , hip did not like that wheelie , I thought it was cool I didn’t die. When I built it I filled the bars with silicone to cut vibrations. Done same thing to all my bars for years. After 6-7 years it started ooz a oily crap that ate my grip glue , throttle side came right off when I got home. Some crappy silicone I guess , I gotta clean out the bars and glue grips back on. Found a country style meat market today too. Ummm Burgers ! ;D |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 04/24/23 at 20:46:54 Just ordered new bars and grips. Bars 32 1/2 a bit wider than 29 1/2 a little less cramped. For me wider is better. Gonna glue these on and maybe some screws too. The surprise one handed wheelie really put a lot of pressure on the hip when grip came off. Your first thought is to put it back on , by then you’ve crashed , but you still have to look at it in your hand and give it some choice swear words before you cast it aside. I did check all the bolts,axles,forks just not the grips !!! ;D ;D ;D |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by LANCER on 04/25/23 at 03:20:14 Never a dull moment eh ? |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 04/25/23 at 11:04:23 A very short ride , but I was out and about. Just some two way tape and packing foam for a seat , that’s how bad I needed to ride. Last ride was before Thanksgiving. That big single sure is satisfying to ride. Need a longer ride for some therapy , not only do I need to heal the hip I need to heal the soul ! 8-) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by MMRanch on 04/25/23 at 20:45:14 Well Dave , I would have thought that 107mph would be plenty doable with your bike having the double "up" gearing and the better than stock HP. I miss the the torque of the 650 sometimes . On the good side of that is that I drive like my age now , and the bike I have helps with all that ! ;) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 04/27/23 at 11:36:02 [quote author=445644565B48474A41090 link=1679852608/45#49 date=1682480714]Well Dave , I would have thought that 107mph would be plenty doable with your bike having the double "up" gearing and the better than stock HP. :-/ Me too , MM |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 04/27/23 at 11:53:21 They sent the wrong bars for the tracker. Sent me the bars I already have not the 32 1/2” width. Back back back , at that price. I can buy these for $50 delivered. 1” custom bars are not cheap ! Cause they can hang the “fits Harley” tag on them and that adds $100 to the price. Another reason not to buy/build another Harley , stupid prices. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 04/29/23 at 00:07:51 Finally found a set of bars , but I’ll see what they send me. By measurements , very similar to a flat track bend , the model is the Daytona bend. I ain’t excited yet , now I gotta fire the Sportster up. Nice n slow no wheelies no R/R tracks. Ooh a real seat what a treat ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Savard 05 on 05/01/23 at 11:19:31 Nice |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by TheSneeze on 05/01/23 at 13:42:56 I hope my first ride is only half that exciting, and nothing comes off! :o |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 05/01/23 at 14:40:18 Definitely add grips to your pre trip check list ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 05/02/23 at 12:37:09 Still waiting on the new bars to arrive. Gave up on trying to remove that decomposing silicone from inside the bars , I tried alcohol,acetone,wd40,paint thinner,pb blaster. No luck , I’m looking for some freeze plugs that fit in the bars to just cap them off. I doubt I’ll use them again unless these new bars aren’t right. I had noticed I was reaching too far and bars seem so crowded , a bit more width & pullback should be just what I need. Comfort is paramount , it’s not a comfortable bike but still you have to have your controls where you’re not reaching to grips or pegs. Rearset controls bends the knees a bit so it’s not a touring bike for sure , but it does keep you in the aggressive body position.I call it the $hit n git position. I’m trying to get where I only need to slide my butt on the seat , no reaching , comfort allows your brain to concentrate on the ride and not the discomfort, better focus , better lap times , better rider ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 05/03/23 at 14:56:45 Spring my as$ we got another 16-18” of snow in the mountains. Ski resorts planning on being open till July 4th ! It poured for 4 hrs at work last night. At least it delays fire season for a bit. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Dave on 05/04/23 at 04:14:57 755253534B5E270 wrote:
No snow here.....but it has been light frost most mornings and we did get some hail last Saturday. The daytime highs have been in the 40-50's. I rode to dinner with some "Biker Trash" friends last night - it was 60 degrees when I rode to dinner at 5PM........47 degrees on the way home at 8PM. At least it was dry and the winds were reasonable. I have been watching the weather down in Suches, GA to spend a couple days riding.......temperatures at night are in the 30's. It is still too cold in the mornings to entice me down there for a few days riding. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 05/04/23 at 13:24:33 Oh yeah , new bars just showed up. Very near to the previous bars but wider tad more pull back. Not a true flat track bend but its tracker bend is low and is close enough for me. The wider low bend is a better look than a f/t bend , staying true to the compact look of the bike. A very subtle change that I believe will impact the looks. Got to get rid of those Dunlops , loose bobber look , get that , evil look back ! Gotta go do my 8 , be home late and be up till I can ride it. Hope they look as good or better than the vision I have in my head. Seat seat seat seat seat , it’s gonna have to wait , again |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 05/04/23 at 21:45:30 Hope cables hose wiring can reach without problems , cause I think she’s gonna get some of her evil back. The bends on either side of the clamps are further out and when your over fork looking down , your looking straight down the fork legs like a race bike , the other bars hid that view. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 05/05/23 at 14:07:05 I was correct , the subtle change of wider bars has impacted the looks in a dramatic fashion. Can’t believe l didn’t do this years ago. Buddy of mine rode a stripped down Bonniville in a street tracker style 40 years ago and that bike was a massive influence to me , he still owns it. Low wide bars , TT pipes and a narrow aftermarket sportster seat and chrome rear fender. When I talk about shapes and lines , his bike has them all ! Now 33” wide my old bars 29 1/2”. Gettin her evil back a little at a time 8-) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 05/07/23 at 09:39:24 First dry day in a week , blue sky above , clean dry roads below. A perfect morning to disappear into the farm roads south of town. Avoid people and traffic , just me & the tracker. Some ram air induction to clear the head & a long therapy session. Maybe collect some data , but this is ride to enjoy the big single , I’m in a desperate need of some “Thump Therapy “ and an even greater need to get away from people. Time to silence the voices in my head. ::) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 05/08/23 at 00:15:13 Wow a lazy 40 mile ride in farm country went near perfect. Perfect cool damp air, almost chilly , great riding temperature. Didn’t even mess with gps just out for a ride. Not as quick as the last gearing but has a sweet spot at 74 mph for cruising. The wider bars are very elegant looking and super comfortable. Tried to get in a tucked position , flat track style but that lasts for about 10 seconds before my hip starts screaming no way. She needs bigger jets , she’s gonna get a bigger carb with bigger jets. She’s a runner, kicked my butt in 40 miles came home and had to take a nap. It’s gonna take some time to become one with it ! I need to weigh the Flying Pig. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by TheSneeze on 05/08/23 at 17:57:48 I have come a long way with mine, but there is still a looong way to go. Glad to hear you are out enjoying yours! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 05/08/23 at 20:01:26 Thanks Sneeze , A few loose ends to finish up. I keep feeding it bigger jets and it keeps going faster. Now it gettin a bigger carb. Fuel mileage may suck(literally) but it’s big fun. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 05/13/23 at 10:52:59 Grips appear to be secure to the bars , used hairspray on the throttle side to plastic throttle sleeve. However hairspray failed on the left against the smooth chrome bars. Found paint thinner reacts to rubber grip and so far it’s as good or better than most grip glues. Yeah maybe I’m just a little paranoid about my grips after that one handed wheelie. Absolutely love the wide bars super comfy and look even better. I’m gonna use the same bars on my SR500 too , but in a 7/8”. Hip is painful when all tucked in so I just rest left leg on top of the peg near the top of my boot. I have to adapt and overcome this problem , just can’t hold that folded up position for long. Not like I use that position a lot, but after 50 years it’s just part of how I was taught how to ride/slide. I have to adapt and leg on the peg is working. Sunday morning , early before it gets hot , cool damp morning air really lets her put down some good passes. Once it’s hot it’s harder to get that last few mph. Running only one mirror , that mirror causes an unstable condition above 90 mph , no mirrors , on speed runs , but bring it with case I get pulled over , tell them it came loose. At 90+ ya dont want a wobble , huh Dave ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by LANCER on 05/13/23 at 13:23:52 Wobbles are not authorized. [ch127949] |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by ohiomoto on 05/15/23 at 17:54:19 042322223A2F560 wrote:
-------------------- As long as you don't fall down... [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aq_PoVQQzRs[/media] |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 05/18/23 at 13:53:36 Those new wider bars are so nice I bought another pair for my SR500 , next project after the BSA. In a 7/8” bar for the SR , Bikemaster Daytona bend , $29. In a 1” bar for the tracker , Bikemaster Daytona bend , ( fits Harley sticker ) $80 ! A whooping $51 difference and these were a good deal , a set of Flanders 1” bars $190 for a chromed piece of pipe ! I’m in the wrong business ! ;D |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 05/18/23 at 17:06:16 7578777A7C6B2B2E190 wrote:
Neither are Weebles. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 05/21/23 at 23:46:24 Yeah I’m looking for a mirror solution but I was thinking it’s all in my head put the mirror back on wind her up good ,not a wobble maybe a shimmy. Had a similar feeling right before a death wobble tank slapper when I managed to smash my nuts 3 times before crashing on the edge of the road. And I won’t ever forget that crash , on my BSA. Think those mirrors came off my sportster. Gone shopping. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 05/22/23 at 13:54:39 Another eventless 40 mile ride , so I did some 0-60 runs for cheap fun. Went by a builder friends place to check out his Suzuki 500 twin smoker , one of the worst handling bikes. It’s cafe style with long sexy chambers it’s cool I’m sure it fast , had to secure a chance to take it for a spin. He’s got 8-9 bikes , we met on another forum. I’ve sold him some stuff before. So he didn’t see what I was riding. So I kinda lead him in that direction , when he saw what I was riding the conversation turned for his project to mine. After a few minutes I asked him if he wanted to take it for a spin , he couldn’t believe I was going to let him ride it. He absolutely does not ride like me , a calm ,reserved, mature rider so my bike was safe , I wasn’t even worried about the bike. Now me I ride like I had 4 cups of joe and a bowl full of crank for breakfast , kinda like riding with your hair on fire. So he really really likes my bike even if it’s a tad small for him. So we are planning an early morning ride on the tracker and his SR500. After riding my bike he made a comment about building a Savage So let me recap this , a nice 40 ride , secured a ride on a rocket ship , watched while the first person rode my bike , and may have recruited a new member fo SS ! A good day |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 05/30/23 at 00:59:02 Ordered seat pad & cover and new carb for the tracker. Put some small mirrors on , replaced some crap mirrors with some inexpensive mirrors. Well they look good and keep it legal (well just this side legal ). Found a replacement tire for that tire I had that got recalled. I still have the front tire . So I bought the tire , 2 tubes , 2 rim bands. Get it all ready for a winter project. She’s definitely getting her evil back , new bars and mirrors , new tires again. Photo shoot , naw ! The BSA TT bike is still moving forward , finishing rear brake before moving to the front disc brake. I fabbed a chain roller , too ! After chassis is done I’ll wire it , make a quick engine repair and in it goes , carb & pipe are waiting.Next up on the table 1980 Yamaha SR500. Better weather means get my 55 F100 running and sell it , bye bye! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by TheSneeze on 05/30/23 at 21:41:59 496E6F6F77621B0 wrote:
This comment made me whip out a tape measure and check out my tracker bars. 29-1/8". Dang, dude! Yours are Wiiiiiiiide! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 05/30/23 at 22:12:32 Mine were about the same as yours , always reaching , stressing lower back. The 33” have more pullback and it’s harder to get tucked in , but super comfy and look even better. Years ago most flat track bars were 36” , trim to fit. Bars made a huge difference, she’s a pleasure to ride , nothing like a big bore thumper. A very satisfying bike to ride. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 05/30/23 at 22:19:11 Definitely Not good bars for lane splitting !!! ;D |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 06/01/23 at 13:52:40 Ooh a seat showed up . Doesn’t quite look like it’s going to fit. Think I’ll use the cover with my padding and a seat pan I made or a pan I may have to make from aluminum. Nevertheless it’s going to get a seat sooner than later. A replacement rear tire and tubes on the way , she will regain her evil menacing stance when done. Can’t wait to get rid of the truck tires I have on it (Dunlop 404s) make it look like a bobber. Goal is /was to have a look that she is ready to out run local Leo’s, absolutely menacing , looking for trouble , just oozing evil from any angle , that’s what I’m after ! Years & years of riding cookie cutter bikes , kinda like my father giving me & my brother crew cuts once a month , forever and now I only cut my hair once a year. Well that has transcended into an endless project with an open budget. I’m too old to be running from Leo but I love it when I’m at a intersection and Leo won’t take his eyes off me in anticipation of me doing something stupid and running , yup that’s the look ! 8-) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 06/02/23 at 20:17:37 New rear tire coming from Spain. I can’t believe how much this bike rules my need for the perfect ( in my eyes ) stance for this bike . But new tires won’t go on till winter. 2 tires , tubes and rim bands will be ready and waiting. Ride it tomorrow to get a caliper for the BSA and then I’ll down it for the seat. Then it’s time to spark the sporty . |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 06/06/23 at 14:22:32 Seat I bought was not a good fit to the tail section. So took it apart , pan , pad , cover all seperated. Off to the hardware store , scored a nice piece black foam. And there it all sits . I hate downing this bike for anything other than oil changes. When the time is right , I might need RIDE it in the meanwhile. Right. Without a seat. The seat will be the stamp on the bike as done. I think in my mind I don’t want the say it’s done , a mental block that has been keeping me from finishing the bike. There it sits ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 06/07/23 at 12:30:11 Yeah I was out riding it with no seat , my hip hurts , that’s enough of that. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by ohiomoto on 06/08/23 at 07:19:43 Ruttly's ailments... http://suzukisavage.com/yabb2.2/Attachments/Tracker.jpeg http://suzukisavage.com/yabb2.2/Attachments/BSA500.jpeg |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 06/08/23 at 14:37:51 With more misery in the garage. ;D |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by TheSneeze on 06/10/23 at 07:26:38 Hey, Rutt - I sent you an email. Let me know what you think (time sensitive). |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 06/10/23 at 16:44:40 Well now that the 2.0 Version of the tracker is almost complete. I ain’t wasting anytime planning the 3.0. And you thought it was dun ! No rear disc brake keeping the drum brake. Loose the gps , replace with a mini tach or just nothing at all. A pure focus bike maybe one small mirror to be legal , absolutely no distractions. Swap out the old larger turn signals on the forks some tiny front turn signals on the bars and leaving the problem of indicator lights for high beam & t/s & neutral light. No severe changes , a leaner look , no distractions ! And better tires too |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Edub on 06/10/23 at 23:02:36 7A5D5C5C4451280 wrote:
Sweet jeebus! That looks amazing! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 06/11/23 at 11:34:33 Thanks Edub , Wish I could take better pics , not a great pic. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 06/14/23 at 12:35:03 The seat is done , till winter. Looks ok , wife says we ARE going to Corbin seats and have them make one , I bought some time said ok this winter. I’m goin ridin ! It is comfy but I haven’t actually ridden it , I’ll let my butt write that review ! And somewhat signifying completion , that will be the day ! But now she’s a turn key daily rider ! And not a moment too soon. Adventure , so many roads Just Ride |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by TheSneeze on 06/15/23 at 07:48:15 I know Corbin has been around forever, and does really good quality work. But you may want to consider getting a quote from the guy who did mine. http://www.tuffside.com I made my own pan using 1/8" thick ABS plastic, and formed it to shape using heat. Shipped him the pan, and was blown away with his work when it came back. Never hurts to get multiple sources. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 06/16/23 at 08:42:25 That’s hella funny my seat pan was previously a truck mud flap 3/16-1/4” thick , foam from hardware store and cover from another tracker seat. My $7 H/F heat gun does wonders for shaping plastic. It’s a seat. Saturday I’m gonna test it out. Then back on the BSA brakes. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 06/18/23 at 13:32:02 Happy Fathers Day to all its applies to. Well I didn’t do crap on Saturday but bbq. I got sucked into working Fathers Day , night shift for a 10-12 hr shift. Not real enthusiastic about it and hope they don’t expect much , LOL. >:( |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 06/18/23 at 20:40:57 Well the BSA is coming along , chain roller is done , rear brake very near done , front brake still has some fab work to do. Now only 99.2% vintage now , a friend let me dig thru his box of grom brake parts trying to find a caliper , gave me many ideas. Wound up buying a rear caliper from a Chinese grom clone , yeah bottom of the barrel but still has 50 yrs more technology than that Hurst Airheart caliper. I picked a small single piston caliper from the rear to go on the front. Pads are a perfect fit for the small 10” rotor. I have to fab up a mounting bracket. Must finish brakes before sparky smokey can happen ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 06/20/23 at 10:58:11 Think I’m ready to pull engine out of the frame , back on the bench. The rolling chassis will remain on table till it’s done. Brakes , pegs , wiring will be finished before it get the repaired engine back. Tank , seat , number plates , carb , and exhaust all ready go. Oh yeah , building a race bike , Big Fun ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 06/21/23 at 19:58:59 Ooh a new rear Continental tire just appeared at my door from half way around the world , Spain to be exact. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by MMRanch on 06/21/23 at 21:49:14 Pictures Ruttly Pictures ... Please :) I've never went into putting the rolling chassis up on the work bench to do the details , you must have a really nice shop . |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 06/22/23 at 11:13:07 Well , My shop is nothing but a small cramped dusty garage. I’ve been building bikes since I was 14. Don’t need a lot of space just a work bench and the table. On my third bike since I got the table , if you have the room , it a worthwhile purchase , the table is the best thing I’ve done , love it. I’m totally ghetto after seeing Sneeze’s shop , I dream about having a real shop with a lathe & mill , drill press. Imagine what I could build if I had a shop like that ! Yes I’m jealous. I’ll just keep building my “garage bikes” , as long as I’m still impressing myself , I’m good ! 8-) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by MMRanch on 06/22/23 at 18:58:44 I'm too lazy to do a real build on anything. I'd rather take a ride , then only when necessary do maintenance. Ride somewhere every day if possible. ;) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 06/25/23 at 18:22:29 It’s so hard not to do some trail trimming on the tracker. I rode bald tires when I was young , teaches you how far you push the envelope so street tires on the dirt is just fun for me. I think it’s having to clean it is the only deterrent keeping me out of the dirt. I need a total thrasher for when I’m in that mood. However , she is a pleasure to ride when you got room to stretch her legs a bit. She has a hard time behaving in town , so I gas up and head out in the sticks. Let her rip , put her carbon footprint down , she really loves to run. Freeway , she’s does fine , it me that hates it ! She is much more tame than it was before , was horrible on the freeway. Try to ride it every chance I get , she begs to be ridden. Guess a small street legal trail bike with a happy button is needed. Sliding around in the dirt is great exercise and great practice for street riding. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by justin_o_guy2 on 06/26/23 at 05:58:42 IDK if the stock tires are still like greased owl snot, but when the rear tire on my 05 showed me it was dangerous on hot,dry asphalt I talked about it here , but because I hadn't ridden in decades I chose to run it instead of replace it. IDK where I read it, maybe it was Twist of the wrist,, but I know I read somewhere that people who have dirtbike experience tend to avoid falling better on asphalt. Makes sense.. Really,, the immediate physical response to the rear end sliding needs to be using yerass to push the seat in the direction of the slide, which takes some exposure to That Moment to learn. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 07/04/23 at 13:42:07 Exactly , it is exposure to loss of control/traction. Fun for some and absolutely terrifying for others ! Back in the day I had Honda 175 twin , it was my flat track practice bike. Front brake was gutted , fiberglass tank , smaller off road seat & plastic rear fender. Engine smoked a tiny bit on r/s but ran great , I rejetted it , straight pipes , loud and fast all on 2 very bald Dunlop k70s with an almost nonexistent rear brake. Local LEOs never even got close to catching me on that bike , terrorize the town , run just for fun , hid the bike for some months , before unleashing the tiny terror again. Things got hot , local Leo’s we’re getting smarter ( after 2+years of trying to catch me ) I had to remove it by dark of night and gave it away , far away. Haven’t seen it since. That was a fun bike and as always I wish I still had it ! As I remember it was given to me in exchange for a small debt , guy raced flat track. The Good Ole Days ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by TheSneeze on 07/04/23 at 14:23:29 I had a loafer hanging around my shop yesterday evening. Well, on top of my shop, actually. That is one big owl sitting on the pitch!! It's getting ready to sweep the back yards looking for dinner. Good thing our only pet is a labrador! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 07/05/23 at 11:26:20 Very special visitor indeed , keeping rodent & snake populations in check It’s just trying to survive Get bats up there too ? |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by TheSneeze on 07/05/23 at 21:23:12 Oh yeah. And every critter in between. Coyote, bear, mountain lion, bobcat, rabbits, deer, quail, dove, bald eagles, hawks of all flavors. And the rare and elusive baja bug. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 07/05/23 at 22:11:48 It needs a keg a tap and a red cup dispenser ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 07/05/23 at 23:10:44 Was out lookin for some new roads to buzz east of town real easy to get lost if you’re not paying attention. The bike loves to run , at 90+ she gets twitchy , give me something to fix this winter. Did a couple 0-60 runs. I need a spot to holeshot , the same spot for consistency for 0-60 & 1/4 mile. Anyways a good ride on a great day , got home it was still early and uncovered the sporty turn on the gas pull choke took a second before she fired off since about Halloween. Took it for a shortened loop ,handled weird , 2 flat tires , went home. Kinda like ridin on plums or tomatoes. Good day , two good rides , two real fun bikes. My girls run me hard today ,I’m real tired |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 07/19/23 at 14:23:07 Was out n about the other day and the tracker has developed a need for a fuel filter. With the tank having been modified twice and then an internal sealer applied. She would haul as$ but it felt like it was starving out at wot then when you roll off it it gets bad and stalls , it’s a blockage in float bowl. When I get a minute I’ll carefully remove carb to a clean pan and dissect it . I want to see what’s causing the problem. Maybe toss the 36 into the ever growing Mikuni box and put that brand spankin new 38 on and pull last baffle out of exhaust not the core but last of two baffles I installed when I built the core. It’s not real loud , want to keep it as quiet as I can. Do some speed runs for fun. I can always put them back in and probably will. I’ve never fired it up with core removed , neighbors not going to like that open 2” header , ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D LOUD EVIL LAUGHTER ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by verslagen1 on 07/19/23 at 15:54:18 running out of gas at wot is a fuel flow problem. I'd 1st check fuel flow figure out the flow rate for 200 mph (you can dream can't ya?) at 50 mpg and pull off the line to the carb and fill up a pint. If it can't do that then you know where the problem is. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Oldfeller--FSO on 07/20/23 at 04:46:43 Stock OEM vacuum petcocks used to do that a lot ....... |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 07/20/23 at 13:06:27 Got a Raptor thingy on her. It flows good , still ain’t got it off yet to inspect it. I think it’s crap in the float bowl that gets sucked up against the main jet sometimes. If I don’t find anything then I’ll dump the fuel and r & r the petcock for a peek in the tank. But I’m sure it’s in the carb , weekend is nearing. I’ll get to the bottom of this. Gonna run a clear fuel filter , just in case , I’ll be able to see any collected gems in the filter. Big fun but I’d rather be riding it. It’s been hot here so it’s a early morning rides before the valley begins to swelter , watched a flying bug land on the concrete it was so hot it died before could take off or crawl to the grass. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by TheSneeze on 07/20/23 at 18:13:27 This weekend it's forecast to be 104 in Reno. I guess if I got up early enough I could get a ride in before it heats up, but I am not an early riser! Ride safe when you figure it out, Rut. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 07/20/23 at 20:13:30 It will be up & running Saturday , flying low Sunday morning. Found an interesting five way intersection , needs further investigation x 5. Calling it 5 points n , s , e , w & one in between. So many roads. 8-) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 07/24/23 at 15:34:13 New VM38 on it , she pulls hard just a short ride for fuel. A different feel than the 36mm , can’t yet put my finger on it. I’m after dependability , turn key / push button , she’s got big nuts and plenty fast enough with a wide forgiving powerband. Needs some road time , jetting near perfect. She loves to run ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Dave on 07/25/23 at 03:28:38 0A2D2C2C3421580 wrote:
My VM38 has been on the bike for the last 16,000 miles and has been absolutely reliable. I do need to use the enrichment lever to get the bike fired up the first ride of the day - the engine starts at what seems to be the first compression stroke after hitting the starter button......it never needs to crank more than a turn or two before it fires up. I can push the enrichment lever off and the bike will run fine.....but as with any air cooled bike with a carb the idle speed is just a bit low and uneven until the bike warms up. When I start the bike I am fully dressed and ready to ride - so after a few second of running I click the bike into gear and ride gently for the first few miles as the engine warms up. When I am done riding for the day and headed home - I shut the fuel petcock off as I pass the STOP sign down the street. By the time I reach my driveway the engine is beginning to sputter as the float bowl is nearly empty of fuel. I feel better knowing the bike is sitting in the garage with very little fuel (ethanol) in the float bowl trying to corrode or clog my things up. If life gets in the way and I cannot ride it for a week or month.....there is no fuel in the carb rotting away. I have not needed to clean the carb since putting it on. Every year at the end of the season I will take the little jet access plug off the bottom of the carb and check for dirt/water....I can't remember ever getting much of anything out of there......my tank is lined with the epoxy and I don't run a fuel filter other than the one that is on the petcock inside the tank. The VM38 may be old technology - but it works! :) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 07/25/23 at 10:04:25 Yeah that’s what I wanna hear. I didn’t get any seat time or very little , Friday morning , maybe get a couple hours of test n tune. Maybe some gps data. I knew I would start liking these Dunlop 404s , great tire , heavy but tough tire , goes just about anywhere, hella grip , they’re still ugly ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 07/25/23 at 10:14:14 I like old technology , been owning Mikuni carbs since I was a kid. Cost effective and easy to get parts. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 07/26/23 at 11:16:05 After I got it painted & epoxy sealed tank back I blew it out with air and then washed it out with the garden hose , drain let sit in sun to bake off any moisture and air one more time. I can’t see anything getting thru the screens on the petcock , so that’s where the blockage was. But still got crap out when I drained it. Not sure what it was. Running a fuel filter for awhile till problem clears up , keep new carb healthy. The screens on petcock make the filter useless but it will stay on for awhile for peace of mind. Have a deep well nut on order for float bowl to give it all the fuel it can suck up and it help keep fuel cool in the bowl. Ride it Friday , get out of town , open her up a bit , let her roll. Do what she does best , make me grin. 8-) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 08/04/23 at 10:02:50 Finally got time for a quick ride. New carb rich on pilot & pretty close on the main. 38 has a different feel, than the 36. Don’t really care , I like it ! I have realized it’s not a in town bike , way better suited for backroads with lighter traffic. Local Leo follows me when ever he spots me just waiting for me to crack that throttle. I just head outta town , he fades away. May have terrorized downtown a bit too often. Stopped by H/D dealer , no Chinese Harley’s yet , they didn’t think it was funny when I asked if I could order one on Amazon ! Thought for a minute I had earned an escort out of the building , absolutely no sense of humor. >:( |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by verslagen1 on 08/04/23 at 12:06:14 I thought the new ones were made in India. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 08/04/23 at 22:49:28 Really , might explain their growing discontent with me. One employee did laugh , probably currently unemployed. Last I heard they were Chinese made , Honda clone. I’d buy one in the crate & hide it. Use it for a sacrificial marshmallow at the next Sturgis gathering ! Lmmfao. ::) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 08/04/23 at 23:15:52 Then I wander out to the tracker and find 3 customers glaring at it , helmet key , light it off and go before they started asking dumb questions. I guess I should’ve rode the Sportster ? They don’t like Japanese bikes but its ok if its a Harley made in China ? India ? What ev ? Not even “made in America with global parts” Somebody stop me , I’m on a roll ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 08/06/23 at 12:30:19 Was talkin with a buddy , he said he wants my SR500. I’ll have to finish it , tires some hoses ,timing and jetting ,maybe some polishing too. In return I may getting his 1971 BSA 500 Gold Star (I wanna say last year built) and my 71 BSA Victor 250 back. I’m really after the 250 for a build for me , but the 500 might get built , I’ve never even seen the 500 in person. It supposedly very complete , I know Several BSA people in UK so most parts should be easy but $$ to obtain. Oh possibility of 3 Bzers in my garage , very cool. I may sell the the flat tracker & 500 but the 250 has to stay. That bike was bought from a friend who has passed since then and I need to build that bike , I need to ride it again. It will be a special build , something for a Sunday morning ride. Therapy,Therapy,Therapy,Thump,Thump,Thump it will repair me in a broken place. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 08/08/23 at 12:38:18 My buddy who wants my SR500 hasn’t ridden in 5 yrs and the SR will be a perfect bike for returning to two wheels. I don’t know much about any health issues he might have , but if he is willing I’m just the guy to give him the nudge he needs to ride again. If he can start it without issues he’ll be riding a vintage thumper along side my tracker. He doesn’t live far from four corners & Alice’s restaurant. The tracker is nearing that ripe old age of 30 in a few years it will be vintage too. The BSA done or not comes off the table this winter , tracker gets forks rebuilt and new tires , then SR gets center stage , ‘it’s been completely rebuilt but it has sat for 24 yrs. Like I’ve said before I need another lift table , think I might when my BSA 250 arrives. Somehow I feel it important that I get him riding again , want him to experience the rebirth of riding down the road , what he is missing ! It is what I consider to be deep therapy for the soul , I just want to see him get his share too ! We will ride again ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 08/09/23 at 10:41:50 So now that I’m retired I’m gonna need a smaller motorcycle that can go anywhere , a scrambler of sorts. Small in 300-375 lb range , get good fuel mileage , handle fairly well and of course have a happy button , lower seat height is preferable but not a deal breaker. Price is important but as long as I get what I want I might be willing to pay up a bit. At times I wish the tracker didn’t look so nice so I could take it trail trimming . Not really after a Dual purpose , wanting more scrambler. Always preferred Triumphs and BSAs handling , super stable on the road. Something I can hang some small saddlebags on for errands in the area , ride rather than drive saves fuel not driving my trucks. I got the tracker for raising hell , so it doesn’t have to be a powerhouse , idk , something fun & different. Ok , I might buy a cookie cutter bike and try to blend in as opposed to raising hell downtown on a flashy little hood rod. A bike you would walk right by and not take a second look at it. My stomach just started flipping over & over , that’s not gonna happen , all my bikes are worth a second and third looks. Not my style , it may blend in but it will be worth a second peek. I’m a bit different , I’m not MM , I won’t give it away before hand , I’ll make sure it a surprise ! BSAs & Triumph & Honda are not here yet , so that narrows my choices , RE is a possibility. Oh the important part , it has to be tough ! Cause this bike will be trashed & abused , ridden over anything , rode hard and put away wet. It will get timely oil changes but after that , treat it like an old pinto station wagon used to haul hay ! It will be more of a tool than a toy. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by MMRanch on 08/09/23 at 11:06:02 Hay Ruttly I like the looks of that Triumph 400 scrambler , but ridding double (in comfort) is one of the requirements I need to meet. I also like the price of the RE-Hunter and the thing about it not having a speed limiter . I can have two bikes if nessary ! :) My local Triumph dealer told me January when I asked about sitting on the Scrambler. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 08/09/23 at 21:21:17 67404141594C350 wrote:
