Saw your teaser article. Its like you read my mind for a project I'll never get to... I look forward to riding with you as well!
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This might be a bad idea: the evidence
- Thread starter auntiebling
- Start date
Saw your teaser article. Its like you read my mind for a project I'll never get to... I look forward to riding with you as well!
time for a little update, kinda significant actually. a week or 3 ago i managed to kill the regulator rectifier. did you know hooking up the battery backwards will still let the engine crank and kinda act like the coils just died? yep, it will. it'll also kill your RR.
installing the replacement RR was the opportunity to "rewire" it. which is bullshit. i just kinda stuffed as much as i could up out of the way under the seat, around and under the new battery box and closeout plates. the harness is shockingly original. the only obvious futzing is that someone spliced in a new headlight connector, and the coil ground pigtail has been extended at some point for no reason at all that i can find. speaking of the harness i swapped in an H4 reflector i had laying around from my goldwing hoarding days in place of the half dead sealed beam that arrived on the bike. hopefully it doesn't melt the wiring. i don't have any pictures of the because it's a headlight and pretty boring.
on the far right you can see the RR hiding under the tail. airflow is nil, but it's on a big alumnimum plate that should help pull heat away and underneath it is exposed to whatever wind (farts?) are swirling around the undertail area. you can also see that the fuse box is mounted to the battery tray and can't be opened without hitting the frame. oops.
not wanting to short the battery to anything, i made a hold down clamp/terminal cover out of some ABS pipe. that stuff stinks when you heat it up.
anyway, i bled the brakes. and went through the mental checklist of things i should do before a test ride.... and all i could think of is GARDENING
so i dug a little test trench, and it was flinging dirt over the fence easily. perfect.
test ride went pretty friggin well. after i got gas i was bummed to see the gas gage wasn't working, and the vacuum petcock doesn't work. then i remembered it would likely work better if i plugged the sender in.
the petcock isn't that big an issue as it'll run on Prime all day, but if you leave the bike parked with the engine off and petcock in prime, it leaks gas out of one of the carb float bowl vents. that's annoying, and i don't want to fiddle with the carbs any more.
the gages all work great as far as i can tell, though at some point the speedometer cable disconnected itself from the gage and got caught in the headers. reattached it and it still wasn't working. luckily, annoyingly, easy to diagnose.
btw, i like gages. don't care if it aint Dirtbaggy
i don't know why the cable unscrewed itself but i assume the rust is the reason the cable broke at the wheel end. drat.
anyway, this is about what it looks like now
you can see in the pic with the center stand down that the rear springs completely unload... because someone cut the springs. the forks also stick and uncompress at weird times and the front and rear suspension do not work in concert which makes for some strange behavior. fairly often on the freeway overpass transitions it got a weird oscillation that is probably similar to riding a drunk, old, rodeo horse that doesn't want you up there.
it also falls into turns kindof alarmingly abrupt sometimes. perhaps it's the tire profiles? combination of tires and fubar suspension?
ummm, i have a seat pan on the way in case i get ambitious and try to make a seat that isn't so completely hideous. the king and queen is comfortable though. so conflicted. there also isn't anywhere to like, ya know, pack gear for camping. need to address that.
so, things that ought to be done:
-fix speedo cable
-fork fluid flush
-new rear shocks (have a set lined up, just need to go get them)
-add more zip ties to wire harness tuck job
-attach license plate
-learn to motorcycle camp in november with a bunch of strangers
-become a badass
-adjust clutch lever throw
installing the replacement RR was the opportunity to "rewire" it. which is bullshit. i just kinda stuffed as much as i could up out of the way under the seat, around and under the new battery box and closeout plates. the harness is shockingly original. the only obvious futzing is that someone spliced in a new headlight connector, and the coil ground pigtail has been extended at some point for no reason at all that i can find. speaking of the harness i swapped in an H4 reflector i had laying around from my goldwing hoarding days in place of the half dead sealed beam that arrived on the bike. hopefully it doesn't melt the wiring. i don't have any pictures of the because it's a headlight and pretty boring.
