The Vorhese Blog

Someone save me from myself

2012-01-31T07:28:00.000-08:00

All I was going to do was try a different set of bars on Friday...

"While I'm at it" syndrome has struck again. I just did the swing-arm, but I've had that XS front drum, new B.U.B. exhaust, and small headlight laying around for a while eating at me. I just said "F IT" and started yanking the wiring harness and front brake and wheel off. I'm going to completely redo/simplify the wiring and make the bike as stripped down as I can go. I need to make a battery box, switch panel, front brake stay and wheel spacers, and headlight bracket.

I've been studying wiring harness diagrams and modified one to fit my needs. Kick only, no front brake switch, but I'm keeping the horn. I'm hoping to kick this all out rather quickly.

34 Weeks!

2012-01-30T11:43:00.000-08:00

Let's compare to 14 Weeks...

Rainy Day RD Jetting

2012-01-27T06:37:00.000-08:00

Last weekend I attempted to jet my RD once again. It was raining so I stuck the ass end out the door and filled the backyard with smoke. The newborn baby next door must have loved me. But just as I thought I was making headway, everything went wonky on me. I have officially given up, and I was ready to sell it, but my buddy Julian has offered to help in 2 weeks. Julian is a RD master, so if he can't fix it, nobody can!

Cycles South (1971)

2012-01-26T12:39:00.000-08:00

All 7 parts are online. This is probably one of the most enjoyable and funny motorcycle movies ever made. Is it really this easy nowadays or is the innocence gone? I can only hope.

Smooth

2012-01-26T06:38:00.000-08:00

Last night I welded and smoothed Kevin's Black Bomber shift lever for him. Not bad for a rookie. The only major problem is apparently my auto-darkening screen in my welding helmet is going out and I have burned eyeballs.

Joshua De Leon

2012-01-25T12:41:00.000-08:00

I get excited when I find a new artist I really like and admire. Andres Guzman, Jason Goad, and Andrei Bouzikov all have enviable skills. When Jimmy from the Royal Jokers posted an illustration from Josh De Leon, I thought it was the bee's knees. I contacted Josh about the upcoming Unfinished Projects show and am quite happy to say he's game. Check his stuff out!

To me, sketches are often more intriguing than a finished illustration. It let's you see the artists style, line weights, thought processes, and fluidity. Josh has a classic refined cartoonist's style. There is so much personality in his character development.

Preservation Society

2012-01-25T09:47:00.000-08:00

Cool write up on old wheels and their drivers on the Bold Italic today. Why didn't they knock on my door?

Hey, look, our resident model/vintage bike guy Sergio!

How To: XS650 Bronze Swingarm Replacement & Adding A Grease Zirk

2012-01-24T06:23:00.000-08:00

I put this video together on Sunday. You can judge my redneck mechanical abilities.

33 Weeks

2012-01-23T06:23:00.000-08:00

It's the final countdown.

I made her take these pictures against her will.

"Some People" (1962)

2012-01-22T16:41:00.000-08:00

If you know where I can find this movie, please let me know.

The Dukes "Try To Understand" (1965)

2012-01-21T23:26:00.001-08:00

Breaking Character

2012-01-20T18:43:00.001-08:00

Watch what Stephen Colbert says about Ron Paul. Sounds sincere and like he broke character for 15 seconds.

2012

2012-01-20T11:03:00.001-08:00

Scotty was handing these out at the Sac Swap. I added the "Unfinished Projects" show. Print this out and put it in your wallet.

Palette Cleanser

2012-01-19T18:38:00.001-08:00

The last video is a downer, here's an upper. This will be the cutest raddest thing you've seen this year.

It's not just old bikes...

2012-01-19T18:37:00.000-08:00

Jets for the Forty-Eleventh TIme

2012-01-19T10:21:00.000-08:00

I had an hour to devote to once again trying to get my RD to run properly. I put in smaller jets because the RD is still running way rich. Looks like I need to go smaller still. I'm already below the typical jetting for DG Pipes and U-boot + filter. But the bike is still running rich, lots of smoke, and lots of guilt from me for my neighbors health. I'll try again this weekend. The next size I got is 200 main and 20 pilot, after that, I'm out and have to once again buy more. But the good thing is the RD fires right up first kick after sitting 4 months.

Big Hitter Ron Paul

2012-01-19T09:11:00.000-08:00

Suckramento

2012-01-18T11:55:00.000-08:00

Went to the Sacramento Swap with some of the boys. Got up at 4:30 AM to get there by 7AM to get first dibs. We got there before 7 and there were already people swarming the aisles hauling away little Harley treasures in the dark. If you like Harleys, it was a great swap; if you like British, you felt like a red-headed stepchild. If you like beards, it was like a convention. I walked away with nothing but a good breakfast at Denny's, but I still had a good time.

Clubmans 2012

2012-01-18T08:40:00.000-08:00

One month after the Unfinished Show is the most important show/swap of the year. I will have a 3 week old at that point, but I have already secured permission to go!

