Phil's (not quite) Excellent Venturer

[MaximPhil]

A good day for sure. The entire front end of Phil's big boy bike is now tore down. Mo and I fought to remove the neck bearing races, Phil pulled the bearing off the lower triple tree and assisted James tearing down the front forks. Nothing came easy but a few beers and some perserverance triumphed in the end.
Four good sized men, two XS 1100's, two fullsized toolboxes and tons of used parts all in my tiny shop. Tight quarters. Good times.
I'm running out of abusive quips to terrorize Phil with, so I may have to start being nice to him soon. Mo is a man of the world and has some of the best stories I have ever heard, James is a working machine, there's no way we would have gotten as far as we did without his effort and know how.
Phil now has a running XS 1100 and will be permitted to add it to his signature.
Phil has some pics that we will post.
Rick

Thanks guys, The correct name for the missing parts are:
1 of Spindle Taper and 2 of Oil Seal washers.

James quickly disassembled Rick's spare fork (not attached to his bike) Special fork so we can confirm Standard Spindle Taper are different.
Anyone out there with a damaged Fork from a Standard they would be willing to remove the Spindle Taper from?
Every thing tastes of Fork Oil
Phil

[madmax-im]

Holy FORK! She breathes!! Shes' alive!!! Excellent effort guys!

[Big Daddy Funk]

Update on Phil's Big Boy Bike

Thanks to the efforts of Tinman, Slowmo and MaximPhil, the forks are rebuilt and the steering head bearings are installed. Rotors are refurbished and ready.
The wheels are heavily corroded and Phil is taking care of that as homework this week. Phil procurred metric O rings for the carbs and I will install them this week.
The next challenge is the final drive which is rusty, leaky and showing signs of real abuse. We plan to replace the final drive and wheel hub with a used set that is in better shape, grease the swing arm pivot bearings and center the swing arm this weekend. Phil is picking up new bearings for the front and rear wheel.
If all goes well this week we should be able to reinstall the wheels this weekend.
The bike is progressing but fighting us a every opportunity. Phil even got dirty hands and I thought I saw a small bead of sweat on him once, but it may have been just a tear.
Sure would be nice to post some pictures Phil....
Thx Rick

[MaximPhil]

Thanks to the efforts of Tinman, Slowmo and MaximPhil, the forks are rebuilt and the steering head bearings are installed. Rotors are refurbished and ready.
The wheels are heavily corroded and Phil is taking care of that as homework this week. Phil procurred metric O rings for the carbs and I will install them this week.
The next challenge is the final drive which is rusty, leaky and showing signs of real abuse. We plan to replace the final drive and wheel hub with a used set that is in better shape, grease the swing arm pivot bearings and center the swing arm this weekend. Phil is picking up new bearings for the front and rear wheel.
If all goes well this week we should be able to reinstall the wheels this weekend.
The bike is progressing but fighting us a every opportunity. Phil even got dirty hands and I thought I saw a small bead of sweat on him once, but it may have been just a tear.
Sure would be nice to post some pictures Phil....
Thx Rick

Hi Rick,
Another good day working on the beast. I was allowed to use tools along with getting my hands dirty. While I used a small hammer to remove the locks on the rotor retaining bolts Tinman got to use TWO rather large hammers on the steering head bearings
Coming together slowly
Phil

[ManitoulinLad]

Its great to see the progress - you guys must be having a blast doing all this together. Working on your bike, friends, laughs & beer - don't get better than that. - Dan

[tinman905]

Its great to see the progress - you guys must be having a blast doing all this together. Working on your bike, friends, laughs & beer - don't get better than that. - Dan

Hey Dan you're right but I heard rumors of Rye whiskey, now that would make it better haha! Phil has been quite good at supplying the coffee and beer and Rick you make a mean sandwich ,makes for a good time for sure.

Rick is also teaching us how to abuse Phil without having me thrown out on my ass too. It won't be long now we all look forward to the day Phil rides the old girl home.

