Olas Michachos

Well, well, well.  Dunno what to tell you??  Guess professional life has taken over my personal life.   Have been travelling consistently for the last 6 months which has taken a big chunk of my hobby.  

 

So much in fact, I had to check on the internet to find out when was the last time I updated the blog. 

Bloody frightening if you think of it.  

Not a single word since may, and it’s already November.   That’s like 6 months.   You suppose to work little to enjoy life a lot, not the other way around.     

 

So, let’s try to recap what has happened since may.  Last thing that was posted is the purchase of the TY250.    I really like to the look of this bike, a nice neighborhood get around bike as well as a "supposedly" nasty little beast on the trial obstacles. 

 

I took it out once to the track but I was busy doing some motocross so I let my son and his friend use it.   As you can imagine, they managed to f.. it up.  Don’t ask me how but it just did not start anymore.   I took it home, stored it for few months till I had the time to check it out.  As it turns out, there was something in the petchoke and gasoline wasn’t reaching the carb.  Cleaned it up, and it started right up.   Problem is, I have not used it since then.  

I should really allow myself sometimes to hit the trial’s track at Rio Bravo and see what’s possible to achieve with this famous 250. 

Considering I did not have much time to build things, I spent the few hours I had on the track trying to improve my offroad skills.   But I suck at it !!!!  I don't care, I just love it and it makes me realize am damn out of shape.

But one things happen after the summer break.  I was saved by the god of motorcycles lover and procrastination.   Let me explain.  Due to the lack of space in my house, I store my bikes at a friend of mine living nearby.   Considering I did not have much time for building this summer, I kept them at my house, just taking turn in riding them.  

I could have taken them to his house when I returned from vacation but was simply to lazy.   On last weekend of August, Harvey stroke Houston.   This pics is 1/4 miles fm my house. 

My friend's house was under 4-5 foot of water, while mine was miraculously saved.

Approx. 4 inch of water came into the garage but not enough to mess with the bikes.  

I took it as a sign, and immediately, started working on the RV 125 that need condenser replacement and points alignment. 

Then I took the XT 500 that had been sitting in storage for slightly over one year and decided it was time to bring her back to life. 

This bike was under the sole ownership of one guy from 1979 till last year when at 62 years old he realized kick starting a motorcycle and more specifically a XT 500 was no longer in his plan.  He loved that motorcycle and I promised him to take good care of it.  

The bike was no longer starting, it needed some serious TLC.   Judging from my previous experience with XT 500, I decided there was no point bringing the old carb back to life.   I would rather buy a Mikuni TM 36 Performance which will give the bike a second life.   So, I started taking the bike apart.

I took the bottom oil case out to look at potential internal engine damage and found few abnormalities.

but none that require the case to be opened

 

looks like some of the gearbox are missing some teeth.   Hopefully the test ride will show it. 

Then I stopped working on it for few weeks cause I had to go to the middle east for 2 weeks work.  While I was there, I hooked up with a friend who had given me some insight to do some desert riding over the weekend.  

A f.... blast.

Then I went back to the XT.  The frame need to be grinded and repainted, so did the front and back fender. 

I also had to weld the kickstand which had loss all its use.

And after doing of the liquid change, and the necessary adjustment, she exploded in joy.

She rides beautifully.  I just love the XT 500, there are the mother of modern motorcycles.   I love them so much that I have decided to know everything about this engine. 

Luckily for me I found one XT at a very good price without the tank,

but after some ebay research I found one from same year with same color.  

Is life beautiful ???  For less that 700usd I have a completed XT that waits for rejuvenation. 

One other thing worth mentioning.   When I left to the US, I kept my Dyna and the Sports of the secretary of state in storage.   Thru a basic conversation this summer a friend of mine mentioned that he was interested in buying the new 48 cause it was small and low enough for him.   I immediately offer mine, if he was interested.  

Being the owner of a auto mechanic shop, I have no doubt on his capacity to give some life back to both back.  So during one of my European trip, I stopped in Sausset to take them out of storage and drop them at his garage.

 

As for the Triumph, I am still waiting for Reagan at Ace to finish the engine rebuild and do the dry run before I can start the rebuilding.   But this will be for another post.   Keep well my friends.