If the swingarm is a rockin'...

2012-01-17T09:01:00.001-08:00

... the bushings are bad. I finally dug into the XS this weekend. I hadn't touched it since riding home from the 49 Mile Ride after the swingarm shaft was sheared off at the nut. I've discovered some bad juju. More to come when the new parts arrive.

Unfinished Projects #2 - It's Official

2012-01-16T11:28:00.001-08:00

Pics from last year

Metalmation #3: Electromagnetism.

2012-01-16T09:26:00.001-08:00

His Blog

A Black Bomber In Oakland

2012-01-16T08:19:00.000-08:00

Saturday was an amazingly beautiful day for mid January. Weather here has been unusually dry and sometimes warm. I decided to take the Black Bomber out all around Oakland. The Bomber's owner, Francisco, moved to Bali for an indefinite amount of time, and left it with me to watch over, protect, and ride. So, I only did what was asked of me.

Preggo Pop

2012-01-14T17:10:00.001-08:00

A tummy and the sweetheart attached to it.

Shimmy

2012-01-13T14:15:00.001-08:00

I'm about to do the valves on my KLR again. It uses shims. I found this video.... very similar.

I miss this

2012-01-13T14:06:00.001-08:00

I Think it IS piss

2012-01-13T09:49:00.001-08:00

A Ghost

2012-01-13T08:21:00.000-08:00

I haven't been very active on my blog recently. Nothing of any visual interest has been going on, and honestly, I've just had my mind elsewhere with the baby coming.

I've been working on the Triumph in the background. It's just a waiting game. My cases have been welded up and they just need drilled and heli-coiled (by me). My inner primary is swiss cheese so I need to find a new one. All the bearings are bad, the 2 in the case are $175 alone. And the bad news keeps coming. It's not 100%, but my cases, even though the have matching numbers, appear to not be matching cases.

Here's what Troop and his dad had to say after examining them:

"Preliminary lineup of your case halves had my pops scratching his head. The case halves don't appear to line up correctly, which lends him to believe they may have been mismatched even though the numbers match. Worse case scenario you may have been swindled with a set of mismatched cases that'll eventually crack your crank and end in total failure. Case halves are line bored at the factory to ensure the two crank mainbearings are in absolute alignment with one another, making for zero pressure on the crank while its in operation. Case halves that are not line bored together will put undue force on the mainbearing and will torque your crank until it fails.

On the upside we haven't completely tested them out. Only after the guide dowels and case hardware are in place can we be certain that the halves don't mate properly. Since we're not there yet, I've decided to go ahead with the case repairs so at least we can do all we can to ensure good operation if they end up mounting true. So cross your fingers, we do have a chance. IF they do end up being mismatched halves we have 2 options. The first option is best, but a hard pill to swallow. 1. Find another set of cases and scrap these ones. or 2. Run the cases with worn out bearings like the ones in it, you may get a couple thousand miles out of them with the extra play built into the worn mainbearings. With option 2 you would be riding a ticking time bomb, so to speak, but at least you're rolling. I know, not a good choice among them. Remember though, that's only if they don't end up lining up after we're done with repairs."

Shitty.

This Sunday is the Sacramento Swap. I'm going to Look for an inner primary there. I believe Troop is going to be there, too, so I can hand off the dowels and screws for the cases and he can find out for sure. I'm ordering pistons and such so I can get the barrels bored and crank repaired. Just money and time, money and time.

Walkabout

2012-01-09T11:02:00.000-08:00

Lori and I got out of the house on a beautiful Sunday and walked the dogs in a richy rich neighborhood of Oakland.

Enough exercise for the day

Mech Sculptures

2012-01-06T07:33:00.000-08:00

I took some pictures of the metal sculptures at the local *metal-recycling / homeless-person-can-exchange*. Good thing they don't have catalytic converters, or they'd be long gone.

That's So Racist

2012-01-05T12:17:00.000-08:00

I get all crazy during political season. I'm too liberal for my conservative friends, and I'm to conservative for my liberal friends. I've voted Libertarian Harry Brown in 2000, voted Kerry in '04, and voted Obama in '08. I subscribe to the Libertarian mindset for the most part, but do believe in socialized medicine and other other social programs. I believe we should take care of us (Americans) before all else. I'm against the wars, including the drug wars, am for personal freedom, am pro NRA, I am pro education. I am for Roe v Wade and other civil rights acts. And I'm extremely pro separation of church and state and religious freedoms (or lack of religion!). Yadda yadda. I'm rooting for Ron Paul to win the Republican nomination, though I'm still not 100% I will vote for him if so. Obama signing NDAA really pretty much sealed the deal I won't be voting for him again. So if Paul doesn't get the nomination, I will probably just stay home in November.

Anyway, a lot of my liberal friends like to stress how Paul is a racist. Criticize his political positions all you want, but you really need to get off this "racism" smear campaign. If you have any concerns, watch this video.

