Author Topic: Hello from Cincinnati, Oh (Read 3400 times)

stearmandriver · « **on:** December 04, 2006, 09:18:53 AM »

Hello to all:

I woke up one day last week not knowing I would be a K5 owner by the end of the day! I have owned several bikes in the past, Honda, Suzuki, and Harley. This will be my first bike in probably 13 years. I am out of what I like to call "hyper vigilance" mode and will be taking a few motorcycle safety classes to spool back up. The bike is a good runner and looks fair, however, I am a hobby mechanic and modifier of all things; therefore a full frame teardown and cafe treatment is to be performed this winter!

Thanks to this wonderful website, I have the confidence to pull it off! I hang out on many forums in the offroad and aviation world, few compare to this site. I have yet to find a more friendly and technically advanced site. Usually one can find a friendly place or a technical site, but rarely both. Please try to maintain this!

I have restored Ford Mustangs and have helped with many old aircraft restorations, this will be my first restomod of a motorcycle. I can't wait to get started. So far I have secured a set of clubman bars from Carpy and a wonderful seat from Charlie out in San Fransisco. The ignition has been swapped to Dyna S and the tank is getting ready to go under the knife. I'll post pictures soon and try to keep up to date.

I am a hobbiest Tig and Mig welder. Let me know if I can help anyone in the Southwest Ohio area with small jobs on their bike.

Thanks for everything so far
Dave Hughes

dusterdude · « **Reply #1 on:** December 04, 2006, 11:01:30 AM »

welcome dave,if you`ve worked on fords,you can work on anything

Klark Kent · « **Reply #2 on:** December 04, 2006, 11:20:42 AM »

welcome dave, and let me be the first to say: post PICS!

and thanks for putting it out there (while it should be obvious) i think we all needed a reminder of just how rare a bird this forum is and how lucky we are to have it. As the cold sets in and we turn to more colorful expressions of our pent up pentupedness, this needs to be always on our minds.

seriously though, make with the pics- before shots are very important if you want us to understand the after.

happy wrenching and good luck
-KK

stearmandriver · « **Reply #3 on:** December 04, 2006, 12:08:36 PM »

I'll go out and snap a few right now! I can put the seat and tank back on to give the whole picture. I must admit to being tardy with the pictures, and it is something I promise to work on. If one expects to build a relationship with a great community such as this, one has to be prepared to do the leg work, ie. pictures, thorough descriptions, etc.

Thanks for the replies, and expect pictures tonight!

Dave

stearmandriver · « **Reply #4 on:** December 04, 2006, 12:41:58 PM »

Pictures of the old gal are up in the gallery section.

Rushoid · « **Reply #5 on:** December 04, 2006, 12:56:24 PM »

Greetings from the Louisville area Dave! When you get a chance, throw your bike and your welder in the Stearman and fly down to Clark Co. (IN) airport. I'll beg you to take me flying and then we can ride out to my dad's house to do some resto work on his '65 Fastback!

Welcome aboard!

stearmandriver · « **Reply #6 on:** December 04, 2006, 01:52:28 PM »

Thats funny Rushoid, I grew up in Louisville and spent all my spare time as a kid at Bowman field and Clark Co. I use to fly 135 charter for Central American Airways on Bowman and would shoot approaches at Clark Co during recurrent check rides. As far as getting the bike in the front hole, I do not have any Alaskan bush experience and would have a hard time making it fit. Some of those pilots up there could probably figure it out.

Concerning a ride...I just sold my flier, but I'm putting another one together with some friends. When we get it back in the air, I'll fly down. I'm always looking for an excuse to go flying!

Dave

mrbreeze · « **Reply #7 on:** December 04, 2006, 01:56:06 PM »

Welcome Dave.Always room for positive minded SOHC lovers here. Sounds like you're all set & ready to dive in head first!!! Hang in there and you will be rewarded with a sweet head turning ride for spring time. Keep the progress pics and updates coming.

stearmandriver · « **Reply #8 on:** December 04, 2006, 02:23:06 PM »

Thanks MrBreeze, I will post what I have accomplished tommorrow.

Time for dinner!

See Ya

8 Track · « **Reply #9 on:** December 04, 2006, 02:59:07 PM »

Hi neighbor! I live in Amelia.

stearmandriver · « **Reply #10 on:** December 04, 2006, 03:48:05 PM »

Awesome!, someone close by. I broke it to my wife tonight at dinner, that when it emerges from the garage this spring, it will be a solo bike. Her response was...and this is what makes her so freakin cool,..."I need one too." Looks like a 350 or 550 in the near future.

Do we have any good local resources in the Cinci area other that Bore Tech in Newtonsville. Bill is a great guy and very knowledgeable with all things two wheel and racey.

grumburg · « **Reply #11 on:** December 04, 2006, 04:28:12 PM »

Quote from: stearmandriver on December 04, 2006, 03:48:05 PM

Awesome!, someone close by. I broke it to my wife tonight at dinner, that when it emerges from the garage this spring, it will be a solo bike. Her response was...and this is what makes her so freakin cool,..."I need one too." Looks like a 350 or 550 in the near future.

