Tired

I ordered tires... Kendra's . I wanted to get the Firestone Classics but as good looking / retro as they are, it's more than visual.  Turns out the are tube type and not a very good tire.

I'm at a bit of standstill.  Again, decisions are the hardest part for this first time builder.

Next, I think I'll remove the front tire and get the front end ready.  I've been stalling because I plan on replacing the entire front end with a more modern setup off a 600RR or 900R maybe.

Anyway, inspirational photo next huh? This guy did the brass exposed radiator. 

You didn't think I thought of that by myself did you?

And here is another down under video CX500

Nice Brass!

The bare frame is getting some bling.

As I guessed the radiator is brass... nice.

Spent pretty much all evening stripping the paint off of it and repainting the black bits. Mocked up the radiator and the battery shelf but haven't really decided if I am going to put the battery somewhere besides the battery shelf.  I need to put the front end back on to see the riding angle and look at what to do about the seat. There may be room to put all the electrics including the battery under the seat, I hope. 

 

 

Getting ideas for a very small rear fender.. and what to do with the front end.

 

This frame is upside down

Not the picture, the CXFE Project bike frame.

The frame is back from the powdercoater...

they did the swingarm, centerstand, sidestand, engine hangers, shift lever and brake lever

it's upside down and I have installed the swingarm and the centerstand.

 

 

I should have painted the many little parts that will go on the frame next but I am still deciding what color... answer, lots of black. I painted the triple tree and the sidestand bolt and nut this evening. So, at a bit of a standstill waiting for the painted parts to dry.

I am maybe way to optimistic but I know many of these project bikes take a year or two to complete.

I see no reason why I won't be done before spring.

Details, Details

Less time in the garage today... The Australian Open Tennis is on... Nadal has his hands full with young Dimitrov. Moved the old Tecnic amp and speakers out to the garage.... nice!

Sourced some new fasteners to dress up the engine. Stainless for the black covers. Black caps for the aluminum parts.

Also ordered "O" rings for the cooling system pipes.  Honda had the two I really really needed.  The others I just wanted on hand just in case. Also ordered a couple of case gaskets.  Clutch cover and CDI cover. The CDI cover is the black cover lower middle black cover.

 

 

While I was in the Hardware store there was a minor explosion across the street.

 

Neither a painter nor an artist be I

Just a couple of runs, 

going black with some of the shiny parts that won't clean up.

I like the effect anyway

And the computer did this, I just really like the effect

The Inspiration bike of the day

Not a tremendous fan of the seat again 

but I really like the black valve covers and the black wheels

If I could -

Fooling around on the computer... I wish I could actually draw

Football Sunday, taking a day off from the project but it's on my mind!

Not just hosing around now

Didn't accomplish a whole lot today.  Did some plumbing on the engine.  I'm going for a bit of Steampunk look. Replacing most of the rubber hoses with brass fittings and copper pipe. I found a copper furnace manifold that I am thinking of using as a simple light panel.  It has 4 outlets that could serve a mounting points for 4 led's.  The 2 turn signals, oil light, neutral and high beam light.

Also played around with the tachometer.  Earlier I had removed the face plate so that I could add a Datel Voltmeter.  This could work but I am still deciding if I'll use it.  The tach has a temperature gauge in it which is the primary reason to keep it.  A sanitary look is what I'm after. I may just run an aftermarket temp gauge only. Anyway here is a photo of the tach with the Voltmeter inside.  I had planned to put the idiot light inside for oil pressure and neutral light.  What do you think?  Comments please.

As for Speedometer, I'l just use my GPS or my Phone on a single ram ball mount.