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

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.