BlogDump

Pan Swinger : six weeks to go

no@spam.com (Old Stf)

I got about 8hrs into the frame just cleaning it up from the previous owners add on shit. At least the guy never hacked anything off and now I got a stock frame. Back to J&W for a powder coat primer fill. Black soon.

I got my seat pan powder coated and put some edge protector on it, then I asked the local upholstery shop what foam to use and he said to go ahead and use the carpet padding ? funny but it will work and the first layer is some firmer foam. I wanted to shape it myself to be sure I get the look I wanted which is rigid frame seat on a swing arm bike. I had some help from some friends and we draw up a pattern. I dropped it off here local at cool customs and the covered it in leather.

The mag idea came from John Barry ( JB ) showed me this trick a few years back of cutting the mag body to clear the case rather than cutting the case. It's a popular modification I see a lot of people doing now. Anyhow short on time JB brought me a mag he already started on and I finished it up. JB is a cleaver guy. Johnny Ray polished it out (same guy doing all my chrome). I took a clear cap and painted it inside so it has a deep black clear marble look. Still have to make up a custom kill lever and hold down clamp.

From the Gram...

no@spam.com (Chopper Dave)

via Instagra

What's All this Crazy Stuff I Keep Hearing about Gringos?

no@spam.com (Biltwell Inc.)

It feels like we've beaten this horse to death, but there are still enough redundant questions surfacing in social media about our first DOT-approved full-face helmet that a blog about the Gringo seems necessary. In no particular order, here are some short, sweet answers to the questions we hear most often:

What colors does the Gringo come in?

That's easy: Gloss Black, Flat Black, Gloss Orange, Gloss Antique White and Flat Titanium

Is the Gringo helmet DOT approved?

Yes, The Gringo is DOT approved.

Are you going to introduce a novelty version of the Gringo helmet?

No, and here's why: Novelty helmets exist to help style-conscious bikeriders avoid the astronaut look so common with open-face helmets. Because full-face helmets have a chin bar that obscures the rider's face, the astronaut factor is greatly minimized. People who buy full-face helmets are doing so for safety, so a novelty full face doesn't make sense.

Will Biltwell goggles and bubble shields work with the Gringo helmet?

Yes. See photos for proof. Peripheral vision in the Gringo meets or exceeds DOT standards, but motocross goggles have a tendency to reduce the rider's peripheral vision do to limitations inherent in their design. If you like the look of a retro-inspired full face like the Gringo with MX goggles, please keep this in mind. Peripheral vision is more important on a street bike than it is on the motocross track, where most of the action happens in the rider's line of sight. On a street bike, shit's going down everywhere, and you need to see it. If safety is your number one priority, there are few safer or better-looking setups than our bubble shield on a Gringo.

How many sizes? Do the different sizes employ different-sized outer shells?

The Gringo comes in six sizes: XS through XXL. There are two different outer shell sizes: One for XS through M, and a second slightly larger one for L, XL and XXL.

Can I wash the Gringo's cheek pads and inside comfort liner?

Both the interior comfort liner and cheek pads in the Gringo are removable and washable, but you must use care in doing so. NEVER throw the liner or cheek pads in a washer or dryerâ€”hand wash only with mild soapy water and allow to air dry before reinstalling. We will offer replacement cheek pads and comfort liners for Gringos in the future, probably in the early fall of 2013.

If I order a Gringo online, can I exchange it if it doesn't fit?

Yes, but please see our sizing chart for Gringo helmets here before placing your order. Sorry, we will not accept returns on improperly sized Gringo helmets that show visible signs of excessive wear and tear. If it doesn't fit, put it into its original packaging and email Erik at Biltwell customer service for instructions on returning helmets.

If you have questions not answered here, please visit the Gringo helmet section on our website.

Simple(too complicated) Shovelhead wiring

no@spam.com (Tear it up Fix it Repeat)

I'm in the process of dumping a questionable Hi-4 ignition system in favor of a Dyna-S. When I first built this bike I had drew up my wiring diagram for future reference and troubleshooting. My original wiring had changed so much, with adding things and taking things out that didn't quite work as planned, that my wires didn't look anything like my original drawing anymore. So I redid to match my new lay out.

Yes, it's more complicated that it has to be to run, but I like it. I like fuses for each circuit to isolate things if there's a problem. The RUB-static Kuryakan voltmeter tells me when the regulator comes unplugged. The neutral light should him me until I get my jockey shifting figured out. I drew this up on Microsoft Powerpoint and I like the way it turned out.

Disk rotor spacer fabrication

no@spam.com (Tear it up Fix it Repeat)

So I'm still running this goofy 35mm dual disk narrow glide converted to wide glide with an aftermarket triple tree and spacer kit. I would swap it out, but something else always takes my money and the goofiness of it is something to talk about. At any rate Ed and I got to looking at the wheel bearings and spacers and those all need attention. I noticed that all the pads were good except the inboard left pad was metal to metal. It didn't seem to drag last I checked, but I think the rotor needs moved out a bit.

I bought a 0.025 inch sheet of aluminum at the hardware to build spacers out of.

Measure up my holes.

Clamp the metal with a sacrifical board to my drill press table. Then go to work with my circle cutter. Outside diameter first.

Pretty decent. I think slowing the drill speed will help with that hang-up spot.

I also figured out that clamping more like this would help reduce the amount of flex that happened as I cut the sheet metal.

Here are a couple of good starts.

I was at a lose as to how to clamp the circles down to cut out the donut holes. Luckily my cousin Paul was helping and he had the idea to use screws and washers to clamp the circles to board and then clamp the board to the drill press table.

That worked well.

So all that's left to dp are the bolt holes. The true position of the holes is not critical, so I used a screw and washer through one hole to attach it to a board and then used the spacer as a drill guide.

Not real pretty and not perfect, but they should function fine. De-burr the edges for safety sake.

David Freston shared an Instagram photo with you

no@spam.com (Chopper Dave)

Hi there,

David Freston just shared an Instagram photo with you:

view full image

"Who says harley dealers don't work on anything but new bikes? Gettin ready for race day. #aermacchi #costamesaspeedway"
(taken at Harley Davidson of Westminster)

Thanks,
The Instagram Team

Happy Birthday Jason (Wee Man) Acuna

no@spam.com (Lady Hump)

So it was Jasons Birthday yesterday and he has these tickets for some game (Kings v. Sharks Game 2 Playoffs with Ambassador Room VIP passes... are you kidding me?) and one thing let to another, and BAM!!! Lady Hump got to see the glory of a 4-3 win from the tenth row! Super THANKS TO WEE MAN and everyone else who had their hands in getting us there!!! Chuck, Mikey, Rosey, Nikki. The after party... at (where else?) The Gasser Lounge ... Dudes will be Dudes... can't deny it.

Gangsta lean.

no@spam.com (Blood Falcons)

A Gypsy Run storyâ€¦.

no@spam.com (Kickstart Cycle Supply)

Seven years ago...

Sporty TT Update

no@spam.com (Zen Of Neato)