Pinned So what have you done to your bike today?

Been waiting for some bits in the post...they finally showed up today. Spent the last couple of days getting the drag bike ready for the long haul up to Gunnedah next weekend. ANDRA officials there can be a bit strict, so I needed to make sure bike is up to spec. Don't want to drive all that way and be told "sorry". who else from Team 2fiftycc is attending? The Chief is coming to have a look as the Flyer isn't ready just yet (unless he gets his street bike running) and I know Murdo will never miss an opportunity to have a race...anyone else?

 

Today is almost like a spring day here, other than the damned August winds.
Just been getting my swing arm ready to blast.
I was pretty happy with the grease that was inside, considering I bought this from Japan. Bearings are smooth as silk so as long as I have it all sealed up nicely and don’t get any media in there that is 1 less expenditure.


I used a couple of old gearbox bearings to take up the space so I could nip it all up ready for bead blast




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Well... the bead blasting of the swing arm didnt go quite as planned.. being steel the media I have it probably a bit light duty for that so I think I will just end up wire brushing it all.. it will be quicker.

I did have a go at cleaning up the outside of my petcock though.. well 2 of them actually. Came up nicely.



I have found that my Shop Vac is way too powerful for the Blast cabinet.. you cant really see it in the pic but when I have it on... the gloves are fully inflated lol It also makes it impossible to operate the gun on suction when there is so much negative pressure in there.. I will have to figure out a better method.

 

Just have the vacuum hose loosely connected to the Blast cabinet, maybe 100 mph tape it on so it's not fully sealed?

 

Not bike but this is how serious we take praying for rain here.
Made for a friend who has nothing but paddocks of dirt and is buying 2nd rate hay (small squares) at $30 each (normal times $4 each) to keep her last remaining sheep alive.

 

That's terrible (not your artwork).

 

Back to bikes stuff. Rebuilding a CB350 engine after a bit of a f**k up. Dropped the head of an exhaust valve with a bunch of revs (I found the valve head in the sump) and he has bought another engine for parts.

Needed to get the rings off the stuffed piston to put on the replacement 2nd hand one (to suit the barrels from 2nd engine) but was unable to prize out the top ring after the top of the piston had been pounded by the valve head. I tried heat hoping that the alloy would expand enough to allow the ring to push out, no good. Got the Dremel and with a tapered cutter cut away the metal above the ring.

I was then able to get a small flat blade screwdriver and break away the alloy above the ring to release it.

Cleaned up and fitted to piston and barrels on.

 

Have a look at the paddocks.

 

I'm a country boy born and bred, so I feel really bad when I see this. I just have never understood why the government never built any Super Dams up north and piped water to areas that are drought prone. Nothing worse than having to put livestock down, but it's the merciful thing to do. I'm going to be driving through this stuff on the way up, so not looking forward to it.

 

If you are coming up through the centre @Frankster expect worse.. Bathurst, Orange, Mudgee, Dubbo are effectively dustbowls.. we are still selling pumps but the money is drying up as they need to fund feed to keep the remaining stock alive.
Unfortunately there is no substantial rain in sight until early next year according to the long term forecasts.
The week before last where normally 20,000 lambs would go through the stock sales 50,000 went through on one day and another 40,000 later in the week. Yet the likes of Coles, Woolies etc are still gouging us on meat prices....

 

Don't get me started on those c*nts. They do eff all to help farmers and people on the land. A friend's dad had to have his milk cows put down during the milk wars they orchestrated. brought tears to my eyes thinking about it.

 

Well.. I bit the bullet today and ordered my paint from DNA Custom Paints.. It will be here late this week or early next week but I have a little bit of work to do on all the parts before I get to the putting on colour stage.
I decided to use their Primer so that I give it all the best chance.. especially as it is a Candy I just want to be sure there is less chance of mottling etc and using products from the same manufacturer helps.. the rest is down to me.. OMG what have I done..

I need to wait until we have some nice clear days with little to no wind.. I will be setting up my little paint booth.. reminds me, I must go down to Bunnings and get it..

 

Saw the mini booth's at Bunning's the other day,
it gave me an idea to get a 4 man dome tent to use as a booth when needed, seen some for $15-$20ea at cash convertor's

https://www.bunnings.com.au/jflex-bench-top-spray-shelter_p0045177
https://www.bunnings.com.au/jflex-spray-booth_p0045178