New lift should help my back.

So I broke down and bought a Harbor Freight lift which was on sale for $279. I read the biggest complaint with this lift was the wonky wheel vice. I just bought a better wheel check and bolted it on. As long as it holds my bike up, I'll be a happy wrencher!

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Drizzly mild morning, great for a bimble on the beeza

Took a nice ride around town this morning, through the rain and fog. Belstaff kept me dry and stopping by my sisters filled my belly. Time to start sorting out the Bonnie...

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Rebuilding Lucas handlebar switch

#@%!, still waiting on a few key parts to really get this bike back together. In the meantime, I have been working on small projects (though there are no unimportant ones). The Control Switch for the left side had no bullet connectors and the button springs were shot. I ordered new bullets and springs and hit the casing on the polishing wheel. Not bad:

Triumph bits are all in. 1st job: Amal Carb rebuild

The last of the missing pieces for the 71 Bonnie arrived today (well I hope I have everything now...) I decided to start with the carbs, run the cables to the bars, attach all other cables, oil/fuel lines and finish up the wiring. While waiting for some Amal parts I got restless and started polishing up some of the pieces. I realize they'll tarnish quickly but what-evs. I didn't polish the main body of the carbs because they're just too many hard to reach spots.

I only got about 15 minutes into the rebuild before I received an emergency phonecall from a customer. So this is where I am right now. Hopefully I'll have some more time this week. Check back for updates.

Not just a wrencher but a seamstress too!

You can barely see it, (wish I took a before pic) but the seam on the seat had split on the right side and the rear leaving the foam exposed to the elements.

I picked up a hooked upholstery needle and some heavy thread and started stitching.

Not the prettiest job and by no means a show piece, but it looks better than it did before and it will keep the foam from dry rotting.

I actually like the patina of this bike. It's not meant to be perfect, but a decent ridable bike. Just addressing the major cosmetics and improving them is good enough for what this bike represents.

Polishing bits for the 72 Bonnie

I know these will tarnish quickly, but I couldn't resist throwing the Amal carb pieces under the polishing wheel. Wow that cover looks great!! Have to do more.... They almost look took pretty to fill with gasoline.

Still waiting on a couple little pieces before final assembly of the bike - but when that last crucial shipment arrives I'll be burning the midnight oil (as my friend Chris always says) till I get her running! Triumph Come Home Rally is rapidly approaching.

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Tried on some clubmans for size

I had an extra pair so I figured why not? Looks great, now do I cafe it out or do some mild clubman conversions or leave it be without ruining the integrity of the original design? This has always been my dilema with old bikes, restore, customize, or leave It o.g.?

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1971 cb450 all original.

Just picked up this little beauty for a song. She fires right up and handles like a champ. I need to re install the starter clutch, fix a few minor wiring issues and give her a tune and clean up and that's about it.

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And so it begins

While I'm waiting on parts for the bonneville, I started hooking up the wires. Problem is I'm missing the left handlebar switch. I actually have a broken one I just replaced on the beeza, so I guess I'll rebuild that, or at least try to...

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Hmmm, this could be a prblem

It appears that there's a considerable ga between the frames engine mount and the engine. I hope this doesn't mean the frame was bent in a wreck. Also this needs to be a sug fit.

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New bike, another project!

Picked up this beautiful 72 Bonnie from a vintage bike collector in Levittown (more on his cool bikes coming soon). The bike is 85-90% rebuilt chromed and painted so I'm making a list of what I need to complete her and ordering everything this week.

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