It has been some time since I added to this thread and much has happened in the meantime Some family things came up and I did not go to the rally in Delaware. Now I have a family member dying of cancer and may not go east until mid winter, if at all. Things happen.
So the bike has been sitting inside the 'bikemobile' protected from the weather while waiting for parts. The pull kit arrived and I got it installed successfully once I removed the lock washers holding down the magneto and replaced them with locktite. That gave the needed clearance. However, it also created a problem in pedal clearance, so I ordered pedal extenders. Once they came I realized they had sent the wrong size. I needed 1/2" threads and got 9/16". The vendor had me send them back. After two weeks went by I called to see what the problem was. They said they had not received the extenders. I said I did a delivery confirmation and would check at the post office the next day. An hour later they emailed say, yes they did get my package, sorry. They would mail out the right ones immediately. Several days later I got an email saying they don't have that size and refunded my money. Three weeks for nothing. So I ordered the only ones I could find in 1/2" threads. When they came I discovered they did extend the pedals out about an inch, but they were pedal adapters to use 9/16 pedals with a 1/2" crank. So I ordered a set of old 9/16 pedals, several more days went by and I got them. (I should have just bent the crank arms in the first place saving time and money...) I could not get the motor to fire, checked the plug and eventually switched out the CDI unit which was faulty. With a good deal of choke it fired off and wowzer... nice power from the start and the expansion pipe sounded terrific. Woohoo! I rode it for a mile perhaps and had a mighty big smile on my face when I shut it down. What a great, classy bike.
It is autumn here in northern Minnesota and winter can come quickly. With that in mind I figured I had best take a couple of current photos and kind of close out this thread since the riding season is coming to a close and there is work to do yet on this bike which will come in the winter months or spring. I did want to share with you a tool box I made which you no doubt thought at first was an auxiliary gas tank. It works nicely. I like it and have since made another for a second build I started while waiting for parts for this one. I'll be making more of these for sure.
If the weather holds I may add to this thread, but if it doesn't then this will close it out.
This build would not have happened without the kindness of a number of people. The PK-80 engine from Justin at Pirate Cycle is a winner. He also supplied me with a rear sprocket, a pull start and has been an A-1 guy who I now call my friend. Part of what makes that bike so sharp in my eyes is the expansion chamber exhaust from Pablo and Ghosto at Sick Bike Parts. The cool air cleaner was also in their "care package". Great guys with some wonderful products. The back wheel is thanks to Chris Davis of EZM and the vintage front drum brake Worksman wheel is from Fasteddy who also gave me wrenches and screwdrivers to replace what I lost in the fire. He even came for a week or so on his cross country trip to the east coast of Canada and during his visit helped me make that canoe sidecar. My friend, I cannot thank you adequately. And I would not even have been here without the help of so many of you. I would not have had my Jeep Cherokee. I would still be in Maryland saving up to buy a car.
I put a lot of effort into this build because I wanted to give back in my own way. You guys threw me the ball and I did my best to run with it, gimpy as I am. I think the bike is wonderful mostly because of all of you. I was down and you lifted me up, so I wanted to make it special and gave it my all. I can never thank you enough. Got a lump in my throat, I do. I hope you like the bike. I sure do.
Silverbear
I'm always lookin' forward to his next project jus' ta see what he comes up w/next 