Finished Taillight

Remember this one?

Original 1964-67 VW Bug Hella turn signal

It's finally done and mounted and it looks one hell of a lot better than stock! I made the bracket/socket holder from some scrap aluminiium I had lying around and I made a template to get the mounting holes in the mudguard just right.
I still have to cut the mudguard and ditch the crusty seat. And yes, that is a flywheel lying on the ground but that's back in after a coil change.
I also lowered the front light and gauge cluster. A small mod with a huge effect. I like that it has a stock vibe but just looks better.

New lights all around

Everything has been wired in after this photo was taken.

Lower head light looks a lot faster.

Seiko SKX175 Custom

This watch has hardly been off my wrist since I got it back from the watchmaker.  The watch itself is a Seiko SKX175 - a Malaysian made version of SKX009 made for the american market.
The cool blue reflection you see on the face is caused by a domed sapphire crystal with a blue anti glare coating on the inside. Other than the crystal the watch has got a set of black day/date wheels instead of the stock white ones. Crystal and calendar wheels are both from Yobokies. Click that link. There's loads of inspiration.
The last mod is a bezel insert from Dagaz. The insert is a tribute to a Bell & Ross watch issued to the French Civil Defense Bomb Squad.
I expected the contrast between the dial and the calendar to be more noticable. The dial is dark blue, but it kind of fades away behind the blue coating on the crystal.
The only thing I am slightly disapointed about is the bezel insert. The color is a bit strange with a faint hint of violet to it, the lumen in the two pips are very weak compared to the brightnes of stock Seiko lumen and one of the pips are ever so lightly off center too.

My new custom Seiko SKX Demineur

My new custem Seiko SKX Demineur

Yes, The dial is blue

The watch prior to the mods.

Oliehulen

I was able to go to this cool place to do some milling on my header clamps (update to follow).
Enjoy the photos. I really love places like this.

Strap

While waiting for a strap I ordered for the Tissot I decided to try to make a leather strap for my Seiko 5. This is inspired by some flieger style watches I have seen on the web. The new full grain leather looks a bit dull, but I am looking forward to see it develop a nice patina.

Hand made leather strap

Hand made leather strap

Hand made leather strap

Hand made leather strap

1966 Tissot Seastar

This watch makes the most amazing sound when it winds.

1966 Tissot Seastar

Revamping Controls

Suddenly I discovered that the brake master cylinder was leaking so I started looking around for a rebuild kit. These kits turned up to be rather expensive so I figured I might as well just buy a complete working cylinder/resevoir with lever and all and do away with the old ugly and rattling one. One thing led to the other so right now I am in process of completely redo the handlebarcontrols and front brake.

I got:

Stainless steel braided brake line and fixings.
Stainless steel speed bleeder nipple.
Sintered brake pads.
Gum coloured Tomasselli replica grips.
The levers, perches and resevoir/master cylinder are from a '91 Kawasaki GT550.
Switch housings, levers etc. are powder coated matte black.
A lot of stainless allen head bolts.

Reference photo

Reference photo

Before powder coat.

A post coat mock-up.

Stainless

The other day I recieved a nice little package. I must admit that I really surprised myself with the level of sheer excitement over some bolts.
I plan to change as many bolts and nuts as possible on the GT500 to stainless starting with the handlebar controls as they are getting a makeover. More to follow...

If you need stainless bolts - imperial or metric - this supplier stocks the most. and they sell individually which is extremely nice if you don't need a thousand of each size.

Stainless steel bolts

My Latest Trip To Sweden

- Or How To Turn a 330 km Run Into An Exhausting 460 km Voyage.

I just spend the weekend in my parents' derelict cottage in Sweden. Actually I spend quite a great deal of the weekend on the swedish roads and it was great. I will try to share my recipe for a nice trip beyond.
It's actually just three easy steps:


Step one: Ignore all weather reports. Decide not to let the weather settle if you go or not. If the reports say it's gonna rain; ignore them. A litlle bit of rain won't hurt you the least. Wear your jeans instead of the full leather or even waterproofs. Remember you can always stay sheltered at the gas station whilst trying to start your bloody machine.

Step one: Ignore all weather reports.

Step one: Ignore all weather reports.

Step two: Make sure your bike is not suited for long trips. You know you haven't yet been able to kickstart your bike when it is hot. So what? You will have to stop to fill it up underway - even more often if you're not going the direct route. So what? You will run dry and stop if your try to postpone tanking. Well...

Step two: Make sure your bike is not suited for long trips.

Step three: Ignore all directions. "I'll just follow the highway untill I see an exit I recognise". Now thats the way to do it. Especially if you like to see something new. And arrive very late and very wet, in a very dark forest.

Step three: Ignore all directions.

Step three: Ignore all directions.

If you do like I did, and follow my easy steps above, you are sure to have all the prerequisites for sincerely enjoying that your wife (who was in the car and arrived three hours erlier) has lit the fireplace.
At least I learned two things here: I can go exactly 210 km on a full tank, no more. And I can actually fill it up while idling.Yay!
I also got some time to practise my aero position; feet on the pillion pegs, chin tugged behind the instruments - Ton up, you say? Childs play.

The boots were still wet after two days drying.

Grenson boots and japanese gaiters

This is the look of swedish summer.

