Thursday, October 29, 2009

I Hate Wiring! I Love Dreaming!


Spent last evening connecting and routing wiring, I hate wiring. I classify wiring as "non-mechanical", translated that means boring. I love the look of well routed and well managed wiring, but it is all so anti-climatic.

I started at the front of the RD and fastened and routed the wiring working my way rearward. Most of the wiring is tucked up and mounted under the subframe, nice and clean, out of sight. This evening I should finish mounting and routing the last of the wiring, just in time for my clutch parts to arrive!

Progress...

I can tell I'm getting close to completing the RD Racer because my mind is constantly drifting to, "Where should I journey to when the RD is done?". Today I am going to buy a new copy of the "Texas Gazetteer", an atlas that shows all the little country backroads. Then I'll sit down and plan out a 400 to 600 mile "RD Adventure". Maybe I'll head north to the Oklahoma "Salt Flats" or to the cool Little hip town of Tahlequah. Maybe I'll try to discover a new "backroad route" to Austin and Luckenbach. Maybe the rolling mountains of north-eastern Arkansas. My mind is dreaming of an epic 2-stroke adventure.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Mystery Clutch


Buttoned up the left side engine case and discovered "the world's stiffest clutch". Actually "stiff" does not adequately describe the feel of the clutch, maybe "fused" or "unmovable" might be a better descriptor. I can actually snap a new clutch cable in less than two dozen attempts at disengaging the clutch, holy crap! I'm not sure if the problem is related to the clutch pack thickness, a bent plate, or maybe some kind of "super clutch springs", but now I must once again remove the right-side engine cover. I have read about "friction plate swell", but I have never actually seen it... Who knows?

I have some extra EBC friction plates and some stock clutch springs to play with. I'll measure the clutch-pack thickness and mix the springs (3 Ferrado and 3 OEM stock), then test the whole setup before remounting the right-side cover.

It is the journey that counts, not the destination. Right?

I have started eyeballing the heap that is my second RD400 and dreaming about the start of my next build. Pure masochism! Not sure how the second build will end up, but I am thinking "Street Tracker", something I can ride two-up with my wife. I am also not going to modify the engine as much, so that I can let my daughter ride the bike without feelings of dread and nervousness.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Seat Finished!


Sub-frame done, check! Tail mount done, check! Undertail battery mount done, check!

Next I modify and mount the rear section of the wiring harness under the sub-frame and in the tail section. Can't work on the bike Sunday afternoon, religious obligations, MotoGP at Phillip Island!

Monday, October 12, 2009

Ghetto Sub-Frame


Attaching a vintage TZ250 tail-section to a 1970's era RD400 requires some ingenuity! My solution began with an old sheet aluminum street sign (purchased, not stolen). Lots of measurements, cutting and some grinding..... Voila, my "Ghetto All-Aluminum Sub-Frame".

The sub-frame eliminates any flex in the fiberglass and allows me to securely attach the tail-section. The battery pack will be tucked away inside the tail-section and should allow me to trim several pounds off the bike. Deutz fasteners will secure the tail-section in place and allow quick access to the battery pack and electronics underneath.

Getting closer....

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Ducati Demo Days


The Ducati Truck is coming to Dallas, Advanced Motorsport to be exact. This weekend I am heading over to test ride the new Monsters, the 696, 1100, and the "OooLaLa" 1100S.

I am hoping to keep my wallet in my pants and my butt out of divorce court, but the temptation will be great..... I will be strong! I will be strong! I will be strong! I will be.... I want a Monster!, I want a Monster! I want a Monster!.....


After Saturday at the AMS Ducati test-ride, it is back to the garage for all day Sunday! Finally, back on task, back on Project RD400 Racer!
Update----------------

A bit of a let-down, the Monster is not that much of a "Monster" in the flesh. I guess my true love would have been the Street-Fighter 1098S, that is until they fired up the Desmosedici RR.... Holy Shit! I'm in love! The bike sounds like Desmo-Sexicci! A bike, even a bike as sweet as the Desmosedicic RR, should NOT cost $70K! WTF, who the hell pays $70K for a sportbike?

OK, I do like the Monster, not the 698, not the 1100, but YES...... the 1100S is a nice bike, but is it $14K nice? I say, NO! I could get the 848 Superbike, with the cartoonish "Captain America" custom paint scheme for the same price!


My advice on Ducatis, buy used or just steal one!


This YouTube Video Says it all for the Desmosedicci!