Posts tagged mechanic

Rust Bucket Project: The Bondo Bike

At the Deviants CC compound in Vancouver, WA… I spent a few hours going at the BSA frame with an angle grinder yesterday. My mission was to remove the bondo from the frame so I could see what is really going on with the structure of the hard tail, where I need to cut and start over again. 

The welds look pretty old judging by the wear and tear, and Wolf told me they were probably stick welds not something more fine tuned. Whoever built this bike must have fancied themselves a sculpter because they chose to use the bondo crap to shape it instead of metal. Seems silly to me. 

READ MORE »

Building a bad ass motorcycle community in your region is not impossible! I get lots of messages from people saying they envy living on the West Coast, in Portland, etc because we have such an awesome group of motorcyclists and throw cool events, rides and such. Well, take it from Stormie Ray, you don’t need a huge shop or an epic ride planned. Stormie throws “Wrench Wednesdays” at her place where everyone can show up and work on their projects and put their heads together with other enthusiasts.  Try throwing your own wrench-fest, BBQ or potluck… start growing your community! And send me pictures. :)  [ more tagged Stormie Ray | event | goggles ]

Building a bad ass motorcycle community in your region is not impossible! I get lots of messages from people saying they envy living on the West Coast, in Portland, etc because we have such an awesome group of motorcyclists and throw cool events, rides and such.

Well, take it from Stormie Ray, you don’t need a huge shop or an epic ride planned. Stormie throws “Wrench Wednesdays” at her place where everyone can show up and work on their projects and put their heads together with other enthusiasts. 

Try throwing your own wrench-fest, BBQ or potluck… start growing your community! And send me pictures. :) 

[ more tagged Stormie Ray | event | goggles ]

The Difference Between an Engine and a Motor

The first installment of mini mechanical lessons and tales of terminology.

image

“The difference in a motor and an engine: A motor is converting electric energy into mechanical energy. A engine is converting energy into mechanical energy.”

- From MotoFactory PDX

Monster Project: Phase 18

So, last I left off in Monster Project blog updates… I couldn’t find all the important bits for the rear wheel and attaching it to the bike. Axle, spacers, etc. I ripped apart my garage and stayed up until 5a putting it back together and just couldn’t find them. 

I called everyone who’s shop the bike had been at to double check I hadn’t left it somewhere, and finally caved and replaced the rear axle and spacer bits. I stopped by Cheshire Motorsports on Division in Portland and they had the parts I needed… used! Cost me $40 and I was back in business.

READ MORE »

Monster Project: Phase 17

Trying to get blog updates for the Monster Project all caught up, been a busy bee. If you recall, the bike was transported in pieces to SDS via my Honda coupe.

image

Those who payed attention to instagram saw it being put back together by myself and the veteran racer Nobi Iso.

READ MORE »

Hey all you internet know-it-alls… did I put this flange on backwards?  It’s from my Monster Project (1998 Ducati Monster 750). I think the reason the exhaust seems loose is because the gasket and half bushings are not actually being pushed all the way in (becuase the other side is recessed where as this side pushes out). Am I right? (Click here to leave me a comment and let me know your thoughts.) I actually posted a YouTube video of it all wiggly here, too. Thanks for the update and help… figured it out. Yuuuup I made a rookie mistake, I put the half bushings on the inside upside down I think. Oh well, fix it and move on!

Hey all you internet know-it-alls… did I put this flange on backwards? 

It’s from my Monster Project (1998 Ducati Monster 750). I think the reason the exhaust seems loose is because the gasket and half bushings are not actually being pushed all the way in (becuase the other side is recessed where as this side pushes out). Am I right? (Click here to leave me a comment and let me know your thoughts.)

I actually posted a YouTube video of it all wiggly here, too.

Thanks for the update and help… figured it out. Yuuuup I made a rookie mistake, I put the half bushings on the inside upside down I think. Oh well, fix it and move on!

The Desmohog: Part Ducati, Part Harley

Part Ducati, part Harley Davidson… with scrambler pipes and a cafe racer style tail. What on earth could this be called? Well, the Desmohog of course. Somethings are worth doing just because you feel like it. 

image

Crossbreed Cycles of East Sussex, England, is the work of Chris Barber. His opinion of the build, “The bike is meant to be a cross between bobber and cafe racer, I think this has been achieved but as a result the style is a bit awkward.” In a nutshell it’s a Harley bottom end with Ducati 900SS cylinders.

