woensdag 28 december 2011
maandag 26 december 2011
Setting the bike up
First I set the bike up. Bought two weight balancers:
Then attached the bike with chains and balancers to the floor and set it level with a laserliner:
Measured the alignment of the wheels.
The bike was as predicted on the net, 4mm off. Took out the 2mm rearwheel spacer, and added another 2mm spacer between the pivot bolt. Measured everything again, and again and again untill i was sure. Wheels are in line now. Took the bike for a spin and everything way better! But still.
Leveled the bike out again, and watched the balances: 6kg on the right and 4kg on the left, wich means, when the bike is level there's a 2kg tendency to fall to the right!
Started to add lead plates on the left, leveled, added, leveled and adde untill balancers were equall. Took it for a spin an tadaaaa!
Then attached the bike with chains and balancers to the floor and set it level with a laserliner:
Measured the alignment of the wheels.
The bike was as predicted on the net, 4mm off. Took out the 2mm rearwheel spacer, and added another 2mm spacer between the pivot bolt. Measured everything again, and again and again untill i was sure. Wheels are in line now. Took the bike for a spin and everything way better! But still.
Leveled the bike out again, and watched the balances: 6kg on the right and 4kg on the left, wich means, when the bike is level there's a 2kg tendency to fall to the right!
Started to add lead plates on the left, leveled, added, leveled and adde untill balancers were equall. Took it for a spin an tadaaaa!
BMW R1100RS
A lot happened since my last post. The guzzi is in serious need of a gearbox overhaull, the electronic ignition is on hold due to the need of an suitable motor with variabel speed, I changed jobs and in serious need of free time.
In the mean time purchased a BMW R1100RS with only 37000km on the clock. Nice! Not the kind of bike i like for looks, but the kind of bike that will take wherever I want , whenever I want!
And it does!!
BUT...
I bought it cheap and in excellent condition.A top second hand buy, but from a design point of view suprisingly, this Beemer is crap!
- Severe pulling to the right, and not because it has a bent frame, nope, because it's darn common for an oilhead...
- steering capabilities of a german tank.
- handlebars mounted on rubbers so, at a certain level of vibration, you loose all input from the front, wich by the way sometimes scares the living hell out of me...
Checked the internet and I found out this common for this bike... The pull to the right syndrome, is a lot spoken of.
Read this article first:
Four schools and my opinion:
1)The weight of the bike is biased to the right.
Yep! Measured it, and can proof it.
2)Its caused by torque from the boxer motor
Nope, cut of the engine while driving and it still PTRs. There is some torque while standing still and even some torque but completely neglectable while driving.
3) The suspension is not properly set up for the rider
Suspension on the BMW is weak but if you fiddle with it you will find a suitable setting that add's up to its drive abilities.
4) The front and rear wheels are out of alignment with the bike�s CG (Center of Gravity).
SO TRUE!
Here's what i did.
In the mean time purchased a BMW R1100RS with only 37000km on the clock. Nice! Not the kind of bike i like for looks, but the kind of bike that will take wherever I want , whenever I want!
And it does!!
BUT...
I bought it cheap and in excellent condition.A top second hand buy, but from a design point of view suprisingly, this Beemer is crap!
- Severe pulling to the right, and not because it has a bent frame, nope, because it's darn common for an oilhead...
- steering capabilities of a german tank.
- handlebars mounted on rubbers so, at a certain level of vibration, you loose all input from the front, wich by the way sometimes scares the living hell out of me...
Checked the internet and I found out this common for this bike... The pull to the right syndrome, is a lot spoken of.
Read this article first:
Four schools and my opinion:
1)The weight of the bike is biased to the right.
Yep! Measured it, and can proof it.
2)Its caused by torque from the boxer motor
Nope, cut of the engine while driving and it still PTRs. There is some torque while standing still and even some torque but completely neglectable while driving.
3) The suspension is not properly set up for the rider
Suspension on the BMW is weak but if you fiddle with it you will find a suitable setting that add's up to its drive abilities.
4) The front and rear wheels are out of alignment with the bike�s CG (Center of Gravity).
SO TRUE!
Here's what i did.
maandag 1 augustus 2011
Electronics part1
My first steps into the field of electronics. Converted an old Marantz tuner into a desktop powersupply. Delivers 12V, 5V, 3V. Just used an old PC powersupply. Allso put in a PulsWidthModulation from Velleman.
