Wicked Rod on ebay!

If I had the money, it wasnt across a sizable pond, and I had a remote chance of fitting in it I could definately be tempted with this beast!

Toddy - a blog to watch!

There is a new blog to watch, toddy's bikes are all awesome. Detailling comes second nature to this guy, and the time taken in every aspect of his bikes it to be admired! Keep an eye on his elegant engineering solutions and hand machined details on all projects. His blog is :-

http://toddy-roofchopssumpscrapers.blogspot.com/

I've witnessed the engines due to be turned into bikes and will be watching with baited breath to see what he makes!

Awesome Z Bars

Going to try and put some more bits and bobs on the blog to show what I'm liking.
In my eyes its all about the detailling, and these bars from RockSolid Motorcycles are absolutely spot on. That extra depth given with the 2 different sizes of tube absolutely make these bars!

Seat done

Seat Pan Mark 2

Started to re-make the seat for the bike, I have been roughly basing it on the 45 harley pan that was in the indian basket. This time ive got the help of the roller for forming some of the bigger curves on the seat.

This is where I started and used the roller to curve the back, and start off the curve of the front. (ignore the lines on the sheet)

Made a rough template of the shape I wanted for the seat from newspaper, and drew around it.

Angle grinder used to cut it out, then start forming some of the shapes on the good old gas bottle!

This is where I left it for the night. I was clever enough to use ear plugs this time, so i can actually hear tonight!

New Tinslecat Stickers - Come and get them!

Took delivery of my stickers for the blog today - came out absolutely spot on!

Glittery as hell, and gonna look wicked planted all over the toolbox - if you want some, give me a shout!

Seat mockup

Used the seat pan for the Indian to mockup where the springs can be mounted on the bike, still slightly high on the back of the seat, but i definately want to use the springs and a new seatpan!

Scarlett Art

If your wanting some food for your eyeballs keep an eye on Scarletts work on her new blog. Not afraid to turn her hand to anything, Scarlett does some beutiful artwork, signs and recently the cover of Dice magazine (No 31 - the one with the awesome wind up toy!)

Looking for logos / tank designs or just some kick ass art work? you better head over to her blog - scarlettrickard.blogspot.com

Seat Dilemma

Got a real battle going on in my head at the moment. one of the first things I made for the bike was the seat pan. I really enjoyed making it, and am damn proud of my first effort, BUT i have scored this wicked sprung seat that would look awesome on the bike. It will need a new wider seat pan making for it, but it just looks awesome on there!

Its a bit high on the mockup pictures, but it really fits the bike........

LED Lighting

I'm in turmoil with the number plate mounts and headlight mounts at the moment - i think sometimes i think into them too much!

had a fiddle about with some bitties I got from the Hong Kong post the other week - Ultra bright LED's. These things are seriously bright, and i'm hoping that 3 should illuminate my number plate for all too see!

Done a bit of soldering of the right resistors so I can run them directly to the 12v power system on the bike

Fuel Filter

I picked up an old car fuel filter in Newark a while back. it'll get mounted to the frame tomorrow.... its rather large - although what on the bike isn't?

Stickers!

A big thanks to Paulie over at Magneto Zoo and the guys at Flakekings for the stickers which are in pride of place on my toolchest!

Your in good company guys - I'll get some stickers sent in return shortly.....

Bars and tank fitting

Got the tank to fit at the back, and the new bars on - flats are so much nicer!

Headtube badge

It started with a conversation with a mate of mine Donny when I started the bike; how can you leave your mark on the bikes you make? Both being pushbike orientated in the past we started taking about head tube badges and could we make some for our bikes (mine on the engined variety, his of the pedal..).

Plenty of tinkering and experimenting later, I finished these badges on the weekend. They need to be cut out and bent to fit, but I'm well pleased with the outcome!

Tank Top

Picked up the Tank for the bike yesterday, after a couple of long days on the road I couldnt resits a late night visit to the shed to see how it looks....

I'm well pleased, perfect size and proportions!

Tank and fender!

Picked up what I hope to be the final tank for the bike yesterday. although these drives up to scotland are a real drag, its not so bad when I come home with a car full of bike bits as an added bonus! I'll get some pics up when I get back tomorrow!

Elec-trickery

Gonna be having a fair amount of help with the wiring on the bike - having not done anything like this before. Rowan over in Spain has stepped up and will be assisting me with the wiring diagram for the bike. There are plenty of aspects to consider - were starting off with a basic wiring diagram from an XS650 (nothing basic about that), and working out what is needed and not needed. After that the wiring diagrams from the combined regulator and rectifier, Boyer ignition and electonic speedo need to be grafted onto the basic loom! Sorry Rowan - it isnt a nice easy harley to wire up is it?

Here are some of the switches I have as options to fit......

Home after a couple of days on the road and there were a load of lovely brown parcels waiting for me!

It was an expensive weekend with having to order both a combined regulator/rectifier and an electronic speedo - the speedo is bloody nice tho!

Getting better at welding!

Ive had a bit of a revelation with the welding. turns out I was welding in the wrong direction (i.e. away from the rod). Tried it the other way thanks to a bit of guidance from Mr Toddy and it all seems to be looking a hell of a lot better!

I'm actually really proud of my welds now!