Judge Napolitano did a nice editorial

Womb With A View

2012-01-03T16:19:00.000-08:00

Last Friday we got our 3D ultrasound down and it was amazing. He's currently almost 4 pounds and 14 inches heel to head. He is currently head down and moving non-stop.

I can't believe 7 months ago he looked like a tad pole. Look at those lips!

Eyes open, laying on a placenta pillow

He gets those yawns from his momma

a smile for mommy and daddy!

a scrotum to make any dad proud

30 Weeks, 10 to go!

2012-01-02T10:01:00.000-08:00

It's a new year, everyone is a bit more refreshed and ready to go. 10 more weeks and we'll have our hands full!

Jim Jefferies

2011-12-29T17:03:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-22T06:39:00.000-08:00

Ron Paul

2011-12-21T11:01:00.001-08:00

If I get a choice between Paul and Obama, I will be voting Ron Paul.

Baby Training

2011-12-21T10:44:00.000-08:00

We bought a baby doll to try to start training our dogs to not be maniacs when we walk in the door. I'm sure it doesn't smell like a real child, but Luka is mostly apathetic and Sheena is downright shaking with fear.

"A Work In Progress"

2011-12-20T06:30:00.001-08:00

These digital artsy-fartsy videos are becoming quite a trend. Same style, same editing... but like Pokemon, ya gotta catch em all.

A Work in Progress / No 1 Evolution Custom Ind. from A Work in Progress on Vimeo.

Giddyup

2011-12-19T06:13:00.001-08:00

Drew this for the baby room.

More work on the Front St van

2011-12-15T06:29:00.001-08:00

The person laying down the ink is Josh Flohre. Front St Cycle in Dayton, Ohio!

Brooklyn Invitational

2011-12-14T06:06:00.001-08:00

Brooklyn Invitational from Richard Grabbe on Vimeo.

FOR SALE: 2 DOGS.... CHEAP

2011-12-13T17:58:00.001-08:00

Some cool stuff cuz I have nothing going on in my life

2011-12-13T12:35:00.000-08:00

6 Over - Kick Start from Wild Honey Productions on Vimeo.

Weesner Wacked!

2011-12-12T22:07:00.001-08:00

Ouch, look what happened to Weesner's rod.
"So, yesterday morning Aaron Kahan got hit while driving my roadster to mooneyes, he's fine other than two cracked ribs and a lot of bruises, pretty miraculous for being thrown 65 feet onto concrete... Here's what the car looks like- again, Aaron is fine-"

A selection of pre-war

2011-12-11T14:57:00.000-08:00

I'm trying to sell my Desoto again. I've been trying off and on for a couple years but I always pull the ad. I think I can keep my word this time. If I do sell it, I will be doing the responsible thing and putting it towards finally getting a pre-war motorcycle. It's been a dream of mine for a while, and this might be the only way it ever happens. I want to have a bike for the antique rides and trials. But finding a bike under £6,000 (and that's way on my high end) is going to be incredibly difficult. The good stuff starts around the £10,000 ($15,000 USA) range. Odds are I will have to sell some other bikes, as well. It has to be British. I'd prefer something over 350cc. And it has to have the right look. I've been looking at Matchless, AJS, Triumph, BSA, Velocette, and even Sunbeam. Most are just out of my potential. I guess I can get more serious about thinking about it after my Desoto puts cash in my hand.

This is just a few I spied...

1930 Sunbeam Model 6 long stroke 500cc, £7,650.00 LINK

1928 AJS Model K6 OHV 350cc, £13,500.00 LINK

Matchless ca. 1940 type G3 347 cc OHV, $7707 LINK

1915 Douglas, £10,000 LINK

TRIUMPH SD 550 1924 550cc, £9,000.00 LINK

BSA M22 500cc Sport 1937, £10,000.00 LINK

The Front St Van

2011-12-10T09:10:00.000-08:00

Check out what Craig is putting on his van over at Front St Cycle...

Legend of the Purple Pre-Unit

2011-12-09T10:14:00.000-08:00

Legend is he who starts working on the Purple Pre-Unit will be cursed with a project that never ends. He will eventually go mad.

1951 Plymouth Cranbrook for sale

2011-12-08T08:59:00.000-08:00

I'm selling this for my buddy Francisco who moved to Bali. It's really sad for me, we had a lot of fun and cruises together with my Desoto. He sold everything he owns except his Black Bomber. This car runs great!
Craigslist Ad

Oh Christmas Tree!

2011-12-08T08:03:00.001-08:00

6684 unique hits... not because of a cool piece of art I did, or a cool bike I built, or even because I'm one sexy dude. Because I shit talked Paulie Jr's chitty-chitty bang bang bike. Mike Davis decided to take the high road, even though I strongly disagree.

Uh Oh

2011-12-07T13:14:00.001-08:00

Guess I should have kept my mouth shut about the buildoff...

Jesse vs Pud

2011-12-07T09:08:00.000-08:00

Yeh, I'm going there. And don't pretend you're too good to have not had any interest. It's a sad day in motorcycles when this laughable thing...

beats something like this...

