Sold!

Well to anyone reading this, the chopper is sold. Part of the sale price included a 1980 XS650. This one will not be as involved as the chopper but it will be brought to a reliable running state with some performance updating in the handling, brakes and a 'cafe racer' look to it. I will also blog that build when I start it, which will be when its a little warmer out!

Higher quality pics are finally here. Full album can be found HERE.

 

Finally took the time to paint the electronics tank and battery box. Came across some problems while taking out the electronics tank. I had accidentally pushed the alternator harness into the chain and it wore through one of the wires. So while I had it out for paint I repaired that wire and re-covered the harness. I also had to replace the hardware and leather spacers that were the lower mounts to the fender. They must have loosened up while riding and fell out. This gave me the opportunity to 'enhance' the spacing there by adding 2 larger washers to take up a little more space which would allow me to torque down more onto the leather spacer while maintaining an even space around the tire.

Took a few quick pics today on the phone. Don't have access to the Nikon for a few more days. Some of theses are pretty crappy with the glare, but oh well these will do for now.

On the way to work.

Here's a quick shot just before I rode in to work. I've put a tad over 100 miles on it and she's doing great.

Here is what it looked like the first day I got the bike.....

Ok so here's a quick pic I just took during my lunch walk at work. I plan on having more detailed pictures taken later when the electronics tank is painted. I just haven't completely decided on the finish yet.

Let's try this again...

Well after wasting time and paint on the brake disc, I realized the other day that the one I put on the bike is actually a rear disc. It's about 1.25" smaller in diameter than a front disc. Sooo, back to ebay to purchase a used rotor. It came in yesterday and I got it painted last night. I am planning on registering the bike today, putting the brake disc on, and hopefully getting it out on the road!

Almost done! Wrapped the exhaust pipes with 1" wide DEI titanium heat wrap. Should compliment the high temp exhaust paint well. Riding it around the yard I didn't notice the heat from the pipes that much with just the paint unless I actually touched them, so this wrap should make it even better.

I was also able to finish the speedometer bracket and the wiring. The green LED is the neutral indicator and the blue is the high beam indicator.

Only things left are to finish sanding the gas tank then I have to paint the e-tank. Still not 100% on the paint I bought for it though....

Just about finished mounting the handle bar switches. The left side has a horn push button and high/low beam toggle, the right side is an ignition kill switch. The mounting blocks were machined for me by a buddy Gabe back in CT. Didn't have time to drill and tap the screw hole for the left block.

Rode the bike around the yard some more on Saturday. Worked out some kinks, adjusted the carbs, and some other tweaks. That means that I did finish sanding the left side engine cover finally.
I also had to make some adjustments to the e-tank; like moving the voltage regulator off of the battery terminal and onto the accessory terminal on the key switch, and also enlarging the holes that the battery cables pass through to minimize rubbing. I finished off the night with completing the wiring for the tail light to both the front and rear brake switches. Here's a pic how I've been making all the harnesses on this bike. Terminals are crimped and soldered and the heat shrink is adhesive lined which makes it semi-water proof and adds structure.

On Sunday I didn't get a whole lot done, I drilled/filed the hole for the kill switch that will be on the right hand side of the handle bars. That was a TON of work trying to precisely file a square-ish hole in stainless tubing! I'm also kinda stuck because I need some more of the sheathing to make things neater in the front end and I don't want to run wires without it.

Up next...

• Wiring up the kill switch harness.
• Headlight harness to the left handle bar grip where there will be a high/low beam toggle switch and a horn button. 
• Make the speedometer bracket, then it will be wired along with the high beam and neutral LED indicators as a unit with harness. 
• Ugh, almost there.

OH - and you know you live in farm country when a local accident involves a John Deere!

I took this picture at the end of our driveway. I didn't even hear the accident until traffic had backed up to the driveway. Looks like the white Impreza hit the tail end of the plow knocking the wheel sideways.