CHOPPIN: Speedo

Replacing the fuel tank necessitates finding another speedo ot remounting the original.
I did buy one on FleaBay, but this presented two problems a) the one advertised for the VT750 turned out to be shaft drive, whereas the original is electric, and b) the array of warning lights cannot simply be ignored. 
So, I was forced to make do and once again I am amazed at how creative Chopping Building becomes. 
So yesterday I went looking for an antique canister to house the speedo. I forgot to take the dimensions note with me, and so it was a wasted trip. 
But at home, I had an idea overnight to use a tin mug and found one, in black enamel! Today I dig out an unused luggage rack and sliced it up and set about shaping it to hold the mug off the frame below the forward end of the tank. Truthfully, I'd seen this fine on choppers, and loved the look. 
Tomorrow (probably not if it gets to 40°C), I'll set two rivnuts in the bracket below the headstock and sort out the wiring. 
This entire process needed scrounging skills, creative vision, cutting, welding and fitting skills and others. So bloody good. I need a few cold nonalcoholic beverages to oil the wheels.  

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

wise words for those with friends in need

"Help us to be present for those who are hurting, even when we feel helpless." "May I be like Simon of Cyrene, walking beside those in need, sharing their burdens, and bringing them strength ." Two passages from today's mass. Simon was dragooned into helping Jesus carry the cross upon which he was crucified. The sermon asks us to be that support for others and to identify the "Simons" in our life.  The initial passage is helpful too guide me in supporting my daughter who entered a difficult period in her life some weeks ago. As a caring parent I struggled to find a way.to remove her pain, the passage suggests that being present and supportive is sufficient. Amen.  This passage probably helps to reset my family's tendency to go all in to "help" others. We'll be actively stressing our big hypertensive hearts to cook, clean and clearup. Sure this gives the burdened person a rest, but also takes their agency away. It would be better to, ...
Read more

a new boat - Norwalk Islands Sharpie 18 "Clancy"

Image
Photo is not Clancy, drawing below shows ketch rig. * photos of building, and possible handover ceremony from professional builder Robert Ayliffe of Straydog  Boatworks to the current  owner John of Canberra in 2009. * An 1880 report by the U.S. Census Bureau characterized the sharpie as "so good a fishing boat and so fast a yacht that it has been adopted in a great many other localities throughout the United States * Clancy  is the first ever ketch rigged NIS18 in Australia, has attended several wooden boat festivals, raced successfully at the large Marlay Point overnight fixture and locally on Lake Burley Griffin where she has also cruised. 
Read more

trip west pt 2

Image
Its the day I leave my daughters place with some sadness & begin a solo drive 100+ kilometres south west. I'll skirt desert lands, seek off piste roads if possible & dawdle at cool places. I know that the main highways will not provide. Let's go! But first some exercise & oats.  1000: my daughter pops in for morning tea (her) & breakfast (me). While we sat talking my son called to report that he had scored a full time position with a local fire management mob. This is huge, his first independent job since finishing homeschooling some years earlier. This news buoys my mood for the day; having him at home will lessen my responsibilities feeding pets & remaining close to home. After I motored almost across the state, my daughter calls to report that her seniors have asked her to apply for several positions on Council that she might prefer. Wonderful to hear my children beingvrewarded.  After sunset I find a lake in the middle of nowhere, known only...
Read more