I hate to make plans for the weekend but I'm going to anyway in the hope it will motivate me to act. Saturday morning I'm going to setup a temporary paint booth in my back yard and start painting the frame and sub-frame. They're all primed and ready so all I need to do is wipe them down and start spraying. If all goes well, by the end of the weekend I'll have a painted frame, ready for assembly.
My aim is to get the rolling chassis assembled. I don't have the fork gaiters or new brake shoes yet but I can add those later without much disassembly required. The other decision I've made concerns the engine.
I'm going to rebuild the engine and only replace the items I know to be in need of attention. That means, new main bearings for the crank, new valve guides, new piston rings, and that's it. I should be able to get all the parts I need without spending a lot so that will help move it along. I'm planning to do the work myself because I'm not doing any machining. We'll see how it goes. If I get stuck I can always go to a pro. I'm pretty good at recognizing when I'm over my head before doing any damage.
Ok, there's the plan. It's 'out' so I have pressure to follow through. I'd love to have this little bike running in a couple of months. If I don't run into any real mechanical issues with the engine I think that's possible. I've done all the reconditioning of the parts as they came apart so it really is ready to reassemble.
In case you forgot what the frame looks like here's a beauty shot. Wish me luck and stay tuned.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Monday, November 30, 2009
Better Weather
Well, the weather has been better for working in the garage for quite some time now (at least two months) but I haven't really done any work.
I have made a few advances but I'm nowhere close to where I had hoped, even conservatively. I have rebuilt forks, minus gaiters; rebuilt wheels, minus brake shoes; and a frame that's primed but not painted. In order to get the rolling chassis finished I need the parts just mentioned and rear shocks. I've been putting off the purchases until after my Christmas shopping is finished so I'm planning to do some real work on the bike again in January - provided I don't overspend on presents for the kids.
I've managed to find a local guy to do the cylinder rebore and fit a new piston. There are a couple of place specializing in engine rebuilds who are willing and able to do some of the engine work I'm not setup to compelte. I was hoping to find someone local so I didn't have to spend money shipping heavy engine parts around the country but it's been difficult finding someone local. I think I'll spend some time in January doing some searching before shipping parts around.
Consider yourself updated on the latest. I'll try to get a few picture of the rebuilt forks and wheels. They've turned out pretty good. I'm pleased with them at any rate and that's what counts.
Happy Holidays.
I have made a few advances but I'm nowhere close to where I had hoped, even conservatively. I have rebuilt forks, minus gaiters; rebuilt wheels, minus brake shoes; and a frame that's primed but not painted. In order to get the rolling chassis finished I need the parts just mentioned and rear shocks. I've been putting off the purchases until after my Christmas shopping is finished so I'm planning to do some real work on the bike again in January - provided I don't overspend on presents for the kids.
I've managed to find a local guy to do the cylinder rebore and fit a new piston. There are a couple of place specializing in engine rebuilds who are willing and able to do some of the engine work I'm not setup to compelte. I was hoping to find someone local so I didn't have to spend money shipping heavy engine parts around the country but it's been difficult finding someone local. I think I'll spend some time in January doing some searching before shipping parts around.
Consider yourself updated on the latest. I'll try to get a few picture of the rebuilt forks and wheels. They've turned out pretty good. I'm pleased with them at any rate and that's what counts.
Happy Holidays.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
All is true
Just a quick update this time and no pictures, sorry.
It's been 105+ for about two weeks now, which has made it far to hot in the garage to do any meaningful work on the cubbie. I did manage to spend enough time this morning out there to finish truing the wheels. I need to get the brakes relined and assembled and shod the rims with rubber to get to 100%. I hope to order the brake lining material and tires today. Thankfully, it's not too hot to shop on-line.
I've been trolling e-bay for some miscellaneous pits and pieces. I missed a steering head lock by about 13 bucks last weekend. I've started setting my max bid then forgetting about the auction until it's over so I don't get caught up in the last minute price escalations. That's working so far but I do miss out on some parts because I'm cheap. The steering lock went for about $40. The only other options I've seen out there are over $100. I don't really need the lock as I don't plan to commute on the bike or leave it out where someone is likely to ride it away.
