3 projects away

I needed to clear some shelf space, so I moved the CB750 motor cases to rest in the frame. It's been a while since they sat there. I forgot how much the motor really beefs up the bike. I'm looking forward to finishing this project. It was 4 projects away, but because Lori's Dream runs good, i can scratch that off the list. Finish the Triumph, do the head gasket on the XS, then finish the CB.

New Front Street Cycle shirt

Craig has a new shirt, the Beard Dude design I did. GO GET ONE!
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The Forgotten

I just realized I never posted this. This was the first freelance project I had after quitting my job to stay home. The concept was a late 70's/early 80's metal album art (think cover art for Heavy Metal magazine). It was also the first time I ever used gouache. Not only had I never used the medium before, the client was being unnecessarily detail picky, and as any person knows, always makes a mess of things in the end. I struggled through a project I absolutely hated, and it took 6 months to get paid for. It's also the last project I did without a written contract. I considered burning this for therapy, but will keep it as a reminder of everything that can go wrong working for someone.

Heavy Weight

Got my crank back from Wes' shop. Apparently the conrods needed a little boring, but something was wrong with the shell bearings and needed replaced, which fixed my tight spot problem. Anyway, that was a looooong ordeal, and it's finally time to get the bottom end together, and get this beast going. I shall cherish this bumblebee shop rag forever.

Display the Prize

I made a sex torture table, I mean, a motorcycle stand today during one of Max's naps...


It really ties the room together.
By the way, I accept all parts donations.

I bow at the end

Garage Dreams

Another Max nap/bike attack. I started prepping Lori's Dream for it's first start up. The carb was spotless, there's good oil, a battery's hooked up and there's spark; so I think she should start. I just need the ol wifey to give me some backup with Max.







The petcock on the other hand was not so spotless. There was some pretty bad corrosion to the aluminum petcock, I put it in some CLR and the leftover is pretty rough. I may just replace it with one of the upgraded ones. But don't need the tank on to start it up.

Play Date

Max had some of his friends over Tuesday. He stayed up for 5 hours... so I think he had a good time!

8 done, 17 to go

oye...

Lean and Mean(ing to blow up)

I revised the carb settings on the RD during one of Max's naps. I upped the main to a 240 from 230, and reset the air screw to 1.5 turns out to try to enrichen the fuel mixture. I need a couple hours where I can make obnoxious smokey noise to do further testing. As the RD is my only truly running bike right now, I need to make her purrrr. I finished just as he woke up. Even after 10 washings, he didn't seem to mind the gas smell on my hands.

Date Night

The planets aligned and we had a night out without Max on Saturday for Lori's post-holiday work party. We had a paid sitter for the first time ever. That's a difficult step to take. For Lori, it was the anxiety of a stranger watching our child. For me, it was having to fork over $65. It sure would be nice to have family here. Anyway, Max was asleep the whole time, and we had a really fun night getting sloshed.

Schmokie and the Banditos

Lo and behold, the motorcycle gods shone down on me Sunday, gifting me an afternoon ride on the RD. This was the RD's first real ride, other than the small local test rides, since it's big blow up 7 years ago. Since rebuilding the motor I have had a phobia of riding this bike. I'm paranoid that it will blow up again. But it made it.





The midrange was great, the twisties were fantastic. But there was no response after 3/4 throttle, which means I'm running lean on the main jet. I couldn't get over 70mph, and going up hills was slow. There's also not an acceptable take off from stop response, which means I need to fiddle with the pilot/air screw. But overall great to be on the bike again. I carried an arsenal of tools and spark plugs, but didn't need them.

And best of all, I come home and walk in the door to be greeted by a little fink running towards me with a smile from ear to ear.

Blazing Saddle Bags

I stopped in at La Rosa Design to pick out a new saddle bag for the Trump. They didn't have exactly what I was looking for, so i had it made-to-order. Less than 48 hours later it arrived at my doorstep. Hopefully it's big enough to hold the dreams of ever finishing this bike.



On the subject of leather bags, I fit the Duane Ballard tool bag Lori got me for Christmas to the XS. Such a badass bag.

Happy Feet

That'll do, pig

30 more minutes on the polishing wheel and it's about as good as my archaic equipment can do.

Smooth As Baby's Ass

Yesterday was Max Schaff's 69 Mile Ride. I didn't go, but saw a bunch of skater chopper bros roaming around heading to the meet up spot. Instead, I got some garage time. I needed to polish the front Bultaco hub to get ready being laced this week. It's half-assed and hurried, but it will work.



As I got it...

Grocery Getter

It was a year of talking and planning and research, and it just took waking up one morning to make it happen. We've been talking about upgrading from the Hyundai Elantra for quite some time. With Max, it's become increasingly more difficult to make it work, and we couldn't take the dogs anywhere. Max's wagon had to go in the front seat, which just wasn't working. We looked for the best fit and most affordable and we found a 2008 Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring with 65,000 miles that wouldn't break the bank, and we pounced on it. Voted best SUV/Crossover of the year by Motor Trend, I feel like we're driving a MUCH more expensive car. We're not used to so many niceties: heated seats, navigation, backup camera, dvd player, dual climate control, etc. After a string of blasé econo cars, it's really nice to go to the next level. It has a number of scratches to fix, all the plastic trim needs brightened up, and the headlights are yellowed, but nothing a $100 kit and an afternoon won't fix. Plus now there is plenty of room for Max, groceries, AND the dogs. Plus Max's wagon fits quite nicely.

10 Whole Months

Today is Max's 10 month birthday. We really can't believe it. It goes by so fast, just like they say. It's been a long, exhausting road, but as things tend to do, the hard times fade away into your back memory and you think, "Well, it wasn't THAT bad!" Max is such a happy, giggling little boy, we are truly the luckiest parents ever. Everyone says that, but it's true. We don't even remember what life was like before Max, nor do we want to anymore.

Xmas Was Good

So my turn. Apparently it was a motorcycle-themed Christmas this year. Lori got me a custom leather tooled tool bag by Duane Ballard and a Dehen Club Sweater. The tool bag is going on the XS. I tried to find a good spot on the Triumph, but no where worked well. And the XS needs one badly. It looks great on it! And I'm going to cut a Triumph logo out of white felt for the sweater and hand sew it on. Wifey did good!!! Now to lose about 30 pounds so I don't stretch out the sweater...

Vote For Wes

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Ride Sallie Ride

Our friend Sallie in Phoenix showed us her TR6 I may or may not have helped talking her into getting. But I certainly didn't tell her to drive 12 hours from Phoenix to Sacramento to get it. She's rocking it.





And her Falcon

Maximum Max

I'm way behind on my Max. He has been walking for a few weeks, but he's now running, and as of a few days ago, able to stand up from sitting without pulling himself up. And he got good quick. Gloating, yes! 4 more days and he turns 10 months old!

Pre-Unit Beezer with belt drive cams

Dream Come True

We are back from Arizona visiting Lori's family for Christmas. It was a great Christmas to be a motorcycle rider. I'll get into my gifts later, but the big surprise for Lori was I got her a 1965 Honda 305 Dream. She's always wanted one, as it felt more comfortable to her than a CB450. It was down to the last minute to find out if I got it or not, but on Christmas Day she opened a box letting her know...





It was delivered today!