[Lost_Cause]

Here is the start of my winter project. Details to come.

here is progress as of 3/6/2018

 

[Lost_Cause]

DESIGN GOALS HAVE CHANGED A LOT, SEE PAGE 3 FOR AN UPDATE:

the intent is to build a "bug out bike" ... I chose the parallel twin because it is an all-mechanical dependable engine. i like the CL350 look, and have a lot of gravel / grid roads out here, so i would like to be "light trail capable"

Design goals are first and foremost dependability and fuel economy. it is NOT my intent to keep it original (sorry, purists) ... or to build a cafe racer. slow, steady, and solid are what i am going for.

also ... i want it to be high-quality, but i don't have a lot of cash. Bonus points to doing as much as i can myself.

current list of "to do"s are:
1) Tires and Wheels. the front rim and spokes are great, so just new rubber there.
2) Rear wheel is a total build. looking for spokes, rim, rubber etc. to lace onto current hub
3) Gas tank blasted and powder coated inside and out
4) Fenders re-shaped, blasted, and powder coated
5) ... "engine work" ... there is a lot to be done here, and is a subject of deeper investigation later.
6) rack and Storage options. i have dreams here, but budget will likely dictate.
7) considering a new seat.
8) I'd like to try my hand at hydro-dipping the tank.
9) upgraded shocks... remote reservoir ?
10) foot pegs, lights, stylistic stuff.

 

[FrankyV]

Welcome, nice starting point for a project.

 

[Lefty]

Looks just right, I'd suggest a stock second hand rim and spokes. Keep it simple and they'll match.

 

[Lost_Cause]

Thanks for stopping in Lefty and Franky.

every good project starts with a clean shop ... and mine is ... sorely neglected. so i've decided before i start taking parts all apart; i am going to gut the garage.

got my main work shelf cleared today and even put some fresh paint on it to give it a nice "blank canvas" look.

also got a front tire, inner tube, and rim strip in the mail today. probably go ahead and change that out this weekend as a "very first" step.

 

[cl450nut]

I'd consider a different front end. Something like an XL 350, with a 21" front wheel. Cheap on eBay. Check AllBalls website and see what is easy to swap in.

 

[Lost_Cause]

thanks for stopping in cl450nut.

... i'm assuming you recommend the XL front end for better suspension ? it sounds cool, but is on a list of so many things just to get to the "good / dependable / functional" level ... that it probably won't be realized any time soon.

Last Night was what it was all about ... guys drinking beer in the garage talking about their projects... as i slowly start to organize a garage and shop that could only be described as "hoarder".

 

[Lost_Cause]

So the shop is clean and the demolition begins...

 

[Lost_Cause]

Gas tank has the expected amount of sludge and rust... it will get blasted inside and out ...

Wheels were covered in surface rust... but the wire wheel did wonders... but it took a LONG time... I was going to go all black hubs but they look so nice I might keep them like this.
Surface rust is off the rim and I have put enamel inside and out...
A good first day.

 

[83XLX]

I like the tools on the wall - 3 hammers and a hatchet. Good tools for working on a Harley, but they may work well on Hondas, too...

 

[Lost_Cause]

Haha ... If you see the new thumbnail, all of that is gone and pegboard is up with an all metric workstation.

 

[Lost_Cause]

long awaited update ...

it's been a good winter.

Gas tank i had professionally blasted inside and out ... also HDPE coated inside . i painted it myself.

here it is after my paint job:

also wheels were both torn down, and coated. New bearings i pressed with 12-ton press:

 

[Lost_Cause]

Fenders and etc are flat black... they were bad. i had to blast them, sand them, acid wash them, primer, and paint:

 

[Lost_Cause]

but the crown jewel is the engine:

I have Vesrah gasket kit for final assembly... here you see me checking out the contrast of the stainless bolt set:

 

[Lost_Cause]

for painting the garage was dust-cleaned ... air pruifier ran for a few days. plastic'ed off everywhere ...

dehumidifier kept it at 35% humidity and heat kept it at 80 degrees.

ran two light and a heavy primer, then 2 light and a heavy top coat on everything. wheels further got matte clear coat the next day.

i heat cycled the parts that will get hot. for 100 for an hour, 150 for an hour, then i tried for 200 but couldn't get it there. heat cycled for 5 total hours.

 

[Lost_Cause]

mehcanically, the engine has pulled HARD since i bought it. i adjusted the rocker arms ... and mainly just cleaned the heck out of of everything inside...

 

[Crashoverride]

very nice so clean.

 

[Lost_Cause]

Thanks CrashO ... figured clean and well fit should be my primary goal. And i can trick it out later.

 

[Lost_Cause]

Wheel lacing is an interesting thing ... quite the learning curve, but i got it figured. front done... rear not started yet.

both wheel will be identical, this is in keeping with the apacolypse bike theme, a rear wheel backwards on front means only one spare works for both.

using tusk impact 36-spoke WM3s, and stainless spokes from thailand (Ebay) cut to fit my old hub to the new rim. this lets me run modern tires up to 4-inch. both wheels are 18".

 

[Lost_Cause]

i have the motor mounted ... figured this was vital to getting wiring going and measured well.

for coils, i have the magna high output coils; and thus had to weld tabs to the frame to house them ... that was fun.

i have a pamco with Electronic Advance.

I'll hit these with some rustoleum after i drill and trim them:

bike is starting to look like ... well, like a bike !