I put the black and white tank on the bike and put some gas in it … and it actually fired a few times! It would fire and rev for 4 seconds, then die. I pulled the float bowl off the card and was surprised to see the plastic float jet still in there! I’d made a deal on eBay for some Norton owner’s carb parts just to get a viton tipped metal jet .. guess with all the projects I never got it installed, so I dug through the cartons of parts, found it, and put it in the carb. Tinkered for another hour or so and finally …. I had it running. Granted, I need to rev it to keep it running … but I popped the cap on the oil bottle and saw a healthy stream of oil from the return hose, so the oil pump is working. Jiggled the cable and got the tach working. The ammeter shows things are charging …
I went inside and I grabbed my license and helmet, then I headed up the driveway for a test drive!
I know I still have work to do – I need to fix the horn button and make sure it works. The original non-sealed beam headlight seems pretty iffy – I got a 6024 style Halogen headlight ready to go – but I need to get a 3 pin socket to wire it in. And I need to dial in the timing and get the card set better …
But its still daylight … its actually a nice day, 55 degrees, no wind and a bit of sun, and I’ve been working on this bike since I got it in July – I want to ride – at least a little!
So – off I roared to terrorize the neighbors! A quick stop and I tightened down the rear brake rod and off again …. Now, common sense prevails – I just ran around the block a few times – never got past 3rd gear and I can tell the clutch needs adjustment, the tires probably need more air, and I’m sure there are other things. But I’m riding a bike that I put together … what a feeling!
And what a long way from first seeing in Merrimack, NH mid-July http://www.thewebgal.com/blog/archives/000038.html
Author Archives: Heather
Vetter -x75 Hurricane and beyond
Photo courtesy RealClassics website
I ran across a story on the RealClassics UK site about the Beezumph 12 rallye – a gathering of BSA and Triumph Triple bikes from the mid-70s. http://www.realclassic.co.uk/rides03071500.html ln the article they mentioned the fun that was had, how many of the bikes gathered for the event, and how they were luck to host the bike’s designer, Craig Vetter!
Craig Vetter – an American legend – I knew him as the wizard that redesigned the BSA/Triumph 750 Triple into the X75 Hurricane for the American market. And what a gorgeous design! Styling that was years ahead of its time, all I could do was dream about one when they were new in ’72-’73 … After that success he went on and created another legend with the Vetter Windjammer Fairings …
Now, he’s got a website at http://www.craigvetter.com/ I’ve always loved the style of the Hurricane – so when I saw he had a T shirt of the bike … I just had to have one!
I got a white t-shirt – and I’m sorry the image here doesn’t do the shirt justice, but it IS a gorgeous image of the bike! He’ll even autograph it if you ask nicely!
While ordering the shirt, I wound up having some conversations with Connie Vetter, and she is just the sweetest thing – very pleasant to deal with …honest – – go buy a shirt or photos or something from them – RIGHT NOW! (smile) …
Diebold Financing Republicans …
There have been a huge number of news stories recently about the Diebold Voting Machine equipment. I read Salon reports on investigations by Beverly Harris alleging that Diebold voting systems use an unsecured Access database; which anyone can get to, change data, and erase logs. Diebold has been trying to censor her, as well as some other sites that were hosting some leaked Diebold memos. The materials were first obtained by Bev Harris, who is writing a book about modern-day ballot-tampering. According to published accounts, she found the materials on an unprotected Web site while doing a Google search. Links to those memos can be found here though Diebold is trying to censor the whole issue by issuing takedown requests to many of the site and claiming a violation of the DMCA !
Marriage Lobby Week!
Both Sides In Same-Sex Marriage To Hold National Lobby Week”
by Doreen Brandt – 365Gay.com Newscenter Washington Bureau
Article Posted: September 25, 2003 12:01 a.m. ET
(Washington, D.C.) Organizations in favor and opposed to same sex marriage have earmarked the same week for national demonstrations to promote their views.
Southern Baptists, Jerry Falwell, Dr. James Dobson, Focus on the Family and other conservative churches and lobby groups announced Wednesday that they had earmarked October 12-18 ‘Marriage Protection Week’.
Marriage Protection Week
Poor Misguided Pope!
(From a news item in the Manchester Guardian)
Vatican: condoms don’t stop Aids
The Catholic Church is telling people in countries stricken by Aids not to use condoms because they have tiny holes in them through which the HIV virus can pass – potentially exposing thousands of people to risk.
Calpernia Speaks, Pt 3
Updated Weds Oct 8th …
Wow – History favors the beautiful, the gifted, the beloved …
I went to read Calpernia’s Weblog today and found that my comments, Calpernia’s apology for missing the UCC Speaking engagement, and all info related to that non-event has disappeared from her blog as if it never happened. All that remains is some chitty-chatty froufrou from the adoring fans …
What an intriguing way to view reality!
So much for living an authentic life …
This is a continuation of the posts Calpernia Speaks: part 1 which was then continued in Calpernia Speaks Part 2: The Deep Stealth Speaker
VBMC Pictures
As I posted last week, the Virginia British Motorcycle Club had their annual Show and Swap at the Fairgrounds in Leesburg.
As my bike still needs front-end parts, I drove the ’90 Civic Si (its a great parts chaser!) Lots of fine bikes, a really nice sunny warm day (not too hot, perfect!), and a number of great vendors.
I had a great time.
Calpernia Speaks, pt 2 – or, the Deep Stealth Speaker
Well – a number of folks came to the Christ Congregational Church (UCC) in Silver Spring, Maryland Sunday night to hear Calpernia Addams speak about Welcoming Transgender Christian – they were welcoming – but Calpernia was a no show.
The Rev Todd Hunter,the pastor of that church, stepped to the pulpit about 10 after 8 and apologized, but said she’d not answered her cellphone and she’d not contacted the church to explain.
Fortunately Pat Conover (of UCC) and Roxanne (of local support group TGEA) spoke to the audience and did their best to answer questions and enlighten the listeners, but it was a bit troubling that Calpernia didn’t show. We were pretty worried about her – there have been a number of incidents of violence to T-people over the years, some transwomen were murdered in DC recently, and sometimes things happen – but she posted an apology to her weblog Monday morning (dated “Sunday Midnight”) so apparently she is ok …
Ah Well … maybe next time?
This is a continuation of the story begun in Calpernia Speaks part 1
http://www.calpernia.com/comments.php?id=P142_0_1_0
Visiting Cat …
On Saturday we were cleaning house upstairs. I’d left the main door open to let in some light – and it amuses the cats to watch the squirrels foraging for nuts.
About midafternoon as I walk by the top of the steps, I noticed the cats were very interested in something outside.
Seemed a neighbor cat had come by for a visit!
This is a real photo of our cats, not posed, no catnip was consumed in the making of this shot, no photoshop creativity (other than resizing the picture, curing red-eye, and minor contrast enhancement) – its pretty much directly out of my Olympus digital camera!
Click to enlarge to 600×800 pixels size