Jesse's bike is definitely not something I even really care for, it's not my style, and the fact you have to ride it looking out the side in a turn off. But build-wise, it's leaps and bounds better than Paulie's. People that like Pud Junior's bike are people that a) don't ride motorcycles and b) are like magpies, attracted to shiny objects, deer-in-headlights syndrome. Just look at that travesty! He looks like he's riding a Big Wheel. You can't really ride that thing. And you look goofy doing it. As for Paul Sr, his machine is not a bike, but I think it's cool in its own respect except the riding position. If I had a farm I'd love to zoom around on it. Kill a deer and drag it home. Someone please do me a favor and sew that Jason kid's mouth shut.

Let me start with Jesse. People really hate on him because of the adultery stuff, which is bad but not our business, and some really hate his cocky attitude. I think he's hilarious and entertaining. His shit talking is fantastic, top shelf stuff. But that does not pertain to his ability to build bikes. The man has skill, respects history, respects the process. He's an actual fabricator who surrounds himself with other talent. And he RIDES.

Paul Jr, on the other hand, is a wannabee. He's a mook. Money bought him the facilities and notoriety, and he's convinced himself he's a "designer." The people working for him have the skill (especially the tank metal worker dude, and that Vinny guy seems like a stand up guy), but he's just a supervisor-type when it comes down to it. I need those TPS reports, mmm k? He has gaudy taste. And he doesn't even really ride bikes. That is evident with his creations. I think you need a few more PJD sticker on your truck, there Paulie.

It really grinds my guts that this pudlicker has any sort of fame and there are tons of amazing builders out there that don't get any mainstream notoriety because they don't have enough manufactured drama in their lives to make for entertaining tv. We can't get any real fabrication shows on tv because "the masses" can't comprehend watching something educational. But that's probably a good thing. Keep the good stuff out of the public eye. It's already become ridiculously popular and much more expensive than it used to be. Motorcycle popularity comes and goes... and it's time for it to go.

American Chopper has been canceled. Jesse starts filming his new series in January. And word is Pud Junior is getting his own series. The closest thing we have right now to a real building show is Cafe Racer TV, and even that is 50% crap.

"Moto in the City"

2011-12-06T09:10:00.001-08:00

Makes me want the jacket pretty bad!
Barbour International Twill

Merry Christmas... Holy shit... where's the Tylenol...

2011-12-06T08:27:00.000-08:00

First year staying home for Christmas, first year putting lights up. Lights are very addicting...

The List

2011-12-05T09:02:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was my 35th birthday. I think I had a bit of a pre-midlife crisis. 35... there's no going back. The days of being mistaken for being a college student are probably over. My balding head and grey beard probably assures that. 35 is almost 40, 40 is almost 50, and 50 is almost, well... The "Price is Right" loser sound just went off. I guess I should get used to having a doctor's finger up my butt once a year soon.

Anyway, I can't get my Triumph's barrels bored until I get new pistons, shells, and rings ($?), so I'm on hold on that. I can't get my crank ground until I get my barrels bored, so again, on hold. Both of those will be $300 combined. I spent a great deal of time this weekend going through every part and seeing what needs replaced. I saw a lot dollar signs in front of me. There's a couple big ticket items that need replaced, like the quadrant in my gearbox... that's a $75 part new. I may just try to pick up a spare gearbox and scavenge it for parts. I can't believe how trashed my cases were, so hopefully Pops can fix those.

1962 Triumph Bonneville Pre-unit
With Unit head and unit clutch

GASKETS:
COMPLETE GASKET SET!!!
TIMING COVER, PRIMARY COVER (PIZZA BOX?), INNER GEARBOX, GEARBOX COVER, MAGNETO TO CASE, + MISC

CRANKSHAFT:
Keyways: #34 E1558 (QTY 2), #28 E1580 (SAME AS UNIT), #23 E3974
Pistons, rings, circlips (do I need new gudgeon pins?)
Multiple sizes of rod bearing shells - return what don't use
#25 E3975 Tab Washer
#30 E398 Timing Pinion Nut - I need the one for the unit (UNIT: #34 E4565? NUT FOR PINION (UNIT CRANK))

CRANKCASE:
#13 E1534A CRANKCASE JOINT HOLLOW DOWEL
#21 (QTY 2) E1534A CYLINDER BASE DOWEL
#22 (QTY 2) E1647 CRANKCASE JOINT SCREW
#26 (QTY 2) E487 FILTER JOINT WASHER (COMES WITH GASKET SET?)
#27 E529 Crankcase Oil Filter
#29 (QTY 4) E1612 Serrated Washers
#37 E1335 COPPER WASHER

OIL PUMP:
#9 E1537 JOINT WASHER (COMES WITH GASKET SET?)

RELEASE VALVE ASSEMBLY:
#17 GS254 FIBRE WASHER (COMES WITH GASKET SET?)
#23 E1670 FIBRE WASHER (COMES WITH GASKET SET?)