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 08/10/23 at 09:28:50 Any word on the RE 650 Meteor ? They just sell it everywhere but here ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by LANCER on 08/10/23 at 10:20:03 The ‘71 BSA Goldstar 500 has the same engine as the 500 dirt bike made during the late 60’s & 70’s. The original Goldstars last year was ‘63. About 6 months ago there was a ‘71 BSA Goldstar 500 up for sale on eBay, in the Dallas area, for $5000, less than 10k original miles and looked really good in the photos. I was sorely tempted. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by MMRanch on 08/10/23 at 20:02:08 Hay Lancer , how about that New Gold Star ? :-? |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 08/10/23 at 23:30:37 You should get it Lancer , my stable is full up. I just scored a 97 Savage minus the front end. Absolutely no history it’s been sitting for years. Not crashed , a friend bought it for the front end for his GT500. So yup I scavenged the rest of it for a future project. Pretty sure I got more projects then Sneeze now for sure. Savage just fell in my lap , but it’s all the way across town at least 8 minutes away. My BSA 250 is a 100 miles away and still have to go collect it. I have a 1986 Honda Reflex TLR200 for sales too. Need to make room. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 08/11/23 at 00:48:29 That 97 has no bars , tank or seat(s) , carb may be missing too , not a good sign. Even if it’s trashed I’ll have all the electrical and a swingarm and engine cases , I have lower half of a frame and a spare to cut up. Also have a spare SR500 frame too , stuff from the warehouse. Top half of a SR frame and lower half of a Savage. Dr. Frankenstein will be proud the Yamazuki ! Yes I can totally ruin two motorcycles at once. Just stop me before I give birth to a Bsaha or a Bazuki ! Think I got this retirement stuff down ! Going to gut the garage to make more room. Didn’t really need it but I couldn’t say no. As much as the Savage is a turd , it polishes up well and they are fun to build and ride. No tellin what I might build. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by LANCER on 08/11/23 at 10:29:04 You are just going totally wild with your newly acquired “spare retirement time” of late, you may need some professional mental health One-on-One time to sort out these unfettered urges of yours. This is not uncommon for folks who experience the uncontrolled rush of sudden freedom from retirement. Of course, when one is also burdened with an uncontrolled fanaticism for BSA’s, that will complicate any effort to Control Thyself. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by LANCER on 08/11/23 at 10:32:39 56445644495A5558531B0 wrote:
I am intrigued with the new Goldie. It has good power but is a bit on the heavy side. I will need to see it and ride it before making a decision. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by LANCER on 08/11/23 at 10:36:15 183F3E3E26334A0 wrote:
It has not been relisted so I assume it was purchased by someone. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 08/11/23 at 20:53:50 Nonsense , I was lucky I had enough left , to walk out the gates. If I don’t dive in head first to my number one passion I may not survive. I have many that need finished and a few are total project , but that’s what I do. I need to stay busy. Garage hasn’t been really cleaned since before 2018 , so it needs a good goin thru and then maybe a second lift , sell a few , build a few. It a healthy normal thing for me , ok , I’m sick and I can’t stop , totally normal. That’s how that tracker came to be , absolutely out of control. That’s how I roll ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by LANCER on 08/12/23 at 04:47:05 Do you have a cruise speed ? |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 08/12/23 at 07:59:00 I hate rev limiters , ramming speed :o |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 08/12/23 at 08:27:44 I still haven’t bought my retirement bike yet ! Or my retirement truck yet either. I will ease up a bit as I adjust to my new born freedom. Savage engine is large , I think it’s too big for a BSA frame , the sure footed handling of a BSA and a happy button & Savage engine would make a fine motorcycle. Ah , I’ll just build that 250 it’s got enough thump to keep me smiling. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by verslagen1 on 08/12/23 at 09:41:45 58555A5751460603340 wrote:
once every 60 years... I'm good until 120. ;D |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 08/12/23 at 10:36:53 Slowing things down is all my tools , I have my grandfathers , my fathers , my brothers , my tools from a lifetime of buying tools and being a mechanic. Sort it all out give the rest to my son in-laws , then get my F100 running and sold. Then I can build some bikes , money from the F100 can buy another lift table and big enough for both sized piece carpeting. New stereo & tv for garage. I am and always will be “shop personnel “. Grease monkey, wrench,dumb mechanic and the one that makes me want to start swinging “Hey Gomer” ! I Just want to build & ride them , ride more ya ride more , new roads. Garage Dwelling Troll , just a friends opinion. ;D ;D ;D |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by LANCER on 08/12/23 at 13:05:45 Garage Dwelling Troll … yep, got the picture of that. [ch129488] |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 08/12/23 at 22:17:33 Go get my half a Savage on Sunday , missing front end , tank , seats , carb. Hmmm I got seats , i got carbs , I got exhaust , think I have a BSA tank in the warehouse. Amazon has tanks , just need a front end. Not this time , it’s gettin stripped , I’m keeping all the electrical and engine , I’ll have to see about the rest of it. If the engine is crap I’ll make a lamp out of it , have almost all the parts for a SR500 lamp too. Build a bobber , no no no a rat bike any part any color make it go. Or a $1000 rally bike I still got $1000 to make it go , registration would eat that up. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 08/12/23 at 23:35:22 Maybe a new engine for the tracker , I like the lamp idea better. On/Off can’t be real tuff. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by LANCER on 08/13/23 at 12:00:49 I saw a B50 engine listed on eBay in the last couple of days. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 08/15/23 at 14:36:55 That would be one pricey $$ lamp ! Never even considered it , a Suzuki,Yamaha,Honda oh yeah ! A BSA Lamp , gotta draw the line there ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 08/17/23 at 09:14:38 Distractions while riding chip away at reaction times. While I do believe helmet to helmet communication is a good thing as long as as it doesn’t require your hands. I was sitting in traffic a Dresser rolls by lane splitting stereo blasting , tapping on his cell phone and vaping too. When a car a few ahead of my truck , puts his turn signal on starts a textbook lane change when Mr Kool plows into his rear bumper and falls over , absolutely never saw what he hit and absolutely no braking. As we age reaction time slows , only distraction on my bars is the mirrors & speedo. This was a classic example of riding distracted , riding stupid. Don’t be this guy ! Ride aware, ride safe, stay focused, Enjoy the ride ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 08/17/23 at 09:50:35 Cafe racers are art , a personal expression. I watched a video about how this guy doesn’t like cafe racers. First off cafe racers are an emulation of a bygone era. It’s a small percentage of riders that have to be different , not want but have to be. They just see the bike in a different light , what it needs and what it doesn’t , it a sense a fashion statement. Where I grew up it was very common so I was exposed to classic survivors , cafe racers , of course street trackers , even choppers. A healthy respect to all builds , knowing that it was a normal condition to be a builder , not just a rider. My tracker fits in the description , might appear to be a cafe even if it still has a helmet lock, horn,mirrors,speedo and full complement of legal (well) lighting. It’s not some Sunday only bike , the tracker is a daily rider , built tough to deal with the abuse I can dish out. Cafe racers are maybe a different breed , as a builder I respect their vision & execution. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Dave on 08/17/23 at 12:31:40 1C3B3A3A22374E0 wrote:
I agree that you don't need any distractions while riding a motorcycle. I don't listen to the radio and I make GPS changes while stopped. The last few rides I was leading all 3 of us had Sena radios and we could communicate with each other. It was nice as I was leading and I could warn the following riders about crap in the road, sharp curves, etc. I am a more experienced rider than the two following me and I could prepare them for what was coming their way. It actually can help make us all safer as there are several sets of eyes to spot deer or other potential hazards.....and can even help spot the ideal restaurant when the time comes. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 08/17/23 at 15:26:51 Did my 40+ mile ride this morning before it gets real hot , was 114 in the shade the other day. I’m not sure what symptoms that might have on a vm38 carb. When it’s that hot I usually won’t ride , 95 max. The new 38 gives great delivery , all throttle super fun to ride , jetting near perfect. No changes for next 5 rides. Tighten the mirrors , lube the chain , find new filter & oil ,getting there. Been havin stare downs with that other savage engine ,it speaks to me. Build me ,build me, the voices in my head are very demanding. If I build it then I gotta buy another to put it in. Kinda want not a stocker but a cruiser in my own way. It’s in my head already. Take a number many bikes to finish first. Guess I need a board on the wall to show the backlog of bikes waiting for the table. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 08/18/23 at 00:25:43 I cleaned up about half of the garage, ok , maybe a third , ok, I swept up , a bit. There must be ten 5 gal buckets full of tools and more still to come home from work , already gave five buckets of tools away. Try to put the garbage out stuffed full. I’m gettin there , I’m actually enjoying throwing stuff out. I only kept the engine and all the electrics and the swingarm. Dumping the rest in the scrap steel bin (no papers). Have to make room for more bikes. :o |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by LANCER on 08/18/23 at 04:07:11 So when is the Grand Opening for your new motorcycle shop ? |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 08/18/23 at 09:05:21 Really funny you said that I have always dreamed about owning my own m/c shop/museum Thumpers R Us. I used to have connections and knew quite a few business owners but most are dead now the rest have moved on. California has been ground zero in the trade since the late 50s as far as dealers , shops , after market and major side effect is this state is it constantly turns out world class racers too. If I could make it profitable I would do it. Have a friend who also followed same dream but he no longer wants to. So it may be a solo gig , When the road turns into a Rut ! ;D |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by verslagen1 on 08/18/23 at 09:54:11 are you going to name it Spring Fever? |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 08/19/23 at 09:11:51 Shop , small but growing museum , maybe a cafe too. Nothing like a slice of apple pie and a steaming hot cup of joe. I know where my coin would go if I ever win lotto. Yeah I like it “Spring Fever” all year long. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 08/19/23 at 09:47:29 I guess that means this topic will continue in bad weather too ! I know I make fun of those who have to winterize their bikes for the cold weather and that I ride all year long. The untold truth is that it gets so hot here riding is unbearable at times. I like early rides mostly before noon at the latest , going nowhere in particular , just riding looking for new roads and generally just haulin as$ & raising hell on some otherwise quiet farmland , orchard , ranch roads. Mow the yard today ride Sunday , head east from five points. Ride just to ride , no reason , no destination , just get my butt in the seat and go get some free therapy. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Dave on 08/19/23 at 09:49:06 Riding here in northern KY is limited - the reliable riding weather lasts only about 7 months. The 5 winter months last from November to March......in April the weather is unpredictable and you can sneak in a ride here and there - but May is the month when active riding can resume. You may be able to do some riding in November and even December with the appropriate cold weather gear......but they are often short rides just to scratch the itch. This winter was an exception as the snow was light and the amount of salt used on the roads was minimal...and there were rains that washed the salt off the roads frequently. I was able to sneak in some winter rides. The Savage gets the oil and filter changed, and drained of fuel and the LiIon battery needs nothing. The fuel injected bikes get oil changes and ethanol free fuel with StaBil - I connect a battery tender once a month. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 08/19/23 at 10:24:42 What would be cool is for it to be a destination , a fun place to stop at. I always wanted to get a bike night here in town , maybe with a local restaurant and local shops/clubs. A all welcome bike night maybe once a month. But due to devolution of man and general disrespect to others and/or their property this idea has been $hit canned. Maybe someone else can bring it to be and make it work. It won’t be me. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by verslagen1 on 08/19/23 at 11:24:12 I have to summerize my bikes. I rarely go out least my tan turn to ash. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by justin_o_guy2 on 08/19/23 at 13:23:07 Yeah, imagine a seventies model car with that Luxurious black Naugahide on the seats. SunnuvaBICHHH. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 08/19/23 at 18:32:24 Backyard done , clean pool done , bbq a tritip for tomorrow , sausages for tonight and some spam for breakfast. Still cleaning garage. I wish I didn’t have to but it gets better with everything I throw out or find it a new home for. Gives me great pleasure to throw out stuff. I got a savage engine on the floor , a SR500 lower end all wrapped up , and a Chinese 250cc single electric start engine new wrapped up somewhere , too heavy for the warehouse upstairs , lift table , 5 motorcycles making any kind of room really helps and I’m beginning to see the difference ! Still find a minute to sit and enjoy the yard at sunset as twilight sets in , with a cold one. Some tropical storm heading near here , gonna mess up my yard & pool ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by LANCER on 08/20/23 at 07:34:32 The weather reports call this storm a hurricane on my TV. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by verslagen1 on 08/20/23 at 08:33:40 raining hard here, we still have the mud barricades from the last fire so I don't expect anything will happen as we are prepared for it. just need to watch the pool level and keep the dogs dry. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 08/20/23 at 10:19:28 So what ever storm was near totally missed us. Was a nice cool evening with some weird clouds and a nice breeze. Was relaxing in the backyard from sunset till dark and even went swimming for a bit. I’m pretty sure Sneeze might have been affected , another 100 miles or so east of here. TV says maybe tonight some lightning maybe showers. Maybe it ain’t got here yet. Think I’m gonna sneak out and sneak in a ride , it’s Thumper Time ! :D |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 08/20/23 at 10:34:44 Before the last ride I added a deep well nut to the float bowl on the vm38. I may be crazy but it seems to keep acceleration more stable , more linear. Extra deep well nut keeps main jet away from bottom of well, deeper. Like it no longer has a problem or got better at suppling fuel at a sustainable rate to keep up in wot conditions. Just realized with gps I can better calculate my fuel mileage, last time I checked , it drinks it and farts out torque ! :-? |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by verslagen1 on 08/20/23 at 15:02:34 so there was a 5.5 earthquake in ojai I missed it... musta been when I was pushing the start button, completely missed it. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by LANCER on 08/20/23 at 15:50:57 Well, the start button on a Savage machine does look result in a lot of torque being released after all. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by TheSneeze on 08/20/23 at 17:56:30 I hauled my flatbed trailer from Riverside, CA to my home near Cason City, NV today. It rained hard all the way up hwy 395 until I got to Bodie. That is one, big, rain storm! It is diminishing the farther north it gets, so we will get about a 1/2" over night. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 08/20/23 at 18:19:39 I’m right on the edge of it blue skies west , east is dark. Not a drop here a nice cool day or the calm before the storm. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Dave on 08/21/23 at 05:04:54 Glad you in CA are doing OK. In KY we are having a week long AC test cycle. It was 92, yesterday, forecast 93 today, 90 on Tues, 92 on Wed, 98 on Thur, 95 on Fri. Saturday will drop to a more normal 85 and then 79 on Sunday. No rain in the 10 day forecast. I am getting outdoor work done in the AM before it gets too hot, then retreat into the AC in the afternoon. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 08/21/23 at 09:01:26 I was out & about Sunday morning , gas up , head east from 5 points. That road is all farmland , long straight , smooth. This bike wants another jet , it keeps on surprising me , this thing likes to run. Pilot is good,needle is good, I’m at a 200 main , next size 210. Increments under 200 are in 5 and over in 10 , so 210 instead of a 205. A 210 might be too big , I might go get a numbered drill set and drill me a 205 from a 200 jet , ol skool. One thing I’ve learned always use the next size jet , don’t skip a size , going up or down. I tune by butt , when you get close it gets tough , but when you’ve gone to far it will tell you , wot/ peak drops off or does weird stuff on peak roll off. I almost never pull the spark plug till I’m happy with jetting and at that point it’s just a reward for the work put in. I know I’m close , if it takes a 210 with positive results it will surprise me again ! A few more rides before next jet , real close. Excursions get longer , conditioning/ testing the hip. Was 40 miles last was 77 miles on long straight roads(farmlands) you cover some ground quickly. Mostly testing its reliability & durability too. A better seat might help , my hip is good , but in need of more seat time , help condition it to ride farther than the ride before. After ride pain is going away sooner & sooner. It’s a blast to ride , today trying to ride east till it starts raining see what Hurricane Hilary is all about. The bike is ridden every chance I get so it’s a mess and smattered with bugs , a little rain won’t hurt. It needs a wash n wax bad. Rain might soften the bugs up a bit. Cloudy & windy time to ride into a dying hurricane ! BIG FUN. ::) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 08/21/23 at 09:11:17 Yeah , I guess So. California has taken a hit , flooding , mud slides , etc |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 08/21/23 at 09:12:11 Let’s hope Versey got his water wings on ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by verslagen1 on 08/21/23 at 10:13:38 I only start worrying after the 39th day of rain. I live in an elevated area, so flooding is not an issue I live between canyons, so flash flooding isn't an issue. the streets do get a wash of mud but it's dealt with so no worries. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by zipidachimp on 08/21/23 at 14:01:35 koff, koff, pardon, so much smoke! Rutt: my 'lotto' dream shop would be named "Nickel Rockets", nothing over 650cc, my shop, my rules! Cheers! 8-) https://www.mycampbellrivernow.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Wildfire-BC-Wildfire-Service-June-26-3-696x390.jpg |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 08/21/23 at 22:06:56 I like that ! Well my garage is my current shop and I’m going to make it into a better place to work. I have a better tv and a better radio and got good lighting. A five year accumulation of stuff needs to go , space is the biggest issue. Got tons of tools & welders,grinders. Should sell all my oxy acetylene stuff a buy a plasma cutter. After that maybe a second lift and a sign “Spring Fever” I never did get to head east in search of a hurricane today. Maybe do some exploring tomorrow , if I don’t get side tracked. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 08/23/23 at 10:02:50 I can’t believe the difference in the garage , nowhere near done yet. Had to stop yesterday cause garbage can is stuffed full. Snuck a load of scrap metal in to work Sunday night and pick up a steel cabinet and a small top box , was in and back out in 15 minutes. Working on the next load. Installing some weather stripping to side door and all the way around the overhead door too ! More for dust control , helps keep weather out too. Estimated I can squeeze another bike in but , I’m in a self imposed number of six bikes 5 is better , so sell one , buy one. Basket cases don’t count , until they become rollers. All mine are rollers , 3 run , 2 in progress , 0 basket cases gonna have to get a basket case. Yeah my 1971 BSA Victor 250 , this will get all my skills , big plans ! Meanwhile keep cleaning ! My wife has noticed what I have accomplished too , right before I got an earful for stuffing the garbage can full , ya just can’t win ! ;D |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 08/26/23 at 22:22:52 Yeah I’m still ill , that spare savage engine stares at me with a black eye. One of these days I’ll fix that ugly excuse of an exhaust port ! Do it just like the last one. Maybe take pics , yeah sure. At least a before and after shots. It won’t be for a while , I beat a pvc cap in the black eye , now it’s really staring at me. Put it on a piano dolly And go hide it. Another day. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by LANCER on 08/27/23 at 03:45:17 Ive got two of them sitting in old military trunks, waiting for the handsome prince to come and kiss them, awakening them instantly to perfect function. Where’s the prince though ? |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Dave on 08/27/23 at 04:18:32 Same for me, it is an addiction. I have 2 spare engines waiting for a chance to live again, and 1 engine finished and ready to be installed. The "first" spare engine came from a 2006 bike that was crashed and it only has 1,700 miles on it. I bought it off eBay when Pinwall Cycle had it listed as a "Buy it Now" on eBay at a very affordable price that included shipping. I bought it when the modified engine in my Cafe' Savage had not yet proven itself reliable and I wanted a good spare just in case. *(17,000 miles later and the modified Cafe' engine is still running great). The second engine came with a 2002 theft recovery bike I bought to convert into my Retro Standard bike to ride when I become a Geezer and can't ride the Cafe' anymore. Along with the original 2002 engine - I got a 1997 engine that is a good core. The rockers and cam were worn - the rest o the engine looks pretty good. The 2002 engine for the Retro Standard is sitting on the workbench with new 97mm Wiseco, ported head with Cerakote on the valves and exhaust port, performance cam and DR650 clutch......it is ready to go into the frame - but the frame is not ready for the engine yet. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 08/27/23 at 07:59:19 Wow , That makes me feel better. Not one but two of ya are as sick or sicker than I am. It will get its chance. The fricken thing is heavy , it wouldn’t come out of the frame , threw card board down laid it on its side and lifted the frame off. Ridiculously heavy engine , what a turd. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 08/27/23 at 09:16:03 Back in 2014 I thought it was a good idea to buy an unused Savage and then got the brilliant idea to get a Ryca kit to go with it. And yes that fateful day I joined S.S. , with absolutely no online etiquette whatsoever. Kinda just didn’t know any better. No apologies I learn as I go. Seen hundreds come and go here in that time. Sure beats the crap out of other forums and FB high school crap. Sometimes ya just want to talk bikes , sometimes just talk. So almost 9 years on the tracker , oh it’s done , and still evolving. Tracker 3.0 is on the board. Now that Ryca is gone , Ryca bikes will become a rarity (rare does not mean valuable). Mine was tracker kit #17. Best I can tell most were built and sold , probably a bunch never got finished and then there are what seems to be a life sentence on ownership , like myself and others (you know who you are). If I find a Ryca cheap unfinished , I would do it all over again. Sunday morning,I’m gone, it’s cool outside, time to let her rip ! About to wake up all the late sleepers. It is unusually quiet here ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by LANCER on 08/27/23 at 12:32:44 ZOOM ZOOM [ch127949][ch65039] |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 09/01/23 at 08:41:33 Garage is getting there , trying to finish a ton of smaller projects around the house and the garage too ! Maybe resume on the BSA here very soon. I almost feel guilty about calling my tracker a daily rider , I haven’t been out for awhile. When I say it’s my daily rider , generally that means that it’s the first bike I swing a leg over. The satisfaction level is twice as high as the Sportster. I would rather ride the tracker , the happy button is the best feature and just the fact that it is big bore single too ! When ya roll the hole package together , a thumper , a button , a tracker. It’s a no brainer on what my daily rider is. Seat is the only thing keeping me from doing some longer rides but that doesn’t bother me much 1-2 hours and my butt is looking for a new home ! It’s all about SPM , SPM factor is off the charts on every ride with this bike ! Cool morning see if I can sneak out for a bit 8-) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 09/02/23 at 16:05:09 Out n about Friday , short ride , traffic everywhere , even the backroads all slowed up by motor homes , boats , jet skis , you name it they’re towing it out to the foothills for the holiday. All roads go thru here to get there , fun but short ride. Got to run to the hardware store real quick suit up , roll it out front , helmet n gloves , roll it out to curb , fuel n choke , button super slow cranking then clicks clicks , then nada zip nfh ! This will be the third lithium battery. Time for some system checks. That last battery was real small only 210ca the next one up just might fit it 270ca. I’m charging it , if it starts I’ll have meter hook up n ready. Maybe it’s not charging , battery appears to be taking a charge , bummed I just wanna RIDE ! This stuff keeps you sharp. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 09/02/23 at 17:43:59 I was reading that the bike needs to charge in a range and not to be exceeded , I’ll have to go back and write all that down. It was just over 10 volts before I put the lithium charger on the battery. It a small lithium charger probably gonna take all night. I made a jig to go to the charger pigtail to my meter , I can’t even see my battery. But I’ll be able to read charge voltage at idle and high rpm. Lookin like rain maybe ,so it’s time to light the bbq , crack an ice cold PBR & q some juicy burgers , still rather ride. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 09/03/23 at 10:38:55 I found the specs for 12 volt Shorai lithium battery For optimum charging is between 13.6 to 14.4 Not to exceed 15.2 or risk damaging battery And I’m guessing here but the if it drops below 9 volts it shuts down and may no longer take a charge. Mine was above 10v and it seems to have taken the charge , left it on maintenance after the recharge I’ll try it later and take static , idle , hi rpm voltage readings Bad battery , not charging anybody’s guess |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 09/03/23 at 16:55:20 13.35 when I removed charger , starts like a champion , 13.15 idle same at hi rpm , minor fluctuations. It’s not charging and it runs so sweet , maybe at max on main jet , a tad fat. Always something let’s hope it’s something stupid. I gotta go review electrical diagrams. Guess I’ve been running a total loss ignition for how long ? I think rectifiers are just blocking diodes should be easy to test and good spot to check output from windings , sucks all those connectors are under seat. I don’t want it on the lift , unless I got to open engine. I got this ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 09/04/23 at 22:53:03 Lookin back over the years 3 lithium batteries later , maybe this bike has never charged and that’s why I’m literally killing them. Rectifier is easy to test , my spare tests good , but I could be wrong. Get the seat off and give it a look. Who knows ,I’ve revised the harness 3 times , the wire that goes somewhere/nowhere. Find my back probes & meter and find out why. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Dave on 09/05/23 at 03:49:34 Something on your bike is wrong if you need a battery replacement so often. The EarthX in my Cafe' Savage has been there since 2012, and is still working fine. It has never been on a charger or battery tender. I have deleted the decompression solenoid and decompression relay and installed a manual release (no room under my fuel tank for the solenoid) - so when the key is turned off there is no power draw on the battery. When winter comes the LiIon battery just waits patiently for 5 months for spring to come! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 09/05/23 at 07:54:34 Usually if rectifier is bad , battery would begin discharging as soon as key is turned off. If there was a short , the fuse would blow or be creating heat or blue smoke. I’m convinced it’s a broken wire or loose connection or a wire going no where. Got a couple things to do before I get there. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 09/07/23 at 08:54:32 Well no broken wires or loose connections. Grounds all secure. Its a pia to put the bike a lift , get it running and warm enough to idle and the check the 3 legs on the winding , it already passed ohm test. So I’m got a small voltmeter from Amazon with about a 3’ of leads and put a plug on it that matches the maintenance charger. So plug it in , stick it somewhere that’s easy to see , tuck the wire in. However it’s temporary for trouble shooting tool and I’ll have to unplug it when not in use. It’s about 2”x1”x1/2” small but has big numbers. Real time stuff find out if it charges and when it charges. Rectifier side ohm tests , regulator side might be bad. Voltmeter will tell the story. Holding off buying a new bigger battery till results are in. And I have to ride it to get those results ;D ;D |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by verslagen1 on 09/07/23 at 09:17:37 Here's my tale of the charging problems. Battery wasn't charging, but could be charged overnight. Tried swapping rectifier with someone else (group ride) no change and they didn't have an issue. The connectors looked crappy, cleaned and lubricated, no change. Later swapped the rotor and problem resolved. I must've hit it trying to take it off and demagnetized it. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 09/07/23 at 18:17:55 Versey , Tell me more about demagnetization , you hit it ? I have lil to nil readings on the 3 ac legs and that’s why everything else looks/ is good. You picked it. Last time cover was off I was unable to loosen rotor bolt so I put it back together. I am not even screwing with it , it runs too good to break that bolt off , no way ! I’ll put a bigger battery in it , make my volt meter a permanent fixture, stick it on master cylinder with the gps antenna. Gets low , give it an overnight pick me up. Summers almost done , I’m not ! Im riding this bike. I can tote the smaller battery as a jumper starter. Once the engine is running it don’t take much voltage to keep it running & lights. The starter is what takes a chunk every time you hit the button. Guess I’m gonna build that spare engine , destiny! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 09/07/23 at 18:22:33 But I’m goin out in the morning and ride the crap out of it ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by verslagen1 on 09/07/23 at 19:19:19 456263637B6E170 wrote:
yes, the rotor was stuck (got the bolt off) so I smacked it with a rubber mallet all the way around. I had hoped the rubber mallet wouldn't count as an impact but I guess it does. on your 3 legs... you measured ohms? also check any leg to ground... should be open |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 09/07/23 at 19:49:42 Yes checked ohms and not shorted to ground , was checking ac voltage at 5000 rpm , all 3 legs should be at least 100v each in AC after rectifier it becomes DC , but it does have a fair amount of diddley squat , helps fill in the low spots , it senses when trouble is near ! ::) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 09/07/23 at 19:59:14 If charge rate was air , it would be in a vacuum , poo poo Put the seat on and ride it ! Thank you , your comment made me go back and check it running. I didn’t know that was a thing , I’m a believer now. I ain’t fixing it till events warrant removing that bolt & rotor. Ride 8-) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 09/09/23 at 23:36:41 Took some time but I finally found a battery that fits , a Deltran battery tender lithium with 300 cca , I’ll use the old battery for a jumper if I need to travel for a good distance. The new one is twice the size and a 100 cca more. That will get me thru the season. Gonna down it over the holidays for forks and tires , oil n filter. I have learned to trust these Dunlop 404s. When I find myself coming in hot and over shoot the corner is where these tires surprise me , slides thru gravel patches at speed. The Continentals better be good cause the 404s are fun tires , but ugly. The other day I drifted up to the edge , rode the shoulder for about 60-70 feet thru the turn and it felt good ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 09/11/23 at 23:15:39 This is a first for me , I bought a Lucas style tail light from the UK. It is to be hung on the wall as a jewel to look at , as it is the first part for my next project. A project I don’t even own yet , haven’t seen it in 35 years , a true basket case. I already know what it looks like or should I say the vision is in my head. Vintage , yes , original , kinda , English , for sure. I’ll be rat holing tid bits and stuff till it arrives. I may have to to sell 2 bikes to fund this project , do what ever I have to ! I’d like to have her home by the holidays. All nice and warm on my work bench ! 8-) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by ohiomoto on 09/12/23 at 18:54:07 This one hell of a fever Ruttly. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 09/12/23 at 21:48:39 Yeah I’m one sick individual , no cure Tough luck |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by TheSneeze on 09/12/23 at 22:30:57 Before every project I always have a plan. I call it my "bision". You gotsta have a bision. The view of what it will look like when you have it the way you want it. Build on, Rutt. Build on... |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 09/13/23 at 00:21:35 Still not finished with retirement paperwork crap , still cleaning the garage , Still have to sell a truck or two and one bike for now. Still have to finish the BSA TT bike , it’s going to be a busy winter. Time for a flu shot , they never work I always get the fever come spring ! And squeeze in a wash,wax,detail,fork overhaul,2 tires for the tracker (she is a mess) , she can not be down for long , she is way too much fun ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by LANCER on 09/13/23 at 06:41:29 507776766E7B020 wrote:
