Ola chicos

Well 2017 started ok.   I took some time off and got a new job.   It might take some of my time away from bikes but, it does pay the bill.    So, we left off when I more or less finished the rebuild the Triumph engine.  As usual, I took it to Ace to conduct final check on my useless work, and to set the ignition, and to do a dry run.  At Ace, I met a new guy there name Riaz who will ultimately be the one doing the work on the triumph.  A kool guy that introduce me to "blip motorcycle" some sort of coop workshop pretty cool.


After taking my engine to be checked, I realized, as I was tidying this up, that my triumph tank had suffered a little dent on the side, so I sand the area and fix it .

and finished.  The tank is now ready for painting.  Just need to find the right color.  I am thinking turquoise and yellow but have not made up my mind yet.

Then it was time to move back to the CT70.  It was time to re do the engine.

Check the primary socket: Pretty worn out ain't it.  The previous owner must have seriously done some damage.

I don't know when was the last time this bike was on the road but the bloody gasket are melted on the cylinder.  

Well, looks like the carb will also need some serious upgrade.   A repair kit cost 20$ when a new carb cost 30$, so I will spare the pain and replace it.

Then I remove the piston to notice the rings were broken, which entails new ring.

The cost of a new piston and rings been more or less the same price of a new one, I decided to order a fresh new piston.  Strangely enough the new piston is shorter than the original one.  Will see later if that has any impact on the performance

I was itching for a ride, as I had been away for the holidays, so I took a weekend break to head over to the Yankees Tavern Ice House to attend a Chili cook off and vote for the best one. 

and as usual this trip was not gonna turn out ok.  

One spoke from the back wheel broke and went inside the tube, and as I was loosing control of the bike, the clutch cable gave up on me.  Another afternoon, full of event.   Luckily some blokes stopped by and gave me the phone number of a local towing guy that took me and the bike back to Houston.

Should really get roadside assistance on my insurance.  Anyway, I took the wheel off as soon as I got home and figured it was a good time to repaint the chopper.

And so I blasted.  Must have been 5 layers of paint. 

but got the hang of it and sanded to bare metal

And then primer and paint and start with the new look.

I wanted a tribute to Operation Ivy, a famous ska/punk band I liked when I was younger. 

And did a bit of art.  well I think it is at least

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And then I remounted everything, and when I was about to start it I broke the throttle cable.  Anyway, it looks good

While I was awaiting for my throttle cable, I worked on the little ZB50.  I took it apart, cleaned everything, changed the petcoke and consumable and kick started.  As luck would have it, the throttle cable gave up on me, but it does work so am happy with that considering it was given to me. 

And I finally remounted the engine of the CT70.  

And did a mock up while am waiting to receive the wiring harness and few other bits and pieces. 

Then I headed up to 713 Tatoo shop where Showclass magazine was launching the release of their latest edition.   Met few kool dudes there.  A pretty nice party though I had to leave early.

burger and beers were good in spite of the shitty weather.

And as luck would have it, I had a short on my XS just as I arrived at Blip.   After, taking few things apart, I realize the whole wiring system will have to be redone.  Bummer.....

Well, that's all for now folks.  Up coming event will be Giddy up in New Braunsfeld, the Handbuild in Austin and the Moto GP end of April.   

Ola Amigos

2016 is nearing the end and contrary to last post, I have actually been good last month.   I attended the lone star rally in Galveston, the annual vintage motocross show at Rio Bravo,  and I have worked on my Triumph MX crossover. 


Let's start with the Lone Star which has got to be the 3rd-4th largest rally in the US.  

This is THE rally to show goofy stuff, and baggers paradise....

Like this bike with Satellite receiver and TV.   Now, please explain to me why anyone would want this.  Bike are meant to be ridden.   Wanna watch TV ??? STAY HOME.

Anyway, still nice to hang out and look at nice little things, like this Indian

or that one.

Well.... or that one...

As I said, always something to look out, but not exactly what you might be looking for...


The following week was time for some vintage motocross at Rio Bravo for their yearly Vintage show and race.   With some nice beauties..

that's some serious stuff. 

But it was also time this month to do some work. 

I finally plug in by cabinet sand machine, and it works like a breeze. 

 So I got carry away cleaning engine parts.  See below before and after.  Back to life baby !!!!

I also painted the frame,

And started working on the engine, first the gear box

   Then ignition and oil pump

Then it was time to sand the upper case and put the valves in

and I started mounting everything back.

As I waited for my new Amal carb, I worked on the front fender which I chopped a bit.

It will give a better look, well, I think!!! too late now since I have not tried it.  Will see how things work out. 

And as I waited for my carb, I decided to work a bit on a tank I inherited with I bought the XS650 two years ago.   First I had to weld the loose gooseneck and then sand and prime it.

I will paint it some other days, just for fun..


Back to the Triumph the Amal carb had finally arrived, with electronic ignition.   I had also ordered a bigger concentric and new main jet to cope with the upgrade of power.   So I replace it and put in on the frame, with my Mum Christmas present a Siamese exhaust pipe.   I will have to chrome it out, trim it and weld it at a later stage but it does look good on the engine. 

I spent few more hours cleaning some parts and getting prep for the final mock up, but I think I will call it a day for 2016.