CYLINDER BLOCK & HEAD T120
#1 E2894 CYLINDER BASE WASHER (COMES WITH GASKET SET?)
#27 (QTY 2) E3552 JOINT WASHER (COMES WITH GASKET SET?)
#36 (QTY 4) E1577 JOINT WASHER (COMES WITH GASKET SET?)
#49 (QTY 4) E1496 BOTTOM JOINT WASHER - as many as needed (COMES WITH GASKET SET?)
#50 (QTY 4) E3547 TOP JOINT WASHER - as many as needed (COMES WITH GASKET SET?)

GEARBOX & CASING (CONSIDERING BUYING A SPARE GEARBOX TO USE FOR PARTS IF TOO $$$)
#31 (QTY 3) S1-51 NUT
#32 (QTY 3) S25-3 PLAIN WASHER

HEAD:
TROOP REBUILDING

GEARBOX SHAFTS & GEARS:
#19 E489 CIRCLIP
#22 T440 GEARBOX SPROCKET NUT
#24 T280 CIRCLIP
#27 T730 KICKSTARTER PINION
#16 T933 SPEEDOMETER DRIVE BUSH - DO I NEED TO RUN A SPEEDOMETER GEAR? IS THERE A GOOD WAY TO PLUG THE HOLE?

GEARBOX SELECTOR MECHANISM:
#11 (QTY 2) 5/64" X 1-3/8" SPLIT PIN
#12 T408/1540 GEARCHANGE QUADRANT
#13 E3309 RUBBER O-RING (COMES WITH GASKET SET?)
#14 (QTY 2) T404 QUADRANT RETURN SPRING
#19 (QTY 4) E1612 SERRATED WASHER
#32 T1167 PEDAL LOCATION SPRING
#33 S70-3 PEDAL LOCATING SPRING
#36 T1222 COTTER PIN W/ NUT & WASHER
#38 1/16" X 1/2" SPLIT PIN
#39 T495 RUBBER CAP
#40 T1536 T120 CLUTCH OPERATING ARM
#43 T1554 SCREW PEG
#44 E1612 SERRATED WASHER
#45 T413 CLUTCH ROD ADJUSTER PIN
#46 T453 ADJUSTER PIN NUT

CLUTCH (3 BOLT UNIT)
#3 T1735 THRUST WASHER
#21 (QTY 3) T2526 PRESSURE NUT
#22 S66-1 KEYWAY
#23 T2279 CUPPED WASHER

PRIMARY COVER:
#1 T1477 JOIN WASHER (COMES WITH GASKET SET?)
#13 T1059 CABLE GROMMET
#18 T497 SPRING - DO I NEED?
#19 NT316 FOOTREST DOWEL - DO I NEED?

ENGINE & GEARBOX FITTINGS:
#14 (QTY 2) F862 DISTANCE TUBE

MAGNETO:
INSPECT

CARBS:
INSPECT

Missing Blake

2011-12-02T08:25:00.000-08:00

One year ago Lori lost the best man in her life and I lost the best second father a person could ask for. Blake, her dad, left us suddenly and we think about him every day. He was a wonderful, warm man who had so much more to give. We all miss you, Blake.

Choppy Choppy

2011-11-30T14:39:00.000-08:00

This is the first Christmas in 5 years that we will be home alone, so we thought we'd go all out this year. We went craft crazy inside. We hung up lights outside. Lori and I both come from a long lineage of fake Christmas trees. So this year we decided we want a REAL goddamn tree! We found a place in Martinez that lets you cut down your own tree so we had to go there.

Nuts and Bolts and Clam$

2011-11-29T11:50:00.000-08:00

~~November 11: Soda blast cases~~
~~November 18: Polish head ports in evening, send cases to Pops to weld/fix, send head to Troop to finish, clean and layout all motor parts~~
~~November 25: Rebuild sludge trap in crank~~, order necessary motor parts
December 2: Bore barrels, get crank to spec, paint jugs
December 9: Assemble gear box
December 16: Get cases back from Pops, polish, put bushings in cases, reassemble connecting rods to crank
December 23: Assemble lower end
December 30: Inspect and clean up magneto, get head and carbs back from Troop
January 6: Install head
January 13: Finish minor fab work (tail light, license mount, kickstand), disassemble chassis
January 20: Get all necessary SS hardware, grind and polish bolt heads
January 27: Rebuild forks
February 3: Primer and paint misc chassis parts
February 10: Assemble chassis, install motor
February 17: Wire & plumb
February 24: Have exhaust made
March 2: Fire up and ride!
March 9: BABY!

The cases are in Grass Valley to be welded. I removed the sludge trap from the unit crank this weekend, and right now I'm sourcing where to bore the barrels and have the crank shaped up. I think I will be taking my barrels to Petaluma to Engine Dynamics ($150) and my crank to Bailey Bros. in American Canyon ($125). I'm going to bring both the unit and the pre-unit crank to see what they prefer. But before that I need to get my new pistons, rings, and a couple different shells for the rods.