So what specific BSA are you looking for on this special project ? |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 09/13/23 at 09:29:19 A 1971 BSA B25T Victor 250 It was the model with smaller front brake and high mounted front fender with 20” front wheel I bought it in 1979 from a friend,rode it for a few years sold it to another friend. The guy I bought it from passed some years back and I feel I have to build it , ride it on Sundays. A little thumper for Sunday morning rides. Same basic chassis as the 500cc so just the smaller engine is the biggest difference. Its been sitting in my buddies garage since about 1982. I had completely rebuilt the engine before I sold it , so hopefully I’ll just need to replace gaskets & seals then buff her up. I seen the engine one day about 15 years ago. But I have to build the chassis. He says he has bought a lot of items for it. I’m sure a fair monetary agreement will need to be reached so I can have full access to his garage. He got everything BSA I had at that time but my TT bike , no fool I kept all my carbs and all the ignition parts. I can’t begin to describe how strong I feel about building this bike. I’m thinking it won’t ever be a collectors bike so it has to be special , maybe a very stock original chassis with the as is original body panels & seat. It’s in my head , low little classy thumper with wide as$ bars and a comfy seat. A BCP for sure. Can’t wait , always excited about stuff like this. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by LANCER on 09/13/23 at 11:42:32 Ah yes, I’ve seen some on eBay recently and 1 or 2 are there currently, at least in the last day or so. There’s a ‘76 BSA Goldstar 500 B40 street version up for auction now, with the same engine as your 500. This is the 2nd model of this type I’ve seen in the past year on eBay. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 09/13/23 at 13:12:55 Hey Sneeze, I was looking at a Bision , I see it. But mine will more closely resemble a Texas Longhorn. Bision in my eyes resembles more of a cafe model where as mine would be more of a standard with very wide bars. 8-) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 09/13/23 at 13:20:49 There is a reason why people don’t ride or race Bision ! I do like the clip-ons |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 09/14/23 at 22:41:03 I been pushing the same lawn mower for 20 yrs a Craftsman/Honda can’t even get parts anymore , got my moneys worth out of it. The wife buys me rechargeable that is a powerful and quiet , self propelled , it’s nice. Nothing more than a vacuum cleaner with a blade. No oil,fuel,spark plug,filters and no exhaust fumes to breathe. Makes me feel inadequate it somehow seems to rob me of that manly task of mowing the yard , a fricken barnyard Prius. Amazon , found me some Hoover vacuum stickers (3) front and both sides. Upside , I get to fire the gardener ! ;D ;D ;D Yup loud evil laughter |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 09/14/23 at 23:02:29 New battery be here Saturday and making my voltmeter with a momentary button to be not permanent but neatly installed and it will plug in to the same plug as the charger. Momentary switch to check voltage quickly and then off no distractions. Solder the switch in with shrink tube. Wrap it with that fuzzy electrical tape. A few zip ties to install. Another step in starting ritual. I thinkin Sunday in the AM , let her rip ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 09/15/23 at 21:46:10 New battery and the turn signal bulbs have arrived. Time to lay my hands on some tools. Like when I was a kid , work on your bike , it better be ready to ride Friday after school and all weekend. No wonder why I am the way I am. Gotta go , she is calling me |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 09/18/23 at 07:52:51 Gettin the bigger battery in was a job ! It’s almost same size as oem battery. So had to reroute cables & wiring and put it in was a shoehorn and giant wooden mallet(just kidding , kinda). It’s in , when you shake the battery the whole bike moves , they are one. A quick push of the button and digital volt meter on the master cyl lights up & reads. Ordered a used rotor for charging issue but volt meter tells me what’s left in the tank. Setup a leftover test battery into a jumpstart unit, , small & light , fits in backpack if doing an all day ride. The new Del trans battery has reset button at the plug on charge cable from battery now I can charge and reset it from plug , very convenient ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Dave on 09/19/23 at 04:15:33 A friend of mine bought an early BMW R100GS...the Paris Dakar model and it was several states away. He flew down to get it and ride it home. On the way back the charging circuit stopped working. To get home he stopped and bought a car battery and mounted it on the luggage rack, disconnected the headlight......and the battery lasted the 2 day ride home! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 09/20/23 at 08:42:27 Considered adding a head light switch but leave tail/stop/turn alone. Rotor should be here tomorrow , add it to winter maintenance list. Blah blah blah and blah blah blah Voltmeter is cool |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 09/20/23 at 09:17:35 Flatlands are beginning to bore me so I’m mapping out a huge loop. From the house west taking backroads takes longer but I love the backroads and hate super slabs. That’s going over a pass just the other side head south what looks to run the ridges for many miles till some bar n grill. Road now goes east or west , head east till it drop down to the valley head north back home. Fuel maybe a concern using this road , if I fuel up then head south it shouldn’t be an issue. A true adventure , maybe 1/4 of the total distance are roads I know , the rest is new to me. Kinda like foothills elevation 2000-3500 ft. Should get a lot of elevation changes wanna see how she pulls a grade. Some canyon carving won’t be an issue with the Dunlop 404s. Map out the gas stations too ! 3-4 hrs seat time , ooh curves. Seen a guy in town on a RE 350 , I’ll have to catch him and introduce myself. I wanna ride it ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 09/21/23 at 10:56:15 I had considered buying an unfinished Ryca tracker but I passed on the limited info in the marketplace. Looks like I was selling my bike , not a freakin chance. Seven hits “you know who you are” and thanks for looking and sorry for the deception. My stable is full “No Vacancy “ and two more on the way. Not sure I could build another one with the same enthusiasm. And no matter how close to completion , I would have to start from scratch. 2 BSAs and a SR500 on the board and thinkin the 883 might get 1200 & 6 speed kits and XR750 bodywork but that’s a tad on $$$ side , I’ll just use my lotto money when I win ;D ;D ;D ;D. Next year should yield 2 completions , need another lift. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 09/21/23 at 11:42:14 Last few rides , with new bigger battery , starts & runs great. My $10 voltmeter is cool too. And it does actually handle lighting duties and charge back .2 to .3 volts by the end of the ride. Try to check fuel mileage , uh o , It’s a get there fast bike not a get there cheaply bike ! Planning a 100+ mile ride to see if it will shake itself apart , ridin a lot of thumpers and these are pretty smooth for a big bore. My hip won’t be happy for a day or so but it’s in training for 100 - 200 mile rides. It will go thru farmland , foothills ,canyons and back to farmland , all backroads. Must be an eastern thing to name your roads , make it more of a tourist attraction. I’ll call it Loop C , A & B are in the same area but way shorter. I need more corners , Loop C half the ride is mountain roads. Get out and find some Adventure. Maybe find Loop D ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Dave on 09/21/23 at 17:15:52 547372726A7F060 wrote:
I believe you are correct - The tourism boards and mapmakers promote the area for riding, then create maps with named loops for you to ride that go right past all the folks that buy advertising. The loops do however provide a nice way to ride and get back home without having to go back on the same road...but they are fun in either direction and you can loop either direction. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 09/21/23 at 18:02:50 As much as I would like to blurt out all the names & numbers but I don’t. I felt like I broke an unwritten law when I mentioned an intersection and a restaurant. California has so many backroads you don’t need an interstate. Not as fast but you get to see so much more. Think Loop C will be fun , both A & B are inside of C it’s a good sized loop. I guess some of our roads are in that book too , some are to avoid , while some are the place for you & your bike to be seen at. Like a haphazard concourse of motorcycles on the side of the road. I try to ride everywhere except to get groceries. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Dave on 09/22/23 at 03:30:09 Youzguyz has hundreds of Texas rides stored in his head.....when we stop for food the folks most often know him. I don't know if the area is mapped with named roads and loops, as you don't need those when you have a personal guide! ;D |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 09/22/23 at 10:58:26 Just 1 pass thru A or B gets me tired , C about 5 times longer maybe 6 times. I enjoy riding but the valley floor is a bore and these are the closest mountain roads to home till I go east to the Sierras & foothills. If I’m gonna ride the Sierras I might as well ride up to Sneezes place and say Hi. Now that would be an epic ride for me into Nevada , I love the mountains. As you may have guessed being retired I am returning to riding I won’t say daily but as often as the motorcycle applies. Been wearing the same tattered back pack since yeah high school , just bought a real nice backpack for storage while riding. I’m afraid saddlebags would ruin the trackers looks. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by TheSneeze on 09/22/23 at 15:14:26 I have a friend coming up next weekend from So Ca towing his bike with him. We are going on several Sierra Nevada runs on Saturday and Sunday. Just throwing it out there, Rut! We have in helmet comms, too. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 09/22/23 at 19:20:45 Hey Sneeze , Not Quite ready for all that yet but , just the invite was huge , Tanx. Ride Safe. 8-) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 09/22/23 at 21:48:43 I had an hour to burn before an appointment today so I gave the old girl a nice bath. First bath this year she was a mess of dirt & bugs. She’s clean & shiny. Missed some of the rear wheel , no bigge. It looks tight , doesn’t really look like a daily rider when it’s clean. Way more fun riding it compared to washing it. She still retains much of her original Evil persona. There is a local LEO that is just itchin to pull me over. He stares me down and just can’t seem to be in position to light me up. Sooner or later he’ll get me , the bike looks/is ready to bolt ! But I’ll let him pull me over and I’ll not stop coughing the whole time , works every time. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 10/10/23 at 21:19:53 Got some seat time today. I’ll do almost anything to stay off the freeway , so backroads it is. Bout 3/4 tank , head west today to local dealership to order gaskets and filter for winter maintenance. I was having hella fun just riding farm roads , totally went completely by the next town and headed out towards the delta before I got turned around. One road had some turns and always a giant piece of farm equipment coming at me. I could see the highway at a crawl while I was doing 75 , good to know the backroads. I go from town to town and rarely am I forced to take the freeway , always backroads. I find new roads every ride , me and the tracker just go exploring. My voltmeter is a handy addition , it charges back a bit just not to spec. Todays ride about 70 minutes seat time. Next ride , till it hits reserve and see if performance drops off while on reserve. But I think it’s ok now. Sure is fun riding knowing you get there when you get there , no rush , have fun , be safe , stop at interesting places. Just ride… |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 10/14/23 at 18:16:40 So I thought I spent too much coin on the tracker , just north of 10k , over 10 years and a good portion was supplies for R & D , and stuff that wasn’t used or just didn’t work out. Well ten years later , the BSA 250 has come home to stay or will soon. As the box of parts is getting heavier and heavier I can see this one is gonna rock the bank account. Cool things are they make a cdi type ignition for it $$$ and I can buy new rotors and stator and all the harnesses new from Lucas. It will be close to a new bike , it’s gonna be special. Not a survivor, not a restoration, not a custom , just gonna build it to ride with a big stock seat & some passenger pegs too. Not quite in my usual street tracker format. It will be built tough like the tracker ready for anything. Often figure that the tracker would be my best build , we will see about that , time will tell. This BSA will never be sold only ridden. It’s rare to get a piece of your childhood back and for it to be a BSA , I’m one lucky guy ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 10/15/23 at 22:03:59 The 250 is proving to be exciting and challenging. Most everything can be had for a price , none of it cheap that’s for sure. But , there’s always that one elusive part that seems like I’ll never find it. More stock than not , it’s a 1971 and turn signals became mandatory in 1973 , so she’s gonna be a lean stocker , shooting for 300 lb. As light as possible , maybe even a passenger pegs. A backroad full fendered mini thumper , a classic in my eye. I appreciate when someone buys something , it goes directly towards the project. I could definitely buy one cheaper but it wouldn’t be any fun. Hunting parts and negotiating prices all part of the game. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 10/21/23 at 09:56:36 As usual I have gone off the deep end , Fever raging over BSA 250. Like I had mentioned early , I can find every part new or if not used , but one part. Driving me nuts , obviously it can’t be had new or I would. Used market is much tougher , crazy prices and I love to negotiate , I put out a fair price when it’s crazy high and almost always get it. But this one part has me checking sources 2 to 3 times a day. I won’t say what it is till after it in my grubby hands. It will eventually pop up at 3x a fair price I won’t hesitate I have to have one. My buddy might have one but got to keep a poker face on this one ,he’s been in the hospital for over 2 months so my hands are tied until he feel well enough. If I wind up with a spare it will sell quick at 4 to 5 times , or a negotiated price to some other sick individual with the fever raging , that’s how it works ! ;D |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 10/21/23 at 15:17:53 Sometimes a shorter ride can yield more smiles per miles than a longer ride. I had to run an errand a return to Amazon at the local Kolhs return point. Now we’re on Ruttly time , get barely out of town , can’t go left , go right open her up 1st , 2nd , 3rd and a R/R crossing , wot in 3rd , attack position on the pegs butt over tail section. Just a perfect launch slight tug on the bars before set down. Carried right into the most perfect wheelie I’ve ridden in years maybe around a 100 ft let front end down hit 4th and be gone. I really need to Dyno this bike , she shocks me at times. It’s easy to make a big ruckus this bike and I’m real good at finding trouble. Big Fun ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by LANCER on 10/21/23 at 17:42:06 Going to get yourself in some trouble ? Hmmm ? Bad boy bad boy. What’ cha gonna do ? |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 10/21/23 at 19:56:33 At least I was out of town. I’m still grinning , R/R crossings are a weakness of mine. Generally over 100 trains pass thru here a day. Sometimes takes 20 minute to get thru town. Maybe that’s why I blast one when I get the chance. I hate when you’ve been waiting ten minutes and the train is barely moving , then , it stops and back ups , it’s a long one. Still grinning ! I don’t even do wheelies anymore , right ! ::) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 11/05/23 at 08:24:18 It’s nearing that day to go get my 250. My buddy out of hospital after some months and recouping at home. Tells me a non running car blocking access to garage where she is sitting. He in no shape for garage diggin. I have offered my help with anything till he is better. Over a hundred miles from here , 1 1/2- 2 hrs. Trying to not be pushy , but he knows I’m chomping at the bit. He’s has seen the fever take me many times before. I get excited and the project becomes a monster , like a conductor of a symphony directing all that is heard, fully immersed ! No way out but forward , to the finish. I guess it consumes my mind , some say I’m less social during a build. When I say it’s a sickness I’m not joking. Fever is raging , gonna get worse before it gets better ! 8-) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 11/11/23 at 14:36:16 Finally the missing link the missing part for the 250. Negotiated from 8:30 to just afternoon. Like I said I knew I was gonna have to pay big ! Honing my negotiating skills and wound up with a match set. He didn’t want to sell 1 piece out of an advertised lot of parts. But he was savvy at the game , but I emerged victorious , with the a matched set of side covers not just the right side. Left are relatively easy to find but the right ones are near impossible to find. On C/L ta boot , he put me thru the wringer thinking I was trying to scam him. So now I have a new friend , think he said he has 2 wharehouses or shops full of BSA parts , he’s selling stuff in lots. It is a good day , success. What’s next ? |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by TheSneeze on 11/11/23 at 15:23:11 Some place to store your next lot purchase? |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 11/11/23 at 16:27:24 Replenish the stock in my warehouse. 98 % is twin stuff 500 & 650. Very little stuff for singles. But still made a new contact/friend. That was some serious negotiations , he is the kind of guy who has no respect for you if you can’t talk it up , think I gained his respect. Big Fun Everyday is a gift ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 11/12/23 at 08:12:53 When I told him I was getting my first BSA back from 40 years ago I knew I had him. That appealed to his builder/ collector side , knowing he was helping me putting one back on the road changed his whole attitude. But he still thought I was scamming him , but I quickly squashed that when I told him just an old man with minimal computer skills and not smart enough scam anyone with a computer. That made him laugh and relaxed quite a bit after that. He asked how many bikes I own (6) and how many I’ve had and the answer was I honestly don’t know. He knew I was the real deal and just on the hunt ! 8-) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 11/19/23 at 09:39:24 The garage is closed for a while. With a sad heart and blurry eyes. I lost my little sister to cancer yesterday. In our family , it’s always a renewal , one is lost and another gained. My youngest daughter is pregnant ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by LANCER on 11/19/23 at 11:16:20 So sorry to hear of your loss. [ch128591][ch127995] |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by MMRanch on 11/19/23 at 19:33:40 Ruttly , I hope she had a good life . |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by TheSneeze on 11/19/23 at 21:51:38 Ruttly - so sorry to hear this. Losing a family member is the worst. I lost my mother in August. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by ohiomoto on 11/20/23 at 12:00:42 1F38393921344D0 wrote:
Sorry for your loss, but happy for the future addition to your family. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Dave on 11/21/23 at 06:14:42 Ruttly: Sorry for your loss. I only have one sibling - a sister. I can understand what a loss this is for you. You are in our prayers. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 11/25/23 at 08:48:18 Thanks guys , A long story goes with it. But I don’t want think about it let alone write about it. So I’m back , broken , but back. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 12/05/23 at 07:20:23 It’s official the 250 project has begun ! Stripped rear hub out of wheel , removed bearings and it’s soaking now. Once clean , off to be media blasted and powder coated. I touched the frame & engine while I was at my buddies house. Many boxes of parts await their arrival. Once the wheels get built it should go quick after a few mock-ups. The 500 is still in progress too , tracker will be on the table soon for maintenance then the SR 500 . Really need another table ! Still working on sorting tools & transferring tools from roll away to the bigger rollaway. Garage is a mess with 13 5 gal buckets of tools , one bucket the vise grip black hole with almost 50 pairs of vise grips. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 12/07/23 at 08:48:58 Some of my buddies ask , Why a 250 ? Many reasons , too many to list , let’s just say it checks all the boxes but one , it’s missing a happy button. But when I rode this bike years ago , it started better than any Honda or Yamaha. Gas on , give it a tickle , key on and kick. First kick everytime , yeah everytime ! Come to just learn a bit more about these bikes. What I always thought it was a flasher tucked away inside the electrical box next to the coil sits a brite blue capacitor. Lucas designed system with capacitor so it does not need any assist from battery to start. Dead battery not an issue to get it started , very cool system indeed. Most capacitors systems replace the battery , this uses both or not. I’m confident starting shouldn’t be like a 500. Focus is light & lean , under 300lbs for sure , while still keeping some of its original looks , but with Ruttly’s stamp on it . Just enough ponies and a big front brake. Send out both hubs for powder coating asap and find an upholstery shop to recover the seat. Then hubs go to wheel shop , cant remember the name , not even sure he is still in business. Wheel Works in Hayward CA I think. I go get engine & frame next week. 8-) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 12/07/23 at 09:10:26 Hey guys , not having any luck finding that wheel builder in LA area. Seems many here have used them. Any names or links would be helpful. Thanks |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by verslagen1 on 12/07/23 at 09:42:16 https://www.buchananspokes.com/categories/rims.asp |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 12/07/23 at 11:06:27 Tanx Versy 8-) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 12/08/23 at 09:14:23 Yeah I’m gonna give Buchanan’s a try , they come highly rated. When it’s time I’ll be sticking with a 19” up front and a 18” taking up the rear both in stock width but in polished aluminum & polished spokes & nipples around powder coated hubs. Not sure of tire selection , Dunlop D404s , a modern Dunlop for a good price. And it’s a great tire ! But would like a set of modern performance tires for plowing thru turns on a small 250. While it will have a finely tuned front brake of a 650 with a stock rear brake , I don’t plan on using them. A 250 road bike is all about keeping your momentum, quite literally by not using the brakes or very little (only if needed). Always enjoyed riding small bikes fast. Kinda like wringing the last drop of water out of a wash rag ! ;D |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by TheSneeze on 12/09/23 at 10:44:29 I went with Buchanon's for my tracker wheels. They aren't cheap, but the quality is worth it imho. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 12/09/23 at 18:08:20 Yup , you can’t even have a roller without them ! $$$ idewk ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 12/10/23 at 00:18:53 I’m so sick I can already see the roller with the bars on it ! Still need to test tank I wanna use for leaks before buffing and paint , send out side covers for media blasting. All 3 pieces going to painter. I have a spare tank so , painter can only hold up final product. I would be real happy to finish it 2024. What a Christmas present that will be. I am excited as any build , expectations to meet or exceed , none what so ever. Just gonna build it to my specs , how I want it. I don’t build show bikes , i build to ride. All I know is it will be unique. I have collected about 80% of parts needed , almost , gettin there. Can’t wait for the first mock up , just sick. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Dave on 12/10/23 at 03:08:31 If you have to line the tank to fix leaks or prevent future rust. Use the Caswell Epoxy liner. I have tried the others and they just don't work as well. The white liner that has Acetone as the thinner can strip paint and is not very durable. The silver stuff that Eastwood sells is OK....but not great. The Caswell Epoxy is tough and bulletproof. The only thing you need to be careful of with the Caswell Epoxy is that the temperature needs to be up in the 70-80 degrees. If you try to apply it when the room temperature is cold it is very thick and hard to get flowing around the inside of the tank. I have it in my Cafe' tank for the last 10 years/17,000 miles and it still looks just like it did when I put it in. (I was coating it to prevent future rust). |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 12/10/23 at 16:40:33 Both tanks aluminum , but if it was on a 500 the tank will have damage on the left side from rocker cover studs. This one has been welded , I just need to make sure it’s good before I send it out for polish n paint. However the cap seals are rotten away and need replaced. The welded tank will still need a cleaning inside the other tank is spotless inside , I was the last person to put gas in it almost 44 years ago ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 12/10/23 at 19:07:11 My tracker tank was coated with the Eastwood , haven’t had any problems so far. It’s been modified twice so I thought it needed it. I’ll put a new cap seal on that tank and some old petcocks , check it for leaks , then wash it out and send it. , |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 12/13/23 at 08:32:21 For the most part , chasing parts is close to done. Sure there will be a few items overlooked and all that should be caught on the first mock-up. Same approach as always make the roller feel like a race bike. Some shake their head and walk away on this project. Guess they think I’ve gone off the deep end into a death dive , maybe I have ! Clear to see I set the bar with the tracker and expectations are high and some think the 250 is in no way able to measure up. This is where I differ from others , the bike has personal historical value to me. No matter how good it turns out there will still be those that judge it on displacement. I don’t care , she will be a fine motorcycle and stand her ground in pics or on the road. I’m sure they will look awesome in pics together. Same builder , same painter , there will be very subtle ties between the two bikes while still being very different ! 8-) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by LANCER on 12/13/23 at 09:40:44 Of course, I agree. Function … functional form … over size/power. I’ve taken the same route with my Savage. My newly acquired BSA Thunderbolt is on a “stock” route however, being in virtually stock form when purchased, I intend to keep it that way as of now, and maybe permanently. Receipts say the carb was new when replaced but jets that were in it raise questions. The main jet in it was a 185 instead of a 230 listed in the book; the needle jet was different as well; the needle was different too though neither one of them (one in carb & the one in the Amal carb rebuild kit) had any identification on them; and there was no pilot jet at all in the carb while a number 20 pilot jet is listed for the carb and this month & year of production. I’m surprised that whoever worked on this bike/carb was able to get it running as well as they did. I’m curious about how changing the jets to stock specs will improve performance. It started easily before, with 1 or 2 kicks needed to start it, and ran smoothly up to 90 which is as far as I have taken so far. We shall see. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by MMRanch on 12/13/23 at 18:36:20 Hay Lancer Like this : https://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images?p=bsa+thunderbolt+motorcycle+1975+pictures&imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.pinimg.com%2Foriginals%2F87%2F00%2Fe6%2F8700e637d5b37bb0335d46477b58e611.jpg#id=-1&iurl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.pinimg.com%2Foriginals%2F87%2F00%2Fe6%2F8700e637d5b37bb0335d46477b58e611.jpg&action=click https://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/BSA/BSA%20A65.htm 48 HP of Fun on two wheels ? You know that's the same HP as my modern new 650 is rated ? And it looks very similar in style . :) Its even the same color !! :) :) You don't think RE has been prowling through history to see what was good , do ya ??? :-? Is your the single carb model ? |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by LANCER on 12/13/23 at 19:35:14 Yep, my BSA has a single Amal Mark 1 carb; 1 1/8” bore. The engine is rated at 46 hp; max speed 104-110 mph depending on the magazine doing the testing for their write-up. Of course location and weather also play a role in the testing. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by MMRanch on 12/13/23 at 20:10:20 I can't hardly wait to see it ! :) Single carb , 4 speed , under 400# , 75mm x 74mm B&S - seems like a great combo ! 8-) ............. Hay get that thing running good and we'll ride our 650's out to Slapout Oklahoma next summer and I'll buy you a "Slapout - T-Shirt" . ;) https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/state/2023/08/03/slaughterville-to-slapout-9-towns-have-the-weirdest-names-hooker-ixl-oklahoma/70424525007/ |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 12/14/23 at 04:10:34 Hey Lancer , What size is your Amal carb ? Stock I believe is a 30mm , a swap to a 32mm is easy. Best to finish jetting on the 30 first for a baseline to work with for the 32mm. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Dave on 12/14/23 at 05:05:12 Nice bike.....I like the style of the old BSA bikes. I really like the Gold Star - but I don't think I could get it kick started reliably, and I am used to riding bikes with balance shafts! It is hard for me to get into the "Spring Fever" title of this thread......it is 20 degrees outside! :o |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 12/14/23 at 07:41:57 Well I bought a giant open end wrench that is so big it may have been used on bridge or dam construction , something pretty dam big. I named it BFW. It is destined to be supporting a sign I’m gonna have laser or water cut aluminum sign. Spring Fever Garage , might even back light it for fun. Overnights here 30/40 , days might break 61 , rideable for sure , couple a good hours in the afternoon. I may thin the herd a bit , oh no you won’t , is the current battle going on in my head. Must be a new strain of Spring Fever |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by MMRanch on 12/14/23 at 18:39:05 Ruttly you can't sell now ... its not time for anything but Christmas Presents ! You got any of them low enough in price to give away ? |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Dave on 12/15/23 at 03:39:55 As MM can attest to - the members of this forum will support you whenever you decide to buy a new bike.....we are certainly "enablers". We seldom support the sale of any motorcycle - unless it is to provide room or funds for a newer/better/faster/cooler motorcycle. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 12/15/23 at 06:05:36 I can always count on everyone to set me straight. Seems the 250 is an unpopular build , most really wanted to see the sportster get built. So selling it seemed to be an easy way out. Just drives them nuts it just sitting. Everything in its own time , two 40 year old projects take priority. Sportster would be a high $$$$ project , but that’s not why I don’t want to build it. I’m not a Harley guy. I don’t need or want 140 mph Sporty. I just want to ride thumpers , they bring me great deal of satisfaction. Building and riding them makes me smile , takes me back a bit. The 250 is the perfect build at the perfect time , won’t be a 9 year project like the tracker I’m hoping to finish it by late 2024 , registered & road ready. The painter may not share my finish date but I have a spare tank. I will wait for painted body work on his schedule. I’m learning! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by MMRanch on 12/15/23 at 20:55:26 I sure you'll enjoy ridding the 250 thumper ! , I'm still ridding my 350 thumper and saving the 650 twin for hauling the wife and/or keeping up with Lancer. Truth be told I'm itching to get the Performance Cam in the 350 single cylinder. I'm waiting till after Christmas for anything new to work on. By then , I should have received and installed the luggage rack and pannier forms for the 650 twin. As things are now : if I want to haul anything home I need to take the 350 with it's trunk and bags (74L of lockable weather proof luggage space). |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 12/16/23 at 08:38:38 The 250 might just be my last full build , only cause I’m gonna ride the crap out of it. My Sunday morning canyon carver leaving daily duties to the tracker. I simply don’t care what others think about ! They will all want to ride it when I’m done and then the “ it’s ok “ and “ it kinda cool “ comments will emerge. Let’s make it perfectly clear , no one can ever change my vision of a build. Stay true to your vision, it will payoff. 8-) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by MMRanch on 12/16/23 at 19:56:09 Hay Ruttly I've noticed that all the bikes I keep for a while all end up with the same accessory's . Do you ever have that same problem ? |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 12/17/23 at 08:30:51 Me too , big piston , cam , carb , exhaust are all mandatory and easier to hide. Your bikes are tastefully done and don’t look over loaded , sure signs of a diehard biker ! Get the 650 dressed out yet ? |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Dave on 12/17/23 at 17:57:28 031103111C0F000D064E0 wrote:
That is because you use your bikes all for doing the same thing.......you ride on long trips and need luggage, you ride in the cold and wet and you need a windshield......you get lost and need GPS! If you were to only ride the Meteor around home on nice days you could likely remove the windshield. My Cafe' bike is not a touring bike - no windshield and no luggage! When I need to haul something it must fit in a backpack! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by TheSneeze on 12/17/23 at 21:27:34 I need to catch some of Rutt's sickness! I have been seriously side tracked from my tracker (see what I did, there? 8-)). |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by MMRanch on 12/17/23 at 21:44:10 Ruttly I've got the Touring windshield and the Tank Vault mounted. I have the crash bar/engine guard on hand , also on hand is the Givi side case mounts (two buttons at the bottom and the turn-key catcher at top). I'm waiting on the Luggage Rack to arrive. The side cases rack and the Luggage rack share mounting bolts so I think the Luggage rack might be on the bottom ? :-? I'd like to have the side cases tucked in close ... but ... I'm in no hurry so when I have both items on hand I'll check for fit to see the options. https://www.ebay.ca/itm/295326352238?fits=Make%3ARoyal+Enfield&hash=item44c2d2836e:g:tMgAAOSw7ixjA8mx&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA8D2KD8IedSNovTMERpQaliyyhed4Bx6f2XNKNo8uzjGZoQFMHHQ7cWunCTWVlQOactbDljlOiSIOJT1q3%2BG4aMsIPa6T5Cv1FK%2FpgBnSw%2BR8v8zxuJAEvgPdbUs%2BgYjG5gMTRmQT1vAVTzyMejd8s%2FBBD37O%2FvqCCtEGMgjzseqvZA6PuaQ4OW2OrHq0DyAhJaaaOCMrwJMVsoSlst1%2Byzk1TFguRHeYK8YlK%2F2dAyd0ujZ5QPS5hLIAuVHVIxUhNWgJHcy4QBBWYi9SAN%2FZIe7008sN5DNpDZo0jHmpcP2cxfqEDQy0ItZWGnGwCApEeA%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABFBMuvKGt49j It fits the 650 too . I think it would fit just about anything with up to a 4 gallon fuel tank ? But It does have the "RE" emblem made into it . The main compartment will hold a gallon of milk after expanding out the velcro . ;) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by LANCER on 12/18/23 at 04:52:42 456263637B6E170 wrote:
The stock carb on the Thunderbolt is a 28mm unit. I’ve thought about trying a 30 or 32mm carb but that will likely be a bit later, after I’ve got the Amal sorted out with the correct jets. I’ve finally got all the components needed for the Amal, and it’s back together. There is a rubber piece that connects the carb with the air filters that is badly aged and has numerous cracks in it. I ordered a repair goop but it arrived a mess, the container leaked badly during shipping and was of no use. Need to order more from another source. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by MMRanch on 12/18/23 at 06:19:43 Hay Lancer ... how about one of those little air filters with a chrome color matching the bike color ? I've seen them in chrome , Blueish , Redish , and Goldish . They come in a multitude of sizes . Then you can use the air box for secret storage ! ::) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 12/18/23 at 22:22:49 My 250 has a 28 that I will jet using some stock specs to start. But it wil end up with a 30 with a finned intake spacer and a velocity stack with a foam air filter. Pretty sure I did some port work on it when I built it 40 years ago. It won’t be a hot rod or anything , but it will breathe good and help it give a good healthy thump for otherwise stock 250 (stock piston & cam). Guy I originally bought the 250 from had a 71 bonneville 650 with a 2 into 1 pipe and dual 32 amals , what a ride ! So yeah you can do a 30 or a 32 on your 650 , all 3 carbs are all the same exterior dimensions , change only the carb |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by LANCER on 12/19/23 at 18:33:32 One of the issues to deal with is for a ‘71 model it has the oil in frame with the big steel tube for a backbone that also runs down behind the carb, so the space behind the carb is only about 2.5” so even a Uni foam filter won’t fit behind the carb. I will have to use the stock cracked rubber piece for now. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 12/20/23 at 07:52:50 Most every rubber piece on the later BSAs can be had , it’s a reproduction but no one’s gonna know but me and you. The 71 uses the same air box as a Triumph also OIF , so lm pretty sure it will be the same. Triumph also had single carb models. Lots of good British parts dealer here in the states & UK. Answers to your ?s are an email away ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 12/20/23 at 07:56:49 584762656F666A79600B0 wrote:
Oh you got the fever , it’s just misdirected. All in good time ! 8-) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 12/20/23 at 08:03:43 Lancer when I was a kid we would make a spring out of a coat hanger & oil up a sock and that was our air filters cause we were gonna ride no matter what. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Dave on 12/20/23 at 09:14:12 4C6B6A6A72671E0 wrote:
