Friday

It's always important to have a solid role model.

Tomorrow is going to be a big day all going well frame will be tacked up

Get a wet down tonight... Work it off tomorrow 

Winter ride, summer riding gear

So, I thought I would stretch the legs on the suzuki. I needed to be 190k's down the road at a place called Mystery Creek. I set off at 6.30am, sporting an open face helmet and a scarf and a pair of summer weight fabric gloves

The ride out of the city was brisk, traffic was heavy and the sun was still in bed. As I hit the Bombay hills, the sun was rising; the hands were cold and the sun glasses were needed.

The worst was behind me, the sun was up; a beautiful day was promised.

The thing is, when you are at the top of a hill, you have to head down the other side, into the mist.

A slightly ethereal leg, the hands numbing by the minute I used the cylinders to warm my hands one at a time.

Next stop Huntly and I had decided time to stop for a coffee, a chance to warm the hands and dry the gloves

The worst had passed, the sun was starting to warm the air, 50ks to go, easy.

The Waikato is a funny area - it's probably the flattest area in the country and when it's cold the weather won't move, as I left Huntly things were brisk, the light faded, the temperature dropped and then the fog set in or I rode into it.

Visibility was probably less than 25 meters, it was thick, it was heavy and by now my fingers were stinging with burn, not cold.

I worked out where I was through the fog, slowed up and pulled over in a car park.

The gloves were quickly removed and placed on the engine.

My hands were numb, I tried to photograph the fog and ended up getting an action shot of the ice on my eye brows..

Soaked, I made it safely to the destination, with a single thought; that was living!

I will be making a trip to the other end of the country, to attend the Burt Munro challenge.

Might get a pair of winter gloves for that run.

Action Shot

CB is almost alive...... Will post video once the heart is beating

New Digs

First day at the new office, new desk, new view.

My friend Dave has let me use his shop and will help me jig up the hard tail.

I'll post a few shots over the coming weeks from the workshop

Today I cut down the back bone and lower rails removing the back half of the bike.

Removed the tank mounts, resistor mount and the steering stop.

This was a very early mock up showing the stance, with the entire XL frame

Rear sections will be mocked up over the next week so ill keep you all posted

Bright Spark

I found these really helpful when I was rewiring my bike, I'm no sparky so my suggestions are based on what I have learnt in the shed.

Make sure you buy a pair of wire strippers with a crimping tool built in, you will save hours of time.

Get yourself a set of electrical connectors, most auto shops will sell a box with an assortment electrical connectors.

If you can't track down exact matches to the factory wires, write a key to show the substitutes.

If the budget really stretches get yourself a gas powered soldering iron, it was $100 dollars (NZD) however when you factor in the time saved due to instant heat and its mobility - it's money well spent.

The model I have also has an attachment that allows you to melt heat shrink in difficult spots as its o much larger than a marker pen.

If you are like me, diagrams can be a bit daunting. If you follow the 3 diagrams you sould be able to be up and running  

Vladivostok to the Isle of Man

My friends have embarked on the most envious ride imaginable.

Go check them out lovehandleschapter50.blogspot.com