on the far right you can see the RR hiding under the tail. airflow is nil, but it's on a big alumnimum plate that should help pull heat away and underneath it is exposed to whatever wind (farts?) are swirling around the undertail area. you can also see that the fuse box is mounted to the battery tray and can't be opened without hitting the frame. oops.
not wanting to short the battery to anything, i made a hold down clamp/terminal cover out of some ABS pipe. that stuff stinks when you heat it up.
anyway, i bled the brakes. and went through the mental checklist of things i should do before a test ride.... and all i could think of is GARDENING
so i dug a little test trench, and it was flinging dirt over the fence easily. perfect.
test ride went pretty friggin well. after i got gas i was bummed to see the gas gage wasn't working, and the vacuum petcock doesn't work. then i remembered it would likely work better if i plugged the sender in.
the petcock isn't that big an issue as it'll run on Prime all day, but if you leave the bike parked with the engine off and petcock in prime, it leaks gas out of one of the carb float bowl vents. that's annoying, and i don't want to fiddle with the carbs any more.
the gages all work great as far as i can tell, though at some point the speedometer cable disconnected itself from the gage and got caught in the headers. reattached it and it still wasn't working. luckily, annoyingly, easy to diagnose.
btw, i like gages. don't care if it aint Dirtbaggy
i don't know why the cable unscrewed itself but i assume the rust is the reason the cable broke at the wheel end. drat.
anyway, this is about what it looks like now
you can see in the pic with the center stand down that the rear springs completely unload... because someone cut the springs. the forks also stick and uncompress at weird times and the front and rear suspension do not work in concert which makes for some strange behavior. fairly often on the freeway overpass transitions it got a weird oscillation that is probably similar to riding a drunk, old, rodeo horse that doesn't want you up there.
it also falls into turns kindof alarmingly abrupt sometimes. perhaps it's the tire profiles? combination of tires and fubar suspension?
ummm, i have a seat pan on the way in case i get ambitious and try to make a seat that isn't so completely hideous. the king and queen is comfortable though. so conflicted. there also isn't anywhere to like, ya know, pack gear for camping. need to address that.
so, things that ought to be done:
-fix speedo cable
-fork fluid flush
-new rear shocks (have a set lined up, just need to go get them)
-add more zip ties to wire harness tuck job
-attach license plate
-learn to motorcycle camp in november with a bunch of strangers
-become a badass
-adjust clutch lever throw
augustiron
A firm member
Waddayamean no place to carry camping gear?
I see a wheelbarrow back there, and you said you have zip ties...
I see a wheelbarrow back there, and you said you have zip ties...
Jalopyshoppe
idiot
- Joined
- Jun 13, 2012
- Location
- DIFFERENT PLACES
- Moto(s)
- FXR thing, Buell Ulysses, Honda CRF250 Rally, Hawk GT's , and various others.
- Name
- Fish
I had to do a bit of Fab work to facilitate camp gear on my bike. I also eventually want to carry a passenger.
Keep up the detail work. It's things like failed luggage straps that break and wind up wrapped in the countershaft or torn wires that end your ride.
Also, think about a bike specific toolkit. I'm slowly developing mine.
Keep up the detail work. It's things like failed luggage straps that break and wind up wrapped in the countershaft or torn wires that end your ride.
Also, think about a bike specific toolkit. I'm slowly developing mine.
I'm looking for a sidecar....
For sure bringing a toolkit. Being Japanese, the entire bike comes apart with a 10mm, 12mm, or 14mm
spdt509
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 19, 2002
- Location
- the city
- Moto(s)
- 98 triumph speed triple
- Name
- jake ryan
- BARF perks
- AMA #: 817931
*subscribed* so is it true that DBC is now closed off to the public? also, you said you were bringing your truck,I thought they didn't allow 4 wheel support,assuming the rules haven't changed....
I wouldn't believe anything unless you see it posted from dirtbag itself. Being a first timer, i k ow exactly what any other heretofore lookieloo knows which is
2 months
$2k
3 day 2 night ride, camping
Suck it up buttercup.
I might truck it to the start location, assuming I feel safe leaving the truck there unsupervised for a few days, as its feasible the bike will break on the Sunday during the shenannegins. I could just tow it home I guess. AAA super fantastic membership has some nice advantages
In other news, for educational purposes, I tried kick starting the bike this evening. Stone cold.
