Topic: One More Chapter in the Epic Story That is "THE PHOENIX"

[four_shot]

Ever decide wht you were going to do with the valves?

[Spikeybike]

Ever decide wht you were going to do with the valves?

so i saw the name from my "show new replies to your posts link" and thought to myself..... "no way"

ladies and germs i'd like to introduce my bro (my actual bro)  This man is the whole reason i'm into gas ,tires, and oil  in the first place

good to see ya on this site,   and i think i'm gonna just leave the valves as they are , i mean i could polish but i would hate to screw um up,  i got a sweet deal on um and replacements would cost far more then what i paid

i've been meaning to ask you ,  should i lap the valves in , or just install them and then check for leaks.   i've been kinda putting it off (unlike me i know)  .once i get new valve springs from megacycle (if i don't decide to open my motor and use the ones in there)  i'm gonna want to get this ball rolling 

[Really?]

I thought you had once recently that you polished everything, you missed a part. 

But then, maybe it won't polish or too darn hard to polish.  That part is one of my next items to polish so I will find out then.

Edit: Oh yea, hey four_shot!

[four_shot]

i've been meaning to ask you ,  should i lap the valves in , or just install them and then check for leaks.   i've been kinda putting it off (unlike me i know)  .once i get new valve springs from megacycle (if i don't decide to open my motor and use the ones in there)  i'm gonna want to get this ball rolling 

depends on two things...are the valves new and are the seats new.  if the valves and seats are both new, no don't bother. if one or the other is any thing less than new....lap em in...(by hand) heard horror stories about a power drill and a groove....I still get nightmares.   Wish I could find a set of valve seat cutters...they taught me how to do that at school. (it is surprisingly easy)

Oh....I'm including "refinished" in the "new" category

for those of you that haven't seen it...this bike is EPIC!


psst...hey guys......ask him  why we call him "Bonehead"

[Spikeybike]

depends on two things...are the valves new and are the seats new.  if the valves and seats are both new, no don't bother. if one or the other is any thing less than new....lap em in...(by hand) heard horror stories about a power drill and a groove....I still get nightmares.   Wish I could find a set of valve seat cutters...they taught me how to do that at school. (it is surprisingly easy)

Oh....I'm including "refinished" in the "new" category

for those of you that haven't seen it...this bike is EPIC!


psst...hey guys......ask him  why we call him "Bonehead"

the valves are brand spankin new, the head obviously is not , if you can get your hands on a seat cutter that would be sweet. but i'll just plan on lapping them once i have the springs

and since i now have several PMs asking me why "we" call me bonehead    (we means four_shot, and his wife and kid)

it came about when i was about 7 , and it stuck like no glue could hold , if memory serves me correct it was something about me being very accident prone.  (lot's of stitches in my head)

i will say this though,  "uncle bonehead" never gets old

[Spikeybike]

ok now i need some opinions i love the way this piece turned out , but i'm just not sure if it really fits the bike.
it is solid as a rock , and i'm sure it will do it's job, i asked for a womens opinion (one that was into bikes of coarse) and she thought it looked out of place from the rest of the bike.   i don't know, i was all about it till now,  now i'm kinda teetering

[Really?]

Depends on how one looks at it.  Your bike and many parts of it is a one of a kind.  Does it go with the bike, mostly.  Would it work on many of the other bikes, not really.

For a fork brace of that type that I have seen, it looks much better.

I would leave it on the bike for a couple months and see if if grows on you and the bike, if not, remove it.  See if it actually performs the function that you had in mind.

Personally, I think the skin and spikes are much more noticeable than the fork brace. 

How about a further away pic?

[Spikeybike]

[Really?]

Yep, it works with the bike.  Stick with it a couple months and then toss it around with a few drinks and then make a final decision.  'Specially after you have felt if the effort make a difference in how it rides.

Believe me, my eyes are focused on other area's of the bike first.

So, what was the reason for not polishing the hard brake line?

