Two wheels relaxing

"DipodomysDeserti" (dipodomysdeserti)
01/14/2017 at 17:45 • Filed to: None

I’m really pleased with how this build is turning out. I installed some drag bars, amd deleted all the controls from the bars in order to give it a nice clean look. I wired the kill switch to the ignition, so it turns on when the key is turned. I wired up a toggle switch for the headlights and installed it in the back of the headlight.

I’m making a DIY soldering pot right now so I can shorten all my cables. I have everything together, but the old cables are about four inches too long. I did some creative cable routing to make sure the bike would still run.

I still need to figure out what I’m going to do with my rear brake, but once that is done she’ll finally be complete. Working on this bike after hustling all day has been a nice form of mediatation for me. It is also a blast to ride.

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DISCUSSION (18)

Andrew Fails > DipodomysDeserti
01/14/2017 at 17:53

That’s super clean, but I think riding with no controls on the bars would annoy me.

DipodomysDeserti > Andrew Fails
01/14/2017 at 17:57

The headlight is the only control left that I still used, as I deleted the blinkers and electric start when I first got her. I was going to wre the kill switch through that button on the headlight, but I decided to just delete it and eliminate a possible failure point.

bob and john > DipodomysDeserti
01/14/2017 at 18:18

lack of signals and horn: ehhhh. but I digress.

DipodomysDeserti > bob and john
01/14/2017 at 18:36

The horn couldn’t be heard over the exhaust and I just use hand signals. Anyone who isn’t paying attention to your brake light or hand signals also isn’t going to see a little forty year-old blinker. I’ve been hit while riding before on a modern bike and the person was totally oblivious.

I’ve been riding around without a rear brake all year and topped her out at about 110mph with those skinny tires and a drum brake. Those are way sketchier than the signals and horn.

bob and john > DipodomysDeserti
01/14/2017 at 18:45

horn faces forward, exhaust noises goes backwards.

soo. instead of 40 year old blinkers, maybe use modern ones? and night time?

again, agree to disagree. (that reminds me, I need to get a shift light and gear indicator for mine)

DipodomysDeserti > bob and john
01/14/2017 at 19:14

Horns don’t face forward on old Hondas. They’re mounted on the side and have a circular opening so the sound radiates in all directions. That’s how most modern horns work as well as you don’t want the sound going in one direction. Only stock horns I’ve ever seen that point in one direction were on my classic GM made vehicles.

You couldn’t hear it over the exhaust especially with the bike running on capacitors rather than a battery. You could barely hear it while sitting in my wife’s BMW with everything turned off on account of how much noise insulation modern cars have.

I have a modern LED tail light, so if someone misses that lighting up, blinkers wouldn’t help them see me. I’m thinking about installing two little brake lights where the blinkers go. If someone’s headlights can’t pick up my arm going up, and they don’t see my giant LED tailight light up then I’m toast.

I agree that this bike is dangerous, but the lack of horn and tailights isn’t the dangerous part. I’m much more worried about engine failure at speed which has happened to me before on a much slower bike. Locking up the rear wheel at speeds over 50 mph leads to a bad time.

My first bike was a ‘79 CM185 with a leaky head gasket. Homegirl locked up the rear wheel while going 50mph down a steep hill in traffic. That was fun. I got hit by a car on her too. Car merged into me despite me honking the horn. The lady hit me and didn’t see me until I kicked her car (I managed to stay up).

Birddog > DipodomysDeserti
01/14/2017 at 19:54

That came out really sharp!

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > DipodomysDeserti
01/15/2017 at 00:18

Sweet. What did this start off as, and what are your intentions for it? Daily driver? Weekend cruiser/show bike?

DipodomysDeserti > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
01/15/2017 at 09:20

Daily driver along with my ‘66 GMC once I get the new transmission in. It’s too rough to be a show bike and I like it that way. Most of the parts have been pulled out of a junkyard. It’s a ‘73 CL450 that the PO had dumped and then tried to turn into some sort of cruiser.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > DipodomysDeserti
01/15/2017 at 12:18

Daily driving a bike without a rear brake though? Yikes. Mind if I take out some life insurance on you?

DipodomysDeserti > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
01/15/2017 at 12:48

I’m going to hook up the rear brake once I figure out what I want to do with the foot rests. While a rear brake definitely helps in panic braking situations and offers a backup in case of front brake failure, you can get along without one. The biggest benefit of the rear brake is chassis stabilization and low traction stops. A lot of GP racers almost never use their rear brake. Here’s a pretty good video where legendary racer Kevin Schwantz describes how he never used his rear brake.

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2010/09/10/kevin-schwantz-s-expert-eye-on-braking/153912

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > DipodomysDeserti
01/15/2017 at 13:40

I know fuck-all about bikes but it seems like there’s a pretty big difference between MotoGP and street driving where having a whole extra tire worth of braking force (without the possibility of a stoppie) could be work it.

Put 8-piston Brembos on each wheel. Ultimate safety. Can’t get run over when you do a double frontflip by breathing on the front brake.

DipodomysDeserti > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
01/15/2017 at 21:29

You’re right, which is why I will be hooking up the rear brake, but the rear isn’t too big of a deal for every day use. I have some friends who ride some real shitbag bikes that dont run a fromt brake. Crazy bastards.

Pickup_man > DipodomysDeserti
01/16/2017 at 09:52

This looks great! I’m really hoping to get back to mine today or tomorrow, I’ve been distracted building an entry way platform/dog kennel for the new puppers this past week, but that’s all finished now and the temps are better so I should be able to get my garage up to painting temp.

DipodomysDeserti > Pickup_man
01/16/2017 at 12:43

Thanks! I’m going to try shortening the cables myself today or tomorrow. I made a little soldering crucible from clay that I hope works.

I hoon, therefore I am > DipodomysDeserti
01/16/2017 at 13:44

Very clean, and you just gave me an idea for the switches on my XS650!

DipodomysDeserti > I hoon, therefore I am
01/16/2017 at 14:17

Mmmmmm, XS650. My next build is going to be areal shitbag style chopper, and I’m going to use either an old Harley or an XS650. That red button on top was supposed to be the kill switch, but it didn’t work for some reason. I’m going to poke around and try to get it to work.

I hoon, therefore I am > DipodomysDeserti
01/16/2017 at 16:38

I used a momentary switch with red ring LED for my kill. It’s kind of kitschy, but I wanted to be able to see it easily. I designed a gauge mount for the mini aftermarket gauges, which incorporated the kill sandwiched between headlight on/off and high/low switches. But now that I look at yours, I might try to put those into the headlight bucket, since I have an LED which gives me more room inside than the OEM halogen.

Mine’s a batteryless cafe/bobber build, too. Currently down to the frame doing some powder coating. Link to photos (beware, it’s photobucket, which has gotten bad with pop-ups lately).