Clubhouse construction

So it has all been quiet on the bike front and there is a good reason for this; me and my dad have been building a bike workshop inside his barn. The main reasons are two fold:

1) it gets so bloody cold in there in winter so this will be provide an insulated area that I can heat

2) its incredibly dusty in the barn which isnt ideal when you've got engine parts lying around etc

[3) it will be cool as fuck]

Progress is slow, we have probably spent about four days on it now in total. and we have got the main structure completed. Next up is to plasterboard the roof then we can get the wiring done. Before clearing it out and painting etc.

Before:

 Walls nearly done:

Roof joists all in place:

Still a way to go yet, and it is a little frustrating not being able to continue with my projects while we are building this. But it will be so worth it when its done.

MOT PASSED!!

BIG ASS TITTIES!!

MOT looming.

Went over TC's tonight so he could weld up the holes in my exhausts. It was just a bodge job so didnt need to be pretty (not saying your welds aint pretty mate!). Water gets in behind these mounting brackets and rots the fook out of it.

On a side note the pillion pegs on the back of the XS are starting to grow on me, considering using these pegs for the chop. Snazzy eh?

Anyways the faulty choke is making cold starting a bit tricky but once its going it runs well.

Fingers crossed for MOT tomorrow!!

Bandit Bargin!!

Went to Newark Autojumble today, it pissed it down the whole time and there wasn't a lot to see, but it was worth going just for the bargin of the day. I bought a job lot of bandit parts including a complete cylinder head with bores, pistons, valves, everything. All for the fantastic price of £20!!

 

The bloke didn't know the history of it, but looks like everything is in pretty good nick - better than mine anyways!! There's even a clutch basket and an engine cover. Stuff that's worth over 20 quid on ebay by itself.  I didn't even try haggling - its a steal at that price.

Bores and valves etc all look pretty good. So ill probably give it some of my magic Dremel lovin' and just slap it on my engine with some new gaskets...hopefully sort out my compression problems..and thereby my running failures!!

Surely it can't be THAT easy....

Action plan.

Right. Need to stop messing about and get things in motion now, I need a plan!

My TC Bro's hardtail should be arriving soon, so that means I need to get my frame stripped down and ready for welding. But before I can do that, I want to get an MOT on the bike. and before I do THAT; I need to get the bike running and ready for MOT. So this is what needs to be done;

Get the bike running - think (hope) its some kak in the carbs stopping it running, it definitely feels like a fuelling issue - I will take the carbs off and thoroughly clean, balance, etc

Fix front brake light switch - OK, it was me, I broke the old one. I also tried to fix it with superglue and failed. £6 for a new one - ordered.

Fill holes in exhaust - apparently they check for leaks on an MOT!! and my pipes have a few holes, so either bodge with silicone/tape etc (preferred method), or ask someone nicely if its possible to weld up. I hate the stock exhausts, they are shit, old and rusty and a bastard to get on.

That's this weeks mission. I just need to CRACK ON!!

oh Bandit!

Went down to steve's on Friday who has been sorting out the carbs on the Bandit. I replaced the starter motor and battery so it started really well but was only firing on three cylinders. Number 4 is the guilty party. Checked the spark plug - good spark, it also stank of petrol, so fuel is getting through....did a compression test and that was low so next thing to do is get the engine out and have a look in the top end......

....or could swap the engine out for something bigger!!

Pressies!

Got a delivery today of a few goodies from Lowbrow Customs. mainly wanted the Death grip gloves, but I didnt want them to get lonely on the trip over so....

 

Feels like christmas all over again!!