It's (Almost) Alive!

I now have the Triumph Bonneville bobber together and ready to run.

I tried to get in running today but it's being stubborn. I got it going for a few seconds but it died out.

I think it's a timing issue or perhaps a fuel issue. I've been messing with the timing and trying to adjust the carbs.

When it was running, it sounded great.

One problem though... I have a few leaks to deal with. That may take some work to get everything sealed up. I have a feeling this is going to be a long-term project.

Here are a couple more pictures of the bike today.

From Newark Ohio to Parkersburg West Virginia, for lunch A 200 mile round trip.

We spent another Saturday on our Iron Horses, this time Randy-Patty, Tom-Connie, Myself and my wife all went. The six of us decided lunch in West Virgina would be nice, so off we went. Of course we took the back roads, stopping only for fuel and butt breaks. So far the best Spring ride yet. Next, a poker run. Sure hope my pal M3 can get his machine on the road, even if it is just for a short ride around town.

Ride Through Amish Country

Randy and his wife Patty, Myself and my wife, went for a ride through Amish Country today. Almost 200 miles of clean (except for horse poo smell) country air. We did a little shopping, site seeing and most of all some riding. We pass about 100 horses on the road home and a lot of Amish farms.

Pretty good day really, pizza for lunch and ice cream for a snack. I did get to test my $400 new seat, it did well. I guess thats why it cost $400.

Home Sweet Home

Friday Night around 5:30 PM Randy, Tom and I set out for Cincinnati OH. We decided to ride our bikes down instead of driving. The trip was 160 + or - a few feet. Watching the weather we were determined to ride rain or shine. As luck would have it, the rain held off but it was colder than a well diggers back side. Randy mapped out the scenic route we would take, after fueling up at Sunoco off we went.

The ride there was bearable to say the least, it sure did make the hotel hot tub feel good. We shacked up at a Holiday Inn for the weekend for our spring EMS conference. Every 4 months we attend a EMS continuing education conference, when we renew or EMS certifications every three years we have to have a set number of continuing ed ours. Anyway my wife made the trip there with Sharon and would make the return trip with me.

Sunday afternoon at the conclusion of the conference we ran to the parking lot and mounted our bikes and headed home. The plan was to stop by a Harley dealership on the way home but at the last minute I decided I needed a little alone time with the wife and exited stage left. The decision was a good one in my mind. I got home faster and got to have lunch with the wife. Wouldn't you know it was the best meal I had all weekend. We had Popeye's chicken, sat next to my bike on the curb and watch traffic go by. We must have seen a thousand bikes go by. Funny how the high light of the weekend was sitting on curb eating chicken.

There was the three of use on our bikes and a group in a car. We made it home first I do believe. Playing a the Holiday Inn with the guys was fun but you just can't beat home. Home sweet home.

Bobber Build Update

Here's another picture of the Triumph Bobber project.

I started painting the tank and rear fender. Right now it's white primer. This should be the last coat.

After that I'll paint it flat white.

I think I have all the parts I need now. Once the tank is done I can mount it, plumb the fuel lines and try to start it.

It's getting close!

On another note, I was outside today and noticed some smoke coming up from the mountain to the south of us. At the same time I heard all the local volunteer fire department sirens going off. I think it's a brush fire.

I told Firefighter a couple days ago that we haven't had many brush fires here. I guess I was wrong. My wife, who works with a couple of volunteer firefighters, said there have indeed been several brush fires in the county, all started by illegal burning.

Looks like you are not alone, Firefighter! But imagine trying to put that one out on the side of the mountain in the middle of nowhere. Now there's a hike!

Road Trip

I went on a short road trip with my newly acquired 2000 VStar. Not a long trip but one that took us over 100 miles of country road. My pal Randy and I mounted our trusty bikes with our wives and hit the road. We headed down 13 South to an old ghost town called San Toy Ohio. Believe it or not I didn't take a single picture while we were there. But I did snap a few shots at a local buffet that was once a barn. The locals turned the barn into a restaurant and flea market. We stopped there on the way back to grab a bite to eat and do some shopping. My wife bought 3 rubber ducks and Patty, Randy's wife, bought my daughter a pink purse (my girl is a pink freak).