Do we have any good local resources in the Cinci area other that Bore Tech in Newtonsville. Bill is a great guy and very knowledgeable with all things two wheel and racey.

Greetings from Wooster! Has she got a sister?

stearmandriver · « **Reply #12 on:** December 04, 2006, 05:40:04 PM »

No sisters, don't worry she's not as perfect as she sounds. As many money pit toys as I bring home, I'm lucky she still eats dinner with me! She does and she knows that the only mistress I would ever need is a Stearman and an old car or motorcycle to work on. With two beautiful little girls and a gorgeous wife, I barely have time to play with my toys anyway!

Talk to you guys tommorrow.

Its been a pleasure!
DAve

Rushoid · « **Reply #13 on:** December 05, 2006, 06:38:22 AM »

Dave, like your signature says, "Everyone needs to be passionate about something..." Unfortunately, I have too many passions - they get in the way of each other.

Mine are mainly planes, trains, and automobiles...and motorcycles! One of my life goals is to get my pilot's license. Hopefully I'll be able to start lessons in the next year or so (man, it's expensive!). My boss' brother has taken my daughters and me up a couple of times, in his Cessna, and let me fly some. It's not a Stearman but I still loved it! He said I did better than he expected - I guess my MS Flight Sim hours paid off!

I live 5 minutes from Clark Co. airport, so if you're ever going to be down this way, let me know. Or at least wave as you fly over the house!

Lee

stearmandriver · « **Reply #14 on:** December 05, 2006, 11:05:41 AM »

Hey Lee, I understand about the money and flying! It is very expensive, just keep focused on the goal and one day it will happen. As far as Cessna vs. Stearman...yea your right, a Cessna is no Stearman, but your flying and enjoying the sights, sounds, and smells. Your daughters got to enjoy the experience with you as well. I have to sneak the 3 year old under moms belt in the front hole. The six year old can ride by herself now. I need a machine we can all enjoy at the same time. For now I'll have to rent something bigger.

Would love to work on a 65 Stang. My last was a 69 Sportsroof "fastback".

I just landed in LA after an all nighter, but before I rack out, here is the list so far.

K5
Dyna S installed
cafe seat being recovered
Carpy clubman bars
16" Harely rear and front rim ready to ship to powder coater, (when I find a good one in the area)
Looking for a good rust free tank to start stretching and inserting knee cut outs.

Talk to you later folks
Dave

8 Track · « **Reply #15 on:** December 05, 2006, 02:00:29 PM »

Dave, I not familiar with that shop. I did all of my business at Cincy Cycles here in Amelia, but Jim has packed up and moved closer to Lunkin airport. He sold his building and it's been changed into a dog grooming shop... My wife's shop! See, my wife is cool, too. So cool in fact, she liked his shop so much, she bought it.

(I know, what's she doing at a bike shop?) She tells me that I can change it back into a bike shop when she's done with it, in 20 years.

Klark Kent · « **Reply #16 on:** December 05, 2006, 03:22:26 PM »

so after being married to you for a while she felt qualified to clean dogs professionally...
-KK

stearmandriver · « **Reply #17 on:** December 05, 2006, 05:49:37 PM »

My wife has a great many passions, animals are one of them. What does that say about me?

Bore Tech is in the Cinci white pages. They are a complete motorcycle speed shop. From what I know of the owner, he is a very knowledgable and professional business man. It looks like they specialize in all bikes Japanese, however, I would not doubt seeing a big v-twin laying around.
They are located in Newtonsville off state route 131. Full service including machine shop and wheel lacing.

See Ya

8 Track · « **Reply #18 on:** December 05, 2006, 06:45:37 PM »

Quote from: Klark Kent on December 05, 2006, 03:22:26 PM

so after being married to you for a while she felt qualified to clean dogs professionally...
-KK

Close... After grooming dogs for a while, she felt qualified to marry me.

8 Track · « **Reply #19 on:** December 05, 2006, 06:46:31 PM »

I'll check it out, Dave. Thanks

Klark Kent · « **Reply #20 on:** December 05, 2006, 07:36:47 PM »

nice one.
felt like a set up the whole time.
happy grooming
-KK

kghost · « **Reply #21 on:** December 05, 2006, 10:31:19 PM »

Welcome.

Now that you've experienced your first thread derail....feel free to join in.

Nice to have another airplane driver.

Cincycaddy · « **Reply #22 on:** February 10, 2007, 04:41:55 PM »

Hey Dave,
Good to see fellow Cincinnatians.

I'm down in North Avondale.

Hope to see yah around.

Chris.

grumburg · « **Reply #23 on:** February 10, 2007, 05:09:16 PM »

Greetings from Wooster! Having brought 3 550s back from the dead, I can agree it is very rewarding. Sounds like a needle with dirt or rust under it.

News:

Author Topic: Hello from Cincinnati, Oh (Read 3400 times)

Cincycaddy