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Hello all
OK I am going to just start off with a brief back story and some images.
A long time ago, in land far far away...
San Diego, Ca. (circa 1996)
This is me sitting on the Numbers at NAS Miramar. 1981 Midnight Special, all stock, cept-n-fer a Kerker 4 into 1 and divorced front and rear brakes.
Sorry for the crappy image but these are scanned from an ancient technology called a Photograph.
)
How did I get on the numbers, you say? Reenlistment. You can request to do it anywhere. Yes, I did get to let her rip afterward. That shiny black spot in the back ground is not sticky. Did not dump it, but... Don't ask.
Sadly, that was a long time ago. I sold the Midnight Special to a friend who later totaled it, so sad.
OK, fast forward seventeen years to Sept. 2013.
I was cruising a couple of "estate sale" links when I saw a tiny 100X100 image of what appeared to be an XS. It was in bad shape and had many many, boxes, buckets, and yes a "basket" of parts, including and extra engine! The PO had gotten in way over their head and it had been sitting for "a few years". The sales agency was asking way too much for the pile... These sales go for three days and sure enough the whole thing was still there on the last day. Big discounts on the final day...
They said: "50% off all day" (around $400.00!).
I said: "$125.00" fully expecting them to balk. Much to my surprise, they did not. A quick call to a buddy and I had it loaded and on the way to my secret lair.
Here is the prettiest part of the "pile", after I rinsed it with a power washer. The tank is just resting on top. 1980 SG Those of you with good eyes may notice a few "discrepancies".
The rust was quite extensive... "It was kept covered during storage". Yeah, right.
Yes, this is the carb bank. Check out that fuel line.
Fortunately, the insides were squeaky clean. All the internals (Engine, Carbs, Gearbox, etc.) appear to have been properly preserved.
Here is the frame being stripped prior to powder coating. I am powder coating just about everything. I will spray the tank and side covers.
All stripped down. While the frame was bare, no better time to make some improvements. I tightened up all the welds and added some gussets to close off that gaping hole behind the steer-tube. This will strengthen the front end.
Yes, I had to cut off the tail of the frame, to allow the frame to be maneuvered inside the blast cabinet. They are perfectly straight and welded back in place with no issues.
Sooo.......
Here is the frame along with a few items mocked up after powder coating.
...and a close up.
I have done a little more since but I do not have updated images yet. My shop is hella cluttered and hard to get a good shot. Once I get the suspension bits and the wheels on I will roll it out for more shots.
Stay tuned...
Peace, Wolf
OK I am going to just start off with a brief back story and some images.
A long time ago, in land far far away...
San Diego, Ca. (circa 1996)
This is me sitting on the Numbers at NAS Miramar. 1981 Midnight Special, all stock, cept-n-fer a Kerker 4 into 1 and divorced front and rear brakes.
Sorry for the crappy image but these are scanned from an ancient technology called a Photograph.
)
How did I get on the numbers, you say? Reenlistment. You can request to do it anywhere. Yes, I did get to let her rip afterward. That shiny black spot in the back ground is not sticky. Did not dump it, but... Don't ask.
Sadly, that was a long time ago. I sold the Midnight Special to a friend who later totaled it, so sad.
OK, fast forward seventeen years to Sept. 2013.
I was cruising a couple of "estate sale" links when I saw a tiny 100X100 image of what appeared to be an XS. It was in bad shape and had many many, boxes, buckets, and yes a "basket" of parts, including and extra engine! The PO had gotten in way over their head and it had been sitting for "a few years". The sales agency was asking way too much for the pile... These sales go for three days and sure enough the whole thing was still there on the last day. Big discounts on the final day...
They said: "50% off all day" (around $400.00!).
I said: "$125.00" fully expecting them to balk. Much to my surprise, they did not. A quick call to a buddy and I had it loaded and on the way to my secret lair.
Here is the prettiest part of the "pile", after I rinsed it with a power washer. The tank is just resting on top. 1980 SG Those of you with good eyes may notice a few "discrepancies".
The rust was quite extensive... "It was kept covered during storage". Yeah, right.
Yes, this is the carb bank. Check out that fuel line.
Fortunately, the insides were squeaky clean. All the internals (Engine, Carbs, Gearbox, etc.) appear to have been properly preserved.
Here is the frame being stripped prior to powder coating. I am powder coating just about everything. I will spray the tank and side covers.
All stripped down. While the frame was bare, no better time to make some improvements. I tightened up all the welds and added some gussets to close off that gaping hole behind the steer-tube. This will strengthen the front end.
Yes, I had to cut off the tail of the frame, to allow the frame to be maneuvered inside the blast cabinet. They are perfectly straight and welded back in place with no issues.
Sooo.......
Here is the frame along with a few items mocked up after powder coating.
...and a close up.
I have done a little more since but I do not have updated images yet. My shop is hella cluttered and hard to get a good shot. Once I get the suspension bits and the wheels on I will roll it out for more shots.
Stay tuned...
Peace, Wolf
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