Paint the edges first!

[BuzZz]

Nice tank, Dude.

Now git dat ting on da bike and lets us git a good look at da whole shootin' match.

[ronboskz650sr]

Okay...need a pep talk. Here's my story. I play congas/bongos/stand-up percussion in the church band. The middle finger of my right hand has recently started to turn outwrd at the tip joint, and inward toward my palm. It is also slighlty swollen. This is arthritis John carradine style in it's beginning stages. The drumming doesn't change the shape any, but makles it sore for a while. Today, all I could manage was buffing the side of the tank in the pic (couldn't resist posting it, though.) I also sanded out the spot putty on the tailpiece, and fixed two minor burn-throughs on the other side of the tank. I should be able to finish the tank tomorrow (small area to sand , then buff the one side...top is done), and maybe get a coat of actual paint on the tail..with a test seat for pics. I'll have to do the front fender later...missing too much riding. Just so you know, though, I'm going to make a fiberglass front fender with reinforcing bar/forkbrace molded in to replace the stock one. Keeping my resale options. You may have noticed my typing is getting a little sloppier, too. That's because i dont' like to correct it, to minimize the use of the finger. It's been slow going...commence pep talk.

[BuzZz]

That does bite, alright.

Pep talk, you say? No problem, Bro.......
but remember who you're dealing with here.....

Kick them drums out the window !NOW! before it gets worse.

*Seriously Man, they already got you burning valuable and scarce riding time, playing when you should be fondleing your baby back into shape. Now those bloody instuments(since your playing them in church, I guess we can't really call 'em 'devil drums') may be affecting your ability to both work on and ride your bike. Unacceptable.*

*Take a break from the percussion for awhile until you can spare the time. I never even seen a drumkit in a church before, they can surely stumble along without your count-ins for a few weeks(months), can't they? Your congregation must surely be different than the uptight, hypocritical, lynchmobs-in-waiting that I grew up knowing. A drumkit in church, what next? A guitar or some such un-imaginable thing..... *

Or if you insist on continueing upon this wild-n-wanton lifestyle you've choosen..... only play those drums that don't mess with your finger.... if there are indeed such instuments. I remember you saying that hymns all could use more cowbell..... now's your chance.

Whatever you decide, you gotta admit you've done a freakin' awesome job on your bike to this piont, more so when you consider you did it all with rattlecans and bubblegum. You've got nothing to regret if the pain was bearable.

And I was wondering if you took to drinkin' the last few days with some of your posts. The finger explains it.

*Hey, maybe that's the answer.... play them skins only when liquored up good..... I never heard of a sober drummer anyways, maybe your not sposed to play 'em unless your gooned. You know, to save injury.....*

** denotes ** B.S. Alert

[R Dresden]

Ok Ron...I'll try and help you along where I can here. There are only a handful of days left here in the beautiful Mid-West that will be suitable for an enjoyable bike ride. If things don't get accomplished on your end, you'll regret stumbling for the rest of the winter. You and I both know the winters here can seem to go on forever!
The work you have accomplished so far looks pretty sweet but I'm willing to bet the finished product will look even better!

Peace!
Rodger

[ronboskz650sr]

Thanks, guys! Tomorrow's a new day, and the tail is really close now. Also, it's a five minute job to reinstall the seat/fender and go ride. I've done it a couple of times to g get supplies. I'll have to ride to get my seatfoam tomorrow...looks like the foam is going to see some countryside! I think I'll startwork early and shoot for a noon stop time. That will get me a good ride in with lots of hours for bodywork/painting. The taillight is completed in the tail and working sweet...very bright, with the 8 inch soup strainer reflecting light from inside the piece, and back out the red lens. That was pretty complex getting it just right..molding wise. Next big part is the seat itself. I think I learned enough on the other project to knock alot of time off this one. Talk to you guys later, thanks again.

[ronboskz650sr]

Today after work, I concentrated on things that are keeping the bike off the road. I can't fix my lack of desire to reattach the old seat and fender, so i decided to fab the swingarm bracket for the license plate. The first try looks too far out, so tomorrow I'll fix that...after a ride.. I made my seat cushion, and got my test cover installed over it, so i can basically unmask my gas tank bung and gas up and go ride. It won't be pretty, but I won't be looking at it! The tail looks like a bowling ball, multicolored with fog coat, primer, putty, filler and fiberglass resin showing It is pretty close to ready for paint, though.


Here's a diagram of the 3/8 plate bracket...attaches to my chain adjuster under the locknut...the weld beads prevent rotation when it's tightened down. The twist puts it at a parallel angle to the shock for easy reading and a better lookingprofile.


So the bike is functional and street legal...Eeeeeha! Have'nt ridden since Thursday, having withdrawal!

[ronboskz650sr]

Here's the tail in grey primer...after surfacing once in red primer and spot putty. Not too happy with the build/fill of the red, so Here I go experimenting. Fortunately this is so smooth anything will sand right off if it doesn't work...going to try the Krylon black lacquer ( i'm convinced it's lacquer now) over the dupilicolor grey high build primer after sanding it ...




There is a cut-out for the original seat hinge on the frame on the front of the tail...it's intentional, if you noticed it.


Getting close to an all-black bike...probably in a couple hours!