MormonMessages
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
The Gas Tank
Well I've spent a few hours cutting, bending, and welding. It's all coming together now. My previous attempt at a gas tank (back in 2001?) was a failure due mostly to the fact that I was using a flux core wire feed welder. Now I'm onto bigger and better - TIG WOOOHOOO! It's still a challenge at times, but so much better. SO much...better, yup, better.
Monday, February 16, 2009
CB400 - Progress
So here's the progress from Saturday. It goes a lot faster, with less frustration when you start with a pattern.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
CB400
Jon, I think you're right. The CB400 was a blast this last summer, when it ran. The fuel tank was severely rusted, plugging up the carbs. That is why I have been working on a new tank for it. In the pictures below, I've got a mockup of the tank made from paper. By far this bike requires the least amount of work to have it completed. It won't break any speed records, but fun and it looks pretty cool!
Friday, February 13, 2009
As you can tell from previous posts, I'm a bit of a video's and pictures kind of guy. My good friend Jon has inspired me, through his blog, to write more. I do suppose it is more expressive, and maybe even more interesting especially to those who don't share my passion for mechanical things.
Recently I have been stewing about with a new dilemma. I want to ride a motorcycle this summer, but I have to choose which one. As you may know last summer I put 3000 kms on a little Yamaha 400 driving from Edmonton to Utah and back (Kara drove it for a short stretch too). It was just not big enough for me. I will never complain about the gas mileage. The unofficial cost of gas was about $80. I figure it averaged around 50 mpg. Pretty amazing especially considering how hard I pushed it. So back to the dilemma: I have 3 potential bikes to choose from.
The 1979 Honda CB400 - Small like the Yamaha, and probably as good on gas. Will I enjoy it lugging me around? I bought this bike for $50 as parts bike back in '99 I believe. It sat in pieces for a few years. Last year I revived it with new fork, wheels, and tires. I have plans for a custom gas tank. I think a fun bike for around town, but not so much on the highway.
The 1978 Honda CB750 - Lots of power, decent on gas. I bought this bike from a friend (Pennz) for $35. This bike has gotten me around for years. I've stripped it, chopped it, and customized it completely changing it's looks 5 times. Right now, I'm in the middle of Chop #6. So I don't have a usable setup, just a bunch of parts and a frame that would need to be heavily modified. :)
The 1972 Yamaha XS650 - Legend. My oldest bike. I bought it back in the late nineties when my first 1979 Honda CB400 was old news. I picked up this bad boy for $100 and got it running reasonable. Then one day after about two weeks of riding it the cam chain broke while I was out with my buddies. It has been in pieces ever since. I loved the sound of the inline twin thump. Not like any other bike. But I will need to rebuild the engine, and replace some missing parts on the chassis.
That's about it. What do you think? Do you need...pictures? (A post just doesn't seem finished with out them.)
Picture of my CB400 in current condition.
CB750 Currently.
Yamaha XS650 Today.
Recently I have been stewing about with a new dilemma. I want to ride a motorcycle this summer, but I have to choose which one. As you may know last summer I put 3000 kms on a little Yamaha 400 driving from Edmonton to Utah and back (Kara drove it for a short stretch too). It was just not big enough for me. I will never complain about the gas mileage. The unofficial cost of gas was about $80. I figure it averaged around 50 mpg. Pretty amazing especially considering how hard I pushed it. So back to the dilemma: I have 3 potential bikes to choose from.
The 1979 Honda CB400 - Small like the Yamaha, and probably as good on gas. Will I enjoy it lugging me around? I bought this bike for $50 as parts bike back in '99 I believe. It sat in pieces for a few years. Last year I revived it with new fork, wheels, and tires. I have plans for a custom gas tank. I think a fun bike for around town, but not so much on the highway.
The 1978 Honda CB750 - Lots of power, decent on gas. I bought this bike from a friend (Pennz) for $35. This bike has gotten me around for years. I've stripped it, chopped it, and customized it completely changing it's looks 5 times. Right now, I'm in the middle of Chop #6. So I don't have a usable setup, just a bunch of parts and a frame that would need to be heavily modified. :)
The 1972 Yamaha XS650 - Legend. My oldest bike. I bought it back in the late nineties when my first 1979 Honda CB400 was old news. I picked up this bad boy for $100 and got it running reasonable. Then one day after about two weeks of riding it the cam chain broke while I was out with my buddies. It has been in pieces ever since. I loved the sound of the inline twin thump. Not like any other bike. But I will need to rebuild the engine, and replace some missing parts on the chassis.
That's about it. What do you think? Do you need...pictures? (A post just doesn't seem finished with out them.)
Picture of my CB400 in current condition.
CB750 Currently.
Yamaha XS650 Today.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
I love this
One of my favorite things is finding sweet YouTube videos of small cars with motorcycle engines. An Excellent idea...
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Mr T turns 400,000 kms!
My Dad is convinced these things last forever:
#1 Because of how I drive it.
#2 It's still running with 400000 kms!
#1 Because of how I drive it.
#2 It's still running with 400000 kms!
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