Here's the final version. The FM tuning knob is now used to dial my PWM. Cool!
Puls Width Modulation is a simple kit from Velleman, an can be used to regulate AC engines, or and this important for me , ti imitate the pulse from youtr ignitions contactpoints!
Here is a testing setup. In the back you can see the small PWM print, and in the front you see 2 Velleman electronic ignition kits. They reduce the current flowing trough your contactpoits, hence reducing wear and sparks. So better starting performance and smoother running. This really works. I'll spare you the explanation. Take my word for it!
Point of it all is to develop a testing bank for my ignitions. End in a next phase a programable ignition.
dinsdag 26 juli 2011
Pinstriping girl
I told before , I gave my girl some markers, and pushed her to do some helmets for me. Seems art school payed off. And most of all she likes it!! Glad she's found some interest in creational stuff. And what's more after 20y we have some common interest!! Man so happy. Especially for her.
Some more pics of her first helmet and even a jacket she did.
Some more pics of her first helmet and even a jacket she did.
1st Flanders Chopper Run
After working on the bike for a couple of weeks everyday, to get it going for the CafeRacerDagen in Achterveld, it popped the clutch on me. So sadly I couldn't go. Then I saw THIS flyer on BUBBLEVISOR. Couldn't wait to join this!
Wasn't sure if a guzzi caferacer would fit the desired "dressing code", but decided that it would perfectly fit in the "custom build" prescription...
Checked the weather forecast twice everyday, but It didn't seem good. All week Sunday was predicted "very cloudy an rainy". Sob... Sunday morning I got out of bed already in a state of mind to let go and do something else. Drank my coffee as usual, and while reading the news and other daily shit on my laptop, I checked the weather forecast again. And although it was very grey outside, it said something of rain only up north.. I checked also "buienradar", and there it was... No cloud to see what so ever!! Dammit, what time is it? 11h! How far is it? 42km..I still can make it! I jumped in my jeans, ran downstairs, took the bike from the garage and left...only a summary road description in my pocket and nothing eaten yet. The bike was all well and took me in a zip to Sint Pauwels. Just as I stopped to check my little directional notes, 3 bikes past me by, and I immediately waved them in a sign "Hey I'm with you!" and they stopped a 100 meters further up the road. I started the bike and of we went..
The arrival was as expected. A lot of bikes and a bunch of guys.. I took some pictures, introduced myself to the guy that made it happen, and a chit and a chat here and there. The bike was prettily welcomed(far from being a chopper or "pre79 harly" :)) Still I was very nervous, because there was this 150km run, and I didn't knew how my little guzzi was going to keep up... Were they going to do highway? I sure hoped not because the guzz isn't so good on the highway(a tiny bit too wobbly). Was 150 km not too long for me and the guzz?? I had never driven it further than 20 km( last week took it on a test drive to lillo) ... I decided to sweat it out and see what would come. No big deal. Shit, I have had nothing to eat yet!!! Asked where the nearest bakery was, ran of, took one "koffiekoek" swallowed it, an drove back. Just in time to start up. Shit again! Do I have enough gas. Ah we'll see...
I must say it's nice to see a bunch of guys starting up there bikes to take of for a ride!!! Nice... And off we went. Didn't know where to. Seemed our first stop was at the gas station! Funny. Didn't took my chances, and filled here up. Put myself aside, and while trying to put here on the side stand, the damn Italian "I click back anytime i want" side stand...clicked back. There I was on my face with a full gas tank. To my surprise immediately a lot of hands where there to get me and the bike back on our feet!!! I told you, I'm NOT used to this. It seems I'm to solitary, it really freaked me out(in a very pleasant way) Anyway we took back off, and there we went. Very impressing and nice to be part of a group ride. A few corners here, a few corners there. And then what was, I think, the first long stretch, POP, I loose my shifter! No more gears! DAMN!!!! I'm in the middle of fucking nowhere, bikes are passing me by, and there I am on the side of the road!!! Bye Bye Flanders chopper run!