A Starters Shoe Polishing Kit

Based on some advise I've picked up here and there I decided to expand my shoe shining kit. I already had shoe polish in black, brown and natural which I guess are the most basic colours so all I really needed was a leather cleaner, a set of quality brushes and something that has gotten a lot of love on Styleforum. Saphir Medaille d'Or Renovateur - I hink this is what is called a leather conditioner in english...

Some places have starter sets offered in nice wooden valets with everything you need. I was tempted, but since I already have some of the stuff and don't have lot's of money I figured I could do without the valet.

Instead I stuffed all that new junk in one of those bags you get with your boots, tossed it in the broom cupboard and now rest assured that I'm at least equipped to take proper care of my footwear. Money can't buy you technique and experience - so time to get buffing.

I must say I still struggle on the last point. It's not that I want a complete mirror like finish or anything. just a modest shine to the toe box seems pretty hard for me to achieve at the moment.

My sort of new shoe shining kit

A Challenge: Learn To Polish Your Own Boots

To me a part of being a grown up 'Real Man' is the love for lasting goods. But what is a pair of premium quality goodyear welted boots worth if you don't know how to take care of them? Few things are as nice as a pair of beautifully aged, well cared for boots. Yet few things are as sad as dry, cracked and disregarded quality footwear.
So one of my goals in my quest for becoming a 'Real Man' and the kind of dad I'd like to be, is to learn to take care of my boots and shoes.
I have been talking to my cobbler, searching the web and trialled and erred a bit. But i still have to find a method that is simple enough to do repeatedly in the hectic existance of a parent to a little kid, but still effective.
There is a very comprehensive discussion right here. So far I have found that black and brown polish, clear conditioner, a brush and old underwear all are essentials in your shoe shine box. And never ever polish your shoes in your white dress shirt!

Boots by Paul Smith and John Varvatos

Not (For Sale)

UPDATE: The nice people at the Sundial Moto Sports forum has helped me understand how this refined piece of machinery actually works. Thanks to them I can now start it from cold. I still need to learn to start it from hot, but it's a keeper - not for sale anymore.

Finally I've had enough and will get rid of this. It runs like a dream, but it seems that I am the only one who cannot start it. No more kick only for me.

Til salg

Nu må det være slut. Jeg er simpelthen ikke i stand til at starte det gamle hyl. Det lader til at andre (tungere) end mig sagtens kan starte den, men jeg orker ikke at prøve mere.

1976 Suzuki GT500b. lige godt 35000km. Samlerobjekt og kultmaskine med veteranstatus. I rigtig god stand og den kører pissegodt når den først er startet - den er især vild med at køre på motorvej...

De eneste fejl er:

Luftfilter trænger til at blive renset.
Bagskærmen har et hul oppe under sædet.
Kontakt til bremselys i forbremsehåndtaget mangler.

Hele tændingssystemet er udskiftet i år.
Kickstartpedalen er erstattet af en banecykelpedal. (ikke alles kop te, men nemt at tage pedalen af akslen)
Tomasselli racer styr (justerbart clubman)

Bør ses/prøves og spørg/byd endelig.

Pris: 12000 eller bytte med noget i samme kaliber og ligeså old(s)cool, men med el-starter.

1976 Suzuki GT500 For sale.

1976 Suzuki GT500 For sale.

1976 Suzuki GT500 For sale.

1976 Suzuki GT500 For sale.

1976 Suzuki GT500 For sale.

1976 Suzuki GT500 For sale.

1976 Suzuki GT500 For sale.

1976 Suzuki GT500 For sale.

1976 Suzuki GT500 For sale.

1976 Suzuki GT500 For sale.

Kicker, Finished

Here you go. The welding mask was shot so I practically did this in the blind. It is by no means a handsome welding, but I did it myself and it works; and that has got to count for something.

All lined up.

DIY bicycle pedal for the kickstarter

DIY bicycle pedal for the kickstarter

Kicker

I know very well that a bicycle pedal for the kick starter is not to everyone's taste and that it is more of a bobber style thing. Anyway I have one hell of a hard time firing up the old smoker so I thought that some better footing might make it easier for me. light as I am. Today I dug out the dremel and went to town. I will update as soon as i get the welding going.

Nhrhrhrhrhrhrhrhrhrhrhrhiz

Bamboo Toy Cars

My son recently got these great toy cars from his grandmother. They are made from bamboo, painted with watercolor and coated with beeswax and they are just pretty cool if you ask me.
The company makes some different bamboo toys and other stuff and claims to be very eco-friendly. And as they say: "Don't worry about the gas bill, these stylish cars run on imagination".
Here's the link.

Hape bamboo toy cars: e-racers Monza and Le Mans

Hape bamboo toy cars: e-racers Monza and Le Mans

Lacing On A Sunny Afternoon

What better way to spend your friday afternoon than with beer, moussaka and wheel building with your brother?
The wheelset is for his sixties track bike and he had chosen a vintage styled yet very modern set of bits for the project. Custom aluminium high flanged hubs, handmade in poland by Maciej at Mack Hubs; DT Swiss butted spokes, grey hard anodised Mavic Open Pro rims and italian handmade tyres from veloflex.
The bike is completed and turned out really great. I will post photos of it at a later point.
Look at the cut-outs in the flanges A style nod to vintage Campagnolo hubs. A good choise and a subtle touch of class in my opinion.

Hard work takes good food.

Custom handbuilt track hubs from Mack

Custom handbuilt track hubs from Mack

All ready for truing

Patience rewards