Photos of the Black Widow

[Pat Kelly]

Now that I figured out how to link photos, here's before and after on my LG.

before:

after:

Mostly cleaning and polishing. Additional items are:
"Superbike" handlebars,
Tkat forkbrace,
tires (Dunlop K404 that I don't like),
JCWhitney seatcover,
JCWhitney fairing/windshield.

[Pat Kelly]

This time for real

"Second verse, same as the first" (Herman and the Hermits)

before:



after:



Too bad there was a smudge on the lens on the 'after' photos.
The $60 Gem is under the cover in the background.

[superdave]

Your ride !

You must be very proud! I like your choice of wind sheild. The gold rims look awsome ! Ride long and prosper ! Post more photos.

[Big Pat]

Nice Job

Very nicely done. The short sport faring looks great on the special's.

Big Pat

[Pat Kelly]

A few things to come are:

-small chrome pieces will become gold, such as the trim around the reflectors...

-the Midnight Special sidecover emblems will be replaced with gold decals. The stock emblems are chrome . I'll have them scanned (I have a spare) and done in adhesive vinyl. This will make it easier to clean/polish the sidecovers.

-the 850 oil cooler with a custom shroud (the stock cooler is ugly).

I may put black dirtbike forkboots on the forks to cover the chrome forktubes. I was looking at a Ducati that had gold-colored forktubes, probably too pricey.

-I'll replace the JCW seatcover with a really good cover made by a relative. It will (probably) be an exact replica of the original, just in real leather.

When time and money permit the bike will be stripped-down and restored. Everything repainted. It's nice to have 2 XS's so I won't have withdrawls. The E isn't running XSactly as it should so I need to work on it before winter (it's the winter bike). SWMOB wants me to get my truck running first (68 F100 that was my Grandpa's). It might be nice to stay dry this winter, the E has been my daily transportation for 3 years.

[DeanR]

I like the small faring/windshield too. What is it??

[Pat Kelly]

It's a Maier (brand) from J C Whitney, $70. Had to do a little cutting to fit around the turnsignals.

[John]

Very nice bike, Pat. Looks great!

[GNEPIG]

.. i love it!
their are some pretty sweet bikes on this web site

[e.z.nightrider]

Great look!!!

How did you refinish the grab bar?

[Pat Kelly]

I haven't refinished it yet. All bikes look better from a distance (even my E). The grab bar has a spot the size of a quarter that is bad. Eventually I'll get the gold touch-up kit http://www.caswellplating.com/kits/plugnplate.htm from Caswell Plating and see how that does.

[Materi]

SWEET!

Great Job...

I really like the mysterious, mean black look of those, like that fairing also...Nice work.

[Dragonrider]

Nice work!

Why "Black Widow"? Is there a story?

[Pat Kelly]

I decided on Black Widow for:

1- When I first when to jump-start the bike there was a black widow under the sidecover. The PO, who was holding the sidecover, began to panic. I reached out and squished the spider with my finger, bare finger. He said "Oh that is gross!" I said "no this is gross" and started to put the squished spider in my mouth.He had this look of horror on his face until at the last instant I wiped the dead spider on his shirt.

2- I've killed 7 more black widows on the bike.

3- One still lives inside the steering tube. It's my mascot, I feed it bugs.

4- The bike is black.

[Dragonrider]

LOL!

Okay! Okay! (shaking my head)