Well I woke up this morning, (a great start for a blues song, although I'm more of a "Hayseed Dixie" fan) and it was fcuking freezing! We had the coldest overnight temps recorded in 30 years in my home town, according to the thermometer in my big red truck, it was -3 deg C. No, that's not peeling clearcoat, that's fcuking ice!
Frozen Territory 02 Jul 2017 by
Terry Prendergast, on Flickr
Anyway, I drove the 200 miles home from my Ma's place, arrived home around midday, took a dump, made a cup of coffee then got stuck into the old widowmaker. I'd dropped into my mate Fred's place on the drive up to Ma's, and scored the swingarm, battery box and best of all, the "threaded both ends" footpeg rod, which Fred even had re-zinc plated. What a great bloke!
Fred's parts by
Terry Prendergast, on Flickr
Anyhoo, the moment had finally come to marry the engine to the frame. I tipped the engine over on it's side, and laid the frame over the engine, and I was surprised at how simple it went. I used the same method on the bike I built for Mike a few years ago, but from memory, it was much harder then, or maybe it was much easier this time, whatever, I got the engine in the frame without fcuking my back, squashing my fingers or chipping any paint, so I'm one happy Redneck!
Engine instal by
Terry Prendergast, on Flickr
While I had the engine on it's side, I decided to replace the alternator cover. This one has had a repair but otherwise it's fine, and certainly usable, but I had my heart set on a set of magnificent finned covers I've had gathering dust in my garage for awhile.
Engine instal 6 by
Terry Prendergast, on Flickr
Like everything else on this engine, every screw came out without any problems, I'm sure you'll all be proud of me when I say the original gasket looked so good, I recycled it!
Engine instal 2 by
Terry Prendergast, on Flickr
I did have one buggared screw on the finned cover, but I managed to drill the head off without any problems, and I had the finned cover on with no issues.
Engine instal 3 by
Terry Prendergast, on Flickr
Engine instal 5 by
Terry Prendergast, on Flickr
Engine instal 8 by
Terry Prendergast, on Flickr
So that's about the long and the short of it, the engine is bolted into the frame, so all going well, I'll have the front and rear suspension fitted, then I'll have to start thinking about wheels and tyres. I'm getting excited! Cheers, Terry.
Engine instal 7 by
Terry Prendergast, on Flickr
Engine instal 10 by
Terry Prendergast, on Flickr