While I'm still trying to soak in my problem, (Not the biggest of them all, its not the first time in my life that I'm wandering down the street trying to regain a lost bolt or a piece of wire) this van stops beside me, and this two guys ask what seems to be the trouble? It's a bloody "sweep van"!!! I'm in the "tour de France"!! I could not believe this, I was actually being helped. So much love in the world, I'm not used to this. Makes me real shy and very humble...So they proposed to take me to the next stop and see what'll happen. I took this help with both hands. Thank you guys! After a bit of driving around and a long phone call we joined the rest of the group, and headed of deeper into "Flanders". I had no clue where we were...Had a nice chat with my helpers. Funny
So we arrived at he next stop... "YOU BURN AND CRASH... WE EARN AND CASH" said the sign above the door...Some bloody MC quarter, and I'm far from being a brother from what hood so ever...
So we unloaded the bike and someone pointed me to the owner of the shop, who could probably hand me a locking nut for my shifter. This friendly bearded guy led me into what seemed to be a well equipped garage, and handed me a box full of m6 locking nuts, and while I burned and crashed, he didn't want to earn any cash! Nice dude, thanks! So i could repair my bike. Everybody just let me be, until I started the bike. I mean until i TRIED to start it. Because i wouldn't fire up. Aaargh... bloody hell... So I drew attention once again. Did you chek this, did you check that.. yeees i did, sob, thanks for the help, Mother I hope she didn't brake her spark plug while dropping in the van... The spark plug cap was fowled by it, so it could... Checked everything and just when i was about to despair,... the ignition switch!!! I told you, i have this bike only for a couple of weeks. And i forgot that every time the steering wheel jams to the left it taps the ignition switch off. Tadaa, there she goes!! Welcome back Chopper run!! Still had the time to grab a drink, and a chat.
And off we went for the second part. I decided to run along and see where we ended up, didn't know if it was necessary to ride home yet. From then it was cream... The bike rode nice, although I couldn't hear her with al the cut of and unrestricted baffles and their roaring around me, I felt here sweeping away from gear to gear after every corner we took. She's old, but seemed to be pleased by my treatment the last few weeks, and although she gave some headache and was very stubborn during a few days she seemed to have found her boss and was very willing now. Love you darling, you're sugar! Only she'll need some ointment on her shifting pedal, cause every time i tried to shift down in the corners the shifter got a little stuck, so i had to tap slightly up, before i could shift down. No big thing but very annoying. But hey the old lady took me somewhere, wasn't she!
After a nice not slow,but not too fast ride, we arrived at our last stop. We parked the bikes, and in the meantime a big garage door opened to what seemed to be a real Harley Valhalla! Nice! Can't tell you much about it cause I'm no Harley connoisseur, but It was a nice collection, and featured some nice 70style choppers which a liked a lot. Some nice lady came by with some snacks when I realized i was knackered and had only eaten a single koffiekoek in the morning, and i started to feel being teared inside out. Luckily the for mentioned snacks helped me to regain some energy, together with a nice cup of coffee. Didn't knew a "run" could be so exhausting. Time to go. Asked where i was, got me some directions, found a mate to join me on my way to Antwerp, and we took of.
Was still a bit afraid of doing highway with me misses, but after this run I felt much more confident with her. So i ended up doing about 30km or so(really don't know) on the highway in the nice companion of some big ol Harley.. I know she loved his presence and so did I! Said goodbye after the kennedytunnel and headed int town for a needed and well earned meal!
I had a great day! And a wonderful adventure. For all you guys who should read this,I must tell you, I'm working on bikes since I was 16. But never, ever, I have shared this with anybody. For the simple mathematical fact that no other "gear head" has crossed my path. That's it. Just plain coincidence. I've seen friends come and go in my life but always I was the only one to have greasy hands in my group. Never gave this a thought. No importance whatsoever.
So maybe you can imagine that for me this was a great adventure! The 1st Flanders chopper run was my first run ever. And were you guys think all is natural, the vibe, the "your welcome" feeling, the "how's the bike doing now" questions, "she's doing well huh!" remarks... all that is new to me, and from my solitary point of view very impressive!! So I'd like to thank you all for that! I had a great 1st run!
My special thanks go to Sven from El cheapo custom works for the wonderful organization(and the sweeping van), to Nico and Jan(i believe) for the helping hands, to the guy from the "YOU BURN AND CRASH... WE EARN AND CASH" who's name I don't know for the necessary nut, to the guy from the Harley Valhalla for his hospitality,to Jakke for the companion back home, and to all the rest of you guys just for making me feel welcome!!! Hope to meet you all again!