The poor man's "Filtron"! ;) I just cringe when I see all the old motorcycle and car engines without any form of air cleaner. Air cleaners really didn't show up on engines until the 1920's. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 12/22/23 at 06:38:32 Yesterday I did 180 mile loop to pickup my BSA 250 and bring her home. A rebirth of sorts for the bike maybe for me too. I’ll be able to give it a new born on date when I’m done. Tore the forks down to get at the sliders I want to polish before assembly. New tubes , springs , seals & fresh oil. Brakes will be next. My little 275 lb 250 will have the same brakes as a 650 but even more refined. The conical hubs are heavy , but stout. In the UK they call them comical hubs. The brakes are fair to good if you maintain & adjust them. It will stop just fine. Gonna lower it a tad , give it a slightly different stance , get that COG as low as I can. Hopefully I’ll be out hunting RE 350s this time next year !!! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 12/22/23 at 07:00:29 Just checked some numbers a 650 , 420 lb against 250 , 275 lb . That’s a 145 lb difference , so that’s 12) 12 lb bowling balls in a backpack I won’t be wearing. Only real difference is horsepower. However cornering the 250 will require a different strategy than the tracker , brake late only if needed. Remember find any excuse not to use the brakes , sooner or later it will become second nature , brakes just slow you down. ;D |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 12/23/23 at 08:16:41 I absolutely love the look on my wife’s face , absolute and total disgust and it ain’t like she hasn’t been hearing about it for months. She will get over it , think she’d be used to it by now after 30 + years and who knows how many bikes in that time. I guess the build wouldn’t have her blessing until I have to endure a few days of less than motivating comments and sour faces , if she knew I started laughing right after the door to the garage get slammed she would have my a$s ! Isn’t marriage wonderful. I got todays gift , I woke up and it’s a sunny day ! I got sliders to polish ! 8-) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 12/25/23 at 08:54:33 Ok , Merry Christmas ! Let’s get it over with , it’s fun and good to see everyone. Clean up the mess and shove everyone out the door wave good by. So I can get back in the garage , won’t be any ride time today. But lots to do. Building forks , waiting for a friend to cut me some lowering sleeves on his lathe , in the meanwhile I’m cleaning and polishing some triumph sliders , lighter than the BSA sliders. Lineage of the BSA/Triumph fork is it was copied from a Marzzochi , in turn was copied from a Ceriani. This is why it’s always been a good /stable handling bikes. I’m really gonna surprise some bigger bikes in the tight stuff , the usual just lay back study how they corner and when the time is right , thump on by 8-) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by MMRanch on 12/25/23 at 20:43:11 Ruttly This is exactly how I see the world too ! , brake late only if needed. Remember find any excuse not to use the brakes , sooner or later it will become second nature , brakes just slow you down. Those brakes are a real DRAG on getting around a curve ... ;) Last time I needed a brake on a twistie road was the second year I had the Guzzi V7. Me , Dave and Stew was coming down the North side of Blood Mt. GA. I came out of a right curve and the next left (short-90 deg) was coming up WAY TOO FAST ... so a hand-full of front brake was in order and I dropped 20mph in seemingly 20 feet . Some times while going down-hill ... the speed can creep-up on a feller ! :-[ |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 12/29/23 at 10:44:20 Mock-up #1 with frame , engine , tank & seat. See it coming back together really stirs emotions knowing I was the last person to put put fuel in her and the last person to ride it ! For the forty plus years it was gone and I knew it was there , but also made no attempts to retrieve it. Didn’t think he would sell it back to me. Anyway it’s home , tucked in , warm and safe!. Building 2 BSAs now , the 500 TT bike wil be done and the 250 will be very close to done by this time next year. I won’t call it important but I will say these 2 bikes will make me whole again when they are finished. One to ride on Sundays and one to race on Fridays. Tracker fills the rest in , raising hell all over town the rest of the week ! ;D Echoing Evil Laughter |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 12/29/23 at 11:06:01 I do read a bit and what I read about the BSA 250 is good but one word is in every review “Slow”. Well the guy I learned from said it’s just a compressor and you just make it more efficient. Good porting job (done) to start with then bigger carb jetted to the new better flowing exhaust. With a stock 10:1 compression ratio it should respond to flow improvements. In the past I’ve used a 500 Mx cam in the 250 with some success. I’m leaning towards stock cam with flow improvements. The 500 mx cam had a good power but left you searching to keep rpm up in that range. Ok for dirt not for a street thumper , it will live longer too ! It’s evolving into a serious build and is getting the attention it needs ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by TheSneeze on 12/31/23 at 15:52:37 The bike I imagine Rutt working on. Reality - we may never know, since he never posts any pictures!!! (I would swear, but the site censors) ;D ;D ;D |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 12/31/23 at 16:17:44 The engine was rebuilt right before I sold it. All that time it was in the back corner of his garage under the workbench , keeping his 500 company. 40 years of dust ,dirt , oxidation & patina topped with rat $hit. I’m tempted to just stick in the frame as is ! Cleaning & polishing it will be a real job , I think it will getting cleaning and polishing before I tear it down to replace seals & gaskets. Doing final polishing while it’s apart. It’s all just part of the build. Polishing is messy & time consuming but some can be painted or powder coated , but some things have to be polished. The sliders are coming along just fine , lots of work but worth it. All the time trying to reduce weight where possible without drilling holes in everything. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 12/31/23 at 16:28:28 Nothing quite that extreme just a complete and thorough build. Somewhat stock , keeping stock appearance. Back in time a bit from the height of popularity to bankruptcy , absolutely British styling at its best. But I would build a CX 500/650 , I like the engine. They make great projects. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by MMRanch on 01/01/24 at 10:44:35 I was looking at the engine and wondering what year Guzzi that was but then I got to looking at the cooling fans ? One of my brothers had the 650 Silver Wing version and liked it till the Clutch throw-out bearing went out. I was a little worried about the Guzzi having the same problem --- being the same basic design . It could have been his driving habits that brought on the problem ? |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 01/01/24 at 15:49:46 Pulled the yellowed paper towels out of the ports , pushed it thru a rotation or two with the kick starter. A tad stiff but real good for 40+ yr sleep. Shine a bright light into ports , I definitely ported it , looks great , she’s ready for a 30mm carb for sure. I may just clean & polish key pieces and run it. See what kind of wrench I was way back when. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by MMRanch on 01/01/24 at 21:23:27 Treat it nice there Ruttly Remember your dealing with a senor machine ... ;D |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 01/02/24 at 08:31:54 Oh she gets the best of care and the best of whatever she needs. I can’t screw this up , it’s my retirement bike. Just a pokey little 250 for the backroads. I don’t remember exactly how fast it was but eighty wasn’t a problem just took awhile to gather all that speed up. Just a nice exhaust & carb after that I’ll live with whatever she can muster up. Some stable suspension and some Dunlops , she will handle fine. Not to mention some very refined 650 brakes to handle coming in hot ! My 52 yr old vintage BSA will be a solid mount. She will run again , 8-) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by MMRanch on 01/02/24 at 18:28:20 just took awhile to gather all that speed up. / it’s my retirement bike I like putt putting around on my 75 mph - single too , even though I could take the 650 . There are times and places for them both. :) I'm glad you got a putt putt too , heck I think everybody should have one ! ;) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 01/04/24 at 20:51:02 Low & slow , stock rear shocks are 13” and will replace with 320mm=12.6” and lowering sleeves/blocks will lower it .800” and quicken the steering a tad bit. I want crank shaft below axles , a nice low COG for ease of handling. Thought about running a 17” in the rear and a 18” in front to further lowering it but have decided to keep 18” rear and 19” front for appearances. Aluminum triple clamps and fuel tank and rims and rear sprocket all shave weight in comparison to their steel/cast iron counterparts. I’m using Triumph 650 sliders that also shave weight from BSA sliders and look better all polished , more for looks than weight reduction but I’ll take it. It’s not a quest to lighten it , things just happen to work out that way. I’ll be happy no matter how much final weight is cause there is not much left but to drill holes in everything and that’s not my style. Anything south of 275 lbs would just make the smile bigger and maybe the bike a tad faster ! Investigating some different powder coaters in an effort for high quality & better prices but I will be using the same painter. Also still haven’t settled on the fenders aluminum (lighter) or polished stainless shiny n sexy , a bit heavier. They will be from Speedwell Mud Guards(made in the UK) the best fenders you can put on a British road turd like this. I gotta be crazy for building this bike and even crazier to want to keep and ride it , forever. :-/ |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 01/04/24 at 21:26:32 Carburetor will be a Amal Concentric 30mm (stock 28mm) with a Webco finned carb spacer about 1 inch thick , spaces carb further from intake valve allowing better atomization and a velocity stack on the other end with a foam air filter. Should work real well with the ported head. Mostly will be shrouded by stock side covers that will also conceal battery , cdi box , horn. I will be using stock header pipe with an earlier muffler that I’ll have to mod to make it fit. After it’s a roller then mock-ups get serious , exhaust will be a priority when it’s time arrives. Forks Brakes Wheels Tires Things will start moving much faster after it ROLLS ! Can’t wait to see her stance ! 8-) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 01/10/24 at 08:51:50 Trying to give it the Brit look as well. I actually found a big wide set of mx bars with the big curve in the cross bar. Very cool Brit look but super expensive too. American mx bars have the straight cross bar. But this is a street scrambler not so much of dual purpose so im keeping the 34” flat track bars with the low bend. Some chrome non oem switches and maybe a set of those handlebar turn signals that go at the end of the bar. Nothing set in stone yet but I am using the stock Lucas headlight and a non oem Lucas taillight. No junk , every piece quality , all tastefully done. A single chrome mirror , no tach or speedo , when you look down lots of shiny , absolutely no crap on the bars. NO cel phone holders,chargers of any kind , no crap ! I would hope an Englishman would find it well done and want to take her down the lane for a spin ! Close to 39” wide with those bar end turn signals not a lane splitter , that’s for sure. Was investigating a 280cc big bore kit , cause that’s what I do , but decided against it ! While she should run real good as is l just can’t modify the old girl , just carb and exhaust and I’ll be more than happy with whatever she can muster. Big bore leads to cam , cam leads to modified valves and head. Keep it simple I have to remember what I am building and not overdue it. Tasteful , light , low and slow , what an odd combination of goals to shoot for. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 01/24/24 at 12:34:26 Got to get over the cabin fever to let the spring fever rage. Tracker has been in hibernation since before thanksgiving. Had an opportunity to get it out and took it. Enough stuff moved to just slip it out and I was gone , even had an hour of sun. Gas a bit flat , but still all throttle , chilly but it didn’t matter. Must have been all the rain , the road was clean , Dunlops felt like Velcro. Crazy sticky even before tire warms up. Just gave the downtown area a blast and then disappear out of city limits. Bike feels large , must be the 1” bars feel big in my hands and the wide bars. Short ride but feels good to be back in the saddle , more important fresh air injected into my brain along with all the aromas that heal me when riding in farm/ranch country. This is why tracker has been named “The Healer”. It possesses everything needed to heal my soul in a single ride ! 8-) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by MMRanch on 01/25/24 at 19:41:47 Hay Ruttly I seem to remember Dave is working on a British version/looking LS650 ! I'm itching to see what it looks like . Some of them old British Singles from the 50's and 60's had a lot of Charm to them ! Well , in my eyes anyway !! :) https://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/BSA/BSA%20B40.htm This one is the same size and HP as my modern 350 ! ;) But The have the gear shifter on the wrong side ? ::) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by MMRanch on 01/25/24 at 20:02:52 Thinking of "Lookers" , I cam across this Beautiful thing ! https://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/BSA/BSA%20B40.htm-down Hay , is that front fender on "up-side-down" :-? ........ The Royal Enfield has took some cosmetic lesson from this one and applied them to their 350J Classic . 8-) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Dave on 01/26/24 at 04:09:28 It is very likely that Royal Enfield used some of their old motorcycles to help design the Classic 350. Royal Enfield was a British company "back in the day" and made the Bullet 500 from 1931 until 1966. It was made in India from 1955 until 2020. There is no doubt the BSA Goldstar is one of the sexiest motorcycles ever built. The big single cylinder motorcycles of that era are my favorite style of motorcycle......I have never owned or ridden one and I believe they are really not good riding motorcycles by current standards. They can be hard to kick start, they shake, the brakes are not very good, etc. But they sure are nice to look at! 1953 Matchless |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by MMRanch on 01/26/24 at 08:00:15 Look at the size of that rack !!! :o :o ::) ::) 8-) 8-) 8-) :) , well it might come in handy too :)? ;D Hay Dave , we're wanting to see how a 1965 BSA/Savage looks. :-? |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 01/26/24 at 10:50:32 Matchless & AJS are both dream bikes , made from unobtainium ! I guess it’s been imbedded in my brain at an early age to ride beautiful vintage bikes with only one piston. I still love my tracker ! It’s almost vintage , right. And I just read that Yamaha is making the SR400 Again , for overseas markets , not USA or Japan. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 01/29/24 at 09:18:03 Finished the 250 forks , basically new. Easier to list what I reused than new , reused sliders & dampning rods. Everything else is new , with 3/4” lowering sleeves I fabbed. Super smooth with nothing but assembly oil , will fill them later , after a Dr appointment. I’ll do a final buff on the sliders then too. Triple clamps are soaking , new bearings waiting. Bought a kit for the forks that had springs,legs,seals,sealing washers fork dampning rods and drain screws and dust boots. Sliders were in fair condition but took much cleaning and polishing , still polishing. Front wheel and forks , headlight get there just before you do and they have to to look GOOD !! 8-) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 02/10/24 at 00:38:57 Scored some side covers to go with the stock tank ( alloy tank with original paint). Took one day each to restore what was left of the paint. Massage a few dings out , remove dirt first , remove oxidation from paint , polishing compound , sealing wax. P/O had scraped the stickers off , Trail Blazer 250 so they came from a rebranded BSA 250. They show 50 + yrs but are smooth and shiny. The tank will get the same treatment , due to aluminum polishing and paint restoration it’s gonna take about a week to finish. Tank is clean inside , replaced cap sealing rubber and 2 new petcocks. Box these pieces when done for protection , use them mock ups only. Finally got first pieces out for powder coating , brake backing plates in black satin 80%. Then brakes will be assembled & boxed. Drop off wheel hubs when I pick up the brakes. Wheels soon ! Due to lack of space I’m gonna anchor frame to workbench for mock-ups. Engine in frame to build exhaust and air intake and battery/cdi/horn locations. Parts accumulation nearing the end , just some small items and fenders left. Almost no one builds the 250 , everyone builds the 500 , always a non conforming , got to be different & still refusing to ride a cookie cutter bike ! 8-) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 02/14/24 at 09:25:25 We’ve had some 60+ days for a few hours for 4 days now , but rain today. Got tracker out for a few rides in this mid winter bliss. Short rides , morning rides on dew kissed roads , patch of fog here and there. Once she’s got 10 miles on her , she warmed up and ready to make me smile. Tires take a bit to warm up on cold damp roads. Early morning , damp air , crisp 55 ish makes for ideal conditions. Throttle response on point , damp roads , a bit of slip n sliding goin on. I like when front wheel slips n grips and rear wheel adjusts itself , just like a blue groove track , huge fun kicks that heart rate up a few points and the ride ending jump over the R/R tracks followed by a 3rd gear wot wheelie. Always scares the hell out of me but it feels good and it has to look cool as hell too. For not being a race bike , it really puts a smile on ya ! ;D |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 02/15/24 at 08:34:38 Way crisp this morning , 50 ish and rain washed roads thanks to the last Pineapple Express that blew thru last night. These mornings are not to be wasted , for me it’s the reward for good jetting. The bike ain’t any faster , doesn’t make anymore power but perfect jetting and crisp winter mornings just accents the jetting , instant throttle response across the board. Gee kinda similar to a race bike. No cough , hiccups or farts just a handful of throttle. Coffee done and so is this post , I’m gone ! 8-) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 02/16/24 at 10:02:29 Well yesterday’s ride was different, so I was heading for fuel when 2 lanes going down to one (cone zone) sitting at red light. Bike stalls won’t restart , roll bike into cone zone when the Leo who can never seem to get behind this bike has me cold but traffic forces him thru intersection. He’s watching me and like wise , he turns into back of strip mall and has to go all the way around the block , he is definitely coming for me. So I realize I’m not on reserve , quick flip , start and go heading straight at him and notice construction on apartments on my left , roll into driveway park behind 2 construction trucks , zoom he flys by and I’m gone. Makes the right and off he goes. Screw gettin gas , quietly head home. Maybe next time but not today ! Hope I ruined his day , he really wants to pull me over , I have no idea if I have pissed this guy off before or if he want to look at the bike. I don’t know and don’t want to find out why or what. I’ll try again today ;D |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by MMRanch on 02/17/24 at 11:08:43 ;D Hay Ruttly Put your bike in the truck or on a trailer and park it beside the Leo's favorite hangout (Donut-Shop) and wait for him to show up ? :) Be nice !!! ;) Maybe , put a Reticules high price on a for sale sign and see if he/she calls ya ? Ya never know who the next friend you make will be ??? 8-) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 02/18/24 at 10:31:12 He may be an enthusiast but he can admire it from a distance. My day will come , let’s hope it’s a good outcome. I always give him a courtesy wave when I see him , maybe he thinks I’m taunting him. He would definitely know if I was taunting him ! My father always said “ let a sleeping dog lay “. I still might be a tad wild but I abide by the “no taunting rule”. ;D |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 02/19/24 at 16:04:24 Just got first batch back from powder coater. Front & rear brake backing plates done in black at 80% satin , not glossy black. I’ll spend tonight assembling brakes , fronts with longer levers on the cams and a longer lever on the rear brake. Get everything assembled and ready to install it , box them up , put them with the forks and carb and triple clamps , with all the other done and ready to install stuff. Lots to do still , frame/exhaust will be a huge milestone to pass ! 8-) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 02/24/24 at 09:34:50 While parts are piling up , it seems the “to do “ list is ever growing. Next group of parts going to powder coater this week. Free up some space too. Boxed up assembled brakes to go with forks , triple treez , carb and a box of smaller new parts and another box with all the new electrical parts & harnesses. Electrical will be epic all new with cdi ignition , haven’t made up my mind wether or not I’ll use the Lucas solid state rectifier and eliminate the zener diode , then it would be updated as it can be using Lucas parts. I believe it’s also possible to alter it to change it from positive ground too. I need to investigate it more , difficult now I got the boot from BSA forum ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D. some very sensitive folks ! I just have to contact some friends in the UK about what works the best , before final wiring. All wiring will be new Lucas harnesses and components and no led lights. However hidden somewhere out of view will be a usb socket so I can temporarily add a $8 gps speedo to check performance, it will also have a voltmeter on the usb socket to monitor lithium battery voltage. Usually it’s changes that really slow progress but no changes so far , very little fab work on this project and once all fab work is done , then frame and a bunch of small parts off to see the P/C. Still have to polish the aluminum tank , some mindless work but it has to get done. Side covers are restored original paint with character , the tank will match with 50+ years of character. I have another tank and set of side covers to have painted for it , but that’s down the road a bit. I like the black cross on the tank and black side covers , new model designation “ Black Star 250 SS “. For those who don’t know “SS” is BSA s designation for Street Scrambler. It has a bit of an evil look to it , paint job planned would ruin its present persona ! We will see about new paint , think the original paint gives it an aged , destinguished , sophisticated look to it. I figure the professional buffing and paint on tank & side covers , at the very least $1000-1500 easy. It just might stay as is , Black , chrome & polished aluminum and what’s left of original red pin stripes. 8-) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by MMRanch on 02/24/24 at 15:06:37 Dern Ruttly !!! Dang , Dang , Dang ??? Where's the pictures ? My imagination can only take me so far before "Crazy" takes over ... ??? ... ::) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 02/24/24 at 18:54:02 No pics yet , next engine in frame mock up will include frame , engine , tank , seat , side covers , rear fender , carb & exhaust ! Maybe someone will leak a pic. Nothing but a pile of parts at this point and my awesome imagination ! I forget others can’t see it like I do. In my head it’s fully assembled and I’m wiring it ! I was the last to ride it and I will be the first to ride it again. I see it , I sit on the seat everyday for inspiration, at times it’s the only thing I can focus on. Just a special build , what will I do when it’s done ? Gonna ride the crap out of it ! She will take her place , right next to the tracker. So lucky to have the opportunity. Very grateful , for sure. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 02/26/24 at 02:28:19 Been cleaning up the yard , repairing fences , cleaning the pool. We have had a peak at spring here the past week , but rain Monday. Lots to do cause I did almost nothing during the winter. The back yard is a hang out when weather warms and has to look good. After the rain passes it’s time to ride the tracker , give it some fresh fuel , check the tires & oil. Directly out of town seeking open spaces , find a quiet farm road and let her rip. Gonna have to head into the hills above the farmlands , find some new twisties. Hopefully this time next year I will be on the 250 , on Sundays ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by MMRanch on 02/26/24 at 08:17:50 We got SUNSHINE ! and 62F , I might ... NEED ... to go for a ride today instead of "Choosing-a-Chore" today ? ::) ? ... and it's only 10:00 AM ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 02/26/24 at 09:08:07 Dr. Ruttly’s prescription for cabin fever : Take 2 rides today , ride until you feel renewed and there will be no reason for you to call me in the morning ! Now go self medicate. ;D ;D ;D |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by MMRanch on 02/26/24 at 18:21:58 I did I needed some "Wire-Nuts" to complete the first "Lighting-Circuit" at my son's house we're building. So , I got a ride (w/long way home) and a project done today too ! ;) ........ I needed to refill the fuel tank while I was out . So With 187.3 miles on the trip set it needed 3.02 gallons to refill. The motor only has less than 750 miles on it ... so ... it's still getting loosened up. I think it needs a nice long ride to Texas or something similar. ! :) :) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Dave on 02/27/24 at 03:20:18 5B495B49445758555E160 wrote:
It sounds like you have a long way to go to finish that house! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by MMRanch on 02/27/24 at 16:24:06 Long , LOng , LONg , LONG ... Way . ! I ran out of the first box of them ! ;) I figure they will be camping in the lower level about time warm weather sets in and be ready for cool weather by next fall ? Those "Turn-Key" houses are REALLY EXPENSIVE !!! Especially in the 3000 foot , three level sizes . ................ I'm switching to the down-stairs bathroom next. Then they could campout , if they want . |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by ohiomoto on 02/27/24 at 19:14:48 002726263E2B520 wrote:
Spring is just around the corner...again. I hear it cures cabin fever every time. ;D |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 02/29/24 at 07:29:15 Had some really nice days but rain returning here in hours. A few more storm systems to blow thru then it on. Everything is ready to bust out into bloom , birds nesting in the yard. I would have to say the ground hog was correct this year , an early spring ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 02/29/24 at 07:39:41 I’ve been eye ballin an e bicycle. Who has one ? Do you ride it ? Is it dependable ? I know they are fun , they got 2 wheels and a motor. So lets here about it. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by TheSneeze on 02/29/24 at 08:00:22 As of 10 am this morning we are on blizzard warning until Sunday morning. 60 mph winds coupled with snow totals in the valleys from 6" to 2', depending. Donner Pass is expecting up to 10' of snow. Spring fever, eh? |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by MMRanch on 02/29/24 at 08:03:13 https://www.ebay.com/itm/354819691956?itmmeta=01HQTSJWMEMQ13FEVWT72QDASR&hash=item529ce6d5b4:g:y70AAOSwNNRlzzyB&itmprp=enc%3AAQAIAAAA0DpdwbhYu4fOLFIhuS9MfMH7fBF%2BKJTMA0bP6Td2sfTszOLLQ0T930tjmnK4Exvv1OdIAPd6bQeXkuqIFeIg1BwBjC4Q%2BLqtBkljA%2FL7ImUv7j1CMSG%2BIrVWWkxNWvu6BgBh%2Fdl5Q9%2FmVReUGtTuyPTuP6NUy%2BsHk08%2FPex1Y13jUTqUQFHTIuQt2%2B2N87l%2Fs9B%2Bctko4QAjDgtPxV3ziiUO9qbxUPa3el4Djbr4kU33CcsiPveZi%2Fftq%2BCVjEP6NJf04GuHgfpDQ%2B6IDRw2AJM%3D%7Ctkp%3ABlBMULjKy9m-Yw I am so Lazzy , do they make an electric version ? :-[ :-[ :-[ |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 02/29/24 at 14:46:41 Come on that’s just the weatherman getting excited. You be just fine , you do own a snow shovel ? I wouldn’t worry till you can’t get out of 2nd story windows. Sure is beautiful up there huh ! Sunny here I’m goin for a ride ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by ohiomoto on 02/29/24 at 16:24:15 5E79787860750C0 wrote:
----------------- I have an e-MTB and an e-road bike. Pretty high-performance, relatively low-powered and pedal assist only. They are very quiet and maintain a more natural cycling feel. I love them. I've also ridden a few other lower-performance eBikes and they are cool too. They were mostly heavy city bikes. I can't say I enjoyed those bikes but I enjoyed where they took me. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 02/29/24 at 19:58:03 Yeah I currently have a 35/40 year old mountain bike , a higher quality but old m/b , seems I only ride it very local or only when I need it for transportation. I like that it’s still a bicycle. You can take it almost any where. They make trailer hitch carriers for them. 60-80 range. Sounds like some very cheap exploring , no spark arrester/silencer needed ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Dave on 03/01/24 at 04:47:34 I took my winter wheels with snow tires off the car yesterday - the weather forecast has no snow or ice in the foreseeable future. This is the earliest I have ever taken them off - it is not unusual for us to get snow or ice storms in March. Only time will tell if I was too anxious! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 03/01/24 at 07:28:45 We only got a bit of rain , but they got a crap load or two of snow. Some dumbas$ tv weatherman standing in snow beyond waist high. Blizzard like conditions , white out , lots of mountain passes impassable. What I call stay home conditions. If we don’t hear from Sneeze , I’ll dig him out in the spring , it’s only 3 weeks away. Couple more days of rain & Snowy blizzardy white out conditions , hang in there Sneeze ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 03/01/24 at 07:38:58 However I feel for our brothers in Texas wildfires. There is nothing you can do but get out of the way. You’re not going to win , get out ! See it here in CA every year. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 03/04/24 at 08:51:37 Scored a real nice front fender for the 250 project. From UK , not an oem fender but a Speedwell Mudguard painted black with the extra support rods. It got here so fast , I wasn’t expecting anything , it showed the day before and sat in the rain overnight. Box mangled , my stomach rolled over , even one corner of the box was gone. Cut it open and out comes a perfect fender. I had photographed the box for the sender. Couple of chips in the paint but otherwise it’s perfect with a rubber fender extender flap thingy. And it matches the fuel tank and the side covers. Looks so British. Trying to sneak in very subtle British bits to accent my build in a different way. The fender flap , maybe a heat sink for the exhaust at the cyl. head and some of those old style bar end turn signals , oh yeah. Keep it subtle don’t want to load it up with crap and make it obviously annoying. I have other builders watching this one , now is no time to half as$ anything. Make no mistakes , stay focused , build it just like the vision in my head and no compromises ! A cold but dry day , good day to bomb the farmlands ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 03/04/24 at 10:23:18 Well today I get to play luthier. I have only one work bench , where I repair everything. Cover it in lush carpet for guitar repair. I have to finish 2 today. Then transform bench back for mock ups until I get wheels/tires. Gonna put frame/swingarm up on the bench. Add engine , intake & exhaust , tank , seat , side covers. Plan on securing it to the bench to keep it stable. Primarily for mocking exhaust system . I have a new nos header , stock. And 441 muffler that needs surgery to meet my specs and mounting on frame to fab too. Also checking for clearances , mainly kick starter lever to clear the muffler. And other clearances as well , battery , horn , cdi and carb & air intake. I can wing the rest but exhaust has to be sorted out here and now. 8-) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 03/13/24 at 13:14:11 This is real nice , having frame up on workbench. Better than the table , at least till forks and wheels get put on. But for mocking up it’s perfect. A lifetime of tools , welder & compressor right near bench. Only pressure I have is what I create as a goal , want to ride it by end of this year. Moving right along , in my element and as predicted, not real social part of the build. After it rolls I get much more social , maybe cause I can ride it down the driveway , IDK ! When it rolls , steers & stops I think that will be the half way done mark. Still haven’t settled on the tail light but up coming mock-up will settle that conflict. Love both tail lights but only room for one on this fender , so unproductive having my last two brain cells arguing ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by LANCER on 03/13/24 at 16:25:42 Mine don’t argue so much, they just have difficulty coming to a consensus on things. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 03/14/24 at 21:41:52 I can’t even get them to find my keys ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 03/16/24 at 19:07:39 Tail light dilemma is over , my keys just appear , go figure. Wanted a Sparto style tail light , a cool reproduction but needs to be mounted higher on the fender than frame allows. It would leave lens angled down rather than straight back. Just won’t ever suit my build , so back to a small Lucas tail light , I have a new uk made Lucas lens. Somewhere I have an aluminum casting with light , old skool stuff , not to sure if it’s mie. So far almost everything is mie , trying to keep it close. My levers I think might be from India or China , that and maybe the bars. Just have to lay my hands on that tail light , buried bad in spider land ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 03/16/24 at 20:06:16 Keeping true to a 1971 I will be using the light grey for the frame. Stainless rear fender with small Lucas tail light. Stock seat , stock tank with black cross , black side covers. Stock headlight , black front fender. 18” hoops. Well that’s it in a nutshell , all the rest is the smaller detail items. No major changes now , just have to do one thing a day till it’s it’s done. Not a survivor , not a custom , not a restoration , just a Ruttly build. Put that new tail light up in the warehouse with the rear sets,chains & filters , in stock! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 03/19/24 at 13:33:33 Finally got 2nd round of powder coating out , front & rear hubs and some smaller pieces. Hubs will go out for wheels when they come back. Frame & swingarm with all the attaching parts & dodads will soon follow. I would be a step ahead to have an assembled roller by June , leaving me six months for wiring and engine. Kinda jazzed up a bit , I’ll do a mock up tonight and start working on exhaust ! Was out yesterday for a short clear the head ride. Tracker really likes that canned fuel , I added a quart to get to the gas station and top it off with 91. Runs like a pissed off hornet , still cool and damp in the am , she likes the combo. Clean acceleration no coughs , hiccups or farts , nothing but throttle , big fun makes me smile everytime out ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by MMRanch on 03/19/24 at 19:15:23 Ruttly , we need pictures ! Please !! Me for one would like to go visit 1971 , even if it is only in looking at pictures . ;) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 03/21/24 at 11:09:06 Well now for sure I got to tear down reseal the engine , I was right in buying gasket & seal kits for it before I even got the bike. Had engine back out of frame and laying on its right side on the bench overnight and it left a pool of new 90 wt. I guess the seals are harder than a brides dream ! I’ll drain it so it doesn’t become a problem . Right now I need engine as a whole for mock ups. After it’s a roller then it will be resealed. It’s like a time capsule for me to go back recheck my work from over 40 yrs ago. Tear it down slowly and be super observant of every little detail. It will be fun , my first post retirement engine build , very cool. Give me the opportunity to polish outer cases and clean the rest. This will give me some road worthy confidence. Just turned into full build , actually glad I’m going there ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by MMRanch on 03/21/24 at 20:24:55 Well Ruttly Your braver than I am. I've gone to buying new bikes with 3 year grantees. And hope I don't need to open either of them up for nothing but valve clearance checks. Maybe I'm getting lazy but I did wash them both today ! ;D I'll try to remember to get an updated picture next sunny day we have that co-insides with them being clean. Here the last one I bought before any modifications or add-ons . |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by MMRanch on 03/21/24 at 20:28:40 Now its a light blue version of this with turn key hard 25L saddle bags and a 30L trunk. That 80L of storage is nice when I come out of the grocery store . ;) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 03/24/24 at 10:31:34 Someday I will make it to the RE dealership. Several models I would like to look at , maybe swing a leg over. Not shopping , unless something jumps out or fits me so perfect I have to take it home. Really it would have to be “The Bike” before I would even consider buying a cookie cutter made for the masses run of the mill motorcycle or have a happy button !!! ;D ;D ;D Im not putting anyone down for what they ride , important part is simply just ride something , a lot. My Sportster and my SR500 kinda both fall into that category. The SR500 has always been the best bike for me , size & weight , handling , styling and most important the fit , the bike made me feel in control ! Note we are not talking power , although it has all you need. But the tracker has somewhat taken its role. So I tend to build not buy , but that could change with the right bike in a second ! While space might be an issue , price most likely won’t drive me away from the right bike. I really want to ride that BSA Goldstar , it would be my last new bike , if it ever gets here !!! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Dave on 03/24/24 at 18:15:20 I picked up a new motorcycle project today. I really didn't need another project - but I got this from a neighbor and it is a bike that I believe I will like! It was last licensed and ridden in 2015. 1972 BMW R75/5 with 60,000 miles. I got saddlebags, the stock seat and a king/queen style seat - along with the Corbin single seat. I also got a pair of original leather staddlebags that are in poor shape, along with a set of fiberglass saddlebags. It needs a bath, the fuel tank and carbs cleaned, and the tires have plenty of tread but are 20 years old. The original paint is pretty nice with only a few minor cosmetic flaws...the paint at the rear of the tank has been worn away by the seat rubbing on the tank. The exhaust system has no rust - it does have a few small dents. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by MMRanch on 03/24/24 at 19:25:55 Looks nice for a 50 year old bike ! :) Wouldn't you love to have a new one like it ! ? :) :) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Dave on 03/25/24 at 05:34:34 081A081A17040B060D450 wrote:
