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.

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.

Wheel deal

Painting the wheels.  They looked pretty good but a bit dated for the "Cafe" look.  And compared to the powder coated frame which turned out flawless.  It was decision time again.

 Now, do I paint the final drive and the brake silver, gloss black or flat black?

Tired on front

Cleaning up the front forks, I may have to paint them, they are not wanting to polish very well

 Replacing the front disk

Mounted up the front tire with a new valve stem, it didn't want to bead up.
Getting a "latch on" style air chuck tomorrow, should do the trick and allow the tire to be filled without a valve core.

I still may paint the wheels.

Polished the front tank a tiny, may leave the paint for now

-20F outside and I need Motorcycle tires

Worked all day on the Fuel tank.  Broke down and bought the POR15 Fuel tank kit.  A three part process that is expensive on Ebay but much cheaper at NAPA! It:

1. cleans the rust out.

2. bonds the remaining rust to the tank making it acidic.

3. seals the tank and prevents the rust from returning

I think it worked

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next, I'll do the wheels, Tires should arrive tomorrow

Arrrrggggg

The fuel tank is full of Vinegar again as it rusted up again... this time I'll hit with Muratic acid after the Vinegar then POR 15 then I'll fill it with oil until it comes time to fill it with fuel.

Gad... I knew it would be the single biggest pain of the build and it is.

Tires are on their way... can't do much 'til the front end is on. 

I could clean and paint the forks I guess.  I cleaned up the starter.  I don't think I'll have to paint it.  The end pieces are shining up pretty good. 

Going to revisit putting a bicycle speedo in the tach instead of the voltmeter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inspirational bike of the day