Very.

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 !

Ruttly wrote on 04/03/23 at 01:00:24:


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.

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 !    

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.

Thanks Dave

Ruttly wrote on 04/04/23 at 23:26:18:



A Nobel effort that is.

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.