The bike being 52 years old has an advantage for me. I can get vintage license plates and they don't expire or have to be renewed each year....and the yearly vehicle tax is very low. Hopefully the insurance cost is low as well. It appears the weather here is finally warming up and we are likely done with the overnight freezing temperatures. I will be able to wash it this week - but any other work will have to wait until after the Texas trip. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by MMRanch on 03/25/24 at 07:10:39 I want a Green one ! https://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/bmw/bmw_r75-72.html That is really close to the weight and HP of what I'm ridding now ! Simple , with Ample everything and good fuel millage , but not a lot of excess . :) A real Front fender ! 8-) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by ThumperPaul on 03/25/24 at 07:11:45 Nice! That should polish up like an old penny! You NEED another project! I'm bidding on this 2022 Royal Enfield Himalayan tomorrow. Auction bike with salvage title. I checked it out in person last week and the damage is the front end, but not the forks or triple tree, justs headlight, turn signals, instrumentation cluster, windscreen, mounts, etc. We'll see if I can get it for the right price. I've been wanting to play with and experience one of these bikes. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by MMRanch on 03/25/24 at 07:45:12 Hay Paul Even if the forks are a little bent , RE parts a cheep even New from India ! ;) E bay is full of RE parts ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 03/25/24 at 08:06:31 See what spring does ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by ThumperPaul on 03/25/24 at 08:47:31 Hey MM. I've already been shopping parts on ebay and found a few sellers that are cheaper than others for authentic RE stuff! I've also been researching the weak points of these bikes. The standard organic brake pads and weak master cylinder will be something I want to address (at least get some sintered pads up front). And some company named TEC has a "stage 2" cam that claims a 20% HP gain without other mods or special ECU tuning required -- I find that a bit hard to believe, but they do share a dyno chart (is it legit??). |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by ThumperPaul on 03/25/24 at 08:48:04 684F4E4E56433A0 wrote:
TRUE!! It does something!! 8-) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 03/25/24 at 09:27:29 I have enough project bikes ! Whoops , I said it. Seems whenever I say that someone dumps another in my front yard , like some recycling center. I pick it apart like monkey picking bugs off another monkey. Dispose of the crap , box anything to be reused and file it in the warehouse. It Spring , Ride season. I can ride the tracker all summer , build in the evening. Friend of mine says I should build the Sportster , I know another tracker. It’s a real solid maybe. All other projects must be dead done before attempting a big project like that. Having never been inside a v-twin , it will take focus to get thru it and a chunk $$$ too ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by ThumperPaul on 03/25/24 at 10:13:03 6C4B4A4A52473E0 wrote:
LOL ;D :o |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by ohiomoto on 03/25/24 at 17:27:26 Everyone has the fever now! Look what you did Ruttly!! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by MMRanch on 03/25/24 at 21:38:55 Hay Paul , did you get the winning bid ? I've got one of those +20% cams in my 350 Meteor. It really show's up in the upper end of the RPM range . So I'm running the DNA air filter set-up , then through the +20% cam , then out the free flowing de-cat muffler. The only thing left to do is put a bigger piston in it ... and there is a 410cc kit available but ... it's fine just like it is ! ;) This bike may be the very essences of Zen ? Its just so easy , so much like a modern Savage with a 4 gal fuel tank ;D ! :) As millions have discovered, the motorcycle is far more than technological fluff. Tooling down the highway on a bike is nearly pure emotion, an elemental, bare-knuckled adrenaline rush. Like few other machines, the motorcycle can make you feel totally alive. The feelings evoked by the motorcycle are so vivid and so powerful, in fact, that it’s become a colossal icon of pop culture, symbolizing values associated with rebellion, power, seduction, high fashion, and escape. Pirsig was right on when he chose it as the embodiment of romantic fantasy. From : Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: http://pages.erau.edu/~pratta/zenweb.htm |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by zevenenergie on 03/26/24 at 07:56:15 It seems like you're on the right path. (Aren't we all) I also enjoy the savage where I don't have to worry about whether a sensor works or not. While driving, my body is the sensor and I enjoy every sensation and the pure joy that driving gives. I am a bit jealous of the beautiful landscape and roads through it that you have at your disposal to get to your zen. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 03/26/24 at 07:59:03 2621202624263D26490 wrote:
Yup , but it’s a good kind of contagious. 8-) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 03/26/24 at 23:59:27 The hubs for the 250 just came back from powder coating. In Alien Silver , with a clear over it. It pops , at first glance they just look shiny , but put it out in the sun. Crazy cool , got to be different. Install new bearings and box them up and send them out for wheels. Was a slow start to the build but it is rapidly picking up momentum. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by LANCER on 03/27/24 at 04:26:45 So your are going for the “deceptively beautiful” look ? [ch129300] |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 03/27/24 at 08:06:18 More like “ Where’s Waldo “ , longer you look the more you see. Had a friend calls my tracker motorcycle porn , gives you that warm fuzzy feeling about my build. I don’t build for recognition, it’s a passion. I don’t build for anyone but me , what looks good to my eye. She is a diamond in the rough and I want to keep some of the rough. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 03/27/24 at 08:37:03 Basically it will look new but the body panels , tank , front fender , side covers will be original paint , the rough part of my new diamond. How ever I have a spare tank and side covers to do a retro oem paint job if I grow tired of the rough look. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 03/27/24 at 14:02:09 Just scored a 2nd engine for the 250 a complete engine (-) points cover and I have a few. It is a stuck engine , I didn’t win Powerball so I’m gambling on this one. One of the pics shows corrosion in intake port and I’m betting piston stuck to cyl. , I can double my $$ parting out the engine , maybe triple my money , making it right or have a spare or another build , maybe a B25MX. Just kidding , no more projects !!! The worst lies are the ones you tell yourself !!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D :D ;D ;D :D |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 03/27/24 at 17:19:52 Safe to say I have enough parts to build the first engine. Safe to say my UPS man hates my guts and the ground I walk on. Love it when he gets the handcart out and cusses at my useless decorative gate , hey I paid big for shipping and I get my money’s worth , not cheap but very amusing ! ;D ;D |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by MMRanch on 03/27/24 at 18:49:27 Ruttly I'll have to cheer for ya for taking on such a task ! I went and bought two - new manufacture - "Retro Bikes" instead of getting an original to restore. So At least your more ambitious than I am . ............... I did do my own valve adjustment on the RE650 today , it took a whole two and a half hours , and 30 minutes on U-tube ! I had to watch two different ones just to be sure they agreed on what to do ! ;D Two cylinders / 4 valves per cylinder , but getting to the Valve cover took most of the time. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 03/27/24 at 23:09:10 Yeah , This build was OOC from the get go and now has full head of steam , a clear vision of the project. I’m a freak , I live for this stuff. She will be a special bike. Sold my spare tool box and some other stuff too ! Every square foot matters , little by little , the shop gets better. Spring time , ,the air is heavy with honeysuckle and old smelly gear oil ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Dave on 03/28/24 at 04:22:55 Spring is a bit slow to arrive in KY....it was in the upper 40's and cloudy most of the day yesterday. The sun didn't show up until late afternoon and bumped the temperature over 50 for a few hours. I spent the morning washing the new bike, cleaning paint and chrome. It cleaned up well for a bike that is 52 years old and has 63,000 miles on it. The only non-original part on the bike is the seat - the rest of the bike is in amazing shape for a bike this old. It is very respectable for being around so long! After the Texas trip I will begin the work to get it running. It needs a battery, the fuel tank cleaned up....and likely a carb cleaning. I have never worked on BING carbs before. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 03/28/24 at 07:55:49 Wow she looks great ! It has stood the test of time and has wonderful vintage look ! But it looks so good it’s hard to tell it’s 50+ yrs old. It has a good home that’s for sure. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 03/28/24 at 12:06:24 It’s beautiful, cant stop lookin at it. Never owned a German m/c. Everyone should own a vintage bike to go with all their other bikes. I love vintage bikes , rolling history. Maybe a new his/hers seat and your ready for summer. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 03/28/24 at 12:37:01 Good job Dave ! Ready for The Concourse De Elegance ( with a stock seat ) She is gorgeous , a museum piece , RIDE IT , she has many more miles to give. You will make friends at every stop , just like the Savage does. Pure unadulterated Porn ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 03/29/24 at 09:48:46 That seat was stolen from a Norton , pretty sure anyways. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Dave on 03/29/24 at 12:39:12 604746465E4B320 wrote:
The seat is a Corbin. The mounting hardware fits the R75/5, and the bottom of the seat has been formed to fit the BMW frame. The front hinge is missing - Corbin will not sell me a hinge and will only sell the complete mounting kit for $80....probably $100 by the time I pay taxes and shipping! I believe I am going to copy the back hinge and make myself one! I have the original stock seat that was modified, and a pair of saddlebags that came with the bike. I will mount them and take a photo - both the seat and saddlebags scream "1970's"! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 03/29/24 at 16:20:24 Corbin makes sense , it was a custom Norton I saw with that seat. Even with the Corbin seat , it fits , era correct too! It’s so hard to find a survivor that is that original. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 03/30/24 at 10:22:46 Since I started the 250 project I keep bumping into my spare savage engine. And everytime I look at it I wonder if it would fit in the BSA frame. Wonder no more I saw a pic with a BSA with a Savage engine. Tried to capture the pic with no luck. Another possible project. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 03/30/24 at 10:50:46 Powder coated hubs are loaded with new bearings , still need to be boxed up & shipped out for wheels. A few small items to finish up then I have to concentrate on the exhaust & frame (fab work) so it can get to powder coater too. Boxes of stuff ready for the roller. Forks , triple trees , carburetor & big box with all new electrical items. Only a few things left to buy to complete assembly when time comes. This build nowhere near as complicated as the tracker , but still presents me with it own set of issues. Every piece , every nut & bolt , complete and still shooting for end of this year. I know I could finish her much faster , every piece , every nut & bolt , deserves some love. I’m confident love given now will be returned ten fold somewhere later in the project or somewhere down the road ! 8-) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Dave on 03/30/24 at 13:41:30 6D4A4B4B53463F0 wrote:
How is this for 70's funky?! The stock seat was modified in a king/queen fashion.....and the saddlebags were decorated by somebody doing some kind of mushroom! ;D |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by LANCER on 03/30/24 at 19:39:21 That is a beautiful specimen Dave. One of my son-in-laws inherited a ‘70’s model airhead from his dad, and it looked a lot like yours except it had a fairing. Nice bikes. My daughter had an early ‘80’s K-75 I think, it’s the 3 cylinder inline triple, very smooth and plenty of power. Both are very nice to ride. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by MMRanch on 03/30/24 at 20:29:10 Wow Dave , that's a very comfortable looking ride ! I've got a Black Seat cover like that one , and I'll never use it if you might need it ? Still in the original box . I got it for an old Gold Wing (1982) buddy but it was about 1.5 inches too short for his seat pan. :) ............. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 03/30/24 at 21:54:16 Time capsule for sure ! Love the artwork ! Is that the kick starter that t-handle behind the shifter ? I know many would slap a windshield on it , not me. Ride it just like that. It oozes vintage cool like a snail leaves a trail , think I can smell it ten states away. Vintage stuff always has an aire. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 03/31/24 at 07:56:38 Both my BSA’s have that smell too ! My favorite vintage smell is the smell of an old guitar shop. All those exotic woods , different finishes. My guitar room smells the same , if you open a case and leave it , I can smell the difference and sometimes I can tell you what guitar is out of the case without looking. I always stop at guitar shops to look , nah , to smell ! My other passion is working on guitars , absolutely no room for error , incredible amount of detail is required , unbelievably frustrating , down right scary at times. Over my head and so challenging, every build I say no more that’s the last one. Till I hear it and then hear it played by someone with real talent. It must be the challenge , never make a profit , can’t seem to give it up , more failure than success , but hones problem solving skills and resolve to see a project to the finish. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Dave on 03/31/24 at 09:00:23 That is not likely nostalgia you are smelling from the BMW. More likely it is the gas that has been in the tank since 2015! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 03/31/24 at 17:56:59 Looks like 2nd hand pancake syrup ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 03/31/24 at 22:17:41 Excellent weed killer for the cracks in the pavement |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 04/01/24 at 11:11:51 My SR500 has real old fuel , gel , I don’t want to think about it. It’s been 20 yrs. It’s on the board hopefully soon , get it running , new tires , a buddy wants it and it’s time for it to move into the light of day. 40 over HC piston , cam ported head , Mikuni VM36 & a White Bros header with super trap. Might need jetted too. It will break the ton in a grand fashion. At least 107+ mph , whooping up on its bigger brother the tracker ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 04/04/24 at 08:35:20 My spare engine showed up today. Really good packaging ! 82+ lbs , I saw him pull up so I met him at the curb with my dolly. Well as suspected piston rusted to cyl. Intake & cylinder full of corrosion and rust. Other than that it’s very complete only points cover is missing. Super simple engines to build but for now it’s getting cylinder lubed and then bag it up. Spare parts if I need it , if not I’ll build it for a spare. Ooh , That Smell |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 04/04/24 at 10:24:57 Think I might be the owner of a wrecked BSA B50MX. Another clip from my childhood , the very first BSA I ever seen. 1974-75 all the low lands were being built on so we migrated to the hills to ride. A day I will never forget. We were riding the ridge behind San Francisco County Jail. The road up was paved , it lead up to an old radar station for targeting with Niki Missles , missle base was on the next ridge. Must have been 15-20 bikes , easy trails & monster hill climbs , people wot on the paved roads , then it happened a head on collision bikes & bodies flying , B50 MX vs Yamaha 250 , the faster heavier BSA won the impact. Folds the Yamaha frame , both bikes totaled. Don was on the BSA , Ralph on the Yamaha , both riders down Ralph’s leg broken , bones sticking thru his skin and clothing. No cel phones back then , 2 riders went for help. We all stayed with them till police and ambulances showed up then we were gone ! I was riding a Honda 90 that day. When my buddy asked if I wanted it , I asked him where it came from. When he said it was Don’s bike ,I said I was there when it was wrecked 49 yrs ago. Crazy $hit that now 2 bikes from the past have found their way home. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 04/04/24 at 11:02:58 I have yet to see what is left on the 500mx , see if anything is salvageable. Hopefully the frame is straight , have my doubts , it was an extremely violent crash. I’m just amazed it exists ! Yard art , wall hanger , project if it’s straight. I do not have room and I do not need another project however a 250MX would be a worthy build. Destiny that the 250 came home but I haven’t a clue why the 500mx. There is a reason why some things happen , so if offered I will give it a home and then wait to find out why it has come to my home. Cause there is a reason ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 04/05/24 at 06:31:45 Even my buddy liked my idea of a BSA B25MX project. If it comes to be it will be built on the cheap. No reckless spending. As a distant project on the cheap , gives me time to more efficiently gather what is needed. I’m sure it’s coming home with me , but no details have been worked out yet. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 04/07/24 at 08:49:57 So I got frame on the workbench , tank , seat , side covers , engine is bolted in. 2 header pipes , 3 mufflers and determined to not use stock muffler. Only combination that fits real good is oem stuff. So put all that away and start from scratch. BSA parts surfin as usual and found a NOS BSA C15 down swept chrome header. Even has tape on it from the sixties with Bob Chaves BSA/YAMAHA dealer from San JOSE , CA and phone number doesn’t have an area code. C15 is an earlier 250 , so it’s a gamble if it fits but it is the correct diameter. So much prefer a down swept pipe , all but my trials bike have down swept pipes. I’ll have to be very creative on this part , exhaust is huge part of the styling. Has to be clean , has to be era correct or be so different you won’t be able to tell if its era correct. This will be a task but will also make it pop when done if it looks like the vision in my head. Intake will be easy , longer carb studs for finned carb spacer with a new WASSELL carb with aluminum velocity stack with a Uni foam air filter. Spacer & carb fit perfect while stack & filter will be shrouded behind side covers , no problems there lots of room , looks fantastic. I’ll be happy if exhaust looks as good as the intake. Using a 30 mm carb , up from a 28 mm. Head has been ported so a better flowing exhaust & bigger carb should help the little thumper get down the road with a bit more confidence. Fabrication & welding not my high points but I have no fear moving forward that this bike will be freakin Kool ! 8-) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 04/08/24 at 11:10:09 Not doing so well , exhaust is taxing my imagination. Went from being a black kinda oem/vintage to totally new (nos) chrome header with a chrome muffler. Only reason I’m stressing is once exhaust is done and fitted then last round of powder coat can go out. By then wheels will be done. Yup , it’s getting closer to a roller ! I’ll finish intake side today. Stack of boxes that hold finished sub assemblies is growing. Just the thought of it being a roller gets my heart pounding. It’s very busy at the Spring Fever Garage ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 04/09/24 at 01:42:08 Intake is mostly done. Replaced stock studs with 2 1/2” studs trimmed to 2 5/16 , 1” thick aluminum finned carb spacer , new 30mm Wassel/Amal , 3” polished aluminum velocity stack & a 3 x 4 Uni foam filter. The set up is a bit long but it touches nothing and has good clearance. With the filter removed and at wot you can look thru it all and see the intake valve. One long straight shot right into the cylinder. The finned spacer is for a 26mm carb , so I got to hog the hole out just a bit to 30mm , then the intake side is done. Back at the exhaust , have an idea for the baffle. It’s not gonna fab itself up for me ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 04/09/24 at 10:34:23 I’m waiting to see how much welding will be needed. Building a support for a new gate and any fab work for exhaust. PIA getting welder out and set up so I try to cluster all the welding projects together. Saves a lot of time and cleanup time too. Wish I had a lathe , no , cause then I would want a mill too. No room for all that. I think I do just fine with what I have. It shouldn’t be too easy , your blood , creativity , sweat , failures all add up to the sum of your labors and then you get to ride it , just doesn’t get any better than that. I don’t build for recognition , I simply want to ride what I build. No better appreciation than stepping back and gaulking at your own bike and no matter how hard you try to control it , here it comes that wave of pride crashes over your head and washes the build away , TIME TO RIDE !!! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 04/11/24 at 11:45:23 Header pipe I bought is badas$ but will require some modification. My instinct was right to abandon stock setup completely. The down swept header pipe is so sexy over stock oem , doesn’t block side view of engine. The half pint thumper has a wonderful shape to it and getting that oem header out of that picture does it wonders. While it doesn’t quite fit , it is the perfect bend super sexy just need it to go under the right foot peg lug on the frame. So I’ll cut this nos vintage header as a sacrifice , a show of dedication and resolve. Cut and add in a section , design a lower support , fab a baffle to fit inside muffler. Muffler will clamp on for easy replacement. Down swept pipe has a much straighter/easier bends for a less restrictive path. All it is , is a bent pipe , no flanges , so when my prototype is done I’ll have one bent to match out of one section of pipe and then have it chromed ! A phototype to continue building and eventually a custom one off chrome header for a finished bike. Way too much effort ? Maybe ! But it will be a defining part of this build. Much of the build was to keep as much oem as possible , but here is where that ends. With a custom intake side and a ported head the exhaust side must perform as well. However it is my intention to have a chrome exhaust with real sexy bends that might be mistaken for a oem header. Cam is the personality , it defines what your engine is capable of , so max rpm is set by it. Since I’m not changing it , I only have carb & exhaust to gain throttle response. Think I got it covered. Yeah when you start the build it’s all you but as it goes on it always begins to take on a life of its own. As if we’re bigger than you and now it’s telling you how to proceed. I may be hella sick but I’m in my element and recognize when I’m no longer in control. Might be where I do my best work. Stop thinking and mulling over it , let it tell me what’s next. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 04/11/24 at 16:12:41 As bad as I want to ride this bike , if it takes a year to get the exhaust perfect it will be worth the wait. Seriously something wrong in my head. Just put a collar and a leash on me , let the build take me for walk. It’s leading me down the road to Perfection ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by ohiomoto on 05/02/24 at 19:48:36 Wait, where did Ruttly go? :-? |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 05/13/24 at 22:23:04 Alive and well. Like I always say “life gets in the way of building bikes”. Overwhelmed with crap and some health issues. My youngest daughter just gifted the world with a 7 1/2 lb baby boy this morning , grand child #7. Got though a lot of hurdles , still have one major hurdle left to crush. Won’t be so bad now I can concentrate on it , as 3 other problems are now filed. And feeling better too. Guess I was awol for a month. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 05/14/24 at 09:26:15 250 project still moving forward. Some changes , mainly the tail light. Was going to use a small Lucas tail light but it isn’t oem but it is british. It doesn’t have much character and oem sticks out so far it always taking the hit. So I found an earlier 650 Lucas beehive tail light with cast aluminum housing , absolutely stunning and doesn’t stick out at all. Still fussing with exhaust , bought a 6’ section of 1 3/8 , only needed maybe 4” , but what’s left will get bent & chromed into a proper header. Send hubs out this week for wheels. Slowed up a bit but moving forward. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Michael Moore on 05/14/24 at 11:23:54 "1970 BSA B50MX 500cc single vintage flat tracker/ TT." I had one that I used for vintage MX at the end of the 80s/beginning of the 90s. The power is fun, the big problem was all the BSA parts on it. :-) http://https://motoconstructor.com/graphics/mmatraces/mmb501.jpg I cleared out all the vintage stuff some years ago, but I still have PDFs of the B50 service/parts manuals, service sheets and various road tests if you need them. If your bike has the ET magneto ignition you can make it start easier by switching to the 120w full circle stator and the regular B50T advancer. The ET needs the points timed to the maximum output of the small stator and it doesn't retard the ignition much for starting. I used to sell the Lucas RITA ignitions and high-output alternators at the Clubman BSA Shows with my little Euro Spares side business, you might have seen me there. Getting rid of the points with a good electronic ignition is a big help. cheers, Michael |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by ohiomoto on 05/14/24 at 17:27:00 Glad to hear you're on your way back Ruttly |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 05/14/24 at 22:27:45 Thanks , things getting better. Garage is trashed , more than normal. Time to get back on track. All projects officially behind schedule. Had tracker out the other day , joyride , surprisingly I actually used rear brake , I could hear the spokes. Gotta pull the wheels anyways for tires , send the wheels out. New Continentals and tubes here , remove 404s and I may not like them but it’s a great tire , bit of a truck tire but it is tough at a fair price. I’ll be using 404s on the 250 project. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 05/14/24 at 23:23:52 My B50 TT bike has the 1/3 of a stator with 3 volt coil , a big Mallory condenser with stock points. The 5 degree advance unit welded , not advanced , with timing set on the snap , a happy medium between an easy bump start and hang the Phuk on. Good for racing ! Very era correct but front caliper and the grips , it’s only important to me to keep it vintage. The 250 will have a electric ignition to eliminate the points. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 05/15/24 at 20:11:52 The piston I ordered arrived undamaged and holy crap it’s so small and it’s a 40 over piston a bit over a mm bigger than std. I got used to 500cc and up. It’s kinda cute ! Big crank , long stroke , 250 , bout the size of marshmallow. It will truly be the essence of motorcycling. The kinda bike you spend time and effort gathering up speed and at that point you don’t dare touch the brakes , cause it’s more about speed management and trust in your tires. So cool when your buddies are waiting for you to brake and you don’t , not even a flicker from the brake light. I have a spare engine and another cylinder that I got cheap in case of rust damage. Looking forward to the engine build/reseal. Back on the exhaust. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 05/16/24 at 15:06:54 I bought a emgo throttle a 1/4 turn sidepull similar only in appearance to the old Maico/HUSKY/KTM. I should have known “ Emgo “ in another language stands for the 1st in quality on some other planet. Emgo should only be your last choice on this planet , check the box “your only choice”. Anyways with the small displacement the 1/4 turn throttle should help a tad. Cable is next , always a barrel of laughs ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 05/18/24 at 10:09:20 Oh yes , all those hole shots , 0-60 runs , jumps , wheelies and all that other Ruttly abuse has taken its toll on that rear wheel. When I first put it together it would bark the rear tire on the shift to second. De tuned/retuned to be fun to ride. But years of abuse have caught up. I heard a weird noise on braking , then killed engine at speed and applied rear brake only , almost like an old mechanical typewriter. It’s limited to cruising the neighborhood, , just to clear my head till I can fix it. I can smell those new Continentals already , say good bye to the 404s. And hello to gettin stupid on a new set of tires ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 05/19/24 at 14:17:08 Today I went shopping at produce stands , stop at them all. Next thing I know I’m thirty miles from home and heading east. In a town up the hill a bit just a joyride , I could just keep going. Perfect weather , bike delivering satisfaction like water from a faucet , someday I may ride off and be gone. Just not today , but one day ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 05/28/24 at 23:17:01 My 3rd day without caffeine in 60 years , one would think I’d be all relaxed but no , I just want to destroy something ! Agitated to put it lightly ! I miss my coffee , must be my drama queen side. Next cup of Joe I have should have me flying low and side ways. Maybe I’ll find a healthier alternative. But for now it’s a no caffeine diet. Coffee , tea , pop & my wife’s awesome coffee ice cream too. I’m sure I’ll find a not so healthy alternative too! Decaf is better , still not a great option. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 05/30/24 at 23:30:21 Warm weather settin in , tire changing season is here ! So far , 2 off & 2 on the tracker , 1 of the take offs will go on the rear of the SR500. And 2 mounts on the new 250 rims. Only 3 dismounts and 5 mounts & balance. I’ll have to find a matching front tire for the SR500. Fresh tires on 3 bikes that should be enough for this year ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 05/31/24 at 18:00:06 Well I finally got my powder coated hubs in the mail and on the way to Buchanan’s. Oh woe is me , the bill ! Excel rims stripped and polished with polished SS spokes & nipples. Order up tires tonight Dunlop 404’s. The mocked up chassis still crouching on top of my work bench. It being a roller is still a ways off. But that day will be here before I know it. It may only be a worthy project in my book , idk ! It will be my vintage half pint thumper for Sunday mornings. With the stock seat that is wide and comfy a 200-300 mile ride will satisfy my need for adventure. Specs say its does 80 mph and is capable of 80 mpg. 75 & 75 will suit me ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 06/05/24 at 12:50:35 Won’t see my wheels back till next week , maybe. Tubes , strips & 1 tire here. The other tire be here soon and 100 degree weather , my free ,all natural tire softener. Dig out my tire tools and barrel see if I still got it ! It’s a good thing to start with installs rather than fighting one that been on the rim for 5 years ! Today drilling handlebars for Ox Eye turn signals. 8-) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 06/07/24 at 20:13:31 All tires , tubes & strips here now , waiting on new wheels to come back. Went with a smaller set of Dunlop 404’s for the 250 a 100/90-18 up front and a 110/90-18 outback. Lighter than the 404’s on the tracker , a great tire for the price , a great tire period ! Can’t wait to mount them on the new rims. Think I pooped a bit when the invoice came in , top shelf stuff. Gettin there , maybe a month behind schedule , shootin for 1/1/25 . |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 06/14/24 at 02:29:48 I may be waiting possibly for another 2-3 weeks till new rims hit my doorstep. It might be a good thing , now I have to move forward with the exhaust. Man up and gitrdun ! Make no mistake , It will sound like a BSA , maybe with a touch of Evinrude. Remember it’s only a stock 250 , a pushrod engine too ! Employing some old technology to move my butt down the road with this one , but it being over 50 years old will endlessly supply my need for adventure. Everytime out on any bike is an adventure but heading out on a BSA will have a special appeal ! Yeah I know I’m an idiot , but it will be my new old adventure bike , street scrambler. The RE 350s will be a good test for the half pint thumper , pretty much doing the speed limit and keeping up will be a success ! ;D ;D ;D |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 06/25/24 at 10:30:27 Falling further & further behind on the 250. These damm kidney stones are taking up my wrench time and then another day of recovery. Passed a huge stone today , I really hope that it but not too optimistic. Crazy thing is you kinda get used to the pain. But I never want to do that again , pain intense enough to buckle me at the knees. Gettin old isn’t for wimps. Quite literally pain so intense at times a minute or two then you feel endorphins kicking in to ease the pain , a true roller coaster of pain ! Just be glad I don’t post pics , cause she’s a whopper. Take it to the lab for analysis. Hope your day is pain free my friends ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Michael Moore on 06/25/24 at 13:00:34 BSA = Bastard Stopped Again :) I can't say I've got much desire for "adventure", I'm all for comfort and zero hassle! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by LANCER on 06/25/24 at 15:42:33 7C5B5A5A42572E0 wrote:
