Fun with 5hp

This not-so-mini mini bike was built a few years ago just for fun. Pretty much everything was built from scratch including the springer that actually works. Oil filler cap for an air cleaner cover, piece of vacuum pipe for an exhaust, torque-a-verter, Schwinn bicycle lights and taillights, (it took me 3 years to find another set to make the dual lights). The lights are hooked up to a bicycle generator so they actually work. 20" bicycle front wheel and a rupp minibike rear wheel. Brake pedal is a Honda shifter. The bars are narrowed and cut down XS650 pullbacks. My neighbor stitched up the seat. The whole bike was sprayed down with Testors model car paint. Yeah it took a lot of cans but it was work it.

 I later changed the dished peanut tank to a fake prism tank with lace work.

 And it pulls wheelies! Whats not to love.

We'll be there!

And you should too!

Some Tank Work

I started work on the tanks for the GS550. I cut out the bung and filler neck so now I have two clean shells to start with.

Ed's Place

Went over to Ed's place this morning to check out progress on his shovel and troubleshoot some things.

Back on the 550!

Back in the shop I can start on the GS550 again. Not too much is left but its still going to be a lot of work. Split tanks, exhaust, foot controls, new battery box, and some frame modifications are in the future.

The split tanks, some photos for inspiration, and the caps and bungs I extracted from two old Triumph oil tanks are all I need to get going.

 This is about where the tanks are going to sit. Not to high, not to low and is just the right size for that motor.

 I'm thinking I'm going to hide the coils in right in that opening in the frame.

Old Foto Friday

Getting back into the groove of things here. I know its been dead for a bit here but I've got some new things coming up to post for the new year. For now enjoy this Old Foto Friday. Brand new '69 Sportster and the decals were already ripped off and replaced with pinstriping. Also note the front plates they had to run in the late '60s.

This Esso Station was somewhere off of Skyline Drive in NJ.

Mark Your Calendar!

Last year was such a blast we're doing it again this year! We are kicking it off on Friday July 20th with a SHOW CLASS magazine release party at the Vernon Inn bar with live music from Uncle shoe Horn. Saturday July 21st at the Rickey Farm will be vintage motorcycle show( Harley, British, Jap, and people choice awards) BBQ, Cold Bevs, live music, bonfire, camping, giveaways! For more info and updates be sure to check out http://strangedaysevent.blogspot.com

If you want to check out last years event check it out here

Easy Winter In NJ So Far

Just a few more days and I head back to NYC for my last and final semester. In the meantime I'm enjoying as much riding as possible.

Sunday I hung out with Ben working on his pan. He's been in the process of putting it back to looking stock.
He's installed floorboards, tin primary, mousetrap. The stock style fender is out for paint. New chain, sprockets and tires are also on their way. The engine is also getting new head gaskets.

New tabs for the inner primary to mount to.

Ben also had to turn his own spacer for the inner primary.

 End of the day Sunday things were starting to shape up nice.

Happy New Year

Nothin says Happy New Year like a new set of pans. Big thanks to Slink! While the heads were off they were cleaned and got new valve springs and guides. Also at long last we modified the S&S backing plate to fit the old style round air cleaner. What an improvement! Its something we've wanted to do for years. Next thing to do is to toss those burned up pipes!

The sidecar bike is still being worked on. The rear wheel needs some serious attention and a new rear axle is on its way. The new forks are on and the new tires need to be mounted on their rims. I also need to order new rubber bushings for this sidecar body and then we can finally start putting this thing back together.