Thanks, guys! I'm honored, indeed, and I humbly accept!
And thanks, wr and George, for the taps on the shoulder... I have been busy with spring chores and have not been paying attention.
A few more pics in current trim on the way shortly.
TC
Edit:
Guys, below are some pics in current trim, taken today after I brought her back from running some fresh 20W-50 Valvoline synth in. Also, here is her work list since August 2007, when I brought her home in a pretty forlorn state in the back of a buddy's pickup and came here (well, the precursor forum to here) in a bewildered panic... I think it's pretty much up to date for the moment:
Aesthetics/Function/Handling
- new tires (Kenda Challenger Sport)
- new clubman bars
- new cafe/solo saddle
- pillion pegs removed
- new reverse cone "shorty" mufflers w/handmade custom fitted aluminum hangers
- new cafe/bobber tail light/tag frame combo (NOTE: Due to damage to rear fender and tail light/tag combo (Feb '12), bobbed existing fender and installed Mike's tail light/tag combo #11-2342.)
- installed billet bungee knobs (re-purposed swingarm spools) on rear fender/bungee net
- new grips
- new Napoleon trapezoidal bar-end mirrors
- new XS Performance cam-end and alternator covers
- matte polished fork lowers and rear hub
- re-blacked left/right engine case covers
- wrapped exhaust headers
- installed heat resistant covers on plug wires/caps
- replaced all peg/shifter/kick rubbers
- replaced fuel tank rear rubber mount
- black leather tool roll (mounted forward of saddle bumstop) containing CruzTools road kit/incidentals
- ShockSox road bike fork seal dust covers (black)
- painted rear brake stabilizer arm and actuator rod Rustoleum Aluminum
- National Cycle flyscreen
- handmade aluminum gauge visors
- handmade aluminum crank case (top) reflector plate
Electrical
- replaced brake light switch - front
- replaced brake light switch - rear
- replaced brushes
- new PAMCO electronic ignition trigger/dual point coil/wires/caps/iridium plugs (NOTE: Due to unexplained failure of Mike's coil #17-6803 (Jan '12), replaced it with Mike's #17-6822, with less voltage, but smaller and with built-in, rearward-facing wires. Also reverted to stock NGK plugs w/stock gap of .028).
- installed bar-mounted voltage gauge
- new solid state regulator/rectifier
- new sealed AGM battery
- replaced grommets in headlamp bucket
- properly installed (soldered/heatshrunk) poorly installed 20 amp blade-type main fuse
- replaced broken '77 hi-/low-beam, horn, turn signal control switch with new '77 switch
- installed Bike Master short-stalk turn signals w/custom brackets front and rear
- 552 signal flasher relay
Mechanical/Fuel/Lubrication
- new left/right fuel tank petcocks
- replaced crankshaft seal
- replaced output shaft seal
- replaced all cables
- cleaned (multiple times) and synched carbs, set float height
- replaced needle/seat combos in both carbs
- new clear fuel line with in-line conical fuel filters
- replaced Advance Timing Unit, serviced rod
- replaced clutch actuator unit (includes worm gear)
- replaced clutch lever and perch (summer '11)
- new intake manifolds
- replaced phillips screws in carb bowls with allen heads for on-bike bowl-removal
- new XS Performance pod air filters
- replaced stock upper oil filter with billet aluminum XS Performance oil cooler/filter
- replaced sump filter
- installed reed breather valve, hose, and filter for creation/maintenance of crankcase vacuum and minimization of oil leaks
- replaced oil plug copper crush washers
- replaced missing cork ring for timing chain dome cover
- added rare earth magnets to outside of fuel tank, just forward of petcocks, to minimize migration of metallic sediment into fuel system
- see front brake rehab (below)
- added RR dipstick oil temperature gauge
- re-torqued cylinder head/replaced notoriously weak OEM rubber coated washers (under four outer acorn nuts) with brass, as well as under inner four. Remainder were replaced with Grade 8 steel washers. (January 2012)
- replaced leaking timing chain adjuster case gasket, removed black paint from case, inspected adjuster mechanism (exhibited little to no wear on idler wheel or plastic traveler) (April 2012)
-------------------------------------
October 2010 - Mikuni VM 36mm RS Single Carb Conversion Project (installation/dial-in):
- Wiseguy Customs 2-into-1 chrome ceramic-coated intake manifold (cafe/tracker configuration)
- air screw currently @1 turn out
- main air correction jet in intake bell: removed
- pilot jet: 25
- main jet: 200
- 159-P8 needle jet/6F9 needle (clip in middle slot)
- left side cover modified to accommodate single carb
- Mike's XS oval pod filter w/ custom aluminum air shroud
- single in-line Purolator F10024 (one-piece, all metal) fuel filter (January 2012; replaces easily damaged plastic conical fuel filters)
- Motion-Pro 1/4" fuel line
August 2011 - Front Brake Rehab:
- New stock-type master cylinder (Mike's XS)
- New upper/lower hoses (Mike's XS)
- Rebuilt original caliper with seal kit from Mike's XS; repainted w/gloss black caliper paint