READ MORE »

motorivista.com

The 10-Year Hoodie

Sorry to bombard you with material posts today rather than beautiful imagery as you’re accustomed to… but wandering around the Kickstarter website I found this project. It’s called the ten year hoodie because it’s made to last a lifetime and they provide free mending for a decade. The creators touch on “planned obsolescence” in modern day manufacturing- something many of us motor heads loathe. New bikes and cars may have amazing advances in technology, but these advancements certainly don’t seem to be used to improve longevity. Same goes for our clothes.  So why am I posting it here? If you have to ask, you clearly don’t work on your own motorcycles. 

image

This is pretty much the perfect mechanic’s hoodie, as it’s super heavy duty, warm, has big pockets and hood, and has FREE REPAIRS. Anyway, the project doesn’t need your backing, it’s so good they’re well, well, well above their goal already. But I thought you guys might appreciate a heads up, so you can jump on the bandwagon before they go up in price after they’re first manufactured.

It’s $89 to get your own- five colors to choose from.

kickstarter.com

It can’t be denied that Harley Davidson certainly has some interesting history and took a huge part in the development of American motorcycling culture. 

These are vintage photos from the Harley Davidson archives- early assembly line and factory.

…there’s beauty in the breakdown. Scott Jones photographed by Jose Gallina.

…there’s beauty in the breakdown.

Scott Jones photographed by Jose Gallina.

speedmilk

Sofi Tsingos doing some TIG welding. [ more tagged Sofi Tsingos | mechanic ] 

Sofi Tsingos doing some TIG welding.

[ more tagged Sofi Tsingos | mechanic ] 

Lady hands just look better with mechanical things.  [ more of Stacie B. London ]

Lady hands just look better with mechanical things. 

[ more of Stacie B. London ]

Sofi Tsingos (parts lady at Ducati Dallas) and her 1977 Honda CB550 cafe racer build. Words on the process from Sofi- My dad and I started to really get into Cafe bikes back in 09’. Found a new way to express another kind of art, kinda like hot rods. We looove old cars and hot rods. My Dad started reading up on the old Tritons, he found a frame and started piecing one together. I kept saying I wanted to build one too and started doing my own research. I was thinking about an old Ducati bevel but those where hard to find cheap. I was having a really hard time in life at the time so my Dad got me the CB550 for christmas to give me something else to focus on. Became obsessed with ready other peoples creations on different forums and the cafe racer magazines. Pulling all my favorite parts of each bike and created my own vision I guess… About a 3rd of the way through, my Dad and I moved back to texas where I got a full time job as a tech with Ducati Dallas so that took most of my time. Also had aother project I started and had to finish. The bike continues to bomb around town with me a couple times a week. I absolutely love it and will never sell it. [ More photos of Honda CB’s | of Sofi Tsingos ]

Sofi Tsingos (parts lady at Ducati Dallas) and her 1977 Honda CB550 cafe racer build.

Words on the process from Sofi-

My dad and I started to really get into Cafe bikes back in 09’. Found a new way to express another kind of art, kinda like hot rods. We looove old cars and hot rods. My Dad started reading up on the old Tritons, he found a frame and started piecing one together. I kept saying I wanted to build one too and started doing my own research. I was thinking about an old Ducati bevel but those where hard to find cheap. I was having a really hard time in life at the time so my Dad got me the CB550 for christmas to give me something else to focus on. Became obsessed with ready other peoples creations on different forums and the cafe racer magazines. Pulling all my favorite parts of each bike and created my own vision I guess… About a 3rd of the way through, my Dad and I moved back to texas where I got a full time job as a tech with Ducati Dallas so that took most of my time. Also had aother project I started and had to finish. The bike continues to bomb around town with me a couple times a week. I absolutely love it and will never sell it.

[ More photos of Honda CB’s | of Sofi Tsingos ]

Shasta Smith (the Vintage Monkey) motolady, mechanic, and more. 

Shasta Smith (the Vintage Monkey) motolady, mechanic, and more. 

thevintagemonkey.com

The greybeards know best. When all else fails, and you try every way you know… see the wise old mechanics. (Photo by yours truly.) My Monster cush drives were a total pain… wouldn’t come out to save my life. Visited my friend Shelby Shaffer and his Grandpa… they were out within 40 minutes. Full story later… I have to go enjoy the last of this dry weather in Portland.  [ see more from the Monster Project ]

The greybeards know best. When all else fails, and you try every way you know… see the wise old mechanics. (Photo by yours truly.)

My Monster cush drives were a total pain… wouldn’t come out to save my life. Visited my friend Shelby Shaffer and his Grandpa… they were out within 40 minutes. Full story later… I have to go enjoy the last of this dry weather in Portland. 

[ see more from the Monster Project ]