Day 8 - Starting the final mock up

I don't know if I am incredibly slow or what, but I figured with my lack of experience, I really should take my time to do this right. Almost every piece/system on this bike needs some sort of attention to make it fit or line up correctly. There's apparently a lot of finessing to be done to get it right.

So, I am nearly finished gathering parts, applying the right paint and finishes, and out sourcing work. I am currently getting my wheels trued and tires mounted. I have a contact back east who can rebuild my generator. Everyone I've spoken to has said you should have someone comptent to do it. Obviously, I don't fit the criteria.

What I have done is started the final mock up of the bike. I am checking for fitment issues and mounting every last nut and bolt. I plan to tear it back down again and, for the final build, have everything dialed in so it's just a matter of assembly.

So, I have the frame back from the painter and it looks better than it did before I had it straightened. I've installed the rear stand, forks, steering damper, front and rear footboard support rods, brake crossover with levers, engine with carb, transmission, inner primary, clutch, and primary chain.

The inner primary was a pain in the ass. I spent well over an hour trying to get everything to line up. The rear footboard and engine breather/chain oiler have to pass through the inner primary as well and they caused me lots of problems. I then installed the clutch, primary chain, and front sprocket. I don't know how tight the chain is suppose to be, but it's very tight right now. I have a feeling it might require more play in the chain than I have now. I'll be sure to ask a pro once they're all back from Davenport, IA. I also can't get my repop chain oiler to fit at all. It simply won't screw into the oiler and pass through the hole in the inner primary. I wonder if I have a poorly made tube, or something's wrong with my setup. I don't have the resources to manipulate the tube...this might be a problem I set aside.

Engine is in, forks are on

Breather tube next to the jack stands. Can't get it to fit!

Inner primary cover, clutch and chain installed. Shit is tighter than Dick's hat band.

Next, I am going to install the mudguards, battery box, and coil. I think I need a few more parts to mount the coil. I also need to paint my tail light assembly.

Dash

So, I got the dash pretty much squared away. An expert source informed me I have to put insulators between the bakelite plates and the base plate. I'll have to tear it down and do that again. It looks great I think!

Big dry patch...

So, I haven't been up to much these days. I did accomplish a few things and I was set back on a few others. I decided to powder coat a few items that might need some extra durability: Inner primary covers, wheel hubs and rims, and a few other small parts.

I finally got my spokes media blasted to simulate the original finish. The powder coating and stainless steel spokes are AMCA approved as far as I know. I laced the wheels, but I am going to have some one else true the spokes and then mount the tires and tubes.

Wheel laced and ready to be trued

I found a painter to re-paint my frame. Hopefully that will be done soon. After that, I can get to work on the bike.

Here's the bike during a mock up. About as far as I've gotten...

Update...

My to do list includes:
Getting left over parts painted up
Lacing wheels with media blasted stainless spokes
Waiting for the rest of my parts to come in
Getting generator rebuilt
Parkerize some more parts including the dash base
Repaint frame after it was trashed during straightening (my fault for not getting it checked before paint)

I'll be posting more progress in a few days hopefully!

Fixed commenting settings...

My settings were to only have registered users be able to post. I can see how many would rather not do this, so I opened it up to anyone who wants to comment. Please feel free to do so as I need all the help I can get! Thanks!

Thomas

Day 7 - Forks and Fenders

Another quick post as I am tired as hell. I just finished installing the fork rockers and hardware, front fender and hardware, and rear fender with hardware. It's actually starting to look like a motorcycle!

Please disregard low light artifact. The iPhone 4 isn't that good in this regard.

Another pic, darker but better color

I believe this was a 1918 JD with english side hack. From the Dixon AMCA swap meet

Setback

Rear rim is bent...you can see it when I spin the wheel. Why didn't I see that before? I guess I can use the spare from the side hack!