Jo
Wasn't sure if a guzzi caferacer would fit the desired "dressing code", but decided that it would perfectly fit in the "custom build" prescription...
Checked the weather forecast twice everyday, but It didn't seem good. All week Sunday was predicted "very cloudy an rainy". Sob... Sunday morning I got out of bed already in a state of mind to let go and do something else. Drank my coffee as usual, and while reading the news and other daily shit on my laptop, I checked the weather forecast again. And although it was very grey outside, it said something of rain only up north.. I checked also "buienradar", and there it was... No cloud to see what so ever!! Dammit, what time is it? 11h! How far is it? 42km..I still can make it! I jumped in my jeans, ran downstairs, took the bike from the garage and left...only a summary road description in my pocket and nothing eaten yet. The bike was all well and took me in a zip to Sint Pauwels. Just as I stopped to check my little directional notes, 3 bikes past me by, and I immediately waved them in a sign "Hey I'm with you!" and they stopped a 100 meters further up the road. I started the bike and of we went..
The arrival was as expected. A lot of bikes and a bunch of guys.. I took some pictures, introduced myself to the guy that made it happen, and a chit and a chat here and there. The bike was prettily welcomed(far from being a chopper or "pre79 harly" :)) Still I was very nervous, because there was this 150km run, and I didn't knew how my little guzzi was going to keep up... Were they going to do highway? I sure hoped not because the guzz isn't so good on the highway(a tiny bit too wobbly). Was 150 km not too long for me and the guzz?? I had never driven it further than 20 km( last week took it on a test drive to lillo) ... I decided to sweat it out and see what would come. No big deal. Shit, I have had nothing to eat yet!!! Asked where the nearest bakery was, ran of, took one "koffiekoek" swallowed it, an drove back. Just in time to start up. Shit again! Do I have enough gas. Ah we'll see...
I must say it's nice to see a bunch of guys starting up there bikes to take of for a ride!!! Nice... And off we went. Didn't know where to. Seemed our first stop was at the gas station! Funny. Didn't took my chances, and filled here up. Put myself aside, and while trying to put here on the side stand, the damn Italian "I click back anytime i want" side stand...clicked back. There I was on my face with a full gas tank. To my surprise immediately a lot of hands where there to get me and the bike back on our feet!!! I told you, I'm NOT used to this. It seems I'm to solitary, it really freaked me out(in a very pleasant way) Anyway we took back off, and there we went. Very impressing and nice to be part of a group ride. A few corners here, a few corners there. And then what was, I think, the first long stretch, POP, I loose my shifter! No more gears! DAMN!!!! I'm in the middle of fucking nowhere, bikes are passing me by, and there I am on the side of the road!!! Bye Bye Flanders chopper run!
While I'm still trying to soak in my problem, (Not the biggest of them all, its not the first time in my life that I'm wandering down the street trying to regain a lost bolt or a piece of wire) this van stops beside me, and this two guys ask what seems to be the trouble? It's a bloody "sweep van"!!! I'm in the "tour de France"!! I could not believe this, I was actually being helped. So much love in the world, I'm not used to this. Makes me real shy and very humble...So they proposed to take me to the next stop and see what'll happen. I took this help with both hands. Thank you guys! After a bit of driving around and a long phone call we joined the rest of the group, and headed of deeper into "Flanders". I had no clue where we were...Had a nice chat with my helpers. Funny
So we arrived at he next stop... "YOU BURN AND CRASH... WE EARN AND CASH" said the sign above the door...Some bloody MC quarter, and I'm far from being a brother from what hood so ever...
So we unloaded the bike and someone pointed me to the owner of the shop, who could probably hand me a locking nut for my shifter. This friendly bearded guy led me into what seemed to be a well equipped garage, and handed me a box full of m6 locking nuts, and while I burned and crashed, he didn't want to earn any cash! Nice dude, thanks! So i could repair my bike. Everybody just let me be, until I started the bike. I mean until i TRIED to start it. Because i wouldn't fire up. Aaargh... bloody hell... So I drew attention once again. Did you chek this, did you check that.. yeees i did, sob, thanks for the help, Mother I hope she didn't brake her spark plug while dropping in the van... The spark plug cap was fowled by it, so it could... Checked everything and just when i was about to despair,... the ignition switch!!! I told you, i have this bike only for a couple of weeks. And i forgot that every time the steering wheel jams to the left it taps the ignition switch off. Tadaa, there she goes!! Welcome back Chopper run!! Still had the time to grab a drink, and a chat.
