Might be starting a new project for 2010

Looks like I might get the chance to build a "BUG" project foe a corporate client of mine. I hope so, that would really be nice to start building a project that the money was not all coming out of my pocket. I will be starting with a 1968 VW Bug that is in really nice shape body wise, the floor pans are pretty much garbage, but that seems to be standard for these type of cars. I plan on building a surf theme much like my 1961 Buick Invicta project I did a few years back. It did really well on the circuit and I think this project will too. I'm doing my research now, I'm having a professional rendering done of my ideas on how I want the Bug to turn out, so as soon as those things come around, I'll post them here. Happy New Year and let's hope 2010 will be better than the last two years.

Starting the Mockup for the Rear Fender

Went to Turkey Rod Run this last weekend and was able to PU a GREAT deal on a pair of used Fiberglass 1936 Ford Front Fenders. After some measurements, I cut them up and have the beginnings of a mocked-up rear fender and seat for the trike. I'm going to see if I can use one of the headlight buckets for the front of the trike, not sure yet.

I also PU the steering joints I will need to get the steering finished up. Flaming River had a 30% off sale going on thru Yearwood sales and Terry and his group were a BIG help on making sure I got the right size joints and now all I need is the DD shafts and I'll be done with the steering mock up.

Should be trying to finish up the welding of the two frame halves by the end of this week, I hope that works out.

I will be getting my title and frame from a dealer in NC for a 1983 Kawasaki 500, that's what the trike will be titled as, don't feel like dealing with the ASPT title that you have to get from Florida to license the trike as a "NEW" ride, using an older title will just be easier and I don't believe it will affect the values at all.

I have posted some updated pics down below, so please check them out. Talk again soon.

The wheels are HERE!!

Well, Eric came thru and the wheels look great. The adaptors from Lugman USA work just as promised and the 2nd mockup is looking good. We had to cut the top half of the Raptor frame off to get the motor to fit, but when it comes time to mock up the steering, i was going to have to butcher it up anyway.

The total wheelbase is just over 6' and the track width is going to be 55", I can live with that. The seat height will be just a tick over 20", but I'll have to live with that.

Moultrie is coming up this weekend and Turkey Rod Run is coming up next weekend. I am hoping to find the rear fenders that I want to use based on a 37 Ford fender.

The Wheels are coming, The Wheels are coming.... Finally!

Eric called tonight and the wheels are coming! I am soooo Happy! I should have them by the end of the week and I can start doing the setup layout work again. We have come up with a Good idea for addressing my frame issues and it will still give the trike a old school look. I'm glad I have access to CNC machines, it will help me do my new parts for the frame, I'll take pictures and post the drawings later this week.

See you soon!!

The motor is really TOO Big!

Yep, there will be no welding this weekend. The motor is not fitting in the stock Raptor frame no matter what. I am going to have to totally cut the top half of the frame off and drop the motor in, then build a frame around it. I'm not sure where to go from here yet, I'll have to get a couple of my other Rascals to come over and ponder it with me, then hopefully, we'll figure something out.

I talked to Eric Vaughan, he's the guy doing the front wheel narrowing, and he still has not done my wheels yet. He said he'll have them done on Monday, I won't hold my breath, but you can't rush artistry. I know that when I do get them, they'll be right.

Turkey Rod run is coming up in three weeks, so is Moultrie Show. I'm going to both to try and find some more parts as well as to look for the fenders that I will use to finish off the bodywork. I know that seems optimistic since I haven't even got the motor mounted in nor the frames together, but I know it will work out in the end. Besides, these shows only happen once a year, and I plan on having this thing running next year.

Talk next week, bye.

The Motor is Here!!!

Well, I got the motor today and it's BIG! I am going to have a whole lot of fun stuffing it into the Raptor frame. But the overall condition looks good, I hope that the folks I bought it from are telling me the truth. I also got a shop manual coming, and some mounting brackets. The wiring harness came in yesterday, no word on the front wheels, Eric said he was going to have them finished today and that he would call, but no word yet.

The rear adaptor should be done today and we are still planning on welding the two frames together this weekend, I'll update everybody when It happens. Lets hope it goes well.

Boy... Did I screw-up! Bikes ain't no different than Cars.

Well, the title came in today for the 2006 Kawasaki 900 motor, and it was totally useless since it was a Salvage Utah title and marked non-rebuildable. So basically, I got a pretty bill of sale. So, I had to buy a title today, found one, hope it works, it still will be a rebuilt title, but hey, that's life. I knew that the Salvage title might be a problem so I knew this might happen. Found a wiring harness, rear pully and a low mileage cdi (ECU) for us car guys. These newer motorcycle motors with fuel injection are not any different than the newer car motors with FI, you need a computer, fuel pumps, special harness, different lines, etc..... I'm SO HAPPY!

The rear adaptor will be ready on Wednesday. The front rims will be shipping by then I hope. I'm going to finish my grinding this week and I'm trying to have the two frames put together by the end of this weekend. I'll post pics as this all comes together, I hope.