I feel for you dude, during my 30’s & 40’s I had 3 separate bouts with those little suckers. Yep, they can be intense. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 06/25/24 at 21:53:57 The stupid thing measured 18 mm long & 9 mm thick , almost bullet shaped. I have no idea what an average size is for a stone. Pretty sure it would break a window with a slingshot. Have a small scale but it’s so small I couldn’t find it. I hoping for a better day tomorrow ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Michael Moore on 06/25/24 at 23:08:17 Wow, that puts my largest at about 6-7mm on the longest axis to shame! I've been having them several times a year for 45 years and just a few minutes ago expelled a 1mm crystal. Luckily, most of them are mostly annoying/uncomfortable, but I've had an ER visit or two and some periods of "when will it stop?" pain. The only thing that would compare to your stone would be a cystoscopy camera used to look in the bladder, and usually it is the tight section from the kidney to the bladder in the ureters that gets the worst pain. I hope this is not something that you experience again! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by MMRanch on 06/26/24 at 10:07:33 Kidney Stones ... Didn't the British Navy give their folks "LIMES" to keep Skivvy to a minimum ? Citrus also keeps ya from getting Kidney Stones. Knowledge is Power ! Not that I would know anything about Knowledge or anything close to it !! ::) But , don't suffer when you know the cure . :) I'd have a hard time building a long term project ... I need to ride somewhere everyday. Heck , today I've got a Lawnmower ride :P , then a Bike ride :) :) lined up for this afternoon. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 06/27/24 at 22:33:02 I haven’t heard back from my Dr. or the lab results yet. But I haven’t felt this good in 3 years ! The lady at the lab looked at the stone and with some disbelief she asked me , you passed this in your urine ? Yes I did , she says you poor thing. So feeling good I decided to dismount a 50 yr old Dunlop K70 the I’ve been cooking in the sun for a week of 100+ days. It was fun , needed a refresher course. Today I got the email my 250 wheels are on the way home from Buchanan’s , be here Friday afternoon. Tires ready to go , more fun for tomorrow night. 8-) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by zevenenergie on 06/28/24 at 01:11:33 As you get older you drink less, which is not good. The savage is stiff and makes stones come loose, which is a good thing. (you need stone free kidneys). If you drink 2 liters of water per day, you will lose more fluid, so you will become slimmer and therefore less air resistance. This makes you drive faster over bumps, and therefore loses kidney stones faster. No soft drinks with phosphorus. and easy on the salt. It sounds crazy but you are crying with your kidneys. So watch bamby twice a week and you excrete the salt and minerals that would otherwise form kidney stones. If you are human and have a slight curve. Then it is better to wear suspenders than a belt. Last but not least, practice loud farts in public places. Don't save them for your old age. Turn your fart into thunder. http://https://i.imgur.com/Lc59gvvl.png Biden sets the tone. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by MMRanch on 06/28/24 at 06:40:38 Ruttly posted : Today I got the email my 250 wheels are on the way home from Buchanan’s , be here Friday afternoon. .......................... I really like the K-70 tire's and would like to have them on all my bikes but they are so limited in sizes ! :( So , Dunlop 404's is what I'm thinking for replacements next time . ................ I'm glad your getting to move on with the project ! :) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 06/28/24 at 07:54:00 I drink enough and only water,juice,milk and very little alcohol. No soda , maybe 10 to 12 soda a year, just recently cut out caffeine too. Back to orange juice too. Enough sugar & salt in everything so I cut out sugar & salt too. K70 has always been a great tire , but the 404 is a tough tire that can that loves the abuse , stops great. Kind of a truck tire compared to performance tires with softer sidewalls , but it’s got really good grip. Think you would be content on 404’s. I’ve never liked the looks of the tire , but it performs well at a decent price. I like Dunlops. Im gonna go bake a set in that 100+ heat. They will slip right on my new wheels for the 250. Tracker has a set of Continentals waiting , soon. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 06/29/24 at 04:07:02 So my new rims made it home yesterday but all I had time for was open the box and sneak a peak. We had some family over yesterday. I got up early to finish chores early and then family, by the time they left . I had dinner went to bed early. Up early today , I’ll get those tires mounted up today. Hats off to Buchanan’s , the wheels are incredible ! I wanted the wheels to stand out while looking stock , well kind of. Hubs had casting ridges polished down before powder coat. I thought I screwed up with my color choice , thinking it would look cheap or trendy , wasn’t cheap and looks crazy cool , kinda unique. Inside hubs almost look stock but shiny , but roll it out in the sun and the “alien silver” hubs light up in the sun. Used same color for trim on the tracker. New wheels highly polished aluminum rims , spokes & nipples with those hubs , they really pop in the sun but almost look stock when inside. Both brake backing plates are p/c in a 80% black (satin look). I can see a finished bike in my sick warped mind. I’m confident it will turn some heads and generate grins ! 8-) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 06/29/24 at 04:44:49 I really didn’t need/want this build but as usual it has taken on a life of its own. And it has gotten deep under my skin and into my soul , just as deep into my wallet ! But now I see it as the perfect build at the perfect time ,now I realize I absolutely needed this build ! Keeping me sane and moving in a positive direction. Having huge fun with this build. Can’t wait for that first ride and all the grins that go with it. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 06/30/24 at 10:12:23 New shoes on the new wheels. Dunlop 404s cause its a half pint I went with a smaller set of 18” with a 110/90-18 for the rear and a 100/90-18 out front. Rear was fairly easy to mount , the front tire with smaller size was a formidable opponent. My arms got a good workout , still feeling it today. Less weight and less drag with the smaller tires. New wheels not dramatically lighter with the aluminum rim but still a noticeable difference. But a lot of extra time & care was used due to new highly polished rims. New shocks arrived from Spain too , black body with chrome springs & keepers , Betor makes really nice shocks have some on my trials bike too. Gettin closer to a rolling chassis beside powder coating I think the only part I need is a new rear sprocket , get it ordered on Tuesday. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 06/30/24 at 10:47:56 Part of original plan was to lower the suspension , it was a Victor model converted to the SS model. Both models use a rear 18”” but front went from 20” to a 18”. I lowered front fork about 3/4” and new shocks a bit shorter too. Was shooting for getting crank centerline below the axle centerline for a low COG. It all should give it a unique stance. With improved suspension & improved brakes on some durable 404s & tastefully lowered she will be big fun on the twisties ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 07/02/24 at 08:52:08 While some here are at a pinnacle of frame or engine building , no need to name anyone. And then comes Ruttly with my jack of all trades approach of building. Let me tell you self doubt is a project killer ! To set goals as your building last nights dream , be sure to include a few things outside of your comfort zone , way outside. Something you haven’t done before. Ok to seek help , part of the learning curve. For example , I hate building exhaust but yet I force myself to build exhaust , cause it’s part of the vision , you can’t skip anything in you vision. I also hate polishing , but I like the shine ! Study photos of other builds , ok to steal ideas , build in your mind then achieve your goals. Without pushing you skills to new heights , your build will suffer. Incorporate at least 2 out of your comfort zone items , it will give it identity and your personal stamp , in return you get a chunk of pride to chew on while out riding your creation ! Each project will present some issues to resolve , then throw a few dream items to complicate the build and your on your way ! 8-) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 07/08/24 at 08:20:26 Killer heat here for over a week so all rides are early. Yesterday’s outing must have been a good ride cause my butt & hip are still telling me all about it ! New roads lead to more new roads after an hour of the same roads took a different turn and found some roads out near the river , levy roads , fun exploring. Due to the early rides ya got to be respectful keep it quiet near the houses on a Sunday morning. I like riding as soon as the night begins to fade. Still warm 75 at 4:30 am so no dew dry warm roads. Came to a intersection green painted wood scattered all over , too late just went thru a cloud of honey bees. That was the first bee hive painted any color other than white I’ve ever seen. Not one sting , the bike collected a few. All the honey had been run over , luckily I didn’t ride thru it. Great ride , new area to explore. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 07/09/24 at 19:32:05 Last few rides have left me thinking it’s time to start a new list for Gen 3 tracker. Gen 1 was predominately R&D/ test n tune , working the bugs out. Big fun still remember the best day of riding in 55 years. Gen 2 evolution continues to get better. Still find room for improvement. Gen 3 Will start with 3rd wiring harness upgrade mod. Eliminate current GPS speedo ,add the $7 Chinese GPS speedo( no option speedo) shows speed only no odometer. Fab an idiot light panel with high beam,turn signals,neutral with something that can be seen in daylight. Might even try some Tomaselli Condor cafe bars on it just to make Dave nervous. Also considering some Ox Eye turn signals ( on the wide bars ) & eliminate current front turn signals , rear t/s are incorporated into dual tail light. Going for a more streamlined look , only a small mirror , very bare , very narrow except the bars. The lightest version yet. No performance improvements , none needed maybe repack muffler core. It’s not super light , about 315 lb , but she is built tough , as my daily bike it gets the snot run out of her. No doubt , I love the bike. Named “the Healer” , she heals a troubled mind & soul , all you need is a gallon of gas and some old farm roads. At times I think it may be the only thing saving my sanity ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 07/20/24 at 01:46:57 My wheels from Buchanan’s with the new Dunlop 404s just got the finishing touch , a new custom rear sprocket. Stocker was a solid 52 tooth steel in a 520. Rebel Gears in TN has done many sprockets for me , always above & beyond expectations. They listen , communicate and execute , 5 star customer service. Anyways UPS handed me the package , ran inside cut it open , amazed as usual not just a flat aluminum sprocket but a 52 tooth in a 520 , cut to fit with 5 bolt holes , a slight step down before the teeth and an extra twenty beveled weight relieving holes. Super light , simply beautiful. Fair but not cheap , but it is custom , you want cheap shop Amazon ! Low , slow & shiny 8-) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by MMRanch on 07/20/24 at 19:32:36 I had an Aluminum sprocket on my 350 right after I got it. The standard was 42 tooth steel and I replaced it with a 40 tooth Aluminum . It was good while it lasted. Aluminum wears quick ! It lasted about 10,000 miles . I still had the steel 42 tooth steel , so I put it back on and picked up a 16 front to replace the 15 steel that wore out the 40 tooth aluminum. So it kept +- the same Higher gear ratio . Now I found a Belt Drive system to go on it ... but it only comes in the 15/42 ratio so I'm back to standard gearing ... but it's belt drive now. The 350 is a little over 18,000 miles now and doing great ! It would be good to have a 250cc companion to go run the Dragon with ? Deals Gap is only 5 or 6 hours putt-putt ride from my house ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by MMRanch on 07/20/24 at 19:40:09 Hay Ruttly Your 250 is older than 1972 isn't it ? |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by ohiomoto on 08/03/24 at 16:30:44 I know where JOG is, but where did Ruttly go? This fever can't be cured. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 08/10/24 at 09:08:19 Yes MM it’s a 1971 and I would be honored to ride with you. However I haven’t a clue if I’ll ever get there. The exhaust is almost finished , once it done the frame , swingarm and all the small parts , off to the powder coater they go. That damm kidney stone put me about 3 months behind schedule. Now playing catch up , hope to have a rolling chassis by end of September. Get it off my workbench so I can reseal the engine. At least one bolt a day ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 08/10/24 at 09:22:16 I’m still alive Moto. Seems I may be having adverse reaction to quitting caffeine. I’m slowly gettin thru it , when I feel low I sneak a cup of Joe then all is well. No reason for depression, but quitting caffeine , addictive personality. It more of a chemical imbalance my body hasn’t had in 55 yrs. Caffeine addict , I’m a junkie , I just use the cup not the needle. LOL |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 08/10/24 at 09:47:04 Header was made from 2 different new headers I cut and welded together. It’s very cool , downpipe has some sexy bends. Fab up 2 brackets and weld them on and get it bead blasted. Paint it with some high heat flat black. The black pipe will pop against the light grey frame and the half pint engine. She will be a bit of an odd girl but will partner up with the tracker perfect. My skin crawls like a good horror movie when I think about buying a new cookie cutter bike. Next full build will be my Sportster in 2026. I want everything else Done before I start that project for sure. In the meantime finish the rest . |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 08/10/24 at 23:34:23 Fabbed up the repackable core. It will fit inside header and be held in place by the tailpipe. One bolt to remove and service core. Header is a tad longer than stock , Should save 3 to 5 lbs over stock exhaust and flow way better. And the down pipe is :o stunning in my eyes. Total disregard to anyone’s opinions at this point , it’s all about ME ! Pile of stuff ready to bolt on gets bigger and bigger. Another box of labeled bags of hardware. Moto knows there is no cure. 8-) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by ohiomoto on 08/11/24 at 16:18:38 :) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 08/12/24 at 11:31:04 The 250 project may be behind schedule but is nearing 2 critical legs of the journey. Assembly of chassis and resealing engine. Chassis should be a relatively quick & easy. Resealing the engine I rebuilt some 40 years ago without installing a big bore kit or a performance cam. Stock bore & cam will have to do , Book says 25 H/P , 80 mph & 80 mpg ( not bad for a 1971 ). Curious to see if I made any mistakes on assembly , found one thing so far. Every piece will be cleaned & some pieces polished. Super simple tear down & build. I have a spare engine that needs rebuilt , I’ll build that after the bike is completed. Target date is still 1/1/25. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by TheSneeze on 08/16/24 at 21:26:32 Ya know, Rutt - I still have that header you said you wanted. ::) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 08/17/24 at 11:28:13 I almost ordered a set of Tomaselli Condor cafe bars for the 250 project. Would be a dramatic change. Also considered using some performance tires too ! I know I could get the 250 by a lot of bikes of larger displacement in the twisties. I can see tiny beads of sweat on Dave’s forehead as he reads this , cause he knows. Wouldn’t be fare a 650 & 650 , I like the odds of a 250 schooling a 650 on how to hold your line. As getting passed on the inside can be discouraging , while being passed on the outside by a 250 might be something your ego will have to deal with for a spell ! 8-) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Dave on 08/18/24 at 08:43:30 507776766E7B020 wrote:
If you get to choose the weapons.....I get to choose the location. ;) I can find plenty of really twisty roads with steep uphill climbs where the torque of the 650 is a huge plus! My Cafe' bike only requires a twist of the throttle coming out of the corner to accelerate to the next curve - my 250 Ninja would require shifting down a couple of gears at every corner if I wanted to get any velocity back. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 08/19/24 at 12:21:20 I was right about the tiny beads of sweat. Relax Dave it’s still in pieces. ::) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 09/08/24 at 21:29:48 I out voted myself , the 250 will remain as planned with stupid wide flat track bars and D404s , no cafe bars and racing shoes. D404s are a great all around tire , I would like to try them on a flat track. 250 has the stock seat long , wide & comfy. Also has passenger pegs that act as rear sets in a pinch. Even with wide bars I have room to get tucked in unlike the tracker , very cramped to get tucked in and then I can’t hold that position for long. Had it out for a couple of errands Saturday , got to jump 2 R/R crossings , big fun. She’s a great bike , I love big singles ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 09/19/24 at 04:37:09 Thought I was losing my touch. I bought some inner tubes on amazon a 2fer deal , forget the price. Watoday 4.00-4.10 18 was the brand. So I want to add I haven’t pinched a tube in over 30 years. So mounted a rear tire with one of these tubes , perfect no issues for 5 days. Loading truck for a trip and hear rushing air , 1st tube failure. Return from trip , replace failed tube with the other new tube. Bout 10 days go by , I glance at tire/wheel flat again , 2nd tube failure. These are junk tubes , do not buy these. I use a bit of corn starch in tire and on tube , air , release , air back up to let tube straighten itself in tire. No evidence of being pinched , both tube failed near tread area ! Nowhere near an area where it could have been pinched. Older not as strong as I used to be but still do my own tire work , I enjoy doing tires. Never had such crappy tubes thought I was going crazy ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 09/19/24 at 05:50:23 I figure I lost at least 4 months of build time while being sick with kidney stone. Better now and still trying to stick with 12/31/24 as a completion date even if I know it won’t happen. Hopefully by next year only the wiring and a tune will remain. By spring and if the vintage gods approve the 250 will be Thumpin once again , 40 something years later. It’s been a very satisfying build and it doesn’t even roll yet ! Friends are still shaking their heads and asking why a 250. Everyone of them will beg to ride the half pint and then comeback smiling ! 8-) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 10/19/24 at 23:31:39 I guess summer is winding down , got some good test n tune time today. The tracker needed attention , was trying just hose or a filter and then the deep well nut or stock one. The obvious is the straight fuel line over the filter , no filter almost twice the flow. Comes to the well nut , my not so obvious is the deep well nut from Thunder Products. It must have something to do with turbulence in the float bowl , the deep well nut has a constant and stable supply to the main jet. That all equals up to huge grins when you ride her. New addition to the Spring Fever Garage , well kinda. My 1955 Ford F100 is finally getting its new fuel tank put in. Try to get as much done as possible before the bad weather begins. I quite literally got it out of the woods about thirty miles north of Truckee , CA . I think maybe Sierraville , CA. A survivor truck with a V8 & 4 Speed , first year of the ohv making the flathead obsolete. 239 ci with 113.5 certified H/P but it does have gobs of torque. She’s kinda rough but she’s paid for , she spoke to me when I found her and 5 years later she still talks to me. And here lies the problem , the wife says it needs to go and I agree , but our definitions of go are as far apart as they could possibly be. So I guess tires will be last , cause I’m keeping this old girl , she needs me. A few years back I got rid of another vintage truck that I regret , so I’m gonna sneak one day a week as parts come in. Get her back on the road maybe even stencil the doors with “Spring Fever Garage”. So I just can’t count on another vintage truck falling in my lap again , I can’t let this one go ! When she’s done I’ll sell my ranger and this will be my daily , use it locally for errands and just cruising. Way more reasons to keep her rather than sell her , she is just ol skool cool. Trying to repair rather than replace , keep her stock. A true working survivor. There is a terribly long story on how I acquired the truck , the most dramatic used truck purchase I’ve had. Yes , I will spare you tonight. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 10/20/24 at 08:44:15 Out of parts for the truck so back on the 250 project. A few items need brazing or welding and real soon the last batch of frame , swingarm and all the little pieces will get to the powder coater. And when it all returns , it’s go time. Haven’t a clue where the sixth motorcycle is gonna go , cause I don’t think the bench is long enough. Maybe go buy another lift table , idk. When retired you have to stay busy , not much sittin around. Got way too many projects going at once. I like projects. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 10/21/24 at 05:55:03 I was running some numbers between 250 project and the tracker. Power to weight ratio , it nowhere near accurate without accurate weights and Dyno reports. But none the less the half pint BSA should have a comparable power to weight ratio or better than the tracker. A 650 will always be quicker & faster than a 250 but the field gets somewhat leveled when the P/T/W ratio get tilted in the 250s favor. Not to tough when stock H/P for 650 is 31 and the 250 stock is 25 H/P. Not expecting the half pint to beat a 650 , just keep his mirrors full of BSA ! Idk how much more h/p the port job and custom intake and exhaust will yield , maybe 5 H/P. It won’t be any faster , just more power in the same 0 to 80 mph , where it needs it most. 8-) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Dave on 10/21/24 at 06:51:51 7B5C5D5D4550290 wrote:
Have you been including the weight of the rider and his gear when you do your math? :-? The bike can't do anything without the rider at the controls. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 10/22/24 at 12:22:21 I was thinking of that but neglected to do so. Thinking the same amount of weight added would be close to the same percentage difference. But as things evolve I will get more accurate. Any way you look at it , it’s still a 250 with maybe a max of 30 H/P against the massive flywheel of the Savage and I haven’t a clue on that H/P. She never fails to amaze me with git up n go , power like a faucet , she is a 0-90 beast. Got in a bit of a drag race with Harley bobber shocked his as$ , I was gone while he was spinning the wheel he caught me at 76 mph and was pissed , blew right by me and never looked back. It’s like the bike knows when it’s time to shine , I lost but I also won ! Stupid bike scares me at times , I’ve ridden some really fast bikes and the tracker doesn’t compare but she will let you “ Just Kiss Fast” and give you that thrill. A guy asked me if it was for sale yesterday. I would never sell her , she’s my favorite bike , i could never build another. When you’re low she will pick you up and set you straight on life’s priorities. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by JOG on 10/22/24 at 21:08:11 1/2 pint is 237 ish CC. 250 is 1/4 liter, but show me an American who would get it. Quartet liter just doesn't resonate like half pint. I haven't followed this thread and don't know what bike you're talking about. Where do I need to go back to to pick your story up? |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 10/23/24 at 02:26:35 Half pint started in December 2023 so about page 17 It came home and was tucked in sometime before Christmas 1971 BSA B25T-250 Half Pint |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by ThumperPaul on 10/23/24 at 05:33:38 I can’t drink just a half pint, so I quit drinking all together. Spring fever has struck here in Houston. Lows in the mid 60s. Highs in the mid 80s. I’m riding until the hips and back say STOP and then I keep riding and deal with the pain later. [ch128518] When are you planning to have the BSA road ready? Or did I miss the memo? |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 10/23/24 at 14:04:07 Hopefully Half Pint will make her debut mid to late spring , along with the F100. If I’m gonna ride vintage I might as well drive vintage. But life always make our projects late. Maybe leak a pic or 2 when she’s a roller. Maybe not in anyone else’s eyes but she will be kinda special. Not a vintage to stare at but a vintage to ride the crap out of. 8-) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by JOG on 10/23/24 at 14:42:46 Like this? https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1148465 https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/BSA_B25 Con-rod issues required some design changes. I'm sure you're aware. Good looking little outfit.. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 10/24/24 at 13:06:31 Try 1971 BSA B25SS 250 Gold Star , well let’s say my interpretation of the bike. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by JOG on 10/25/24 at 07:14:26 https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=1971+bsa+b25ss+250+gold+star&id=E10CB6FCC89B7818B32297359462018865D66250&FORM=IQFRBA https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=1971+bsa+b25ss+250+gold+star&id=E10CB6FCC89B7818B32297359462018865D66250&FORM=IQFRBA I'm getting a buncha pics,, Looks flickable. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 10/25/24 at 07:29:26 That be it JOG. Lowered , lightened and in black. Engine just slightly modified, ported head with custom intake & exhaust. Keeping stock piston & cam. But will remain recognizable to a stocker. Didn’t really want another black bike but it just happened that way in that quest for some original paint. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 10/25/24 at 07:51:01 It’s new fuel tank day for the F100. Install & plumb fuel tank , then trim tail pipe I had made yesterday & install that too. It had a bad tail pipe and was dumping exhaust under cab. Now it dumps downward just in front of rear axle using original hanger too. It’s clean and out of he way , can’t wait to hear it , the old V8 runs like a Timex. New brake system come spring , maybe get seat completely repadded/recovered too. Little at a time. She may have got named inadvertently , GOT TETANUS ;D ;D ;D |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 10/25/24 at 23:27:12 Fuel tank is in , sender wired , new filler neck & locking cap. Need a few bolts for running board so off to hardware store in am. Installed new tail pipe too. Center up the tank and tighten it all down and finish plumbing. Add 2 or 3 cans of fuel and fire it off. Next on the list , vacuum out cab remove seat and replace ignition switch & clean up some under dash wiring. Get it to start from inside the cab , instead of era correct hot wired ignition under the hood. It has ignition switch close to center of dash and push button starter of the left. All the lights work , but turn signals don’t flash so it needs a new flasher and maybe some door switches for courtesy light. Then back to the catalog to order the brake stuff. And check for my last tetanus shot ! :o |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 10/26/24 at 08:29:29 I don’t need the truck to go that far , maybe 50 mile radius. A vintage grocery getter , m/c shop , hardware store , small load to the dumps. It don’t have A/C so it’s gonna get warm in summer months. She oozes with history and will gather a few onlookers wherever it get parked. I’ll be sure to dress up the interior and maybe just maybe I’ll get my wife in it for a ride. Totally not her style , demands A/C. I used to love my old International C120 4x4 that I sold , so much fun to drive. I can’t wait to drive the F100 V8 4 speed , pretty sure it will do 55-60 , no power steering or power brakes always make a drive a new adventure. Going for that redneck look , highway tires on the front and a brand new set snow tires on the back. Already known locally cause of the tracker , gonna be a fun ride. It has to be tagged with Spring Fever Garage on the doors , I might even know a guy that paints store fronts , he knows how to free hand anything he sees , he is amazingly skilled. Gotta roll |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 10/27/24 at 07:01:16 It’s around here somewheres, can do the next job without it. Eeww that’s one dusty hat , I guess so it’s been hung up since I retired well over a year ago. That be my electrical hat , given some time and this hat I’ll find , fix it or rewire it. If I have good luck on the F100 , just replacing ignition switch , then my Honda TLR200 has a issue with turn signals. My Sunday morning cup of joe and get busy when the sun comes up. Electrical can be a mind phuck at times , but mostly it’s easy work , helps entertain the brain ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by JOG on 10/27/24 at 17:08:35 Gonna need truck pics. How often do ya downshift instead of hit the brake? |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 10/29/24 at 06:37:44 F100 came with some meager options like a heater , turn signals & illuminated cigarette lighter. It has nothing at one point it may have had a radio cause someone had installed a speaker with a crude grill to cover it. Leave exterior alone , clean & restore interior. I got a phone and a Bluetooth speaker for music that will be all the high tech she gets. It’s gonna have a nice interior, pretty much stock but I’ll have a nice seat made for it will custom cover to my specs. When interior is done I will have exterior lightly sanded and a dull clear coat put on it for preservation. Then drive it every chance I get and sell the Ranger. Ford Ranger are great trucks but I’m sick of rangers I’ve had 3 with a total mileage of way over a million miles , well 2 were Mazdas and I miss my International. So the F100 will become my daily driver , big fun ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 10/29/24 at 07:59:09 So the turn signals and heater fan are inop. A almost totally manual heater. On the engine is a screw valve to turn off water flow to heater , my Scout 800 had same thing but also had a cable valve. I replaced screw valve with a set of ball valves with the lever , now can isolate coolant in heater from engine but intime core will warm up. So to turn heater on open hood , reach in between the “arm burner” exhaust and the spinning fan and the flip levers , close the hood , get in turn on blower motor , get out open passenger door adjust the two manual vent doors , close door , get back in , oh yeah wait for it to warm up while you towel dry the wind shield just to pass the time . Defroster ahh ahh ahhh it has vents coming up and now if you want defrost do the Chinese fire drill again and close vent doors to get more air flow to defroster that is always on anyways. It’s got a fan knob , off then it’s like a volume control , some bad maybe melted wire. For cooling on a hot day turn off the under hood ball valves , turn vent windows in , open vent in front of windshield , big asz bug catcher but it does have a screen that promptly disassembles the bugs and distributes them at you feet. Ford , a better idea ? ;D |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 10/30/24 at 09:16:54 Today might be last dry day for a week or so , just weather man gettin excited about something other than Sun. But do some more on the F100 today then back on Half Pint when it starts raining , some indoor stuff. Try to do the brakes on F100 a bit at a time over the winter and have seat rebuilt. Think I’m gonna make the wife pay for the brakes and call it a Christmas gift. Living dangerously ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by JOG on 10/30/24 at 13:38:14 If it's old enough to have a single pot master cylinder, you Ottsta get a two pot one. Much safer. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 10/30/24 at 19:48:56 Where’s the fun it that ? Hand brake works , it’s flat for miles , doesn’t really need brakes. But yeah I see your point. Going with the single OEM brakes. I’m an old mechanic I have a collection of brake spoons ! Almost got electrical sorted out. It starts from inside the cab now found fuse panel for turn signals and working on heater fan. The odometer reads 31640 and when I was removing what’s left of the visors and behind the drivers visor scratched into the paint 11971 New Motor. So I guess the engine was rebuilt/replaced about 19600 miles ago , she does run good , a bit of blowby , but not much , exhaust is clean. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by JOG on 10/30/24 at 21:29:07 I was in a wire line truck, leaving a parking lot, as I got to the road,I hit the brakes,and nothing happened. It LOOKED Just Like an Emergency, so,I grabbed the E brake,,, Yeah,, Nutthhin.. I rolled out into a major North bound road praying I wasn't gonna be on the news. Because One brake cylinder failed. They towed it to the shop. I replaced the one pot master cylinder and all four brake cylinders. They called me Motorpool. I did the bodywork,mechanical work,electrical and operated equipment, rebuilt the triplex and centrifugal pumps, kinda did it all..and drove the 18 wheelers. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 11/01/24 at 00:10:30 The joys of being a cheap as$. Rebuilding/repairing rather than replacing. OEM , trying to keep it as stock as possible , stupid stuff like illuminated cigarette lighter , heater fan & turn signals. How ever 2 items I added , a backup flood light , no switch on trans so a manual switch under dash and stock it only has an oil light. So it’s gettin an oil pressure gauge plumbed with copper not plastic , more era correct & just looks cool too. That little loop at both ends acting as vibration dampener by letting it all flex. The rest oem , door , kick panels , headliner. Seat will be kinda custom & some left over carpet. Oem clean & plush in the cab , simple and not over done. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by JOG on 11/01/24 at 00:25:57 So it’s gettin an oil pressure gauge plumbed with copper not plastic , more era correct & just looks cool too. Not plastic.. Good call. Loops at both ends. Roger that.. Are you rebuilding the brake cylinders? Those little hones aren't expensive. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 11/01/24 at 08:07:00 Kit available , master cylinder , wheel cylinders , shoes , springs & small parts kit , hoses. Another kit to cover all fittings & brake light switch at master cylinder. And I’ll be bending all new lines too. I have tubing cutters , benders , flaring tools , brake spoons , hydraulic brakes & air brakes a specialty of mine from days gone by. Happy to use the skills I have , in 1955 a p/u truck wasn’t very complicated , easy for owners to repair themselves. So she runs well and in time she will roll again , brakes , tires & interior and I’ll have my vintage cruiser. 8-) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 11/01/24 at 09:05:33 Flat is where I live , the biggest hill in town is an overpass. So F100 will be perfect for around town , grocery getter & generally just screwing around. The more she proves herself , the longer the adventures will be come. Maybe even some lake fishing up in the foot hills. She has an abnormally large tool/bed box in the bed , pretty sure I can fit inside it ! I won’t have a bunch of crap under the seat just a fire extinguisher , the rest can go in the tool box. Putting some new locks on it too. F100 may have had a 17-18 year break in service , but it’s time she gets back at it ! Working for me ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by JOG on 11/01/24 at 10:46:53 just a fire extinguisher If what I'm driving isn't Fully insured,, yeah. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 11/02/24 at 06:27:40 Ok , 2 fire extinguishers |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by JOG on 11/02/24 at 19:59:48 604746465E4B320 wrote:
