Flash of orange

The evilgrins
prodded me today to post again.

(Fixed wrong lj handle on 27 Nov)

Wow its been a while.

This is a picture of me at the
2007 Pacificon Convention. Pacificon is a ham radio convention that serves as the convention of the Pacific Division of the American Radio Relay League.


Last year I wore the black Utilikilt workmans kilt
This year I wore the black on on Saturday and the orange on Sunday.

This is the kilt that actually SCARES the San Francisco Section Manager!

You have been warned!

I had to use a link as it seems I cant embed images in my LJ.

Ive work it on the Holstein Hundred benefit bike ride in Marin in late Aug, Sacbreathe & Waves to Wine in Sept and the Bike against Odds in Oct. I got a LOT of teasing about it from guys but I had tons of girls wanting their picture taken with me or requests to help them talk their boyfriends into wearing a kilt.

I also wore the orange one to the Linux Picnic with an orange Unisys Linux shirt.

There is another picture yet to be posted. Those who know me, wont believe it.

Im wrapping up my current project over the next month and starting the search for the next one.

And now the big news....

A few weekends ago, I poured oil into each of the 4 cylinders of the bike and turned the engine with a wrench. It was a bit sticky at 1st then got easier. I think there might have been some light rust on the walls but thats polished off now. The engine is not seized despite not running in 11 years.

Before I sink a bunch into this machine, I want to see what kind of shape its in.
I wired a running car to the battery terminals and verified the computer still works and the starter sort of still works.

While I can turn the engine over, the starter stops and stalls at the same point in rotation.
I checked the connections, voltages, even tested starter on the workbench.

Next step is to pull the plugs out and see if that helps.
If it does then it means I still have too much oil in the cylinders & have a case of hydrostatic lock. (Im hoping thats the case)

Its been suggested that I see how it turns over with plugs removed and if it throws the excess oil out the holes. If not, test starter. If yes, add marvel mystery oil and spin the engine some more.

Finally once it spins some serious RPMs, that will pressurize the upper end oils system further reducing drag.

Then, there is the issue of varnish in the carbs....

This is gonna take a while but at least the engine turns which is what I was really sweating.

If I can get the engine reliably running, THEN Ill get a battery for it, replace the tires
and polish the rust spots.

I think I need to have a look at the front bearing.
It really seems to drag badly.

This project is gonna take a LONG WHILE !

I finally got hold of the wiring diagrams for the police version of the bike.
I wondered if it had a bigger alternator for the radios.
Nope.
They use a rechargeable saddlebag.
(*&^%$#@!)

Last night I noticed I need gas in the car especially after running the engine while working on the bike.

This morning I realized its worse than i thought.
Outta gas in my own driveway!
What a way to start a day !