Slight setback

After all the work fabricating the  gas tank, my chief builder (Curtis) did not like the way the tank sat on the frame.  His opinion was it sat too high at the front.  Ever the perfectionist, he convinced me that he should build a new tank (same design but one that would sit lower) and, since his design ideas are always spot on, I agreed.  The result is a more pleasing shape, etc.

Old Tank with Speedo Mounted

Old Tank Mounted on Frame

New Tank

Curtis also managed to find the shocks we needed.  We decided to make the bike a "Low rider" so we are going to use 11 inch shocks.  Low is good as I am not exactly "statuesque".

Shocks

Finishing the Tank

Getting all the metal work finished on the gas tank has proven to be a monumental task!  Curtis has spent countless hours cutting, welding, shaping, etc.  If I was paying for all the fabrication, the cost of the tank would be prohibitive.  But today we finally got the tank mounts completed and finished all of the work required to finalize the dash.  There's still a bit of work left on the tank such as mounting the tank badges and completing the modifications necessary to mount the speedometer but the worst (hopefully) is over.  A good friend, Andrew Peters, finished truing the spokes and mounting the tires to the wheels.  He also installed the wheel bearings.  I think the wheels with their new double whitewall tires look great.

The Fabricator has been busy

Back in Victoria for a month and time to resume work on the bike (aka "Dusty").  Curtis has been busy customizing the gas tank as well as building the tail light assembly.  The custom dash he's built for the tank is a work of art as is the tail light assembly.  Almost art deco!  Today we (mostly Curtis) drilled the holes and welded in the bungs necessary to mount the tank badges on the gas tank.  There's still a lot more work to do before I get to wave a paint sprayer at it but it's coming along fabulously.  Also picked up the hubs which have been powder coated and they look amazing!  Ready to lace the wheels with new chrome spokes.

Tank with custom dash

Powder coated hubs

 

 

Tail light Assembly

Gas Tank and New Stuff

I haven't been idle while enjoying the Arizona sun.  Have managed score a deal on some saddlebags and

Pillion Pad

 Saddlebags

Gas Tank  (note the ripples)

 

picked up the pillion pad for the bike as well as the tank badges.  Speaking of the tank, Curtis managed to get the first half of the tank blasted and cleaned up.  With the old paint removed, the reason for all the bondo became evident....looks like someone tied the bike down at some point using a chain across the tank??  Smart!  However, Curtis assures me he can get the small ripples out when he cuts the tanks apart for modification.

Away for a while

Left the continued fabrication of my chopper in my son's capable hands while we're in Arizona for the next month.  If he can, Curtis will try and get the rear fender fabricated and ready for painting when I get back to Victoria in December.  There's a lot of custom work to do on it and the gas tank so it's possible we won't be ready for paint until spring.  He also has a lot of work to do on his custom chopper over the winter so the work on my 72 may have to be put on a bit of a hold.  However, during the months of Nov., January, Feb., and March while I'm in Arizona, I'll be picking up various parts and accessories for my chopper.  Already picked up the pillion pad and have ordered a pair of goggles that will fit over my glasses to keep wind and road debris out of my eyes since the chopper will not have a windshield.

Painting the Frame

Spent the last three days painting the frame and the swing arm.  Ran out of primer and had to make a quick run to Canadian Tire to pick up some more.  The frame and swing arm each received two coats of primer, 3 coats of General Motors Light metallic Blue and 3 coats of clear.  My improvised paint booth worked really well and I am happy with the results

 

Painting the Frame

 

 

 

The Finished Product

Finishing the Frame

Today Curt and I finished modifying the frame.  Curt welded on all new mounting tabs for the oil tank/battery box, the seat, and floor boards then cleaned the frame with a wire wheel.  Also he pulled the bearings from the swing arm and installed the races for the new bearings.  Now my real work starts...painting the frame and the swing arm!  Just about have the paint booth set up.  This should be exciting.

 

 

Oil Tank and Seat mounted on frame