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The Old Grey Mare gets
wrecked |
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Page 1
Page 2
Wrecked
Rebuilt
Page 5
Wrecked
again Re-rebuilt |
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The final drive is all cleaned up and
awaiting service. All the black parts have been stripped
down and repainted. |
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I piled up some of the wrecked stuff out
backbut not in just an ordinary pile. |
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It's just a matter of time before my wife
wants this gone. |
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The left side rear suspension is all cleaned
up, painted and installed along with the left side
exhaust system. I'll be using fishtails this time. They
don't sound very impressive but they sure do look good.
The seat was also spruced up and installed. The metal
bits were all stripped and repainted from grey to black.
All the mounting hardware is stainless. |
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It's starting to resemble a motorcycle now.
The frame tag on the steering head came from the old
frame. Using the existing holes, it's in a slightly
higher position than before. This is going to be one
sweet bike... someday. |
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There. The engine is now mounted in the new
frame. The deep sump and new headers have been installed.
I think black enameled exhaust systems look very good on
a Chang. |
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Where's the gearbox? It's in the operating
room. The prognosis doesn't look good. Does anyone have
one they'd like to sell? Next uppainting and
installing the rear suspension and seat. By the
waydo you see anything unusual about this frame?
It's blatantly obvious to those who've had their gas tank
off. |
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If anyone wants to see my bike, well, here's
most of it. |
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Yesterday was mostly a clean-up day. The
shop was a disaster area. |
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The heads are back on now and the engine is
probably the cleanest it will ever be again. |
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Today I did some more stuff to get the
engine ready for the new frame. The deep sump had to come
off, otherwise it won't fit. The original pan is back on
for now. The heads are off because they got a little
messed up in the accident and need a session with the
wire wheel. |
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The foot shifter came off because it got
bent and needs to be straightened in a vice. The rubber
donut came off so I can clean and repaint the ring. The
kick starter lever will also come off for painting. At
the moment I'm unable to drive out the pin without
re-breaking my arms, so it'll wait. |
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After all that other stuff I gave it a good
clean-up with mineral spirits and a paint brush. Some
friends are coming down for a party on Sunday. They don't
know it yet, but they're going to set the engine in the
new frame for me. |
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I was on a roll today. |
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I did a little more than planned. |
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Getting the engine out of the frame is a big
job even if you're not temporarily disabled. I wasn't
looking forward to doing itor even planning on it
today. But you know, if the frame is wrecked anyway, why
not just cut it off? Where's that angle grinder? |
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There. |
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Now to slide the frame out from around the
engine and gearbox. |
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Done. It would be really funny if the
insurance adjuster comes back for another look. |
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This is, essentially, "the bike"
as it stands right now. |
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I have to drop the deep sump before setting
the engine in the new frame. |
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At the moment I can only manage doing a
little at a time. Luckily there really isn't much to one
of these bikes. The new frame is seen in the background.
It came from Rich Hahn. |
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Another couple days and it'll be completely
disassembled. |
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I was surprised at how dirty the bike had
gotten during this year's shortened riding season. But
then, it did sit outside for a couple weeks after the
accident. |
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Getting the rear wheel and fender off went
fast. |
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Here's something that didn't get damaged. |
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That frame is toast. |
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Look at the flange at the top of the
steering head. |
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Not exactly round anymore... |
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Even the rear end got hurt. |
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It's cheaper to replace that pedestal than
trying to fix it. |
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About the only salvage here would be the
springs which I can't take off until the @#$%&. casts
are off. Those handlebars are not only bent but twisted
as well. |
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I chopped off much of the damaged stuff with
an angle grinder today. |
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It's not evident in this picture, but the
rear fender, seat pedestal and tank are wrecked. |
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@#$%&. |
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One week later... This is why it's a huge
pain to do virtually anything these days. The right cast
stays on for another 6-8 weeks. |
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Monday was what I would call a "suck
day". |
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A car made a left hand turn in front of me
while I was riding straight in the opposite direction. |
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As you can see, the bike got a little messed
up. |
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I survived with a couple broken arms, some
road rash and an assortment of minor dents and scratches. |
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@#$%&. |
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Page 1
Page 2
Wrecked
Rebuilt
Beyond
Really,
really wrecked |
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