[Spikeybike]

So, what was the reason for not polishing the hard brake line?

it's steel, it was polished and clearcoated once upon at time, but brake fluid killed the clear and it rusted, paint was an easier alternative 

[Really?]

Thanks for letting me know!  Few more things done on this front end and I get to paint the other half of the caliper and see what I can do with that tube, may just caliper paint it too, lol.

[fuzzybutt]

ok, why DO they call you bonehead spikey?

[four_shot]

where does it attach on the forks....I think it extends down too far personally. that and it's kinda busy.  I'll have to get over there and look at it one of these days to give a better opinion.....

Oo..put a bunch of little 1/4 inch spikes on it radially painted to match....(at least try to visualize it) I think it would fit in much better.....I also miss the leather trim on the front fender.  Damn fire.

[Spikeybike]

where does it attach on the forks....I think it extends down too far personally. that and it's kinda busy.  I'll have to get over there and look at it one of these days to give a better opinion.....

Oo..put a bunch of little 1/4 inch spikes on it radially painted to match....(at least try to visualize it) I think it would fit in much better.....I also miss the leather trim on the front fender.  Damn fire.

it's mounted at the fender/caliper mounts, and as far as putting spikes on it , then it would really be too busy

[Spikeybike]

ok, why DO they call you bonehead spikey?

you don't have older brothers?     

[fuzzybutt]

not anymore

[Spikeybike]

i was good at hitting my head on stuff and not getting hurt, i think the name started as and insult of coarse , and eventually i believe my thinking at the time was , if i just don't make it a big deal , eventually it will go away ..... no man that one stuck 

the gift for me from his wedding

[Spikeybike]

ok one more post on this thread tonight   ....



again many many thanks to Goon for this kick ass plate, something as high class as this needed a proper place to sit


epoxied a piece of sheet metal


didn't have to sand alot since it would be covered with fabric




very nice indeed

[void909]

Amazing. That looks awesome.

[HavocTurbo]

Amazing. That looks awesome.

+1!!!

[goon 1492]

Dam that looks good  I like how you made it look raised.

[TwoTired]

About the fork brace design.  Check out the vintage one on my 77 cafe.  This one mounts where the fender brace attaches.
It used tubing instead of twisted wrought iron.  I don't know if you are going for looks or function, though.  The rider who gave me the bike said the brace addition had a huge effect on canyon carving stability.

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=26326.msg272071#msg272071

Cheers,

[Spikeybike]

About the fork brace design.  Check out the vintage one on my 77 cafe.  This one mounts where the fender brace attaches.
It used tubing instead of twisted wrought iron.  I don't know if you are going for looks or function, though.  The rider who gave me the bike said the brace addition had a huge effect on canyon carving stability.

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=26326.msg272071#msg272071

Cheers,

that brace (or one like it) was were i got the idea for the one i made.  mine is 1/2" solid square stock twisted and bent to my liking, the mount plates are 1/4" X 1" plate ... that thing is bomb proof  it took me 3 tries to get the dementions  correct , because it's so solid there is no room for error, ( it has maybe 1/32" of play in it)

i think if i notice a difference i will keep it on there , if not it will most likely get ebayed   

[goon 1492]

I forgot to mention how kicka$$ that brace is, nice job on the smooth twists. so are you going to need another logo for the other side cover? I could try to spit one out for you after the new year if need be...... Or did you just use the first one for the other side?

[Spikeybike]

I forgot to mention how kicka$$ that brace is, nice job on the smooth twists. so are you going to need another logo for the other side cover? I could try to spit one out for you after the new year if need be...... Or did you just use the first one for the other side?

the other one no longer in my hands.    it was donated to a member who asked very nicely if he could have it 

if you would like to make another, i will definitlly use it.   if not no biggie. i'm honored to just have one

thanx for the comments on the brace, i really did take my sweet time on the twists ,,, took like 4 hours because i had to let it cool off like 4 or 5 times.     (props to Indiain Larry for the inspiration)