Started first kick!
This is actually kindof a relief because it means that if I leave the ignition on too long and kinda al.ost kill the battery I have a way to start the bike that doesnt involve me running, or coasting down a hill, or being pushed by a guy I'll owe a favor
Started first kick!
This is actually kindof a relief because it means that if I leave the ignition on too long and kinda al.ost kill the battery I have a way to start the bike that doesnt involve me running, or coasting down a hill, or being pushed by a guy I'll owe a favor
augustiron
A firm member
You don't want to owe dirtbags any favors when camping with them for 2 chilly nights, if you know what I mean.
quick update for the voyeurs out there
i was gifted some harley shocks that at 12" are ~1.5" shorter than what ought to be on there but are WAAAY better than the clapped out cut spring originals that i had so:
1)drill out bushing to fit kawasaki shock stud
2)assault with bandsaw to increase narrowness
3)voila!
the dent is from trying to push the steel bushing out before i drilled them, oops. they also ALMOST hit the bike everywhere they might almost hit but as i was told moving spacecraft through narrow passageways: "clearance is clearance"
i also lowered the triples/raised the fork tubes as much as i could in hopes that the handling will be less Drunk Old Horse
the caps were flush to the top of the triple.
it looks a little leveler now. i took a short test ride but being rush hour and on Dinner Duty, i only went around the block. i think it's better, will have to wait for a freeway run to be sure.
noted. i don't plan to bring soap. can't drop what you don't have?
i was gifted some harley shocks that at 12" are ~1.5" shorter than what ought to be on there but are WAAAY better than the clapped out cut spring originals that i had so:
1)drill out bushing to fit kawasaki shock stud
2)assault with bandsaw to increase narrowness
3)voila!
the dent is from trying to push the steel bushing out before i drilled them, oops. they also ALMOST hit the bike everywhere they might almost hit but as i was told moving spacecraft through narrow passageways: "clearance is clearance"
i also lowered the triples/raised the fork tubes as much as i could in hopes that the handling will be less Drunk Old Horse
the caps were flush to the top of the triple.
it looks a little leveler now. i took a short test ride but being rush hour and on Dinner Duty, i only went around the block. i think it's better, will have to wait for a freeway run to be sure.
noted. i don't plan to bring soap. can't drop what you don't have?
spdt509
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 19, 2002
- Location
- the city
- Moto(s)
- 98 triumph speed triple
- Name
- jake ryan
- BARF perks
- AMA #: 817931
right on, guess i will make an effort to attend. if you are leaving your truck unattended, please anti-theft that heck out of it, as that is cool a$$ truck. i guess the courier is sold? keep the updates coming.....
right on, guess i will make an effort to attend. if you are leaving your truck unattended, please anti-theft that heck out of it, as that is cool a$$ truck. i guess the courier is sold? keep the updates coming.....
yeah, courier is long gone sadly. this one has a bunch of family history, deceased grandfather in law bought it new. was built in fremont in what is now the great mall... maybe i should park it at your house and ride the bike down to the event, shorter walk to get it on sunday at least!
spdt509
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 19, 2002
- Location
- the city
- Moto(s)
- 98 triumph speed triple
- Name
- jake ryan
- BARF perks
- AMA #: 817931
heck yes, i'd totally babysit that ford for you! the prices for 70's american trucks are totally out of wack, looking at the smaller trucks now for my next project......
Square bodys can still be had fairly cheap - I paid all of $1200 for mine (although that was 4y ago)
Will.likely be in touch
Mazda and ford and isuzu Chevy dont seem to get much love. Datsun and toyota have the price premium... which is funny because they're almost all the same truck under the skin with minor variances.
Even the smog controlled ones?
Smog exempt goes to 76 if it's a 3/4 ton iirc. At the time, the heavier tru kz didnt have to smog so they still dont.
spdt509
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 19, 2002
- Location
- the city
- Moto(s)
- 98 triumph speed triple
- Name
- jake ryan
- BARF perks
- AMA #: 817931
consider yourself lucky. I had a chance back in 2011 to buy a 84 stepside for a grand.I'd pass b/c the guy said it wouldn't pass smog and didn't know why.If i only had crystal ball.OP, correct on the datsun/toyota claim,hence my search on the american eqivalent. back on topic, i hope reveal day falls on my day off,fingers crossed.....
