Monday, October 27, 2014

Sparky

The bike isn't running as well as I might have hoped.  Wayne "Ratman" turned me on to the Ignitec spark system... programmable and it uses solid state that eliminates the need to use the stator for the spark pulses.






Next step is to tidy up the work area.  Downside of the lift is everything ends up on top of it. Something I did not anticipate is the modification means not all the parts go back on.  I have a pile of parts clouding the issue.  Simple is better I guess.


Thursday, October 2, 2014

Collar

The weather turned cooler.  I did mow the yard

Got the collar machined and the front end is on... ordered a front axle spacer

Perhaps the right caliper will fit without hitting the disk now





Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Heads Up

Doing the head bearings
















Top fits nicely
















Bottom not so much... it needs a little machine shop work

Friday, July 25, 2014

Mufflage

I'm not a fan of loud... so despite all the childlike stuff about my Cxfe Racer there's this


Just got the tapered bearings for the front end... need to do a spacer... may need a little lathe work... 400cc oil in the forks... bleed the front brakes... clamp the mufflers... do a bit of wiring.. put on the lic. plate, throw on the old seat and GO Ride... so, maybe a week?

 

Thursday, July 17, 2014

Different Kind of Racket



The old CX a bit better now, I had a coolant leak when it came up to temperature.

Need to make a mount for the old tach and temp gauge...
still don't know if I'll get an Ace meter... pricey

Going to order exhaust silencer pipes I think... the old ones are pretty ratty. I hate exhaust work so fresh material will make it easier.



As you can see in the video I have no Clip Ons for the forks yet...
neeed advice on size, I think they are 50mm.. taking a chance on size here


Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Two step backwards one step forward

Had a heck of a time deciding to tear the old front end off an mock up
the new used front end off of a Hysong GT 250R.

Hope it's not sprung to soft... we will see

Alls Balls does not make a kit... I need to consult the CX500 forum... what would I do without those guys?



Monday, June 30, 2014

Fork Yes

I think one of the reasons I stalled with the build is

I have been Jonesing for a new front end off a Honda CB600RR but they are way expensive

CX brakes are marginal at best and this bike will be waaay faster than stock

But there is a solution thanks to a Kiwi and the Internet

Steve F. used the setup off a Hyosung GT250.... on his CX500 Cafe!

Cheap but not a plug and play setup, I'll need to make a spacer... no worries.

I found and entire front end off a Hyosung GT250 stateside

A pic of Steve's completed racer... and I'm digging the fairing too... 
Copy is the best form of flattery, right?


Go See the rest of the build CLICK HERE

Thursday, June 19, 2014

The last 20%

It's been said the last 20% of a build like this takes 80% of the time. 

I agree, my brain is at an impasse with some detail work.

How to hide the wiring that was in the gigantic headlight.




Monday, May 12, 2014

Spring has Sprung?



Cleaned the garage a bit today... Spring has sprung? I hope.

It has yet to reach 75F in Billings this year but I moved the ST1300 outside so that there would be more room to work. I have not changed the oil or prepared it to ride yet so maybe the weather will warm up.... finally?

















I've stalled a bit on the CX so I have not posted for a bit.

I did some wiring but I hate to cut up the wiring harness so I need to figure out how to hide the wiring that was in the gigantic headlight.  I'm going with a much smaller and more efficient unit. I may make a leather pouch/handlebar bag to conceal the wires.  Wish me luck with that.


I got the new compact battery.... tiny, THEY say it'll crank a 1000cc bike... it weighs just 1.8 pounds so that is hard to believe.  It will reside where the exhaust "H" box was.
I need to separate the mufflers from the H box and the headers.  I hate to use the air chisel but it may come to that as I cannot pull them apart.















Saturday, March 29, 2014

It's like software I think

I bit done today, rear wheel paint and install... not thrilled...
I have heard that software developers are never quite satisfied...
I get that feeling...
I am not used to a cosmetic build. 
With the ST, I just make it mechanically sound...
Rick kept the ST so clean... I just ride it.










Friday, March 28, 2014

Loose fitting shoes


 Don't ask



Today, (in loose fitting shoes) I will:

1. Clean up the 130 lbs of metal crap that was removed from the CXFE project bike, along with the remnants of the wooden carton the bike lift came in.  It's all been under the snow but that's all melted now and the driveway looks like a Tennessee farm  (sorry Sam, not your farm)

2. Clean and paint the rear wheel... and attempt to install it without scratching it.

3. See if the front end of the ST1100 would work on the CX.... (I didn't use the fan Will)

Now for the Inspiration of the week, day, whatever
Out of Underground Garage Panama




Thursday, March 27, 2014

Stalled a bit

Inspirational bike of the week, day, whatever

I am stalled waiting for some parts... and warmer weather to paint the rear wheel. The front turned out OK, not great... it was a bit cool.  Garage is heated but paint need warmer than that. The 642 flag is for a Touring Contest this summer with the Glacial Lakes Motorcycle Club

Friday, March 14, 2014

Fuel it

Had a heck of a time coming up with a fuel system that looks complicated but isn't.  Don't want the thing leaking all over.  3 rubber hoses instead of six now.  The larger tubing is the crankcase breather system... a work in progress

Saturday, March 8, 2014

Engine is in

Wrestled the engine in by myself.  Not easy but I didn't drop it.
Carbs are on... plumbing and wiring next.  Or maybe rear wheel.
 And no the handlebars are not upside down...
just turned up out of the way... musta hit my head 5 times

Sunday, March 2, 2014

After a brake











I surrendered to Canada.  It has been bitter bitter cold. After a bit of a break, it's time to work on the CXFE Racer again. The garage is heated but I hated to put Maggie's car out in the cold. It was -20F this morning... an all time record for the month of March.   It's going to warm up this week.

 I'll see about putting the engine back in.  I was unable to pick it up and put it on top of the jack.  I'll try lowering the lift.


Sunday, February 23, 2014

that's a Shock

It's snowing again... no, that's not a shock









Thankfully, I have a heated garage

These Ebay shocks were supposed to fit a CX 500

They are shorter than stock, which is fine, I wanted the bike lower anyway... the eyelets weren't the same size and they were not as wide as the originals.  So, a bit of manipulation was in order. But they are on.

I like 'em, remains to be seen how well they will work.






Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Like my wrinkles?

 I went with wrinkle finish... a lazy way out but I have always liked the look.  I tried using this stuff before with terrible results.  This time I did something crazy.  I read the destructions!  Heavy heavy coats and a heat gun to hasten the wrinkles and make them uniform.



The final drive was rusty and cruddy and did not want to polish...
The front wheel is finished and the center hub is wrinkle finished too.