Hi John,
Thanks for the kind words. Pictures always look better than the real thing. Things to do include Alloy rims and stainless steel spokes, powder coat frame, replace rust-prone parts with stainless steel or aluminum, repaint engine cases, lots more aluminum polishing, new seat cover, 836cc pistons, new cam, 300 series exhaust, and on and on and on. I saw one of the guy's quotes that went something like "Is it ever really done?" I think he must have been talking about my bike.
I recently got some metal working tools (lathe, drill press, milling vise, torches), and I've begun making parts. As my skills develop, I keep seeing more and more rust-prone parts that I can replace with stainless steel or aluminum. So, I don't think it will ever end. And that's what I like about buying old stuff. With something new, the day you buy it is the best it will ever be. But with old stuff you can keep making it better and better. That's the fun, and with any luck it will never be done. I've thrown in a "bonus picture" of the old and new rear brake linkages. Everything on the new one is stainless steel except for the part that connects to the brake pedal. It's made up of three pieces of aluminum, glued and screwed together (with stainless steel screws, of course!).
Who knows where it will end?