After putting over 100 miles on the new bike, my wife and I both agree, it needs a better seat. So with the sale of my old scooter I think I will buy a new mustang touring seat for the Vstar. I have added a set of bags and plan to add another to a rack on the rear soon. I think this summer will be a blast on the new ride. The way I see it, you might as well enjoy life while you can, recession and all. You only live once.

Sparks!

Quick motorcycle update... I got a few parts in the mail that I ordered for the Triumph bobber project. Front brake cable, kickstand spring, peg rubbers and spark plug wires went on today. The electrical system is complete so I pulled the plugs, turned her on and gave her a kick. Sparks! So I know the electrical system is working properly. I hope I have the timing set right.

I put the new front brake cable and kickstand spring on. Both went on without a hitch. I opted not to change the front brake shoes for budget reasons. We'll see how long they last.

Next I'm going to try to paint the tank and fender. I have warm days on the forecast for a little while. I may try to spray a coat of primer tomorrow. I'm using Rustoleum epoxy primer with flat white paint. Once I get this done, I'll be ready to put the tank back on and fill her with gas.

I'm waiting on one more part still. I just ordered it today. It's a plug that fills the hole where the tachometer drive was. In keeping with the simpleness of the project, it has no gauges, with the exception of an ammeter that mounts in the headlight shell. I thought it looked cool so I decided to keep it.

What did you do this weekend?

Motorcycle Update

OK, here's another update on the Triumph bobber.

I pulled it into the basement from the garage so I can work on it. It's cold as hell in the garage and the back door to the basement goes right out to the garage so it was easy.

I put the motor into the frame and started to mock up the rear fender. I picked it up for $10 from a junkyard and I have to fit it, clean it up, and paint it.

I put the rocker box covers on. This proved difficult because for some reason, the bolts did not want to thread. The head is aluminum so I was reluctant to force them too much. I ended up filling the holes with WD40 and blowing them out with compressed air to clean the threads. I don't have a tap that has Whitworth threads so I couldn't clean them with a tap. In the end, it worked and I was able to seat the bolts home.

I'm now working on mounting the oil tank. I bought it from eBay a while back but I didn't get the half of the bracket that mounts to the frame so I have to make my own.

I went to my favorite hardware/surplus store in Lavale looking for a thick enough chuck of steel. They didn't have anything in the raw steel section but luckily I found a blade for a lawn edger that might work. I say "might" because I have to cut and drill the edger blade which appears to be made of hardened steel of some sort. I was unable to cut it with a few initial passes of a hacksaw. I'll have to break out the reciprocating saw and see if I can cut it with that.

I also rebuilt both carbs and have those ready to install.

As always, I'll keep you posted on the progress.

Motorcycle Update

OK, here's an update on the Triumph chopper on which I'm working. At the last update, I was waiting to get some ring compressors to install the pistons and decide what to do about an "extra" oil line.

The oil line was a oil passage way that came up from the case and was supposed to go into the barrel and up to the head. There was not, however, a corresponding hole in the barrel that I had. It turns out the barrel was from an earlier engine, before they decided to put the oil passage way there.

After consulting a few people, I decided to thread the passage with a tap and put a set screw in the hole to block it off. After I did that (thanks to Firefighter), I ordered some ring compressors from Amazon.com and started putting the engine together.

The picture above is the engine mostly assembled in the very fancy engine stand made by Firefighter and delivered to my home in the mountains of Western Maryland.

I'm working on rebuilding the carburetors now. I've got one apart and I'm cleaning it up as it is full of corrosion. I'll post further updates as they are available.

My New Year's resolution for this year... Finish this damned project!

My Year In Review Get out 2008

Well, here we are, another year gone by. Somewhat of a disappointing year really. Let's take an acid-free trip into the past year and see what we can find.

