I thought I should practice welding. So I made a lamp out of transmission parts.

Fuddleduddle, that's Canadian speak for fk off..   See  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuddle_duddle

I tried to get the license plate bracket going today.  I have all the metal I need, I have a welder but apparently I have no patience.

I have these cheap welding magnets and I used them to mock up the mounting like I wanted it.

Ok, so far so good.  Plug in the welder and put the dog out to do his business, I don't have little doggy welding glasses.

 Just a quick tack and we're good to go.  As soon as I get even close to it with the welder it falls off the bike,  damn.  Rig it up again and this time I don't even make it to the welder, crap.  Rig it up again and this time sparks fly.  I let it cool then go to take it off.  The thing falls apart, seems I put a glob of steel nowhere near where it should have been,  mother f%##% ass licker D$%^k head.  Try it again and this time it holds together, barely.

By this time Chico is at the back door looking in and I know what he's thinking, what the hell are you up to and whats with all the swearing.

Ok take it to the bench in the basement, lug the machine

Set up the magnets again and hook up the ground,  turn on the machine and bring the business end near the thing.  The ground pulls everything off the bench, BALLS C%$C %*@!^%   &$*#@.

I use all four magnets and finally get the other piece on.  Now we're getting somewhere.

Now keep in mind these rods are just a jig to hold the washers in the right configuration while I do the rest, they will be removed.

Take the thing to the bike for a test fit.  How can this be, I"M HALF AN INCH OFF, it doesn't fit.

Fuddle Duddle

I didn't get around to doing much this week end.    I went to a colleague's to get a log.  He's building a house and had to clear some trees so I scooped a log for a sheet metal working thing...

See I'm not nuts, OK fine, at least I didn't make this up.

So thanks to Mr. C for the lumber. 

I also covered my work table with steel.  This way it can take more abuse, it also makes it relatively spark proof.  The plan is to weld on it.  I'll have to figure out some sort of ventilation and clean the crap out of the basement that could catch a spark.   I still have stuff from a past life I am meaning to get rid of.

I've also added a few lairs of welds on the crash bar.  I know it looks awful but give me time, I'll make it nice. 

 Damn, I was looking for that hacksaw!

Back to the bike.  I put some of the rear end back on.  I want to make a license plate holder that affixes to the axle and shock mounts.  The plate will sit behind the rear wheel.

Nut Job tail lamp

Today was a bit like xmas,  I got the tail lamp I ordered from Voodoo Vintage Fabrication in Texas.   This thing is sweet.  It's a billet aluminium nut with LEDs in it. 

Not only does it look good but as my burnt retinas can attest the are freaking bright.   If I close my eyes I can still see the spots.

David Roy at Voodoo was a great help and gave me great service.  You should check out their website, they do some real nice work.  And no, I'm not getting anything for ranting and raving about this thing, it's just that awesome. 

www.voodoovintage.com 

I must say, this tail lamp would be worth it at twice the $80 it cost me. 

Winterize

I finally got around to winterizing my current ride.  I might try to fix the crappy paint on this tank during the winter.

 The clear coat I put on last winter is STILL soft.  I used U-POL Clear#1 spray for the first and last time.  This stuff is terrible, I can still mark the clear with a finger nail after close to a year.

Stripping

I put the spare bike to sleep today.  If there is anything on it that I need it will have to wait until spring.

It's time to remove the drive assembly, it's heavy and needs to be out of the way for cleaning and painting the frame.  Looks simple enough. 

 Three nuts and it's off.

Next, the passenger pegs and exhaust brackets.

I found someones reference scratches on them, cool.

 There we go. now I'll probably remove the rear brake linkage.