BT&E

I'm pretty stoked on this ebay find. I was looking for a cheap vintage Sparto Made In England tail light for the '55 Trump when I came upon a "Harley Sparto" tail light for $50 buy it now. I looked at the pictures and it looked more like the older Barnett Tools and Engineering bobber tail light from the 40's/50/60's out of Ventura. Sure enough, there was a picture that showed the BT&E stamp inside the housing. I snagged it up as fast as I could. The last one one ebay went for $225 with a cracked lens and beat up housing. They often sell at $400! This is the same one that is on the '50 BSA B33.

Lead Brick

I was really hoping the 1969 Trail 70 CT70 I got for Max (and maybe me too...) would need a simple carb rebuild and it would fire right up. It kicked over... I thought.



Once I pulled off the carb it became quickly clear that wasn't going to happen.



I pulled the motor guard, exhaust and pulled off the head. Crap. I already tallied up what a mild restore would cost, almost $1000. You can get a whole new top end for $200. After all this work, it still will be cheaper than if I bought running.

Briones

I took Max to Briones Regional Park nearby for the first time. What a great place, there are cows just grazing right on the trail. He saw Shrek's house, a dinosaur nest, and I believe he was a Big Bad Wolf for a while.

Some new bling for the '55

I managed to pick up (cheap) a much nicer bobbed (which I wanted to do anyway) swingarm rear fender. Plus I got my polished SS Webco style handlebars from Craig at Front St Cycle! It's all coming together. I have a solid lead on a smaller '56/57 T100 gas tank as well, ribbed badges and all. On the way to Arizona, I dropped the cases of at Wes' Four Aces shop in Pacoima to have his machinist do a little work on. In the future (ie after I get some funds) I hope to start planning out the upgrades and get his feedback. One piece at a time...

Desert Monkeys

Lori and I and some friends hit the Arizona desert on some 2-stroke Yamaha 80's and had a blast. It was all I could do to keep my bike from bottoming out, even with a lift kit installed, so I was standing most of the time. My thighs are killing me! Now I REALLY want the '55 Triumph up and going AND a nice modern dirt bike to ride. I have visions of hitting the dirt parks on the weekend with Max soon. I need more dirt in my life.

Birthday Present

I had the CB's stock seat modified and re-upholstered in leather by the Haifley Bros in Phoenix. I wanted a cross between a Bates desert seat and a BSA hump seat. They hit it out of the park.


BR>
BR>

Race

Merry Christmas!

Mac Max

Byron

Took a ride out to Byron with Douglas a couple weekends ago. I had been out there on the Triumpg and wanted to take a picture of this garage, but their was a gang of scary, fat, bald, white shirt wearing tough guys at the bar next door so I bailed. Only a horse tied up to the railing this time. As fun as a hard tail is, a swingarm sure feels good now and again.