Well, yeah, it Is a Ford... |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 11/02/24 at 23:53:11 Still sorting out rats nest of wiring under dash. Fan control , lighter & T/S left. Flasher is on order , most of wiring removed won’t go back , 3 new fuse holders. Between my notes and the manual I’ll make a sub harness , old one butchered , lots of wires going no where doing nothing. Ran it today , it is charging after repairing field wire end.oil light inop and engine temp gauge reads incorrectly. Rain has passed , clear for a week , time to finish electrical before next rains. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by MMRanch on 11/03/24 at 10:30:08 Ruttly You help me realize how lazy I am for getting a new truck instead of fixing one up ! ;D At the end of the day I might have better fuel millage , but you'll probably have the better truck ! :) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 11/04/24 at 10:27:43 MM , I love driving vintage pickups , slow , has power nothing , all manual. A true step back in time. This truck fits me , kinda narrow cab and almost sitting shoulder to shoulder with passenger , very personal ! In other words people you don’t like don’t even stand a chance , they’re walking. Steering wheel , pedals & stick shift right where it needs to be for me. Beside the dents( I don’t do bodywork !) I can fix all the mechanical and electrical this truck has to offer. Like a giant tinker toy I can drive , just some real basic maintenance to keep her good to roll down the road. And no onboard computers to fail , gotta roll the windows down and probably gotta stand on the brakes to stop , I love that kinda stuff ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by JOG on 11/04/24 at 14:59:49 The truck I bought had been owned by an O'Reilly's employee. He had done the suspension and clutch. A 300 Ford doesn't vibrate like that. He put a Chinese flywheel in instead of having the flywheel resurfaced. Don't let go of the stock unit. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by MMRanch on 11/04/24 at 21:36:25 That description make me think of Grandpa's 1952 ford Flat Bed , Flat Head V-8 four speed with a granny gear - to pull a hay rake or the hay-bale wagon either one. So slow we would leave it idling in Ganny gear and walk beside it loading the wagon behind it. Just leave the windows down to reach in for minor steering wheel corrections from the running board once in a while. :) Thank goodness for Round-Bails ! ;D just kidding. Post us a picture of how its coming along ! :-? |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 11/04/24 at 21:49:45 I think it’s the narrow cab , but I always wanted a truck with running boards. Waiting on a 6 volt flasher to button up under dash electrical. Even made diagram of replaced area of harness & tucked it in the manual. New set of keyed alike locks on the tool box. Chippin away ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 11/07/24 at 07:43:58 Reviving a survivor is walking a fine line between improvement & preservation. Preserving what there is priority , cleaning ok inside but I caught myself trying to put my stamp on it. Stick shift was sloppy decided to replace indexing pin on stick, took it apart cleaned it. Almost took it to the powder coater for a dose of “ alien silver “ . A color I like to use as accent on my bikes. But I caught myself , No billet , no leds , no powder coating , I think you get the drift. On the flip side of that is the shift knob , OEM , super dirty/dusty , try some gentle cleaners , keeps turning rag brown but shows no improvement , think it’s a Bakelite type plastic , bump it up to a more aggressive cleaner , same with a browner rag. You could barely see the shift pattern on the knob , cleaner not working , it feels like a rock , so I started wet sanding it , clean out pattern with a dull pin , continue wet sanding. Yeah finer and finer , using ultra fine sanding pads for plastic headlight restoration. Now pattern is clean & legible , knob is nice & shiny & smooth as a babies butt. Stick is black with original black paint and original patina. Not everything has to shine , it’s a survivor ! 8-) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 11/08/24 at 07:57:28 With all the current projects going on , it’s been busy. Always at least 2 motorcycle projects , F100 a super fun project. Today is guitar repair day , one of my favorites is in need of my attention. My Gibson Les Paul sounds a tad off , time for new strings and basic maintenance. Haven’t been playing much at all for about 3-4 years. They are like motorcycles and require maintenance too. Yup I work on things without wheels too ! Here is where perfection is paramount , has to be absolutely on the money. I repaired/rebuilt a guitar for a friend’s son , he knows it’s done but hasn’t picked it up for months , alright with me I’ll just keep it. She got the tones of a much more expensive guitar , sounds awesome , plays great. I let a customer at the local music shop play it for a few minutes , he wanted to buy it , he too fell I love with its tone. I don’t like working on other peoples guitars , too much pressure/stress not much monetary reward. I only do it cause it keeps me sharp and I learn new stuff , gotta stay sharp ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 11/09/24 at 12:10:48 Today I button up under dash , flasher arrived. Install wiring & fuses , the list of electrical woes is shrinking fast. By the end of the day I should have that short list or if I’m lucky , not ! Most of the bad wiring was the stuff that other previous owner(s) had done to it. But that’s what I do , sort things out and make it run. I will drive this truck next year , brakes , tires , glass and away we go ! Licensing will be a breeze I have a pink slip in my name and it’s currently on a planned non op (PNO) so no back fees owed , just the regular registration fee. Double ugly is getting another life , I won’t work it hard but she will pull her weight and provide a barrel full of smiles. Fear nothing I have AAA road service ! ;D ;D ;D ;D |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by JOG on 11/09/24 at 16:09:38 Sounds good.. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 11/11/24 at 09:13:51 Supposed to rain here today so indoor projects today. Yesterday I got 4 out of 5 wheels off the F100. Got r/r , spare , both fronts leaving the L/R. It gonna take some Herculean effort ( my big word for the day) they are tight & rusted and where installed when ? Getting the wheels loose in preparation for brake job. Been lucky so far I haven’t broken any studs , just 5 to go ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 11/15/24 at 11:04:58 I was up in the warehouse , looking for boxed 250 parts and stumbled on a bunch of big rolls of that metallic sided bubble wrap type insulation. And some other rolls of the closed cell foam packing material but thicker. Neither will hold moisture and both are ideal for insulation for the F100. Now cutting all the panels to match panels on roof & back wall & corners & areas behind kick panels too. Probably use thick rubber truck mud flaps for area under seat. Carpeting for front floor. Maybe the doors when I rebuild each door. Insulation filling empty air spaces will help quiet the ride and maybe add a little bit of comfort while still allowing an oem style headliner & back wall paneling. And it was free , one more thing out of the warehouse, , win win ! I do my best to repair stuff with stuff I already have to avoid spending money , recycle & repurpose , save $$$ for brakes tires etc . When she hits the road next year she will look like it just drove off a local ranch or farm. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 11/15/24 at 21:12:47 I’ve been talking with some friends about getting it sanded and clear coated to preserve its patina. In all that talking I gathered up the nerve to ask how much. Then I just figured it out , sand it , wash & dry it ( next summer ) tape it off and shoot it. Hell it’s just a dull clear coat right , put it on a bit thick , then when it dries go back and cut the curtain off. Got an old one quart spray gun for just this kind of job. There are some surface rust that may need a more aggressive treatment before spraying. I’m still investigating how they do it. Most of it can be done with a scratchy pad and some rubbing compound. I ain’t paying 2k. I’ll keep dry as possible , keeping the inside dry is important too. I’ll find out how to prep and what to spray on it from people who do it and then totally fake it ! 8-) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by JOG on 11/15/24 at 22:33:18 You can get two stage rattle can clear coat from the paint store that sells to body shops. You MUST wear a Painters mask,with carbon filters. Harbor freight, 30ish bucks. If you can smell/taste the fumes, that's not okay. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 11/16/24 at 09:13:34 Yeah a new mask is a must before spraying , but I’ll use my spray gun. It puts it out there and in a hurry. Roof heavy coat , hood heavy coat , the rest just a semi heavy coat. Put it on thick , let dry , return to cut the curtains off , LOL. Ought to be interesting , the last thing I painted with that gun was a steel roll up door on a warehouse bout 40 years ago. Just an old fashion 1 quart spray gun , a DeVilbiss. Was a quality gun in its day. Car culture has always been huge here and survivor trucks and cars seem to be very popular , like a sub culture. Not a fan of phony paint job’s simulating the look but some painters are really good at it ! Her patina is the real deal ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by JOG on 11/16/24 at 13:06:20 I had no idea you had experience and the tools for squirtin stuff on your truck.. Go Git'Em.. It'll be a lot cheaper that way, too. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 11/17/24 at 08:14:47 Never painted a car/ truck before , but I am a true cheap a$s. Have a battery powered sander with several batteries. Prep work will be the hard work. Shooting some satin/dullish clear coat can’t be to tough , it sure won’t be perfect , so I won’t expect perfection. Just something to lock out the moisture for another 10 years. I used to be a painter , mostly a commercial painting. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by JOG on 11/17/24 at 09:20:02 You can Treat rust and clear over, but the Iron Phosphate that Ospho makes outta the Iron Oxide is black. But it beats Truck Cancer. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 11/18/24 at 08:22:09 Think I’m done till about January , time to throw the big blue tarp over the old girl. Got a bit of rain last night , more later in the week. It time to start collecting parts for the frenzy to get her back on the road. Spring ain’t till March but I’m startin in January , nothing but busy with projects. Spring Fever will start early next year and rage till it rains again. Back on the Half Pint till she becomes a rolling project. Six days a week I am doing a project. Go go go ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by LANCER on 11/18/24 at 09:42:26 Your’re just a madman I say, just mad. [ch128540] |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 11/18/24 at 13:10:24 If I don’t stay busy I’ll just drown in human quicksand and fade away. For me it’s to occupy my time and mind in a good productive way. By the way last weeks guitar project turned out great , on point ! She sounds like a Gibson should , absolutely sounds like a million bucks , Done. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 11/23/24 at 09:51:11 Finally I’m learning to shift gears at my age and affliction. Maybe not what it sounds like , but it’s a mile stone for me. OCD has been a pia for years , decades. Im learning to finish projects , I said learning. Just the ability to finish any project or stop and go back to other projects when unable to finish it before. It’s bringing me great joy , before I was only 1 project at a time start to finish. Now bring it on , I can manage multiple projects at once with efficiently. I used to drop projects , sell or trade them away and I may have a few that are older than my adult children too. Wrapped up the F100 for a few months and went right back to Half Pint and got to paint the living/ dinning room area for the wife. A balancing act of different projects. It’s has been getting back on a project that was hard , but no more. OCD may never go away , recognizing it is key to repairing yourself and making adjustments. 3 active m/c , F100 and a house projects , now not enough hours in the day ! 8-) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 11/26/24 at 21:53:23 Now I know why the driveway has cracks , I thought it was to stop my screwdriver from rolling away. Doing a quick rejet on the tracker , bowl off pilot swap and I fumbled it went thru everything hit the ground , rolled into a gap. Fumbled it again , it went way in the crack , I could still see it but no way to get at it. Bugs , all kinds of fun stuff in there , now that neighbors are watching me stare into the crack I got to do something. A sliver of alien tape on a splinter of wood from a 2x4 , last chance , failure not an option. Little ba$tard keeps sliding further into oblivion , finally it sticks , crisis avoided ! Yes my world is still spinning ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 11/27/24 at 23:20:48 Out for a spin on the tracker today , a cool 50 ish but sunny. Cool damp mornings seem to be the best throttle response , roads wet with dew or early fog. A tricky combination super crisp throttle and wet roads , oh yeah out of town in farm/ranch lands. While the roads are mostly straight but every turn has a different surprise. Dunlop 404s can be forced to drift in slippery conditions, big wide bars make it fun. Maybe drifting is an exaggeration somewhat cause it’s more of a slip n grip , square up the corner. Not a performance tire but it is as tough as a truck tire and gets the job done. This bike was built tough for daily service. Just for raising hell ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 11/28/24 at 12:14:06 Happy Thanksgiving people ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by JOG on 11/28/24 at 17:42:07 Good posts,Ruttly. YaKnow, when most folks say R got in a bit of a crack today It's really metaphorical o. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 11/29/24 at 08:40:34 Next spring or summer I’m gonna clear coat Double Ugly to preserve what’s left of paint & treat & seal the rusty spots. I found a kit with everything needed , Poppy’s Patina. A wipe on treatment, 2 part , guess like epoxy. Now I just have to investigate how to prep/pretreat the rusty areas. I like that. Now I’m thinking that a wipe on will have to be done in cooler weather maybe next October leaving me time to treat the rusty areas. Just to hot here in summer for a wipe on. No tape job needed when using a wipe on and no overspray. It seems to be best option for diy that don’t have access to a spray booth or 2 k to have someone else do it ! I might even try it on my original paint Half Pint project. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 11/30/24 at 08:24:57 Just realized I’ve been on this forum for 10 years. Never meant to do anything but get some info. Think it was my second forum all the others are gone , but I remain here. Must be a relaxed mello environment for me. I guess I’ll do another ten. Thanks for the space for me to be me. 8-) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by JOG on 11/30/24 at 10:55:45 Bought the Boulevard ,new, in 05. Found this place. I had to work on a 4 wheel drive Raptor, years ago. Found a forum, nobody wanted to help me. The Kawasaki Eliminator forum is just weird. This place? So well designed. And the people are great. People who I disagree with on the Tall Table get my full support with any problem I can help with, and it works the other way, when I'm in a bind. Uncommon, |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by LANCER on 11/30/24 at 12:29:46 Yes, this site is populated by decent helpful folks. We are blessed to have this place. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 12/01/24 at 09:29:09 I’m so close to finishing the frame for powder coat , all the smaller parts are ready. A bit of welding , grinding & smoothing rough areas , removing welding goobers from factory welds. When it all comes back it’s all about assembly , some polishing to do too. I have triple clamps but an associate has a very nicely polished set and we were negotiating on , but he wants to sell me an entire front end minus fender & headlight. Email him and restart negotiations. Many boxes of ready to go parts , many bags of hardware ready to go , but shock bolts will need shortened. When frame is out I’ll start on resealing and polishing the engine , it was rebuilt 40 years ago and never run so if there it no moisture damage it’s all about cleaning and replacing gaskets & seals. Intake and exhaust is done , forks & wheels done. Have new stator & rotor on the way. Once I get it assembled wiring will take some time , I’ll send seat out before wiring. No speedo , it fell victim to weight reduction and dislike of clutter on bars like the tracker. It’s got gps speedo & antenna , voltmeter , button , mirrors. If I need a speedo for some reason I got a cheap gps speedo ( read out only ) no odo , it’s about 2 x 3 x 2 and a small Velcro patch to mount it. Things are beginning to finally coming together ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 12/01/24 at 10:54:16 By this Friday , so it puts some pressure on powder coater to get it back to me before Christmas ! I know what I’ll be doing after the clan gets done trashing my place and goes home on Christmas Day. It should have been on wheels with engine complete and installed and wiring in progress by now. Still super excited about this project , very important build for me , maybe not as extreme as the tracker but still gonna be a one off piece of work that I will also see it as artwork , motorcycle porn , and pay homage to British styling all in one bike. Im sick with anticipation , I just want to see a roller ! Idk how others will view this build , expecting mixed criticisms , already had mixed opinions on it being a 250 and British so let me set the record straight , I DONT CARE WHAT ANYONE THINKS ! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D Deafening Loud Evil Laughter. !!!!!!! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 12/12/24 at 22:52:37 Alright so maybe I missed last Friday , but now it’s this Friday again ! Frame and swing arm and a box with 18 misc pieces all to be media blasted and powder coated in grey. As close as I can match the oem grey frame. That is tomorrows mission it’s ten minutes away , gitr dun ! So what else is coated , hubs , backing plates , rear fender , small parts. Leaving front fender , tank & side covers in original paint. Rear fender was rough I removed most of the dents , left a couple for the look. Not a lot of rear fender is visible so I had to pick 2 small dents in visible areas , it will look old in a hurry any ways ! I doubt I’ll see it back before Christmas , but I’ll be waitin on his call ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 12/13/24 at 21:47:02 I did it , half pint is at the powder coater. I felt like I left my first born child at school for the first time. A definite attachment to this bike. He made no promises on a date , just grumbled hopefully by Christmas. I’m not gonna be disappointed if it doesn’t happen. But I’ll be hella busy Christmas night if I get the call. Hella exciting , I’m truly ill and have no life. Time to reseal & polish the engine. Intake & exhaust is done and ready. 8-) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by JOG on 12/14/24 at 03:02:08 Not a lot of rear fender is visible so I had to pick 2 small dents in visible areas It's a sickness.. And, I can only speak for myself, but I understand. Well played! Waiting for pictures of the stuff when you get it all back. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 12/14/24 at 10:48:31 I might drop into radio silence while it’s all out to P/C. Want to get a going on the engine. Windy raining & thunder n lightning today. Warm up the garage and tear down & inspection. Krammed a bunch of crap this past week to have day to gitr dun ! A day with nothing else planned , shush don’t let the wife hear that , I’m sure she has a list that I don’t want to know about. Me me me me me me ! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D I’ll be back ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 12/15/24 at 09:02:51 Just got dun diggin for parts , came up with Gasket set Seal set New Lucas Stator & rotor Finned aluminum sump with screen & gaskets (after market) Finned aluminum tappet covers (after market) Gotta order 3 different folding lock washers for cam drive gear , rotor & clutch basket And the not so much fun part , Washing parts & polishing side cases & inspection covers ( NOT the whole engine ) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 12/24/24 at 05:49:34 Half Pint is still at the powder coater. Engine is in progress. It’s all come to a halt. My best buddy that held on to Half Pint for me for over forty years before giving it back lost his 6 year battle with cancer. I am crushed after a 50+ year friendship , seem to have lost all my drive. Time to grieve , get right in the head. He fought the good fight and now it’s time to rest. R.I.P. Brother , meet you at Eldorado |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by JOG on 12/24/24 at 09:47:13 Take the time to go through it. I'm sorry to hear it. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by ohiomoto on 12/24/24 at 11:13:51 Sorry for you loss Ruttly. Hopefully your "fever will return soon. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 12/25/24 at 08:19:25 Thanks guys Merry Christmas |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 01/02/25 at 11:02:07 I got Half Pint back from powder coater on Tuesday. I got the call and rushed to pick it up , once at home and in the garage , simply lost interest. It took all of New Years Eve and Day to bring myself to lay my hands on it. Slow and very directed , I’m gettin there. As the bits come together , this is it , mock-ups are done , make no mistake this is final assembly. My time to shine even if I’m not feeling it ! So it’s slow goin. Have to admit , it’s nice when everything fits first time , I already paid in blood , sweat & tears ! She is nothing less than stunning. The grey frame with black body parts , chrome & polished aluminum is sexy , grey was the right decision. I had a practice flat tracker years ago , a Honda 175 twin with a white frame with black fender , seat & tank. A total POS but it looked cool and local Leo’s could never catch me , a cop told me if they catch me I’ll go to jail so under the cover of darkness the bike got moved about 5 counties away , never saw it again. Anyways it’s January and I know it won’t be long till my soul is warmed by the renewal of Spring Fever ! 8-) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by LANCER on 01/02/25 at 17:20:06 In 2006 my older brother (61 at the time) died unexpectedly of a heart attack. When I heard the news I tried to say NO but it came out almost as a howl. It affected me more than any other thing I’ve experienced in my life. And it lasts too. I think I had direct affect’s for nearly a year. I know we will meet again in the future. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 01/03/25 at 03:59:19 Yeah my sister passed away November 2023 and that was hard too. Seems to be while my family grows , my world just keeps getting smaller and more closed off. A normal part of life is death , another unwanted adjustment in life , usually I get a new grand child when someone passes , not this time. And maybe my next grand child is enroute , maybe just a gleam in daddy’s eyes , Maybe. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 01/03/25 at 10:14:30 Raining today , might get a wheel on her today. Still locating boxes of stuff ready to bolt on , slow goin. TV or music is a must , I hate catching myself talking to myself , only further slows the process. All the BSA and Triumph suppliers sell ( Made in England ) decals , those suck ! Ruttly’s decal , “Made in England , Rebuilt in America”. I’m workin on it ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 01/04/25 at 08:50:46 Well it is coming along , it’s on rear wheel and center stand. Can’t put anymore parts on for now till I move this half of a motorcycle off of my workbench. Not so much heavy as awkward , and in a small area and don’t want to scratch it either ! Finish rear half before messing with front end. Six is one too many for my space. This build was not my idea , it was thrust upon me. I’m ok with it only cause of its history , its importance in my life as well. Build it ride it and never sell it , my Sunday bike , my vintage ride. What I do love about it is it is not a restoration, it is not a custom , not a survivor , just something built to ride on Sundays mornings and it will definitely have the Ruttly stamp on it ! Won’t be another like her. I was trying to get down to no more than 3 street bikes and my flat tracker so I can go racing. As least two bikes have to be sold. Half Pint has her space pre approved , she came home to stay last year. Running out of space to work in. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 01/07/25 at 21:23:27 First screw up so far , I had the wrong rear wheel spacer powder coated. So I got to have spacer machined and coated again. Have another spacer in there for now but it doesn’t have the visual affect of the powder coated part. Costly but no big deal. Replacing steering head bearings , so I called another BSA nut with some parts I been negotiating for about a year now , not much negotiating his prices for sure. It’s really getting him on a good day to agree to sell me what I want. He has a set of very nicely polished aluminum triple clamps I really want bad , real bad for the Half Pint build. As a matter of fact it’s at a stand still I find out his decision. I have several sets of triple clamps but nothing like his. My forks & boots & front wheel n brakes & fender ready to go. I even P/C the cast iron handle bar clamps , they were kinda crappy looking. So he is a rough 100 miles away from here. It’s all in the details , this bike deserves all I can give her. Off to Harbor freight to get a bench buffer and stand , do final buff on the forks. Still have engine parts to buff too ! Waiting on his call , think he will sell , a bit more bling for Half Pint ! 8-) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 01/07/25 at 21:47:44 I’m real close to it being a roller , that gets me excited ! Over a year , it should have been done or a lot closer to completion anyways. Still needs seat recovered , tank polished and my personal fav of all new Lucas wiring. The days are growing longer , spring like conditions , a false spring for sure. No doubt whatever it is that drives me to build is slowly returning. It’s just what I do ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by JOG on 01/08/25 at 02:33:31 What will you use to recover the seat? |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 01/08/25 at 07:54:02 A made in England seat cover with edge trim and BSA logo in gold. A nice seat for bad hips. It will go out to be deconstructed , then I will straighten bent seat pan and get it powder coated. Then back for assembly. The seat was a big part of the decision to build the bike. Seat looks big for the bike but that was the style back then and I’m ok with it and my butt gives it 2 thumbs up. No rush for the seat , do it closer to completion. Still have lots to do , at the very least , 1 bolt a day ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by blod on 01/08/25 at 08:07:58 0A2D2C2C3421580 wrote:
No pics = BS |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by blod on 01/08/25 at 08:34:30 Today I ordered and paid for this. All I have to do now is wait and sort out the shipping. When it arrives I will remove the flashers and replace the stainless fasteners with brass ones. It has the features that I like. 24 HP flat head engine rather than the OHV 32 HP. Full width hubs, gun mount and ammo boxes. And it's in the right color :) http://https://i.imgur.com/iXloYDFl.jpg http://https://i.imgur.com/G9V2wwGl.jpg |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 01/09/25 at 10:47:00 So no to the Savage project ? |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 01/09/25 at 11:13:00 Still anxiously waiting on his call , I’m sure he is playing me too , making me sweat it. He knows I can’t even negotiate , or he will shutdown. He knows I can’t get what he has anywhere else. Walking on thin ice is better than treading in cold water , so I’ll be patient and wait for his call , bite my tongue and see if it pays off. I know this game , I’m just not comfortable with the shoe being on his foot ! Failure is not an option , patience is a virtue , I will Win ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by blod on 01/09/25 at 11:37:09 082F2E2E36235A0 wrote:
What Savage project ? |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 01/10/25 at 09:09:52 Thought you had Savage you were gonna put a sidecar on , change of plans? |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by blod on 01/10/25 at 12:53:57 5A7D7C7C6471080 wrote:
No change of plans, I have paid of the sidecar for the Savage, and I expect the shipping process to start in about two weeks. The CJ will take about three months before it's shipped, as I asked them to make several modifications. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 01/10/25 at 16:31:05 You should always have a project or two , good job ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 01/12/25 at 07:20:58 Somewhere there is a box with a few select parts put aside for Half Pint. Original carb , tank mount & other BSA tid bits. So todays quest is to start in the warehouse and find said box or am I going crazy ? Not a big box so it could be anywhere. However I found my collection of Amal jets , needles , slides & gaskets. Oooh , test n tune stuff , I love a perfectly jetted carb , who doesn’t. Also , the headlight and electrical box are MIA too! Get it all in one stack of boxes. If it ain’t up in the warehouse , then it turns into a garage cleaning day as well. Coffee and a hot cinnamon roll and get after it ! Maybe later if the sun is shining I’ll grab the Tracker and go get some peace of mind , some therapeutic seat time , gather up all the calm along the way and return with nothing but a clear mind and a huge smile ! Yes my neighbors still hate me. ;D |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 01/13/25 at 06:00:52 No box , no parts , no luck and no ride ! Maybe today |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by ThumperPaul on 01/13/25 at 10:02:39 301716160E1B620 wrote:
Hey, you started this post 3/26/23. Maybe 3/26/25 is a good target date so you can ride in April! Two year anniversary. Congrats on the one of the longest actively living threads in the Cafe! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 01/14/25 at 23:23:03 Was and still am working on my BSA 500 Vintage TT/Flat tracker in the beginning of this thread. My Half Pint project came home 12/2023 and I was ill for 5-6 months in 2024 , Half Pint a BSA 250. So I am behind on all ongoing projects 3 motorcycles & a truck. I ride every chance I get , hoping to finish 2 bikes this year and start drive my ol 55 f100 this year too. F100 will be a never ending project , a tinker-toy I can drive. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 01/18/25 at 09:38:23 Ooh , Fiftyish & foggy ! Idea conditions for making really good power with crispy throttle response. Wet roads out in farm country , make those Dunlops work. Expecting some slipping , what a thrill. Aired tires and checked oil yesterday , think all I need is a can of fuel from hardware store to wake her up a bit. Gotta go before fog burns off & roads dry out. Riding farm country might be a bit of a bore but it’s a hundred times better than riding in town and you can open her up and let her run wot out there ! 8-) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by JOG on 01/18/25 at 09:44:57 It doesn't cost much to run the road and Have a Look ,turn around and Give it a Go. I've got some Fun places around here that are rarely, but occasionally there will be spilled dirt or a random paint can will come Offa sumdoods truck in a turn. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 01/18/25 at 09:57:45 I’m sick , I absolutely go looking for spilled soil n gravel , not so much the paint. You gotta read it , how much , how deep , what medium. The best ones you hit it , drift thru it , regain traction inches from shoulder , cheap thrills. I’m gone ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by JOG on 01/18/25 at 13:39:02 Yes,,Yes you Are sick! I hope you don't break out in a rash. You know, the rash that comes with scabs? I'd be happy to watch you walk it through a turn on a minimally good traction surface. I know what it looks like but I Avoid it. Have fun, man! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 01/19/25 at 09:35:42 One particular intersection, a 3 way , side road breaks off to the left how perfect is that. Only a stop sign for side road and a nicely kept triangular island of dirt n gravel , or at least till I spread it everywhere. So break left cut that island in two , natural weight of the bike causes drift , 404s won’t spend much time without traction , curve of the road takes me to the edge of the shoulder , but safe to run off blacktop right there. Big fun minimal danger. Maybe you remember a guy named Bruce Lee , hey. And maybe you remember his famous line “ Be Like Water “ , well everyone should study exactly what he was trying to tell us. I can get further into it later , if needed. Gotta motivate , gotta do what I didn’t yesterday , sometimes you gotta ride ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 01/23/25 at 22:20:17 Been working on a closed pcv system for Double Ugly , 1955 239 ci v8. First year of the overhead valve heads , making flatheads obsolete. Engine had its problems , most of it came from no venting under valve covers causing sludge buildup. So it now has both covers vented to a tee where pcv valve resides and it returns to intake manifold & closed system from oil filler cap to air filter housing. Did the same to my old 68 scout I used to own. Had to buy a different oil bath air filter to accommodate hose from oil filler cap. I hate smelling crankcase blowby. I advanced its smog control by at least 10 years , it all should be burnt again and then out the tail pipe and no clouds of hydrocarbons under the hood. I removed the road draft tube and still have to fab a plate to cover the hole in the block to make the hole system work. Carb will need readjustment of idle mixture screws , now engine has a continuous vacuum leak (pcv valve) that will affect idle. Carb rebuild will be fun. It’s SO primitive it’s fun to work on. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 01/26/25 at 09:28:06 I am surprised with tear down of 250 engine , other than missing clutch arm by 1 tooth I found everything else inside to be assembled correctly. Good to know my engine building skills were good even 44 years ago , could have been a bit cleaner but overall it is real good. Not even any gasket or seal bad , had assembled it with an old skool sealant “Gaskacinch” , basically a rubber cement. Obviously not good 4 decades later. Think once everything is cleaned I will use 3 Bond (grey) or gasket eliminator (purple) - (aka:grape jelly) on the 2 main cases. Not sure what I will use on cam/trans covers, I will see what adheres to the British cast aluminum best. So it will get the best of care with all my years of experience and best sealants made. No expectations, it will seep , leak or dribble its British ! To cam it or not , I have chosen not to cam this engine , stock cam , stock piston. Only performance goodies will be head , intake & exhaust. Let’s just say she will be a heavy breather ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 01/26/25 at 09:39:58 Yeah I’m all over the place ! I go till I need parts , jump off that project to another and so on ! Only driven by want to drive and ride vintage. Keeps me moving and out of the bars ! ;D |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 02/04/25 at 07:44:40 The one thing I didn’t mock-up , rear wheel. All new rear brake , sprocket on one side and a spacer on the other side. Spacer has a pressed on washer that hides/protects the sealed bearing behind. Over confident that it fit , it got powder coated with the hubs & some other bits. It don’t fit. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 02/04/25 at 08:23:01 So much for my comic relief ! Pressed washer off it , had a buddy put it in his lathe and take some off. It now fits , chuck on his lathe barely left a tiny mark , so a dab of silicone , pressed washer back on. Shine it up a bit , fits snug. That’s why you should mock up EVERYTHING ! I had bought a Wassell carb to replace an Amal carb , it’s almost exactly the same , a copy of the Amal. Much better quality than most of Chinese carbs. Well I decided it needs a Amal carb. Original was a 28mm , head was ported to accept a 30 mm , so I’m building a 30mm Amal , put that cheesy Wassell carb aside. Had to buy a few things for it but it will be worth it , a way better made carb , it’s only right it gets an Amal carb. And finally found a not stock but era correct really nice vintage Magura throttle. It was used on many European 2 & 4 strokes back in the day , a performance throttle. Always hated stock chrome throttle , took almost a full half a turn to get to WOT. Not a side pull like I had planned. Magura throttle is a good choice for the Amal carb. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 02/04/25 at 10:29:26 Jetting for the 30mm Amal will start with stock jetting of the 28mm as per my Haynes manual. Elevation here is about 57 feet above sea level , so I dial it in for sea level , any mountainous rides will require some smaller main jets , the needle is in the lowest possible position so main jet is only way to adjust for elevation , idle mixture screw has no effect above idle. My only change is the slide , I will use a 3 1/2 cut away instead of a 3 , in anticipation of it needing extra air off of idle on the snap. Not building a race bike , LOL , I demand perfect jetting , it gets you max performance and possibly max fuel mileage. I like good fuel mileage , performance is my final goal ! Amal Concentric 930 3 1/2 slide cut away 106 needle jet 2 ring needle , clip in top groove ( lowest needle position ) 200 main jet 1 1/2 turns out to start for idle mixture Initial settings , definitely close , any main jet corrections will be due to porting & exhaust changes. We will see if she is a turd or a turd with a bit of an attitude , cause all my bikes have an attitude ! Not building a race bike , honest , trust me ! ::) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by LANCER on 02/05/25 at 04:03:36 Sure, I trust you. [ch128527] [ch128518] |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 02/05/25 at 09:59:02 Next to do on Half Pint is get off my lazy a$s and go get the triple clamps. Bout a hundred miles or so one way. Cause once it rolls , things will start to flow. And after engine is finished and installed , then I get to all that new Lucas wiring laid in ! Amal 30mm is done & ready and so is exhaust. Fuel tank with new cap seal & new petcocks. Still need to send seat out for a recover too ! Today I’ll button up the positive crankcase ventilation system for Double Ugly and let her run for awhile , see if my design will operate properly. Brakes will be its next step towards being something other than yard art ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 02/06/25 at 13:07:12 I find it hilarious that after a life of removing smog control stuff , now I have retrofitted a 1955 F100 with a basic form of smog control. The pcv system I threw together works perfect , not real happy with oil filler cap so I ordered another. Not gonna try to adjust carb , I will rebuild it soon enough and dial in timing too ! Squeeze a valve adjustment somewhere in there too ! She gonna run sweet. