Ola Companeros

4h30 in the morning. Can't f.. sleep. Hv just taken few days off but too many things going throug my mine. So drinking an herbal tea and surfing the net looking for new ideas. Looks like I need to take a road trip to get things out of my head. Taking about road trip: am still having problem with my shovel. I have looked at the charging system and it works, I have ran a couple of test and it seems like when the battery voltage goes below 12,5v then there is not enough power for the manual starter to kick in. it's a bit of a problem which means that if the bike stays more than 2 days idle and the voltage stettle around 12,5 which is usually very good then it work start. Now don't come with your usual shit about kick start. I only manage to kick start it when the baby is hot so don't try it. The rocker head are also leacking like you wouldn't believe. I will have to put some more silicon and see if it work. And to finish the subject, the oil is also taking an hike out of the oil tank. Well usual shit for a rigid shovel. Ah yeah one more thing. My little drilling and bolting in the handle bar is barely working. Lots of ideas, lots of work but still in the trial and error phase. But I am bonding.....

Meanwhile, I have been doing some work on the XS650. Before I tried to put the motor back in the frame for the 3rd time, I welded some part which had only been point welded.

When this was done, I went back into the exercise of putting the engine back in. And third time is a charm. I finally managed to put the engine back inside the frame and with the help of my son who helped me put the bolt in. It is now bolted in allowing me to do a proper mock up. I still had to grind some part but it worked.

I could now start working on alignment, spacers

and try different scenario to reach that one.

well still work in progress, got get the front and back spacer now, and fix the fenders. Will have to work on the "future" wiring system. And then, it will be time to dismantle everything and rehaul the motor. That will be a first and will probably keep me busy for month. Will keep you posted. d

Ola Chicos

All right Chicos, Back in business again. Moved into a new house and build myself a new "repair of El Vis". Will take some pics next time, just haven't been able to due to this fricking change of clock. By the time I get home it's already dark (its a bollony excuse but w.g.a.s.). I hate Winter timing, it simply sucks. Anyway, have not been travelling lately so feel nice to be spending time at home. So, nice that I have procrastinated and spent my time on the couch watching TV. The only time I got my fat ass out of the couch was when Andy convinced me to drive down the Galveston to wander around the Lone Star Rally. Pick up my rigid shovel, to realise the battery was dead. I started getting pissed off as I had just changed the stator and the regulator, but after doing some testing it turns out the positive on the battery was loose, which resulted in the battery not been charged. When I figured this out, I went out for a ride. Within 5 minutes I could feel HOT engine oil populating my legs, so I stop on the side and looked at the damage. Wtf..

it turns out the bolt holdin the rocker was loose and all the oil was escaping the engine. I did not have much time to fix it, so tighten the bold, drop the rigid chopper home, and pick up shovel #2 to head for Galveston.

Same shit as last year, lots of people, lots of chrome, lots of ganster wanna be, and some insanities.

Best part of the day, was strolling around small shops selling souvenirs. That's where I bought my new patch of Texas

And finally, in the middle of Twinkie jungle, something nice.

That little stroll gave me some adrenaline to go back to the new "Repair of El Vis" workshop. To start the mock up. My biggest challenge, been alone, was to put the engine back inside the frame. My last try had ended up in a total mess with the frame bouncing off the stand and falling onto the ground. I was ademant to succeed this time. I worked on it for 20 minutes and finally gave up. I really need to find myself a friend in Houston to help me out. I did place the motor in the middle of the frame but cannot put the bolts holding the motor to the frame. I am still inches away and it frustrate the shit outta me. Guess I'll have to wait..

Then I started working on the seat mechanism. As it turns out, the weld on bungs were too big for the rear seat suspension, so I had to grind them before placing them on the bike and welding them onto the frame.

And then try to bolt on a peanut tank.

I am still unsure which gas tank I will end up using. I will need to try few combinations. Well that's all for now folks.