Sunday, April 28, 2013

The week that passed

Its been quite a week that has since passed. The motorcycle season is picking up with shops and side projects become more of the enveloping norm.  The local inspection station is gearing up with 600 stickers which will be gone in the next few weeks. I've  always enjoyed making time for the sticker as the station is one of the local feed points for what is going on. And the best time to go for a sticker is NOT on the weekend. Weekends usually are packed, the best time is a leisure ride into work but stopping by your local inspection station.  If you're riding, then you must have already done the pre-spring check (tires, psi, oils, brakes, chain,...)   

There was also a free moment to get back into Chip's most current engine project.  Another BMW R60/2 for slingers and bearings.  It had been awhile since someone opened this one up.  Other than years of black pitch coating the surfaces, the engine looked to be fine otherwise.  We'll try to get some before and after pictures when it gets put back together.   Only three more pre-1969 engines to get back together currently.
Monkey wanted a more current picture of her on the Hotrod Boxer. So we pulled a few machines out to get to the hotrod. She says its her favorite bike, but I know that isn't true; her all time 'run to' is 'Bubbi' the Ural outfit.  Which was pulled out of the garage to check tire pressure in preparation for a spring full service and shake down. Mum is raring to use Bubbi this year or I will be hung
At the autoshop things are still going, though currently one of the most unique cars in for service is a 1964 Studebaker Avanti.  I've always thought the Avanti was a semi-mythical creature from the glimpses of old car mags and new prints. They were known for a impressive top speed in its day.

 Having a chance to experience one first hand is way cool. I found the bracing in the under carriage to be trick. Yes, all be it a little archaic by modern standards but getting down to see where its been welded by hand and the use of fiberglass for the body gives good insight.  I like seeing how things were done; a how to in construction as it were.
On Saturday a good friend from Vt dropped off his R80 G/S (gelande strasse= woods and street) for a check over and gremlins exorcising.  Hopefully that won't get my mind working on building a custom G/S.  If you are ever given the chance to ride a early G/S  do take the opportunity.  The G/S in a lot of ways makes for the perfect New England machine.  Soaking up potholes, proving its sure footed-ness on dirt roads under construction to surprising people with its ground clearance and leverage.  

In almost three weeks the BIA will be hosting its Spring show and swap meet. Looking forward to it and getting up there for the pre-show festivities. 

Sunday, April 21, 2013

BIA Blackstone Valley Run 2013


It was hard to get motivated on this cold April morning. Today was the first run of 2013 for the Mass Chapter of the British Iron Association.  But looking back on such a stunning day with great people and such a great run I'm glad to have taken the effort.  Johnny Sprockets led a excellent run through the back roads of the Blackstone Valley into Rhode Island to the the Island.












     









Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Get it together, take it apart





Time to get the Honda all ready for its trip out to the West coast. She'll be torn back down and setup in its new home. After a few more hours in the wee morning light the breakdown and packing was done.  Its a pretty compact machine all in bits and such
One of the things you don't get to see is the hidden coil.  You need to remove the engine from the frame to access it. Though this one is working fine I'd recommend that it be replaced. The plug lead is molded into the coil unit and doesn't seem to look replaceable. Good time to change it with the engine out.

 Here we are with how the bike looked yesterday morning, ready to get fired up and out for its first run.
 Here's how it looks this morning, ready to get shipped out to California. Bye bye little CL70, I'm sure we'll meet again.


Thursday, April 4, 2013

The CL70 Honda is on the fast track

My good friend Mitch is on his way out to California in a few weeks which means the Honda I gave a while back will need to be completed.  Its a pretty cool little thing 1972ish CL70.  Its needed a fair bit of work due to neglect; engine. was stuck as was the throttle. Mice had their fill of the harness and air filter-  the usual 'barn find' damage.

So it went on the fast track a few weeks back but will need to be finished this Saturday for shipping.