There's no way I'll be able to keep to my schedule, but I'm going to just keep hacking away. Last night I put my Thunderbird cases in the frame to see what mounting bolts I have that are good, what needs replaced, and what needs changed. It's a puzzle to figure out what goes in first.

Turkey Lurkey

2011-11-28T08:53:00.000-08:00

Actually we had ham, and it was delicious.

I decided to bring one of the not ripe watermelons up... lo and behold, a Thanksgiving miracle!

Sludge Trap's Out

2011-11-25T18:27:00.001-08:00

Mission accomplished, sludge trap removed, with help from Lucas.

Buy this

2011-11-25T12:03:00.001-08:00

So we can be twinsies

A much more graceful sludgetrap removal

2011-11-23T18:01:00.001-08:00

Holiday Spirit

2011-11-23T06:49:00.000-08:00

Lori and I are huge blasphemers, but we love love love Christmas. This will be our first Thanksgiving and Christmas alone. And our last one without little Baby XY. We did a little crafting this last weekend and then some decorating. We're also getting a real tree this year, my first one. I'm going to do my best Clark Griswald this year on our house, too. Already have the lights! Atheist Christmases are the best.

3 Vincents

2011-11-23T06:08:00.000-08:00

On ebay

Death of a garden

2011-11-22T14:37:00.000-08:00

Cliff Burton said it best, "To live is to die."

24 Weeks

2011-11-21T13:07:00.001-08:00

16 to go

Results from the Brooks auction

2011-11-21T06:15:00.000-08:00

Results

Wow... some screamin steals, some not so much. And some people walked away with some cool shit!

1982 Ariel bobber went for $1840!
Yet the 48 SQ4 went for $8000+

a 1951 Goldstar for $7500...

1958 AJS dirtbike for $2000...

The 1947 Velocette KTT for $7500...
The 1948 Velocette KSS bobber for $4500

And all the expensive Indian stuff which makes me glad I'm not into Indians...

Luka video test

2011-11-20T07:37:00.001-08:00

How to kill 90 minutes of your evening

2011-11-18T13:16:00.001-08:00

Now to do the other one.

Case Issues Up Close

2011-11-17T11:23:00.001-08:00

A gallery of all the issues with my cases. I'm debating sealing everything up and retapping back to Whitworth from 1/4-20.

Care Package

2011-11-17T08:33:00.000-08:00

I'm not able to make a trip up to Grass Valley to see the boys anytime soon, so I'm sending my cases up for Pops to weld, some parts for Troop to inspect, and the head for Troop to finish. I'm also sending Pops a tank and clip-ons for his cafe project. I can get a better shipping rate sending from work... this stuff has taken me all week to transport here in my hard bag on my KLR, and I still have one more trip of stuff to get. I started sanding and polishing my intake last night, I hope to finish tonight, or this stuff won't go out until next week. I have a schedule to keep! Last night I also honed my cylinders, but unfortunately it looks like they will need to rebored to the next size. I'll probably need new pistons, too. The money keeps adding up...

He was born with a gift

2011-11-16T06:25:00.000-08:00

RIP to Punk Rock Johnny Cash

Bed Hog

2011-11-15T10:14:00.001-08:00

Sheena's a bed hog. Luka doesn't give a flip.

Go time

2011-11-14T08:44:00.000-08:00

Enough dillydallying. It's been 6 years since I got my Triumph, but I need to finish it by mid March. I have come up with a week by week game plan to try to get it done before the baby comes. I put a realistic goal for each weekend. Some things depend on other things to get done first, and others can be done whenever. Mixed in with all this is birthing classes every weekend, creating the nursery, and planning the 2nd Unfinished Projects Show for February. This would be so much easier if I didn't have a day job.

~~November 11: Soda blast cases~~ Never again will I do this myself. What a PITA!

November 18: Polish head ports in evening, send cases to Pops to weld/fix, send head to Troop to finish, clean and layout all motor parts
November 25: Rebuild sludge trap in crank, order necessary motor parts
December 2: Get cases back from Pops, polish, put bushings in cases, reassemble connecting rods to crank
December 9: Assemble lower end
December 16: Hone cylinders, check specs, paint jugs, clean pistons, reassemble pistons
December 23: Assemble gear box
December 30: Inspect and clean up magneto, get head and carbs back from Troop
January 6: Install head
January 13: Finish minor fab work (tail light, license mount, kickstand), disassemble chassis
January 20: Get all necessary SS hardware, grind and polish bolt heads
January 27: Rebuild forks
February 3: Primer and paint misc chassis parts
February 10: Assemble chassis, install motor
February 17: Wire & plumb
February 24: Have exhaust made
March 2: Fire up and ride!
March 9: BABY!

I was really hoping to start reassembling the lower end earlier, but I have some aluminum repairs I should do, well, have Pops do for me.

