Blood, sweat, tears & beers . . .

Yeah, the first ride! I'd forgotten how exhilarating that was! I'll have to baby my rebuilt motor along the first day for a while. My instructions say the first time I start it to just let it idle about a minute or so. No unnecessary revving. Do that 3, maybe 4 times, fine tune the carb, and go for a short ride, varying the speed. 2500 RPM is the limit on my motor, for the first 500 miles. I guess that's about 60 MPH. Anyway, for me, it's gonna be a thrill if it even starts!

Oh, almost forgot. No story would be complete without my own bungles to throw into the mix. I have made a lot of mistakes, but messing up the oil tank was a pretty big one.
As seen previously in this thread, I had altered the oil tank to fit, or so I thought. It cleared the primary and the frame (just barely), but when I put the tranny in, the clutch arm hit the bottom of the tank. So, I took Sarge's advice and attempted to "chop" the tank. First, I cut it in half, horizontally, and that went pretty good. (I used an angle grinder with the guard off & a worn down cut off wheel so I could get inside of it). I then attempted to cut about a 3/4" strip out of it and that's when I ruined it. I cut such a crooked line that it would have been impossible to weld back together. So, I tossed it and will get another one, the right one, BTW, that is made to clear aluminum primaries with starters. It's a horseshoe like the one I had. The one I had would have held 4 qts. of oil and the new one about 3. It only comes chromed & I'll probably rough it up and paint it flat black, unless I like how it looks chromed.

I like it because it is different, but i would have agree with Cowboy. Looks like that is a problem just waiting to happen.

What an idea, though! That looks a little bit out of my skill range to attempt. I wish I had welding skills. It's the one thing I never had in school. Otherwise, I might try something outrageous like that!
Yesterday I made 2 little brackets to hang my regulator off of in the standard position in front of the motor. Just 2, 1/8th " thick "L" shaped pieces that are attached to the front motor mount bolts from below. The installation looks good. Saves me yet one more welding job I'd have to pay someone else to do. Think I'll post a few other pics, now that my computer finally accepted the new ones. One of them shows the infamous oil drain JB weld plug. (Of the 2 holes, it's the one on the left). Another shows the first thing I made for the bike: a rubber kickstand bumper.
P.S. Does anybody know who makes Motor Factory cases or trannies? Are they any good?

Okay, boys, now I have something new for you. The other night I was thinking that my project would be over when pigs fly. So I went out to my shop and spent 3 hours painting this little design on the right side of my gas tank. Kinda whimsical, I thought.

Cowboy, if you still have the oil tank, check and see how wide it is and let me know. The one I'm looking for will take a mini-battery, not the wider, larger batteries. The wider tank will stick out too much on the sides. Thanks.

HRK, looks like it was made out of a propane bottle.

Motor Factory is a Custom Chrome label, usually seen on gaskets and oil and such....I thought CCI's parts were all Rev Tec but the logo looks the same as on these...Motor Factory Fork Oil & Brake Fluid

I like that, that is good. Did you free hand that?

I like that color!!

Yep. Painting & drawing comes as natural to me as breathing.

Thanks. I don't know which is better than the other: A rebuilt Motor Factory tranny or a rebuilt 70's AMF tranny. I'm guessing they are about the same.

I suppose I'll never know. But I'm gonna ride that ol' thang for all it's worth, good, bad, or ugly! My neighbor just up the street hopped on his sickle and rode by. I can't wait . . .

Good job Joshbob! That is a cute little hog you painted. Some people have all the talent.

I couldn't always draw. I always tell my art students here at the academy if they can write their name, I can teach them to draw (and paint). They are usually skeptical at first. Learning to draw is mostly about observation, and has very little to do with hand/eye co-ordination. It is a skill that can be taught. All of "my kids" improve their drawing skills in the first semester, some more than others.

That is awesome! I like to draw but just don't have the time and I've been away from it for a long time!