Anyway, I hope to have more done and more pictures soon. I may have to start sleeping during the day and working at night.
It's been 105+ for about two weeks now, which has made it far to hot in the garage to do any meaningful work on the cubbie. I did manage to spend enough time this morning out there to finish truing the wheels. I need to get the brakes relined and assembled and shod the rims with rubber to get to 100%. I hope to order the brake lining material and tires today. Thankfully, it's not too hot to shop on-line.
I've been trolling e-bay for some miscellaneous pits and pieces. I missed a steering head lock by about 13 bucks last weekend. I've started setting my max bid then forgetting about the auction until it's over so I don't get caught up in the last minute price escalations. That's working so far but I do miss out on some parts because I'm cheap. The steering lock went for about $40. The only other options I've seen out there are over $100. I don't really need the lock as I don't plan to commute on the bike or leave it out where someone is likely to ride it away.
Anyway, I hope to have more done and more pictures soon. I may have to start sleeping during the day and working at night.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Building Tools
It's been said, "you can never have too many tools", and for the most part I agree. It is possible to have too many to fit your tool box or available workspace, however. I'm not in that position but I was in the position of needing to true two Triumph Tiger Cub wheels so I decided to remedy that situation.
With only one trip to the building supply store for the necessary raw materials I pieced together a fairly sturdy wheel truing stand. Nothing fancy, as you'll see from the picture. Just some aluminum angle-stock and some fasteners (until I add a welder to my tool set). I think it could still use some additional lateral stability but it can be easily added. I've only two wheels to do so it doesn't have to be heavy duty. I don't think I'm going into the wheel-smithing business but if someone wanted a set I may be willing to entertain the idea. I've got all the pictures, and now tools, to do the job.
I started on the front wheel last night and have things pretty well finished. I'm not sure what the tension on the spokes should be so I'm going to do a bit more research before I call it 'done'. Starting with a new rim made the job very simple. There wasn't a lot of wobble to fix.
The rear wheel is another story. It was the old rim and it has a bit of a wobble currently. I ran around the rim putting even tension on the spokes, now it's just a matter of working out the bumps by tightening/loosening pairs of spokes on the appropriate side and place on the wheel. The process can be a bit tedious but very satisfying when the wheel is running true again.
I'm one rebuilt fork, one painted frame, and two rebuilt or new shocks away from a completed rolling chassis. If the fork and shocks don't take too long I'll have the chassis rolling, but not complete, in a few weeks. Not many things have gone as smoothly as expected so it may still be a while.
I'd better get the barrel and head sent off to the machine shop so I can start the engine work. I've started a list of the parts I'm going to need. It's a looooooong list.
With only one trip to the building supply store for the necessary raw materials I pieced together a fairly sturdy wheel truing stand. Nothing fancy, as you'll see from the picture. Just some aluminum angle-stock and some fasteners (until I add a welder to my tool set). I think it could still use some additional lateral stability but it can be easily added. I've only two wheels to do so it doesn't have to be heavy duty. I don't think I'm going into the wheel-smithing business but if someone wanted a set I may be willing to entertain the idea. I've got all the pictures, and now tools, to do the job.
I started on the front wheel last night and have things pretty well finished. I'm not sure what the tension on the spokes should be so I'm going to do a bit more research before I call it 'done'. Starting with a new rim made the job very simple. There wasn't a lot of wobble to fix.
The rear wheel is another story. It was the old rim and it has a bit of a wobble currently. I ran around the rim putting even tension on the spokes, now it's just a matter of working out the bumps by tightening/loosening pairs of spokes on the appropriate side and place on the wheel. The process can be a bit tedious but very satisfying when the wheel is running true again.
I'm one rebuilt fork, one painted frame, and two rebuilt or new shocks away from a completed rolling chassis. If the fork and shocks don't take too long I'll have the chassis rolling, but not complete, in a few weeks. Not many things have gone as smoothly as expected so it may still be a while.
I'd better get the barrel and head sent off to the machine shop so I can start the engine work. I've started a list of the parts I'm going to need. It's a looooooong list.
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