Fill the 3 thru holes, re-helicoil

Fill and reshape chip by hole

Fill and shape the chain gouges

Fill and shape worn down areas, re-helicoil

Big thanks to Jason at SF Vintage for hooking me with a unit crank to use so I don't need to have machine work done. For comparison, left to right, '53 Thunderbird, '62 Bonneville, late '60's unit cranks. Notice the '53 doesn't have a sludge trap.

And different alternator attachment.

Here's to getting shit done.

Typical Crazy Night

2011-11-11T10:04:00.001-08:00

A Virago I Like

2011-11-11T07:59:00.000-08:00

I am not much of a fan of Cafe Racer TV, but I watch it for it's occasional old British bikes. Surprisingly, this Virago really appealed to me. Greg Hageman is such a sedate person, but his work is truly great. And I had no idea how sexy a Virago motor could look and sound. So, call me a heretic, I actually like an 80's bike!

Guerilla Cruise

2011-11-10T16:36:00.000-08:00

This is happening Saturday:
Cruise from Emeryville Pier over Bay Bridge to Red's in San Francisco.

Meet at:
3199 Powell Street
Emeryville, CA 94608

Exit at Powell off 580 and head West towards the Bay, it's a big open Marina parking lot. If anyone gets lost or has any questions the day of the cruise, PM me a number and I'll send you mine. We'll play it by ear on Saturday, but let's plan on leaving as a group at 9:15 from the Marina towards SF. If you can't make it then, that's cool, just look for us at Reds in SF. Hope to see you guys there, this is gonna be fun!

More Details

Tightened Up

2011-11-10T09:37:00.001-08:00

Gonna ditch the cracked helmet.

Bad JuJu

2011-11-09T08:56:00.000-08:00

I've been discovering all sorts of issues with my preunit motor. This is why you tear it all the way down!

This the alternator side keyway on my crank. I'm going to have to have a machinist recut a keyway on the other side (and put a new timing mark on).

This is the clutch hub. Quite chipped up, but it should be ok as it's inside the clutch center. But there is that one good chip on the side where the rollers come in contact. I may still use it. No sign of wear on the rollers.

Here's a nice WTF. Most of the outer Whitworth threaded holes have been helicoiled for 1/4-20. These 2 holes that hold the inner primary on have been drilled all the way through the case! Looks like I'll need a machinist for the crank and an aluminum welder for the case. So much for slapping it back together easily!

Mama's Cookin'

2011-11-08T10:08:00.001-08:00

500 degrees for 20 minutes, serves 1.

Crime Show Time Killer

2011-11-07T08:00:00.001-08:00

The wife started watching a 48 Hours Mystery so I dusted off my pad and sketched this...

Results from the Lee Hartung Collection

2011-11-07T06:48:00.000-08:00

The auction results are in. EVERYTHING went for big bucks, probably most way over value. But the Model A's went CHEAPPPPP!

You Been GWAR'd

2011-11-04T08:10:00.001-07:00

Max Schaff posts Paul Simon, so I'll post some GWAR.

Deez Muttz

2011-11-04T06:38:00.000-07:00

More pics of the retarded stepchildren.

Escaped hairball

R.I.P. Flattus Maximus

2011-11-03T16:39:00.001-07:00

I was just about to get tickets for November 11... sad

Scrapertown

2011-11-03T10:02:00.001-07:00

Daily site for me

Scrapertown from California is a place. on Vimeo.

Juliet revisited

2011-11-02T06:25:00.000-07:00

I did get Juliet running last week but she needs a lot more work. Some tuning, really loose fender... It's not easy for me to get out there, I have to bring out my own tools on my moto, so I'm advising my boss to have someone else finish fixing it for him. But here are a couple shots with the cell phone and some videos.

It's Better In The Wind

2011-11-01T12:26:00.001-07:00

Yet another "Deep Thoughts with Jack Handy" zen motorcycle video

It's Better In The Wind - Short Film from Scott Toepfer on Vimeo.

Lazee Muttz

2011-11-01T06:28:00.000-07:00

49 Mile Ride Video

2011-11-01T06:19:00.000-07:00

Doug made this.

The 49 Mile Ride 2011

2011-10-31T09:10:00.000-07:00

My favorite ride of the year has come and gone. Lori was adamant about going so I made sure the XS was running good for 2-up, actually, 3-up counting the baby. I got a new tail light and borrowed a new battery. Of course, Sunday morning my headlight wouldn't work. Francisco's Bomber wouldn't kick either, so I had to bump him and start my day sweaty. We had a small crew meet for coffee, then ride across the bridge and to the boat club where 300 classic, vintage, and antique motorcycles were gathering.

The ride was great. The weather was amazing. This will be the last year I ride my XS. I can't wait to cruise on my Triumph for next year. When we returned to the boat club, I noticed my swing-arm shaft had sheared off at the nut. This is the 3rd time. Something is up, probably the bushings. I'll decommission it for the year and look into it.

We had our new Canon with us and was excited about shooting in aperture priority mode for some photos with pizazz... SOMEWHERE along the way I had some setting on wrong and a vast majority of our photos were blue and washed out. I did my best to salvage them with Photoshop.

