SHAKEDOWN RUN

Shake down run of Bike project - NOV 17. 2012
Finally got all the little parts back on bike and decided to take it for a short shakedown run...It runs and rides great...just a couple of minor adjustments and I am ready to cruise this coming summer.
When I rode it yesterday I realized I did not have the rear brakes adjusted correctly and subsequently I had not rear brakes.. Thru using the front brakes and downshifting I had no problems coming to a stop though. The fairing shakes so I have to brace it up some more. Don't know if it was like that before I bought it but I don't think it will survive long bouncing up and down so much. Otherwise it all seemed to work good. I only went about five miles and started and stop several times on the way.
My next ride will be at least 50 miles. Maybe I will do that today since the tempts are supposed to be close to sixty. Wish me luck.
Yall have a good day now...ya hear...Gob Bless

Update on Bike as of Nov. 16, 2012 - So I bit the bullet and removed the carbs again. I had ordered new jets for both carbs and replace them. I also added a spring on top of the sliders to help with the idling issue I have had. When these carbs first came out, the Bing CV carbs, they did not come with this spring. The sliders work on vacuum and they depend on a good vacuum to return them to the idle position. In later years BMW added these springs to correct the fact that the right amount of vacuum was not always the same especially after the sliders ware a little. Anyway I replaced all the jets and added these springs and the reinstalled the carbs. Wow what a difference. It starts and idles great now. I was tempted the buy new carbs until I found out the cost of them. They are over five hundred bucks each. So I just rebuilt the ones I have for a cost of less than two hundred for both. A huge savings and it runs like a BMW should now. Going to ride it this weekend end if all works out ok and weather permitting. Yall have a good day now. Ya hear. God Bless.

Bike Update as of nov 8, 2012

I pulled both carbs off AGAIN!! I had ordered new jets and o-rings and installed them on both carbs....just waiting for one spring for the slides and I will put them back on. This should take care of my starting and idling problem....then onto the new back tire and install the new mufflers and i am ready for a test drive...I almost forgot...I also replaced the points and condenser...yes that is right ...this bike does not have electronic ignition.....old school for sure...
Yall take car now...yah hear...God Bless

BIKE PROJECT PROGRESS

Have bike all back together except install new mufflers I ordered.

Having trouble with the right carb. the idle mixture screw doesn't seem to make a change when I adjust it. Everything I read says I should check the valve clearance and ignition before doing much on the carbs. So I am going to replace the points and check the valve lash next. Hope I get this right. But these bikes for very forgiving and easy to work on so everything should be good. After all, this bike has not ran for the past 35 years and now it is running pretty decent. Amazing huh. Tough bike and good German engineering.

Wish me luck and if you have any suggestion just let me know. Especially any of you AIRHEADS out there.

Y'all have a good day now ya hear...and God Bless

Update on Bike projet

In the past two weeks cleaned frame and all parts of bike that I did not remove. Parts I cleaned that I removed were the wheels, finders and all finer brackets. Replaced finders and wheels. Checked brake shoes. This bike is a 1972 so it has manual brakes with shoes. Replaced oil, oil filer and air filter. Cleaned and replace air filter housing, starter motor cover and alternator cover. Installed battery. Then restarted bike. Each time I start it now it runs better and better. Still have to sych the carbs. Never done that before but think I have it figured out how to do it. This is a good sounding bike and runs good as it sits. Next thing is to take it out for a shake down spin after putting a few more parts back on. Wish me luck. Yall have a good day now ya hear...God Bless

I know this is not a car but it is my next project. The is a 1972 BMW R75/5. A classic. 750 cc. All the bells and whistles for the day. This bike cost more than most cars in 1972. A friend of mine told me about this bike. A friend of his had it in his garage since 1977. He quit riding one day and just parked it. It is all original. I brought it home and tore it down to clean it up. The motor was locked up so I was able to purchase this bike for $350.00 and it had a clean title. A good buy I think but tons of work to do.
I managed to get the motor freed up. He has let it sit without every starting it again and with a full tank of gas. To make a long story short I was able to pour some PB Blaster into the spark plug holes and let it sit for a while. After I thought it has sat long enough with that in it I went out and pushed down on the kick starter. (The bike has both kick start and electric start - go figure - The Germans know how to engineer stuff for sure) Anyway after a few taps on the kick starter lightly the engine broke loose. I made sure I had spark and after cleaning the carbs (Bing carbs can be a bummer sometimes) I attempted to start it. It turned over but I did  not want to tax the starter. So I left it alone for a couple of days. After turning it over daily for a bit I hooked up my battery charger and turn on to full boost. With the help of starting fluid is fired and smoke and fire belched out of the exhaust. I had removed the mufflers by the time. It only ran for a few seconds. I did this daily for a week and it progressively got easier to start and finally yesterday it ran for as long as I wanted to to. These bikes has a distinct sound because of the boxer engine. Ran it for no more that ten minutes since it is an air cooled engine and did not want to overheat it just sitting still like that. I AM NOW OFFICIALLY AN "AIRHEAD".  Harley's are not the only bikes with a cool sound,. Yall have a good day now. Ya heaa - God Bless

My 1952 Ford Customline

This is a project I started over three years ago. Finally finished it last winter and could not wait to get it out on the road. It is a 1952 Ford Customline. The body is almost perfect. All steel. No bondo in her anywhere. It does not have the orginal engine though. I rebuilt and bored out a Ford 351 Windsor engine and am using a Ford C6 automatic transmission. It works great and take this old body does the road with ease. The car body and mine hehe. I have taken it to three car shows this summer. Won first place in one show and sceond place in another show in its class. What a fun project this has been and enjoy driving this beauty at every chance I get. Did not redo it specifically to show. I wanted to be able to drive it around and enjoy it. That is how are car should be. Yall take car now ...ya hear and God Bless.

This is my 2010 Ford F150 that I presently own. I only have 34 thousand miles on it so far. Don't drive as far as I once did since I retired a year and a half ago. This will probably be my last truck purchase unless I by and old one and fix it up. This is a plain jane. But does have cruise, tilt, air and a V-8. Great road truck and am not afraid to  pull most anything I want to pull. Now comes the good stuff I mentioned in a recent post. I will be posting pics of my 1952 Ford I restored. Yall have a good day now ...ya heah...God Bless...

Left this one out - My Red Ford Ranger

Sorry folks. Those of you who know me well know that I owned a Ford Ranger at one time. I forgot to list this one. I owned it just before I bought my 1999 Ford F-150. It served me well. I owned it when I first started working at Cat and drove it back and forth to Peoria. Wore it out. Thus the reason I had to get another one. Just wanted to list this and get it included. Thanks all... yall have a good day now ...ya heah...God Bless

2006 Toyota Avolon

This is my 2006 Toyota Avolon...Purchased new in 2006. Have 100,000 miles on it now.Plan to drive another 100,000.  A great luxury car along with great fuel economy. The big V-6 has plenty of power. There is one more car coming then I get into the good stuff...now do I have you wondering what it is going to be??  hehe Yall take care now ya heah..God Bless