And off we went for the second part. I decided to run along and see where we ended up, didn't know if it was necessary to ride home yet. From then it was cream... The bike rode nice, although I couldn't hear her with al the cut of and unrestricted baffles and their roaring around me, I felt here sweeping away from gear to gear after every corner we took. She's old, but seemed to be pleased by my treatment the last few weeks, and although she gave some headache and was very stubborn during a few days she seemed to have found her boss and was very willing now. Love you darling, you're sugar! Only she'll need some ointment on her shifting pedal, cause every time i tried to shift down in the corners the shifter got a little stuck, so i had to tap slightly up, before i could shift down. No big thing but very annoying. But hey the old lady took me somewhere, wasn't she!
After a nice not slow,but not too fast ride, we arrived at our last stop. We parked the bikes, and in the meantime a big garage door opened to what seemed to be a real Harley Valhalla! Nice! Can't tell you much about it cause I'm no Harley connoisseur, but It was a nice collection, and featured some nice 70style choppers which a liked a lot. Some nice lady came by with some snacks when I realized i was knackered and had only eaten a single koffiekoek in the morning, and i started to feel being teared inside out. Luckily the for mentioned snacks helped me to regain some energy, together with a nice cup of coffee. Didn't knew a "run" could be so exhausting. Time to go. Asked where i was, got me some directions, found a mate to join me on my way to Antwerp, and we took of.
Was still a bit afraid of doing highway with me misses, but after this run I felt much more confident with her. So i ended up doing about 30km or so(really don't know) on the highway in the nice companion of some big ol Harley.. I know she loved his presence and so did I! Said goodbye after the kennedytunnel and headed int town for a needed and well earned meal!
I had a great day! And a wonderful adventure. For all you guys who should read this,I must tell you, I'm working on bikes since I was 16. But never, ever, I have shared this with anybody. For the simple mathematical fact that no other "gear head" has crossed my path. That's it. Just plain coincidence. I've seen friends come and go in my life but always I was the only one to have greasy hands in my group. Never gave this a thought. No importance whatsoever.
So maybe you can imagine that for me this was a great adventure! The 1st Flanders chopper run was my first run ever. And were you guys think all is natural, the vibe, the "your welcome" feeling, the "how's the bike doing now" questions, "she's doing well huh!" remarks... all that is new to me, and from my solitary point of view very impressive!! So I'd like to thank you all for that! I had a great 1st run!
My special thanks go to Sven from El cheapo custom works for the wonderful organization(and the sweeping van), to Nico and Jan(i believe) for the helping hands, to the guy from the "YOU BURN AND CRASH... WE EARN AND CASH" who's name I don't know for the necessary nut, to the guy from the Harley Valhalla for his hospitality,to Jakke for the companion back home, and to all the rest of you guys just for making me feel welcome!!! Hope to meet you all again!
Jo
woensdag 13 juli 2011
Guzz clutch removal
Popped the clutch on the Guzz. Scored me a nice second hand. Needed the special tool to align. Just made it myself. A piece of 16mm rod welded together to 3 metal flats BEFORE I took everything apart, and tataa! Worked like a charm.
I'm a true chaotic!
I've been working on the "guzz" for a couple of weeks now. I can't believe the mess I made. Or maybe I can. Who am I kidding, I've always been a true chaotic. :)
maandag 4 juli 2011
Pinstriping girl
Gave my beloved daughter some markers, and let her do her first pinstriping on my Honda Helix. Love the result. More to come in the future??
zondag 5 juni 2011
Hazards of Motorcycle riding
Bought this neat little rat few weeks ago. On one of my testdrive's to town, lost a bolt on my gear shifter.
This is, amongst other rubbish, what i scored on the curb to fix my problem.
Today, while I was having a drink, complained to a mate how I messed up my new shoes going trough the gears all the time. And one hour later I read this post on Buzzkiller..
Haha Nice one!
zaterdag 7 mei 2011
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