[MaximPhil]

Its great to see the progress - you guys must be having a blast doing all this together. Working on your bike, friends, laughs & beer - don't get better than that. - Dan

Hi Dan,
Yes we certainly are. Slo Mo is pushing for us all to make the ride to Manitoulin.
Thanks o the guys for all their efforts.
James Rye makes my knees bend the wrong way
Phil

[Big Daddy Funk]

Omg

Hi Dan,
Yes we certainly are. Slo Mo is pushing for us all to make the ride to Manitoulin.
Thanks o the guys for all their efforts.
James Rye makes my knees bend the wrong way
Phil

Try not to visualize that scene guys

[ManitoulinLad]

Now that was funny - Dan

[Big Daddy Funk]

Another Saturday....

Another Saturday, another 12 hour day in the shop for Tinman, MaximPhil and myself. We all brought swing arm and differentials and after much tear down and inspection we decided on Tinmans swing arm and my differential. It would have been installed on the bike but the rubber boot was badly torn. Phil brought bearings and we changed both rear wheel bearings and installed the rotor. The front wheel bearings are brand new as are the seals. With a little more clean up on the wheels, the new tires from BNE should be installed this coming Saturday.
All in all a great day. Tired , dirty and some sore backs to be sure but lots of laughs (always at Phil's expense). Lots of food and refreshments. Learned some more about differentials.
Rick

[slow mo]

the good guys

sorry i missed out, but family comes first! and just so everyone knows i,m not much help ,,but boy do i learn from these guys,rick.. James and Phil are working very hard to get this bike finished and it reminds me once again who the good guys are! take care and ride safe ,,slow mo!

[MaximPhil]

Another Saturday, another 12 hour day in the shop for Tinman, MaximPhil and myself. We all brought swing arm and differentials and after much tear down and inspection we decided on Tinmans swing arm and my differential. It would have been installed on the bike but the rubber boot was badly torn. Phil brought bearings and we changed both rear wheel bearings and installed the rotor. The front wheel bearings are brand new as are the seals. With a little more clean up on the wheels, the new tires from BNE should be installed this coming Saturday.
All in all a great day. Tired , dirty and some sore backs to be sure but lots of laughs (always at Phil's expense). Lots of food and refreshments. Learned some more about differentials.
Rick

I could not have said it better myself. No home work and a short shopping list things must be getting better. I was allowed to use tools and Tinman had the hammers out again Had to repeat some stories as SloMo was not there
Thanks once again
Maxim Phil

[MaximPhil]

Another update to progress subject to correction An early start as Rick had been working on the wheels through the week. I went over on Friday night to mount the rotors and collet the wheels so i could go straight to the tire store to have the new tires mounted. Tinman called at 0dark 30 to wake my sleepy ass up Tires mounted and returned to the shrine for a late lunch of KFC
While i had been driving around picking things up they had started putting things ON. Yes we have turned the corner and by the end of to day had installed and centred the swingarm with a replaced boot. installed back wheel and brake. Installed forks and front wheel with brakes. Another good day Thanks to Rick & Tinman. I got to polish the front fender and pour oil in the middle drive Oh and pass tools.

[Big Daddy Funk]

Phil can now talk the talk...

Another update to progress subject to correction An early start as Rick had been working on the wheels through the week. I went over on Friday night to mount the rotors and collet the wheels so i could go straight to the tire store to have the new tires mounted. Tinman called at 0dark 30 to wake my sleepy ass up Tires mounted and returned to the shrine for a late lunch of KFC
While i had been driving around picking things up they had started putting things ON. Yes we have turned the corner and by the end of to day had installed and centred the swingarm with a replaced boot. installed back wheel and brake. Installed forks and front wheel with brakes. Another good day Thanks to Rick & Tinman. I got to polish the front fender and pour oil in the middle drive Oh and pass tools.

Both Phil and the Venturer are showing steady progress. The bike is standing on it's own wheels and Phil isn't in the way as muchand has turned himself into a Gopher 1st class.
Right now the Venturer will start and run, drive and stop, all safely. All the outstanding maintenance issues have been resolved with the exception of battery, mufflers and clutches and cables. We will be rechecking all our work before sending the bike out for a provincial safety check.
The bike is now reasonably clean and hopefully we will have some time before spring to do a few cosmetics.
Tinmans technical ability, dedication and efforts have been invaluable on this project.
Rick

[madmax-im]

Fantastic news!

Man what I wouldnt give to have neighbors like you guys! Great work here an exemplary effort. You all should be commended! Pls post some pics...this is something to show the XS community with pride!