All the photos, including more bikes and ride photos. The following is a more personal recap.

Lucas

Francisco

There's a baby in there

3 videos

Breaking Up

2011-10-28T11:24:00.000-07:00

This was a little more difficult than I thought it would be. I had to be creative.

So was this

Now to wash and soda blast.

Hens Teeth

2011-10-28T06:37:00.000-07:00

Like I mentioned, I went and visited RJ last weekend. He was awesome and kind and gave me two XS650 motors, and, as the cherry on top, an elusive, hard to find, XS1 front drum and wheel. I've been wanting one of these forever and they are just about impossible to find. And definitely not cheap. And the guy just gave me one! It will be going on the XS soon. So sexy. I love how I am doing the opposite of any sane person and purposely putting drums on all my bikes.

RJ's Bultaco

2011-10-27T06:20:00.000-07:00

My buddy RJ in Antioch hooked me up with some parts. RJ is an ol timer flat tracker, and he used to race this bad Bultaco before he made it a show piece.

About Last Night

2011-10-26T06:35:00.000-07:00

Lori is in LA once again for work. This is either the 3rd or 4th time now in 3 months. Which meant I was alone to de-evolve into bachelor life for a night. I spent the night cleaning Juliet's carbs and pulled the jugs off the pre-unit. I also discovered the battery on my XS is probably bad, just a few days before the 49 Mile Ride.As for the carbs, at first I thought all the gummed up components and rust were from the petrol tanks, but the trick little inline filters at the bottom of the carbs were spotless. So maybe moisture got in through the venturis and got down into the floats. Needless to say, this has to be why it wasn't starting. I'm hooking them back up today and will find out.Jugs came off with little sweat. At first I was thinking I'd be cursing for not having an engine stand, but it all worked out.

Mr. Irresponsible

2011-10-25T06:11:00.000-07:00

I had to have one last impulsive action before the kid came. I picked this up this weekend... hopefully it will be BabyXY and my first project. I must thank the wife for hardly putting up a struggle!

1953 Thunderbird motor (factory rigid), 1955 Thunderbird chassis (first year swingarm). Complete basket case. Missing a lot. No fenders, seat, nacelle, engine mounts, most of the front end. I do have the fork lowers and triple trees. The front wheel is incorrect, but surprisingly correct for my '67 TR6. I thought they made repops for the fenders and nacelle, I guess they do, but they're fiberglass or Indian made (quality questionable). Luckily it does have the gas tank (including trim and badges), oil tank, and battery box (minus cover), magneto, and primary cover. My original plan was restoration... but not sure now. I won't be touching this for quite a while. Soon I need to go through the entire parts list just so I have a record of what's missing and what needs replaced. Project wise... I think I'm good for a while. Unless I find a factory rigid too good to say no!

2 Years of Smooches & Bruises

2011-10-24T08:43:00.000-07:00

Today is Lori and my 2 year wedding anniversary. I married the sexiest, feistiest, sweetest, sexiest, smartest, cutest gal on the planet.
A look back at the best day ever. Click for all.

"I Bought A Vampire Motorcycle"

2011-10-23T10:31:00.001-07:00

20 Weeks

2011-10-22T07:37:00.000-07:00

We had our 20 week ultrasound yesterday. All is going perfectly.

Sad Juliet

2011-10-21T09:22:00.000-07:00

I've been pressing my boss for months to get Juliet running, that I would come out and figure out what was up. He said he kicked it forever and it wouldn't start. Finally, today we went out to his house. It was glaringly obvious what the problem was. His carbs were gummed as hell and filled with tank rust clogging the jets. No inline fuel filter, no air filter of any kind. He didn't have much in the way of tools, so I popped the carbs off and am taking them home for the weekend to clean. And making him put an inline filter on, and maybe some of those sweet Slinky air filters. The 49 Mile Ride is next weekend... maybe I'll be riding Juliet? I promised I wouldn't wreck her like last time.

New Camera

2011-10-20T08:35:00.000-07:00

Lori and I decided to spend some nickels on a nice camera so we could have good baby pictures when the time comes. I found out about the Canon Loyalty Program which basically sells you a refurbished model (a decent selection) for a much reduced price plus trade in for an old, broken (any model) Canon camera. So for $520 dollars we bought a Canon t2i DSLR which retails around $900. It comes with a 58mm lens.

Here are some shots, right out of the box, using the 58mm lens, and me not really knowing what I was doing. Some are auto focus, some manual, some trying different settings... nothing too in depth yet. Most were taken in low light/incandescent light, which required a little Photoshop to get the orangeyness taken down a notch. Not bad, not bad.

Lori's mamma is visiting too, Sheena's best friend

Triumph's transmission is completely disassembled, except the bearing.

Time to read up some more. We're going to get a 52mm 1.8 depth of field lens, tripod, some other filters. I'm also learning about HDR, which is cool, if not trendy.