I am headed out to the desert this weekend, and I plan to bring my little mini out to run around on. Last night I pulled a few things off to get all the shakes, rattles and make sure it rolls. I adjusted the brake that was rubbing, soldered and heat shrink wrapped the headlight wire and reinstalled the bulb.
I tweaked my header so it doesn't hit the frame.
Pulled the air filter off and noticed that the reason it was idling high was because the screw on ferrule I use on the cable was too big and the slide wasn't closing all the way. I removed the cable and it cranked up and idled low and didn't want to take off. I have seen the methyl hydrate, lead solder, wood board method on you tube, but is there any other way of putting a ferrule on the end of the cable? I am picturing a small piece of brass rod with a tapped hole running perpendicular to a hole for the cable to pass through. then a set screw to hold it in place. I have lead and a torch but once I solder it on it has to be cut off to remove it from the cap on the carb. Any advice here is appreciated.
I added some foam between the gas tank and frame. Here is how the tank is mounted- Just a piece of 2" tube cut and flattened on one spot. The rear is held to the seat mount via a u bolt.
I had lost one of the rubber bushings that hold the tank in place, so I used electrical tape wrapped around the post that the bushing was attached to. Half a roll and it was the correct diameter, then hit it with a sanding pad on the angle grinder to get the height correct. It worked but I found the rubber one so this tape is a backup now.
The seat had a tendency to flip backwards when you put pressure on it so I welded it up. Now I'll have to cut 2 welds if the seat ever needs adjusting, not ideal but I am handy with an angle grinder.
So tonight is throttle ferrule, reassemble and test run. I can't wait to get out and put 20-30 desert miles on it. I have 125 miles of desert race course to get marked for a race next weekend so most of it will be in my truck. I'll be running around the pit areas and campsite on the mini.
Here are a couple glamour shots I took yesterday before I started taking it apart. The lighting was perfect, and I have this old brick building with hand painted signs from the 30's. Apparently I was not the only one who thought it was a good time and place to take photos because as I finished shooting and was about to crank it up and cruise for a minute, a photog, a helper and a gorgeous redheaded model came walking down my alley. I recognized what they were up to and offered up the whole space. I pulled the bike into the shop but left the bay doors open so I could get a glimpse or 2 of the spectacle. WOWZA is all I can really say. Studio Azul is my neighbor and they shoot some fine ladies. I got no pics of the redhead but here are the ones I took of the bike. Aside from the hideous plastic fender that I am planning to replace, it really fits into the ratty look of my parking lot. I hope I don't regret powder coating it.