The Motor IS IN THE FRAME! HURRAY!!!!

I've got it together and in the frame, now onto the next step........

P.S.  This was the FIRST TIME that the motor was put in the frame, before disaster struck

They Gotta Be Round To ROLL

We spent the first week of June working on finishing up the lacing of the wheels and then getting them true, so they would be round to ROLL!  I also worked on the motor until I got to the point of waiting on parts yet again.    So...I worked on getting haymaking equipment ready for the next two weeks of making hay with my wife for her miniature donkeys.  We have 32, yes 32 miniature donkeys to feed through next winter....unless I can convince her that someone else needs them more than her.  Anyone interested......

Anyway, here's some pictures of the lacing process......

My buddy, Art Decker, working on lacing the wheels and making them true.

Motor work and Wheel work!

Copycat! Copycat!

What you ask?  Well, at the 2012 Cannonball.....actually the Saturday night before the 2012 Cannonball, I met Doug Wothke, Cannonballer #88. Doug was in Virginia at the time and had lost a wrist pin retainer in his cylinder on his way from Alabama. Doug rode his Cannonball bike from Alabama to New York, then across the country!  We had only spoken via the 101 Chat Group before this and he called asking if I could help him with his 101.  My sons were in from Ohio that weekend, so there was plenty of help.  Doug arrived in West "by God" Virginia after catching a lift from a buddy.  To work we went!!!!  Doug spent the night, enjoyed some West Virginia hopitality, got his bike repaired and headed on to New York for the Cannonball.

But, as I began to enjoy the Cannonball  with Doug across the country, I became aware of the stuff he had outfitting his bike.  His friend,  Greg of Bad&G Customs, makes all kinds of nice motorcycle items, from tool rolls, to saddle bags, to awesome seats. I was really envious of all his cool items After the ride a few weeks later, a tool roll, just like Doug's,  arrived in the mail from Doug --- THANKS again!   Then at Christmas, my wife had gotten me a set of the saddle bags, just like Doug's. Awesome!  And finally, for my birthday, my mom (with the help of my wife)  had me a seat made, just like Doug's!  HA! Absolutely!!!  So, I'll be set up for this ride!  Thanks again Doug!

What a Monday!

Last week seemed to be all about airplanes.....instead of motorcycles.   To start, on Monday we worked on the 1967 Citabria that we're almost finished building.  It only needs a couple finishing touches and she'll be ready to feel the wind on her wings.

1967 Citabria

(I had Jeff, who paints my motorcycles, paint the Citabria.....looks pretty sharp,   if I do say so myself!)

1946 J3 Cub

 THEN....

Monday afternoon, my dad (Buck) and I went  to Petersburg (W99) to take our 1946 J3 Cub for a ride.  We flew it to Highrock Airstrip (our buddy, Bob Armstrong's private strip).  On our return flight back to Petersburg, we had the cabane vee on the landing gear break after touchdown, so Tuesday was spent taking it apart and ordering parts needed for its repair.






THEN.....

1946 Aeronca Champ

Wednesday morning found me moving our 
1946 Aeronca Champ from Petersburg to 
Cumberland airports.  

Finally, Wednesday afternoon had me back in the shop where I worked on my Sunnen Hone by fixing the oiler, cleaned out the oil tank, added new oil and got it ready to go.  

However,  Thursday had me in Winchester, VA checking out a problem on the aircraft motor for the second Citabria that we have.  It's a project that we're going to build upon our return this winter from the Cannonball.   Talked with our engine builder, straightened everything out with him.  Returned home - DAY SHOT!!!!  Will hit it again in the morning.    

Friday morning, well, the red car showed up again for a clutch adjustment ("just a couple minutes, Steve") that ended up needing a new clutch rod made since the old one was bent.  Job completed and back to Cannonball bike.   Installed the valve seats in cylinders...WhooHoo!

  

 

Time Out.....Ford Repair

 

Since we didn't seem to be too busy, had to take a time out today for a thermostat installation,and radiator hose repair for dad (Buck).   It's finally starting to warm up in West Virginia and Dad wants to get his '40 Ford out for some cruising...... now back to the regularly scheduled program!

1 day down the drain

Making Sure She Looks Good....

Today, we worked on fitting to the fenders the frame to make sure she looks good before we send them to Jeff's for color and style. 

Jeff stopped by to look at the final fitting process

Blue, Blue, Blue....

Taking the masking tape off.

Got the frame back from Jeff's and she looks SWEEEEEET!  Jeff, Dee Dee and I looked through Jeff's paint books of colors and we settled on a blue and silver gray paint scheme.