Let's see.... Nope nothing good in January... February... March... Nothing. April... May... Nothing. June, ah June, yes, the trip down the C&O Towpath. The trip that defined the rest of my year.

Preparing for the trip across the C&O Towpath was a life changing event. First I strengthened a friendship with a firehouse pal, spent some time with a friend I hadn't seen in a long time, and changed the way I look at myself. For me the 184 mile trip would be the beginning of serious life changes.

I have spent many years trying to do something about my excessive weight. With some success, I needed something to give the boost to keep pushing. The bicycle did the trick. As I sit here typing this blog I remain eager to hit the trails and pedal away for better health.

Most of all this year, on July 3rd, I quite smoking. A three pack-a-day smoker, for like 17 or 18 years, I quit. On January 3rd I am going to party like it's 1999 all over again (not really but it sounds good). I found the motivation to quit from pictures, pictures of past vacations and events. It seems I always had a cancer stick in my hand or I was hiding it behind my back. I also pulled a ton and I mean a ton of motivation from a friend. One who wasn't going to let me give up the fight. Between the pictures, my pal and a strong desire to not die like so many of the people I take to the hospital (in our squad), I quit.

I rode 184 miles on a bicycle in 2.5 days, quit smoking, fought some killer fires, tried to help or helped a ton of hurting or sick people, celebrated my 16th wedding anniversary, lost my job (to layoff), lost 37 pounds (gained it all back after quitting smoking) and lived to tell about it.

Special shout out to my Brother for everything you do for me, Randy I never would have quit smoking if it weren't for you and Matt a life time of friendship (love the homebrew, make more we'll be back!)

Don't forget to comment on my Wordless Wednesday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wordless Wednesday

Work Is Underway...

The project has been shelved for a few years but I'm getting back into it. The ol' Triumph Bonneville is now out of storage and onto at least the back burner.

I bought this pile of grease and rust back in the summer of 2004 at a yard sale. I spent the following year stripping it down and selling off parts on eBay, keeping only what I needed for a bare-bones bobber.

My intent was to build a fancy, shiny bike but the cost of such a restoration, including paint and all, was more than I had to spend on it.

Well it sat in storage for two years while I was overseas and collected more rust and dust and I still don't have the "spare" money to get it all nice and shiny.

So now I've decided to skip all the expensive paint and chrome and just get the bike running. This is the philosophy of the rat bike, a bike that runs reasonably well but looks less so to most people. Because after all, the whole bike thing is about riding, not about looking good for the neighbors (even though a lot of ratbikes look damn good in my opinion).

So I'm going to get a can of flat black paint spray paint, scrape off the rust and go to town. I may go with a flat white for the tank just so the whole thing is not black and it will have that retro bobber look.

I'm thinking of painting the frame with truck bedliner and a paintbrush. That should give me a durable, rustproof cover that looks mean and nasty.

As I make progress on the bike, I'll be sure to post updates and pictures. Like these...

Engine removed and top end removed and shot of chassis as of today...

Motorcycle Madness

Among the many things I have on my plate right now is coming to a decision about my motorcycle.

It's a 1966 Triumph Bonneville 650. I bought it as a piece of junk a few years back and spent several months stripping it down and making modifications. It went into storage for a couple years while I was in Asia and I haven't touched it since.

I'm debating now whether I should sell it or get it running.

If I sell it, that gives me some more money to buy some other things like a new guitar or a new bicycle. If I keep it, I have something to ride that gets good gas mileage (not to mention the whole cool thing).

I had almost convinced myself to sell it but now I'm having second thoughts.

I was talking to one of my bike trip partners about motorcycles. He said he used to have one long ago but stopped riding after witnessing several motorcycle accidents. He's a paramedic and has seen several "deer stepped out in front of the bike" accidents.

That was what pushed me over the edge and made me want to sell mine. Now he's talking about buying one again!

I think I should at least get the bike I have up and running. It's worth more that way, I think, just in case I do decide to sell it.