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/d/1973-c10-barnfind/6723479848.html they're still around
mine's also a C20 with a utility bed, so not exactly the most desireable
apparently i forgot to tell yall about the speedometer. the cable broke. i was sad, but not willing to spend the ~15 for a complete replacement from Z1/motion pro so i took the broken off end, dug out the wires from the old one, cut a generic one to length and JBWeld-ed that fucker together.
before:
the rust is probably why it broke, otherwise it was working beautifully
be5:
obviously have to clean up some stray epoxy, and it's a TEEEEENY bit crooked but i think it'll work. i tried soldering it together but that failed miserably, thus the jbweld.
before:
the rust is probably why it broke, otherwise it was working beautifully
be5:
obviously have to clean up some stray epoxy, and it's a TEEEEENY bit crooked but i think it'll work. i tried soldering it together but that failed miserably, thus the jbweld.
ctwo
Merely Rhetorical
Oh, I was gonna say it should have been silver soldered...
Dirty parts... I probably would have wicked the solder way up into the cable and it'd still be off center. At least this way the cable is still flexible all the way to the fitting?
Jimmy:
http://bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=10195578#post10195578
Sux the bed is fuxored tho. Probably not that hard to find a replacement at pick n pull
http://bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=10195578#post10195578
Sux the bed is fuxored tho. Probably not that hard to find a replacement at pick n pull
spdt509
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 19, 2002
- Location
- the city
- Moto(s)
- 98 triumph speed triple
- Name
- jake ryan
- BARF perks
- AMA #: 817931
sweet, if i buy it can i drop it off at your place and have the bed shorten.....
saw that one, but really want stay with a regular cab bc i really want to restore the next one a 100%,including paint/body work. so smaller the better. nice job on the cable fix, staying with the spirit of the DBC.....
firstbuell
GO! 04,16,23,31,64,69,95
- Joined
- Mar 2, 2004
- Location
- dem hills o'Redwood City
- Moto(s)
- 99 Buell M2 Cyclone;06 KTM 450 EXC-plated!;04 Specialized Stumpjumper Comp Disc;19 Wilier Cento1Hy
- Name
- Curt
ah! I see you've learned from your history of H-D/Buell ownership
my M2 uses a truly perverse blend of metric/SAE/Torx
with bolts/socket heads -that's 5 sets of tools,
in a bewildering mix of tiny/normal/huge
as years passed, my touring toolkit grew & grew & grew
to the point that my tankbag sounds like a dry-clutch 916
[bike doesn't run like a 916, tho - even @ 1500cc]
my understanding is the XB's pre-production team
included a noob whose sole task was to better rationalize
fastener style/type/length - likely your Ulysses is more 'normal'
than any previous Sporty-engined Buells
'Good Fortune' to you both at the next DBC - have fun !
So in was gifted a sissy bar, because I need somewhere to strap things (not a dildo reference) but it didnt really fit
I do t jave torches, or a press, or a bender, so even though I am reasonably strong I needed help making it fit.
Turns out Royal Oak lump charcoal is sorta mediocre for smoking meat, but it did a great job heating my metal! And here my friends said in was just being an asshole to all those USFS campground grills....
So now, I still am not really sure how to attach it, at least it's closer to the frame rails! Shockingly, the chrome can probably be brought back to a full shine. I won't because: street cred
Cool.sidenote: got that anvil after my grandfather died. Barely use it, but never getting rid of it.
I do t jave torches, or a press, or a bender, so even though I am reasonably strong I needed help making it fit.
Turns out Royal Oak lump charcoal is sorta mediocre for smoking meat, but it did a great job heating my metal! And here my friends said in was just being an asshole to all those USFS campground grills....
So now, I still am not really sure how to attach it, at least it's closer to the frame rails! Shockingly, the chrome can probably be brought back to a full shine. I won't because: street cred
Cool.sidenote: got that anvil after my grandfather died. Barely use it, but never getting rid of it.
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