More Montesa

Ready for some handlebars and controls.

Riding is and always will be fun.

I put some new dual sport tires on the 69 Honda SL350 yesterday and rebuilt the rear brake. I have ridden  it around town for a few days, so I figured it was time to venture out. I decided to call it a day around 3 o'clock today and jumped on the Honda and rode to a small motorcycle salvage yard in Ohio.
       The bike does vibrate a bit around 50 mph, so it is either 45 or 55 mph. The ride reminded me of when I used to ride my Yamaha 175 Enduro, it was only good to about 55 mph, but it was always fun. The freedom of having my own motorcycle and to be able to ride it anywhere I wanted, as long as Mom and Dad to didn't know about it. Actually I'm pretty sure they did know about everything I did, I usually told them, they gave me a lot of freedom.
      The ride was so much like riding when I was a teenager, I ran out of fuel and switched it over to reserve just like I used to. Then I ran the reserve tank dry and finished my ride, by pushing it the rest of the way home. Some things never change. That's probably the reason I enjoy riding, because no matter what changes in my life, riding my motorcycle never has.

Montesa Continued

The 63M Montesa that I picked a few months ago, has been an on again off again project. Parts have been hard to find but Jared at Southwest Montesa has been a great help. He sent me some shocks and a piston kit today. The shocks are made in England and were valved and sprung to my weight. The spokes should be along any time and I have still been hoping to find an original pipe, if I don't find one in the next week or two I will have to order a down pipe which will take about 6 weeks to arrive once I place the order.

Since I now have the shocks,I hung the swing arm and started the assembly. I decided to use stainless steel  screws and bolts instead of the original steel fasteners wherever possible, other than that I will keep everything as stock as I possibly can.

Freshly powder coated frame, new shocks and shiny fender.

Mid Ohio Vintage Days were hot.

Extremely hot, I work outside nearly everyday and I get used to the extreme temperature differences in Indiana, but this past weekend was unbearable. I spent one day at Mid Ohio and decided I had seen enough, packed up and went home.

When I returned home I spent some time working on the 1969 Honda SL350 I recently acquired. I found a throttle diaphragm, installed it, cleaned and set the points, checked the wiring and a few other items, and it started right away. I had already cleaned the carbs and rebuilt them last week.

After a short ride it was evident that I had a fair sized oil leak on the left side. I installed a new clutch shaft seal and gear selector shaft seal, and amazingly no leaks. I rode it about 20 miles and now I have a new ride to and from the shop until winter.

Andrew your Suzuki TS100 is running.

Today I hung out at the house and did some yard work. I went to the shop after a few hours of mulching and weeding, and there it was, a Suzuki TS100 begging to be fixed and ridden again.The Suzuki TS100 was a project that my buddy Mark was working on for his son Andrew at my shop during the spring. When it started , revved up uncontrollably then died, I told him it needed new crank seals. He was in denial but soon decided I was correct. Then he lost interest.
Two weeks ago I pulled the left side cover and magneto off and the seal was just hanging on the crankshaft. Then a couple of days ago I picked up a seal for the left side I installed it today and amazingly it started and idled. I always love it when an old discarded bike runs again.
I called Mark while it was running, and guess what, he said he will be over tomorrow to finish the Suzuki.

Barn Fresh from 1979

I was told that this 1969 SL350 Honda was put away in 1979, the tank was cleaned and the battery removed. The tank is in great shape and the battery box shows no sign of corrosion. The bike has its share of surface rust, but its all there. I picked up a new battery, tanked the carbs, 5 times in the ultrasonic cleaner, and installed new o rings, and rubber plugs. The carbs are back on, but I am waiting for one throttle slide diaphram. I think the tires are even original. I think I might just get this one running and take it for a couple of short rides before winter.
Another cool thing about this bike is that is was sold by the local Honda shop, Ikes Bikes. The dealer badge is still on the swing arm, it reads: Ikes Bikes 400 Main St Richmond IN Triumph and Ducati.
Ike and my Dad have been friends since the mid 50's. My first helmet and my first new motorcycle were purchased at Ikes, and my kids first motorcycle came from Ikes too.

The lens is cracked but the bulb is still good.



These carbs came out great for being 42 years old .



Mid Ohio Vintage Days Coming too soon

I have one complete bike, the red cafe racer to take to Mid Ohio, this is the third year I have taken a different cafe racer to vintage days. I have a couple of other bikes that I will probably take, unrestored.  I hope to have the Montesa Cappra  MX 250 finished, or at least very close to being finished. The original style pipe is going to be a hard find. 

Chets Wild Ride

Yesterday I wrote about a Honda SL350, well I called Chet to pick it up and he was at the hospital. He was riding home late yesterday and was ran off the road when someone was left of center on a curvy road. Luckily he only had a few scrapes, bruised ribs and an injured knee. I know he doesn't feel very good, but at least he was able to ride home, adrenaline is a great thing.
Tami and I saw him later, and he is battered but we are glad he is going to be o.k.
Just in case you are wondering, his bike is going to be o.k. too.