This has been a nice Christmas due in part to you friends stopping by from the forum.
I'll be picking up an inexpensive blade balancer, so thanks for the suggestion. I do want for the engine to run smoothly and with minimal vibration.
The screw on muffler arrived in the mail and looks good on the copper exhaust pipe. Nice to know that I can run the pipe as a straight exhaust or tone it down for quieter running with the muffler. I look forward to hearing the exhaust in both versions. Vroom...
Also in the mail was the little compression release valve which will make for easier engine starting. I'll pull the engine soon to drill and tap a hole for it next to the spark plug. A wee bit nervous about that, but will proceed slowly and with caution. While I'm at that I want to switch places for the engine drain plug. Right now it is at the base of the rear of the engine and will need to be at the new low point once the engine is mounted at a tilt, so it will be located at the front for easy draining.
I've also been mocking up an intake manifold for the carburetor which utilizes part of the old Tecumseh carburetor A few copper pipe bits will connect it to a new Mikuni motorcycle type of carb, looking like a grown up version of a China girl NT carb. It is supposed to be a good one. The old Tecumseh carb looked pretty rough with some pitting inside. Fasteddy will be sending the Mikuni after the holidays. It will look good, too, which is a plus. I'll probably make a flying tuna air filter for it from a tuna fish can or maybe look around for something made of brass. Open for suggestions.
Also have been pondering a change in suspension forks. The one on it now is a Hercules and due to an incompatible length in the head tube it would require a fair amount of shimming. Also it is fairly light duty in comparison to an unused Suzuki K-10 fork I have which needs a home. It is the best fork I've used and have one on my American Flyer. With heavier oil it gives a great ride and is also very good looking. The downside is it's greater weight and the wider span of the legs, so I'll have to see that the drum brake hub axle will fit okay. I also have a used fork from a light weight Harley Davidson as an alternative. So, some serious staring and measuring is in order.
That's it for now. See you some time around the new year for show and tell.
SB