The
bike has come a long damn way from concept and the original turd (seen
here) but the trek has been worth all the work, setbacks, and time.
There is still some to do, and a few more tweaks and problems to iron out.
The SOHC 750s were solid bikes but DAMN were they fugly. I've simply corrected
the cosmetic calamity of the stock bike. I need to buy aftermarket side
covers or make some out of leather both to protect the electrics as well
as my poor thigh. That damn oil bag can get pretty hot and the inside of
my thigh rests against the tank at stoplights. I have a patch of leather
on there now just to avoid the blisters I gave myself on it's birthday
(08-27-2007). I have some fatter pilot jets on order since it runs a bit
lean with that aftermarket air cleaner and exhaust. I will probably have
to stiffen up the preload on the rear shocks to keep the tire from kissing
the fender on rude bumps. All in all I am happy. I may build some sort
of small backrest to mount to the back of the seat since my lower back
does get a bit tired without support (rear ended 20 years ago). Hopefully
I have done everythng correctly and it is good for many years to come.
.
Just
after I bought the turd we lost three of our best friends, Beaver, Angus,
and Lady. They were the original three canines in our pack and losing them
was like losing a huge chunk of our lives. I had decided to dedicate the
bike to our buds. On the tank bib I mounted three tags, one for each dog
with the month and year they joined us, the month and year we parted ways,
and the phrase "Roam Free Forever". Before this bike project started
when Angus left us I took his collar and put it on my chop's handlebars
so he could always ride with me. As things turned out a bud lost his pup
not long after and the next day he rode up with "Junior's" collar on his
bars too and tears in his eyes. I won't be surprised if I see more of this.
The chop was first and so was Beaver so that is where his collar is, this
bagger was second as was Angus and his collar is there, and the "Wife's"
Sporty was third as was Lady and her collar is on it's handlebars. No matter
what I ride at least one of them "Roams Free" with me in spirit.
.
Some
folks put angel bells on their bikes. I've got my buddies' collars and
they jingle twice as loud!
.
Parts
sources for this project were:
CycleReCycle2
for exhaust, visor, speedo cover, and short shocks.
Fog
Hollow for all the tins, caps, petcock, and tail
light.
Parts-n-More
for carb kits, gaskets, ignition switch, and horn.
Cycle
X for the headlight bucket and hight tensile
strength chain
Charlie's
Farm and Home for most of the raw materials used for mounts and forward
controls.
The
rest were eBitch snags such as cables, lines, kickstand, saddlebags.
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