Thursday 14 March 2013

The Great Sticker Swap of 2013

Right then Blog buddies - Instagram seems to be taking a grip over blog land at the moment, but I know there are still you die hard Blog fans out there...

I've got a load of Deathcat stickers to give away - all you got to do is email me your address to TC@customxs650.com and i'll post you them. International sticker whores - yeh you too!

cant say fairer than that - free shit.....


Now if your a nice Blog reader you'll help a man in need - sent me some stickers back! I've got this dented old tank to cover, and at the moment its a bit half arsed!


Wednesday 13 March 2013

Wiring progress

Another couple of hours under my belt this morning. Work to do this arvo unfortunately! (he says as updating his thread)

Made a start on the wiring, front headlamp is sorted, flash works of the micro switch on the handlebars. Need a new horn to put on, but that should be the front complete.

Also assembled the brake light for the rear - I bloody love this thing. should really make the back of the bike. Trying my best to make the wiring as neat as possible on it all. Think i'm gonna have to have a look at the light again, I don't think its going to be properly grounded at the moment due to the powder coating...



Took a bit of an arty shot when having a coffee break....



I had an issue with where I originally intended to mount the reg rec. I had made mounts for it under my battery tray, but I felt it was a bit vulnerable under there, plus would take the full force of all the road salt etc...

As I had mislaid one of the rear engine mounts prior to powder coating I decided to mount behind the engine. Hope there isnt too much of an issue with it getting too hot - but time will tell....

Knocked up this mount from stainless plate



and this is where it will sit. I think its out the way of the chain, but i'll have to wait to 100% check that....



Tuesday 12 March 2013

Cro clamp and bars

Bought a set of celebs clamps for the 45 a while back. Been putting off welding them until today.

Tank Fubar!

FINALLY! I got some time to work on the bike.

It was a bloody cold one today, didn't get above freezing, and was snowing, but I was determined to get some progress.

Got the carbs on, noticed the throttle assembly is knackered, so will need to fix that... Need to order some more jubilee clips for the air filters...

Thought best to get the engine in tight, went to put the head steady on; had to drill the mounts and the frame to get it to fit. I got it all on after a load of jiggling and fiddling, then went to put the tank on....



Holy shit, how did I miss this.... Hadn't tried the tank on with the head steady on!  

FUUUUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCKKKKKKK!


Had to have a sit and a thing and a very hot strong coffee....

There was 2 options, make a skinnier mount, or change the tank....

Now I've heard a lot about head steadies not wanting to be too rigid. With the heat of the engine, everything grows and what not, puts stresses on the frame etc....

So even though it would be a ball ache, I decided to cut the tank!!!!!!!!!

I didn't want to destroy the paint, so would have to be as delicate as a mad man can be with a grinder and welder....

Marked up what I would need to cut and kept the tank on an old jumper so it didn't scratch too bad..



Took a while to cut it out, then clean all the paint off..



Made up some trays or inserts to put in the tank.... 



Then tacked and welded the buggers in place





Finally the tank was put on the bike, and hallelujah! The bugger now fits!


It's a bit 2 steps forward one back, but good progress none the less....

Tuesday 5 March 2013

Ornamental Conifer

I met Nico last year in the Trip out, turned out we had common friends, and it got us talking. I'd seen his work, and been following his blog for a while. Being the Gentleman he is, he offered to do me a sign for Sarah and my wedding which is just a couple of weeks away. Just seen the pictures on his blog, and its awesome!

In the last 4 years or so, they guys I've met through the bike community have been a pleasure, willing to help, share, and generally be good guys. 

Check out Nico's work on his blog Ornamental Conifer - a craftsman in a world of incompetents....