What an interesting week! Started with making parts out of cardboard, and ending with a decade long dream coming to reality. Lets go!
Began with making more room for the planned fuel tank.
Next taking some measurements for the tunnel
Friday consisted of building a mock for the lower shape of the gas tank. Spent a few hours measuring my knee widths, distance between legs, and what I felt was decently aero. But I decided the tunnel needed a different shape and 50% of the work done was in vain. More live and learn..
Most of it was cut with a bandsaw, but still....
All work being done right now at Ethan Stiles of PorterBilt Fabs, shop
No pictures of this on the bike....had to rush off for a hot date with the ole lady.
So in the midst of my half wasted night, spinning my wheels a bit, I receive a call from Ethan Stiles. He recently sold a motorcycle and was interested in buying a lathe. I obviously supported this decision. Well after following a lead to one that was a bit too nice for his budget, he turned around at the shop and saw this masterpiece.
This phone call was to tell me about the bridegport he just came across. $1100 is what he tells me, and my response was, I will go halfs on it with my tax return. Sound resoning all around, I had never even seen it, but trusted Ethan knew its quality. I have wanted to own a mill since, some 10 years ago I used one briefly at a engine machine shop I worked at. I was in love, and the new love where it hadnt had a chance to break your heart LOL
So saturday consisted of a nieces 2nd birthday party and getting this amazing thing to his shop for its second chance at life. Almost forgot.... the guy selling the mill also gave us a sweet deal on a, needing repair, South Bend 9" lathe!
Loading up.
And after a whole lot of convincing.......HOME! Toss in a couple hours of cleaning, polishing, and celebrating with a bunch of friends.
A mint owners manual came with it.
And the Lathe. Needs some work, but its got potential and we couldn't go wrong at the price.
Today (Sunday) I woke up having had a dream about racing on the salt flats, and on the first pass going 141 (or 146 i cant remember). Next pass burnt the motor down and ending with the ring lands being destroyed after the tune went off because I forgot to turn on the intercooler pump. We tried to look for a new motorcycle to fix it (again, dream so it didnt make perfect sense lol) to no avail. Leaving the track I was crying uncontrollably with a very real feeling of accomplishment. GOOD MORNING! This should be a good week