they live in the tundra almost all year long to them a hole in the ice is spring and they jump in freezing 15 degree water thinking its summer - and you question a free wheel < go back and read this again let it sink in
Finally back to the project. I took a break to finish up some other stuff I was in the middle of and I was able to get the frame blasted today. Sold the 62 and the 66 to a collector in the Netherlands and bought some 1980's 2 stroke jap bikes to change things up a bit.
The frame was painted when I got the bike and I knew it had been sanitized in the past including the upper tank mount had been cut off the neck forging and welded back on. That cleaned off the die number on the neck but I didn't want to walk away from a 48 pan over that detail so I pulled the trigger. I debated changing the neck but not sure I could get a repop one with the right die numbers etc etc and maybe the cure was worse than the disease. I had mixed feelings about stripping the frame because I might find a horror story and end up parting it out or make a chopper out of it but I needed to know there was nothing hiding that could cause me to crash. It's not as bad as I thought! Some welds have been smoothed down, the bits that were cut off in the past have been replaced and it was on a factory jig to make sure all is good. There's some dents here and there but its not a complete cluster.....
Front engine mount has the correct forging for 48 and the die number 1 distinguishes it from 1949
Rear engine mount forging is 1948 as indicated by the number 4
Axle clip forgings are correct for 48, the die numbers in palmers book stop at 9 for 48 and start with 12 in 49 so I'll assume he didn't have an example of a die number 10. I find it unlikely the one clip was replaced and the welds match the rest on the frame.
Die number 7 on the right clip is correct for 48.
Correct for 48 seat post forging
Dont know what the 8 means on the steering head or what the punch marks signify on the left side. My other bikes have similar punch marks.
Finally back to the project. I took a break to finish up some other stuff I was in the middle of and I was able to get the frame blasted today. Sold the 62 and the 66 to a collector in the Netherlands and bought some 1980's 2 stroke jap bikes to change things up a bit.
You sold both of those beauties? Made you an offer you couldn't refuse? Did you get much riding time?
ps, what 2-strokes did you buy? I had a lot of fun with my 76 RD400 vintage roadracer/cafe bike:
You sold both of those beauties? Made you an offer you couldn't refuse? Did you get much riding time?
ps, what 2-strokes did you buy? I had a lot of fun with my 76 RD400 vintage roadracer/cafe bike:
and 78 KH500 triple:
Cool bikes! I bought a Honda NS400R and a Yamaha RZ500, looking for an RG500 next. Tried to buy an RD400 Daytona but he's not ready to sell it yet. I also picked up 93 CBR900RR and a few 86 GSXR 1100's.
Both bikes went to a good home, a motorcycle collector who has a diverse collection and I was looking to change things up. I still have a twinkie, a shovel and the 48 so I'm not without a cool Harley. A 47 Chief would be a nice addition.
01-18-2021 | 06:31 PM