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 02/07/25 at 11:21:58 Wow , I thought my e-mower had big batteries ! Just bought a e-bicycle and dam that’s a big battery. Claiming 120 mile range. Not with me riding it ! Not a crazy one but something good on road as well as off. 28 mph max , 750 watt. Was out riding it while battery was charging, as a bicycle. Good seat n bars , knobby tires. It’s way bigger than my old Honda 90s but only 82 lbs. Has front suspension , none in the rear , disc brakes , head & tail lights & rear rack. Been looking at them for a few years , go almost anywhere silently , no registration or insurance , no gas , no oil changes , just tires. Love my mountain bike but it rarely gets used during summer cause it’s too hot , with e-bike I can choose my effort level on hot days. Last summer we had many days creeping above 110. Go for a ride to cool off now. Explore , keep tuned up for 2 wheels , maybe a bit of fun. I wonder if I can get it airborne at a R/R crossing , LOL |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 02/08/25 at 08:46:42 Took the new edition out for a spin in between rain showers yesterday. First spin really made me realize that this is gonna require a helmet , for full enjoyment , I need a helmet for this. Hella fun and can see me doing some really stupid $hit on it. New gummy knobbies and still managed to get it sliding on an asphalt turn. Forks have a lock out that keep suspension from operating , I prefer it till I figure out the tires. It’s pretty stable , never had a bicycle with suspension. It’s fascinating to me , it’s electric , just get on and go , so quiet too. I absolutely hate my e-lawn mower , I put Hoover stickers on it , it’s nothing but a vacuum cleaner with a blade , but I think me and the e-bike are gonna get a long just fine. The biggest hill anywhere around here would be an overpass , but I know a long gradual grade out by 5 points heading towards the next town over. Great place to open up the tracker too. I’ll see how it does uphill but all that will wait to my helmet gets here. Thought it was a good time to buy with up n coming trade war will bump the price up. And state of California want to regulate e-bikes now , they will sterilize something until it costs too much or remove anything fun about it. Their first target is removing the throttle , it will only move with pedals being used , no riding along on the battery. What it needs is a low range for going slow over terrain off road. And any e-bike modifications are for sure gonna be illegal. So yeah it was a good time to buy. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by LANCER on 02/08/25 at 11:57:22 How many penny’s did that take get ? |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by verslagen1 on 02/08/25 at 12:15:47 I've been thinking about getting 1 of these for going to the PO. How about a review? |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 02/09/25 at 05:57:34 Yeah it wasn’t cheap , I finally just did it. It was about $1500 with shipping. You can find them from about $300 on up on Amazon or Temu. Even seen one with front and rear drive motors , an electric Rokon. I bought a good one , it’s hella fun without the battery. Really waiting on my helmet before I roadtrip it or review it. Simple to operate , it goes good. Gonna put a wider seat on it for the bad hip , oem seat is a nice seat just not for a day trip with a bad hip. Bars are wide at 29” , I like wide bars , grips have fin on them that give support & comfort to hands & wrists. F & R disc brakes are good so far. When I ride I wear a backpack so I will remove rear rack & fab another tail light mount & fab a new fender mount , less weight and won’t be hitting my leg on it getting on & off. May add a set of mirrors , maybe. It’s a fat tire bike 26 x 4 tires , knobbies. Only thing I don’t like is no keyed ignition , just flip a switch and away you go. They are super easy to steal , didn’t buy mine for errands , use tracker for errands , bought it strictly for fun and local exploring ! Still figuring out the forks , left fork has preload adjustment and right fork has a suspension lockout switch. Overall I really like it , only issue is headlight don’t work , I’ll call them Monday. I hear they have great customer service/support. Get my helmet and I’ll run the crap out of it , maintenance- air the tires , charge the battery. It’s gonna see some abuse for sure. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 02/09/25 at 06:08:30 Essentially it was free ! I retired 1 1/2 years ago. I had saved my pennies to get a new truck for retirement. Well that money was in a CD account and earned me enough to pay for it. So it was basically free , but the interest is considered taxable income , they get you coming or going. ;D |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 02/09/25 at 22:15:53 One thing I overlooked was the brake pads , so cute and so tiny , gonna need some spares for sure. Helmet and larger seat be here this week. See how far I get before my hip says turn around. Backpack, snacks , waters and a high visibility reflective vest. It reminds me of riding a small displacement motorcycle. You spend all your time gathering and retaining speed & momentum , getting tucked in and find every and any excuse to NOT use the brakes !!! Back to the basics , WOT and corner , I don’t need no stinkin brakes. Ooh at an eye blurring 23 mph , just wait till I figure out max speed of 28 mph ! The concept is the same , the beginning of learning fast. Your not fast yet but you are learning the concept of gathering & retaining speed. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 02/13/25 at 10:27:38 New oil filler cap for Double Ugly finishes the project of adding a PCV system. Reducing its carbon footprint print by returning hydrocarbons into intake and burning in the combustion process. I’m shocked it works so well ! Back on Half Pint today. Still cleaning engine parts. Hopefully I’ll get main cases clean today a start reassembly. Crank & rod in main cases , still unsure what sealant to use. Either gray 3 bond or purple gasket eliminator. I intend to never need to open this engine except for basic maintenance ever again. However I will build a second engine for this bike , one with a bigger cam , just for fun. Measured the bore to 68 mm , stock is 67mm at 249cc. So with my bad math , it’s a 254cc , piston is a .040” over. With a stock cam the increased bore & ported head , larger carb & exhaust , won’t change peak rpm , but give it a lively torque band for within its stock rpm band. Certainly not a race bike but she will be a heavy breather , she will earn her Thumper status ! A 70 mm stroke and for a 250 she carries a stout crank. I’m working on beefing up its torque band to bolster its up hill performance. The bike is at least 20 lbs lighter than stock. All new suspension & upgraded brakes with of course , Dunlops ! Stock they claim 25 H/P , 80 mph & 80 mpg. I’d be happy with 30 H/P , 80 mph & 60 mpg ! The BSA Blackstar is coming ! 8-) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 02/16/25 at 10:27:52 What was stock Savage H/p rating ? 31 or 32 as I recall , but a way heavier reciprocating mass than Half Pint. Power to weight is Half Pint’s only advantage, weight down , power output up and still may not give it an advantage. Her torque should be respectable for a 54 year old bike , a distinctive thump with that pleasurable sound as it is rolled on. When friends ask why , I simply say , I’m no longer in control , it tells me what it needs. I’m just the builder , like any good project it has gotten way out of control. Only fed by visions & cash , another monster project I can’t control ! Just try to tell me it’s not a sickness ! 8-) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 02/19/25 at 10:03:09 Did my homework , measured stock cam and the 500cc MX cam. Both stock cams between the 500 & 250 are identical , but the MX cam is the factory hot cam. BSA changed the width of the drive gear on the MX cam and a bushing. Years ago I was told by unknowers that a MX cam will not work in a regular 500 or the 250 , due to different bushing. But I wanted that extra lift & duration for my 250. I had to prove them wrong , so went to a machine shop ( with some beer ) , the guy was more than happy to help me figure it out. Within minutes he had made me a bunch of shims and told me how to proceed in shimming the the cam. Advance unit bolts in end of cam , install cam & cover , using a dial indicator and a bolt I was able to move cam in & out to get my measurement and then shim accordingly. At the time the 250 was my daily dirt bike , it made a a good difference. I had not yet begun jetting carbs , I’m sure that would have completed the cam swap. So here I am with both cams , handful of jets. I’ll give Dave a break I’ll use the stock cam on this engine , but i won’t hold back on engine #2. I kinda remember how it was stock slow but had great torque , give me a chance to compare that to ported head with upgraded carb & exhaust. The MX cam is similar to the mild cam I used in the tracker , just a bit more lift & duration to bolster , early to mid range. For now till I get all da bugs worked out the stock cam will be fine. I need coffee ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 02/20/25 at 21:48:08 I’m liking the sterile condition of the engine parts , makes it nice & easy for assembly. Just a bit of white grease or a drop or two of motor oil. A little bit at a time , every part gets cleaned. Between a simple green dip tank and ultrasonic cleaner it’s a breeze. Decided to use gasket eliminator (grape jelly) an anaerobic flange sealant. On the main cases , trans/cam cover and left side cover. Being bold using a relatively modern sealant on the old girl , experiment/gamble maybe. Thought I had a tube of 3Bond gray but couldn’t find it , so I got brave enough to use grape jelly. Chippin away at it , has to be perfect , no rush. Quite a bit of polishing along the way too. Over the hump , still a lot to do , but I think I’m on the down side ! I want to finish it , I want to ride it. Again ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 02/24/25 at 18:39:34 Having a ball with the e-bike. They warranted the inop headlight. New headlight and harness were FedEx. Put a rubber mud flap on rear of front fender to keep water, mud, debris off of bike & shoes. Solid bike , decent brakes , but the front fork could be a whole lot better. Just don’t get why they put a sub standard fork on an otherwise really nice bike , it’s weak point. I can buy a better fork for about $150 but I won’t till I trash this one. The 26 x 4 tires dwarf all the other wheels in the garage even a 21” on the trials bike. The seat was nice but no springs , too small for my bad hip , got a great cruiser seat , wide , comfy , phony brown leather with springs. Smooth , no seams you sit on just a comfy seat , had to go get bike airborne a few times to try it out , nothing but smiles. Removed wheel reflectors an installed 3M reflective tubes that snap on each spoke. They freaked me out the first time a cars headlights hit the bike they are so bright they lit the ground up. Hard to get them on the thicker e-bike spokes but if you want your bicycle seen at night that’s your best bet , amazingly bright. Still need to do a 20 - 30 mile ride. Big fun , quiet , 22 mph get you places fast and not too fast so you can still appreciate the scenery. My son in law has a friend who can unlock speed restrictions , for a price of course. Besides removing the rack & fabbing a fender support I think I’m done with it. The tires are , I’ll be nice , poo poo. You can feel the drift when pushed , a little extra body english and it gets sketchy. So tires , SOON !! Otherwise it’s good for me. Never realized how many e-bikes in town , they are all over , 6 went by my house in about 3 hours. Super cheap for commuting short distances. A friend said he wouldn’t ride his other bicycle if he had a e-bike , I asked him when was the last time he rode it. He says I can’t remember. Its the fun factor and get some exercise too ! He will go buy one that’s faster than mine. ;D |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 02/27/25 at 02:27:18 Half Pint is waiting on a gasket to proceed on engine assembly. I ripped it on the end of the crankshaft. Ordered a bunch of misc loose gaskets , a partial engine set & a full engine set. Need another seal set too , I still have engine #2 to build too ! I just keep a couple days ahead on the parts cleaning then when I have time I get caught up. Chippin away little by little. Spring like conditions this week , even if it’s a false spring , it sure is welcome ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 02/28/25 at 04:00:35 While I’ve been trying to NOT get anymore projects ! But thinkin at least 3 bikes need to find new homes. That would leave the Savage/Tracker , BSA 500 TT bike , BSA 250(Half pint). That would give the garage some serious breathing room and the warehouse too ! Thin the herd a bit. And maybe at that point I’ll do another bike build , a track bike , a ground up build. Two different possibilities in my head , keepin that part under my hat until I get closer to that goal. I feel the need for speed on a race track , I miss racing ! Pickup some used leathers a new helmet and go racing. Maybe get lucky and find a race bike that needs some love. Either way I really want to race , just for fun , make some new friends ! Ya know the old fart class ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 03/01/25 at 04:04:33 I know it’s still early but temps here are in mid 70s , rain possible up to 3 weeks in forecast but it’s gettin close ! I’m gettin close to calling it , you know what ! I hate winter , I hate being cooped up in the house , just hate it. It can rain all it wants that doesn’t bother me , it’s the shorter hours of light in the day. I’m not content until we near 12 hrs of daylight per day , ya know I think they call it the spring solstice , on March 20. I would rather only sleep 6 hours and be busy for 18 hours and be outdoors too. It’s near , I can feel it , I got a mated pair of ring neck mourning doves waiting for my nectarine tree to break out with leaves so they can nest and all the rest of my backyard birds have returned the lizards are out in the day and the toads at night ! Yeah I’m calling it , Spring Fever is bustin out at Ruttly’s Place. I feel renewed , hibernation is over , let’s get busy !!! 8-) 8-) 8-) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 03/01/25 at 09:35:16 And next Sunday it’s daylight savings time , spring forward , loose an hour ! That will get me out of my downward spiral of winter depression in grand fashion ! :D |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 03/01/25 at 09:36:32 Did I mention how much I hate winter ? :( |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 03/03/25 at 10:26:51 I was out on the e-bike a few days ago and was using a shortcut under Hwy 5 to get to another trailhead to get to the next city over. Most of it is for pedestrians & bicyclists with a few that aren’t. All these trails I used to ride on my off road bikes to stay off of the streets. Here’s where those giant wheels come in handy , one trail is a is about 120’ long next to the r/r tracks so lots of loose rock & gets deeper the closer you get to the tracks. Right next to that is a flood control culvert , pipes going under the roadway. In front of the culvert is about 80’ of real big rocks between 12” to 18”. My dirt bikes would run over the top and it’s kinda like a not very steep stairway of rock. Momentum is key here go slow and you will pay dearly if you fall , so without hesitation using the same line thru it I always use and the giant wheels just cruised right over the rocks. Then tried it going down the rock incline , both ways like riding a staircase , not pedaling just using motor for transversing the rocks in both directions at speed. Big fun , around a gate near a Tesla mega factory , by the holding ponds & r/r tracks under freeway heading towards next trailhead. Usually getting from town to town without any freeways is doable to avoid traffic & people. E-bike is a excellent explorer , silent but the gravel under the tires and really nobody cares until your trespassing on private property so that’s my only rule when off roading. On the street you should obey the rules for safety ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 03/04/25 at 05:04:29 Gaskets starting to trickle in from UK for Half Pint. Installing transmission & cam & lifters. More cam homework to do , stock cam has 2 different timing marks , a line like mating gear and a V. Glad I love reading manuals , factory manual in a file but the other 2 are aftermarket books. Took a minute to find & buy a factory edition manual on eBay. I already have both parts books for 1971 250cc & 500cc , now I have the manual too and one book for both 250 & 500. Best as I can tell from multiple sources ignore the line and use the V. On this engine with stock cam isn’t the problem. It’s the MX cam , it uses the line and has no V but the line is in the same place as the stock cam. So I guess when I build engine #2 I will need to put a degree wheel on the stock cam and the MX cam. Years ago when I used the MX cam on a 250 I may have gotten real lucky that piston didn’t hit the valves. So more cam homework needed for engine #2. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 03/06/25 at 00:25:55 Box of brake parts & misc stuff to move the project forward. Brakes are the priority when it arrive next week. I may need to overhaul pivot shaft for clutch & brake pedals , remove & clean , reinstall & grease it. Then install master cylinder. That and all the wheels are relatively easy , but all steel lines needs replaced too ! Tedious work , bending & cutting then flairing the ends. I bet it’s been at least 20 years since I replumbed a complete brake system , got 3 new hoses & clips too. Now the straight brake line you buy now are Teflon coated steel tubing !? I guess it bends easier maybe last longer idk idc. Hoping brake drums aren’t rotting away and I can reuse them. If not they are available & fairly priced. It runs , it shifts , it’s steers , all the lights work & now it’s gonna stop ! Tires , 3 steer tires , 1 would be the spare and maybe a new set of snow tires for the back. I really love the look of snow tires on the back even if they never see any mud or snow. Ok maybe I’m a bit of a simpleton , wanna be redneck but I like the look of new snow tires. It will never be shiny again , it’s a survivor and she should look the part , shock value kinda thing. All for the love of driving vintage ! 8-) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 03/06/25 at 12:05:44 Ooh I see that Cafe Racer Web Shop has a line of rectifiers for use especially with lithium batteries. Definitely pricy compared to other import crap. For years my bike has always started and runs fine but it has always had an intermittent parasitic draw that is near impossible to find. I’ve swapped rectifiers , no change. Add it to the next maintenance list. They make them for a lot of makes , a interesting place to shop , all kinds of good cafe stuff. Tanks , fiberglass seats , rear sets , you name it. You can build a cafe bike out of their catalog , a cafe candy store ! ;D |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 03/08/25 at 03:49:35 Simplicity isn’t always simple ! As simple as simple could be ! Boy did I forget about this part. Still assembling Half Pints engine and the trans/cam cover has to be installed with sealant on it and here is the multitasking part. Just a smear on both sides then just line up the following , main shaft , counter shaft , both shift forks , shift fork shaft , shift plate , shift quadrant , cam , crank seal , cam seal and a o ring on the underside of the cover. 2 different ways it can be done , load it all in or load it all on the cover then install it. Without fingerprinting the sealant ! I prefer the load it all in technique. And ta boot the outer cover needs to be installed immediately after that due to sealant I’m using cause outer cover bolts go thru both covers and all need to be tightened asap after first cover. Outer cover only has the shift shaft and kickstart shafts to line up. Quickly remove any squeezed out sealant. Piece of cake , right ! Don’t let me fool you , I enjoy every minute of it , it’s what I do ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 03/08/25 at 09:34:06 My motorcycle engine building was only learned by necessity , waay back when. I didn’t have anyone interested enough to teach me. And it was mostly so I could go ride with my friends , not so much to work on others bikes. So in time others brought their engines to me. Most but not all we’re ok doing a piston but if cases need split then people would bring it to me. 2 strokes & 4 strokes , singles & twins , I’ve never built a 3 or 4 cylinder , yet. In time I found a trustworthy machine shop for boring , valve work & crankshaft work , used him for many years. Working on those tiny transmissions came in handy too. I built a 3 speed car trans , then a 4 speed , then a diff. By then I was building transmissions for commercial trucks , 4,5,6,7,8,9,10,13,15,&18 transmissions and all kinds of differentials & steering gears too. PTO systems as well as the hydraulics they power. So essentially my hobby of motorcycles started me learning the skills that took me thru a career as a mechanic. Always looking over the shoulders of the best most knowledgeable mechanics wherever I worked , cause very few mechanics willingly teach you anything but if you observe and only ask an occasional question you might just learn something. From dealerships to rental companies , my own mobile repair service for a while , then got a job at the port. Last 13 1/2 years were at the port , either you were a capable mechanic or a brown noser . And I ain’t no brown noser , I would rather throw down than have ring around the collar from sticking my head in the bosses as$ !!! The port is still old school and you better stick up for yourself or they will eat you up. Worked for 2 companies in that time and at 7 different terminals but mostly container terminals and some bulk , heavy project stuff & car ships too ! The last place I worked had between 2 terminals 13 port cranes , 20 rolling cranes , 75 top picks , 15 side picks , 50 forklifts , 5 fuel trucks , 540 support vehicles(suv & p/u) and seven people lost their lives on the job in 13 1/2 years , R.I.P. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 03/09/25 at 10:46:30 I was cleaning the right side engine cover and after it came out of the ultrasonic cleaner , a close inspection reveals 2 cracks ! I couldn’t see them before , but now clean they are clear to see. Found a nice cover on eBay here in the states , be here in a week. Cracks are repairable so I’ll save the old cover. Cheaper and faster to buy it than repair it , only $35 + shipping. Every part gets cleaned and fully inspected before going on engine. It will be a solid engine ready for some serious seat time ! I’ve been thinking about possibly attending a SBBA ride on Half Pint. Small Bike Big Adventure a club that grows bigger every year , does a 6 day ride , bout 800 miles. Bikes are restricted to 350cc or smaller and 1972 or older. Most of the ride in on the paved roads but they also include some gravel/dirt roads, big fun. I think Half Pint would be perfectly capable on any roads they gonna use. Half Pint falls right in their requirements a 1971 BSA 250cc SS (street scrambler). Also why I picked Dunlop D404s , just a great tire on most surfaces. No fear on a gravel/dirt roads with 404s. A bunch of like minded , small displacement riders out for a epic challenge of a 6 day 800 mile ride on vintage bikes. Reminds me of that old Foghat song , Slow Ride ! ;D |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 03/11/25 at 20:24:19 Half Pint waiting on side cover(next week). Double Ugly waiting on brakes to arrive(this week or next). Got out of mowing the yard , rain on & off next 3 days. Have a guitar to restring , after that put my Honda TLR200 back together with stock tail light & turn signals(bike without a name) and pull sportster out , get it started(annoys neighbors)(another bike without a name). Indoor stuff , mow next week , maybe. Brake job is the priority, early spring and early fall provide a window of fair weather , before the heat ! All projects get prioritized by parts on hand & weather. 8-) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 03/17/25 at 08:40:42 No brakes for Double Ugly yet , they gonna get a call so I can find out what’s up with the order. Still puttin the little Honda back together, also detailing it as I go. Chosen to be sold , need the space or maybe a small dirt bike with a happy button. Side cover for Half Pint is here , however the bushing for the kick starter was absent. Unable to find one here stateside , but was able to locate a nos bushing in UK and its enroute. Have many parts houses here stateside for Half Pint , but the bulk of the nos stock is in UK. Want to finish both the BSAs this year. Just not sure if I’m gonna start anymore project bikes , at least till I clear out the deadwood. Having only 3 or 4 bikes would give me back a lot of space. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 03/24/25 at 01:04:52 Most everything project related is waiting on parts. Honda TLR200 just needs some fresh fuel , find pink slip and work on selling it ! Totally lost interest in the BSA 650 that will never be imported here. But a glimmer of hope , be it very dim glimmer but supposedly Honda has made moves to bring the new GB500 to the USA & UK. The big brother to the GB350S that sells good in the UK. A retro styled thumper , hope it looks like the 350 with a bigger piston. 2026 year model , so maybe late 2025. More than a few sources announced it , something positive is good to hear with KTM in deep dodo , last I heard BMW was going to buy that disaster. And seems Harley also in deep dodo. I watched a video of a guy installing a 1200 kit on a 883. Looked pretty simple , I haven built a twin in about 45 years and never a Harley. Baker 6 speed and 1200 kit and Mikuni carb kit are up in the warehouse waiting. Along with a bunch of goodies. Build it or sell it , just not sure , leaning on the sell it side , hell idk ! But if I build it , I’m goin all in , something special , a 883 sleeper with a stock looking fire breathing 1200 with 1200 gearing & a 6 speed trans. Think I bought set up for stock air filter to fit on Mikuni carb , already has a 2 into 1 exhaust. Have plenty of time to decide. Hot on gettin my parts for Half Pint so I can finish it , my Sunday bike. It won’t have the big attitude of the Tracker , but she will have a classic British style and note. I been under the weather for 2 weeks. Got the itch to finish the engine. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by MMRanch on 03/24/25 at 11:49:36 Hi Ruttly Hay the 883 is the original, those 3.5 inch 1200cc pistons throw the engine out of balance. I'd like to do the 2024 SBBA RIDE maybe this August ... can you be ready by then ? My 2022 enfield 350 Meteor is ready now. I pinch penny's every where I go so it's not going to hurt your wallet too much. . |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 03/24/25 at 21:01:07 Hey MM , The bike might be done by then but until I’m feeling a whole lot better all my rides are 40-50 miles max. That and looking after my wife as well. I’ve done every heart test the can throw at me , they say it’s not my heart , we are adjusting meds now , now I’m adjusting to feeling like Mr. Potatohead , so not riding or driving much until I level back out again. After 40 miles of seat time I’m exhausted and that’s not right. Doing ten miles on e-bike when I feel good. Sensitive to hot & cold & bright lights too. That tells me infection or worse. Awesome weather this week , Spring is here ! I’ll still sneak out for a bit of therapy here & there. Still waiting on a bushing and a wrench from UK for 250 engine maybe another week or two. But I have studied videos for the sportster for installation of baker 6 speed , Barnett clutch , 1200 kit with cam timing too. 4 videos , got the manuals , piece of cake , but will need to go be dyno tuned = $$$ ! All without changing its appearance of a XL883R. I will be sure to weigh old pistons to new and adjust as needed. I’m still gonna sell it , I’m sick I just want to build it first ! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D Do you know where this years ride will be ? |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 03/24/25 at 22:05:52 Ever had a chemical heart stress test with nuclear dye ? Thought I was gonna vapor lock , some scary $hit. Takes almost 4 hrs to complete the test. When I was done he asked me who’s driving me home ! Me I replied. The test kicked my butt , I was wrecked for 2 days , starting to feel a bit better. It was all easy but the actual stress test kicked my a$s , a hellish 5 minute ride , a millisecond after the needle gets pushed into IV tube , you feel like you can’t breath , body goes into instant full sweat , just like having a heart attack , seems like forever. By minute 3 it tapers off , after the 5 minute mark , I’m still reeling can barely stand up , rubber knees. If that’s what shooting crank in your arm is like , wow scary ! I wonder how many years that took off my heart ! They can take that treadmill and stick it where the sun doesn’t shine! Passed all their tests , have blood pressure of a twenty year old , they are blaming it on stress ! Spinal meningitis causes sensitivity to hot & cold & bright light , maybe one more test ! 8-) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 03/24/25 at 22:12:18 MM , Do you miss the cows ? It’s been 3 years since the ranch had homes built on it ! I liked the cows more than all the rest of my neighbors ! I definitely miss the cows , :-/ |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by LANCER on 03/25/25 at 03:23:51 Ruttly, I had spinal meningitis when I was 7, spent 2 weeks in the hospital, virtually no memory of it, unconscious 95% of the time, was not expected to survive, but if I did there would be serious handicaps. Thats why I’m the way I am. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 03/25/25 at 11:11:27 202D222F293E7E7B4C0 wrote:
That’s why you’re a diehard Savage Brother ! Strange how something’s in childhood direct us to our adulthood passions. Neither father or brother ever influenced my direction in life , it just happened that way. It was the first mini bike at age 7 that was to blame , and growing up in the sixties , the hay day of motorcycle off roading ! I was also deadly ill as a child with pneumonia, several times. When I was in the hospital the room overlooked a busy Geary street in San Francisco , a million cars would go by and never peak my interest , but the motorcycles seemed so free to go wherever/whenever. Maybe that was my catalyst , to start my burning fire of motorcycle passion ! :D :D :D |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by MMRanch on 03/25/25 at 21:59:27 Do you know where this years ride will be ? Yes Ruttly , The 2024 ride was in "SD Surges" area. The 2025 ride is "The Ozarks" , North-West Arkansas. Our Savage Ride was there (Ozarks) for two years and it's a GREAT AREA for a small bike ride! The ridding is such that a 250cc would be just as good as a 2500cc . It's all laid-back putt-putt . I was on a V7-II Guzzi and ridding double and except for one long up-hill climb I never needed more than 1/2 throttle. My 25 HP 350cc Enfield ridding solo would be right at home in the area, 4th gear climbs up anything at 50-60mph. I suspect our ride around Moab might be better on a smaller bike too , but I'm bringing the 650cc one for the "Un-Known factor", at least the first year. It's only 100 pounds more. :) ....................................................... So Ruttly We all load the bikes up for them long hauls ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 03/27/25 at 22:58:43 To tell you the truth I would have trouble doing a ride in this state. My health is my first concern till I get better I’m laying low. I did do a 51 mile ride on the tracker today. Felt no stress in the chest while riding , maybe due to an abundance of air being taken in ! But the hip gave me my reality check for the day. That bike is jetted to perfection , not a burp , cough or a fart , just a big thumper that makes me smile. I’ll work on getting healthy , not ready to die just yet , I got bikes to build ! 8-) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 03/27/25 at 23:31:46 Next ride 101+ miles , I have a new short cut to all the m/c dealerships in Modesto , well most of them on Carpenter Road. All backroads along the river , bugs,bugs,bugs ! Have a few loops in hills to the west , mapped one and still haven’t run it yet. It will require at least 2 fill ups(small tank)and carry a can of fuel from the hardware store just in case it’s farther than expected. This time of year it’s nice & cool , but soon it will be 100+ , the norm ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 03/28/25 at 20:44:54 Put that Honda back together , still same problem , a bad ground. This bike is a bit different has a ground at battery and frame and all other grounds spider off in different locations. Typical Japanese wiring so knowing that I took the entire harness off the bike and started ohm testing all the grounds connections , found 2 grounds that readings had 10 times the resistance of all the rest. Cut that nasty sticky 39 yr old tape off the harness a bit at a time till of course almost to the other end before I found it. Tiny brass crimp holding 5 wires together , 1 wire spiders off to the 2 with high resistance. Cut crimp out strip the 5 wires , slip a section of shrink tubing on the wire and solder the connection , slide shrink over soldered joint. Still have to wrap entire harness with fuzzy electrical tape and install it. Fuzzy tape is my favorite , looks great and is more flexible than black electrical tape. I also wire electric guitars so I’m kinda fussy about how things are wired. I’m tired I’ll wrap & install it tomorrow. See if I fixed it ! |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 04/08/25 at 00:46:42 That little Honda is complete but some plastics , but haven’t felt like kick starting it. Every time that I think about starting it I just go ride the tracker somewhere for absolutely no other reason than it’s got a happy button. What can I say , it does make me happy ! Double Ugly has been a formidable opponent/foe , punch for punch in my face daily. Started doing rear brakes get the wheels & drums off , needs drums , I knew it , order 4 all the same. Rest of the parts arrived , kinda , everything but the shoes. Call the guy , rest off That order on the way. I knew spider gears in diff are worn. I was spinning right rear drum flange and I could feel some thing either bad spiders or wheel bearing , so gave the left side a spin twice as bad ! Pull axles , backing plates , drain diff , yup spiders shaft is 1/4” over spec , remove carrier , bearings are nice , ring & pinion perfect , carrier has some damage but still very usable , so just reassemble with new spider gear set. Very wrong , I spent hours calling around and the parts I need are NLA. So what I did find is there are no sets , just random parts still around , I found the odd ball side gears with 19 splines and the thrust washers. I guess late Dana 41 to early Dana 44. But cannot find spider gears or the thrusts or the shaft. Oh I’ll find it , I have a coffee maker ! Finally , a used set shows up on eBay , in very usable condition. But still looking for new if possible , almost sure the shaft is available. Either way I think the used kit is enough to reassemble & continue with brakes. Left axle bearing was bad so both sides will get new bearings too. One real cool thing kinda popped up was a stainless pre bent brake line set , it’s gonna save a lot of time. So yeah I been swimming in it , barely keepin my head above the water. I’m in my element finding parts that don’t exist to fix it and make it go ! 8-) |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 04/08/25 at 01:03:39 All the delivery guys hate me , giant boxes , small 80 lb boxes. Brake drums coming real soon ! Then TIRES ! Really Loud Evil Laughter |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by MMRanch on 04/08/25 at 21:11:47 Yaaa , I'd enjoy having a old Honda CB350 https://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/Honda/honda_cb350K_70.html but I don't need the extra pain-in-the-sitting place ! So , I have a modern classic. It's not as fast but it's nice , and it don't vibrate ! ::) I did enjoy putting a performance cam in it and opening up the breathing holes best I could ! :) ...................................... I thought I wanted a old XL250 : https://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/Honda/honda_xl250_72.html But I read somewhere they have a "Primary" chain . I don't like the idea of chain Primary - more than I like the idea of the things a XL250 could do ! So , that was the end of that ! ;D The 305 Scrambler seems like a good idea ? :-? https://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/Honda/honda_c77.html You have any idea how they're built ? I think the "Point-less" firing system is available for most of them old Honda's ? But I've got my single cylinder 350 up to about the same HP as the 305 Honda engines of Old and the new 350 Enfield has a lot more torque . ;) When I don't know what to do ... I do nothing ... |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 04/09/25 at 20:36:58 That’s a tough question ! What vintage bike to own ? Something almost modern , fair amount of power , easy to work on , cheap parts , fuel mileage and comfy to ride a spell. Kinda sounds like RE 350 and it has a happy button , LOL. I’d didn’t pick the BSA , it was thrust upon me. Half Pint will be the Sunday bike. I think if I had to choose a vintage bike to buy & ride it would be without a doubt , a Norton 850 ( with a happy button ). Semi exotic , British , Fast , centerfold worthy in any moto porn mag ! Shows impeccable tastes & sophistication ( fancy words for you paid out the a$s for it ). Norton uses shapes and lines like no other. Hand built and it shows. |
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Title: Re: Spring Fever Post by Ruttly on 05/02/25 at 01:44:30 Alright I’m back. Little Honda with a ground problem still giving me fits , had to step away. Double Ugly definitely progressing , rear axle is done , rear brakes done ( now have a parking brake ) that means I can drive it , Right ! New shocks at all 4 corners. New rear tires are on(traction tires) , haven’t got tubes to mount the other 3 steer tires yet , next week. Moving to front brakes then master cylinder & brake lines. Pushing hard everyday to get brakes done before summer heat sets in. Then back on the bikes at night when it’s cool. It’s hard trying to be a purist by keeping it old while renewing the old girl. Could have put modern wheels with radial tires but NO , she started life with 16 x 4 1/2” rims with 6.50-16 bias ply tires , tall & skinny tires. She’s gonna look like it just left the farm for an errand. Making friends all over the lower 48 hunting parts and an education with every phone call. After it runs & drives , the interior , doors & glass. Big Big fun , getting to use all those tools I brought home when I retired. It will sit for weeks sometimes , key on , pull choke , pump the pedal twice , push starter button , it starts so quick it scares me ! 8-) |
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