steam/diesel punk elite project By dryshave (Read 13,526 times)

[dryshave]

I think I can.... I think I can... I think I can....
Posting up some pics of the finished lenses. I gave up on trying to vacuum seal them and went for a solid cast. I then molded a backing for them with good 'ol plasticine and cast them using a fairly hard casting material (Task-13). I've used it on the airbox and it's a tough rubber compound that can withstand abuse and flexing. You can see how I am planning to mount them to the front body panel. They still need a final polish, and plan to do that over the next couple of days. Gave up on the homemade gauges as well. Keeping the speedometer but ordered the vintage fuel and temp gauges. I've also ordered a set of 90" throttle cables as the old ones aren't quite long enough. Seat is still at the upholsterer - should have it by end of february (better!) and the grill art is at the machinist for waterjetting - should be done by next week.
Double checked the brake lines, double checked the coolant hoses - it stops and doesn't leak so time to button it up.
Can't do final paint until I get the seat back so I can color match.
Lots of little brass pieces cut ready for installation.
Hope to have some final pics for you in a couple of weeks...

[justbuggin2]

that is one very nice ride I don't know where you live but if you are in Greenville SC area I can recommend you a great shop to get your seat done quick

[dryshave]

Got the grill(s) back last week and spent the weekend getting them mounted and shined up. Have polished with wet/dry 320 - 1000 grit to a buffed brass finish, have yet to decide if I am going to polish off the finish or not. FINAL DRY MOUNT ASSEMBLY of all fabricated parts now. Running boards finished and just waiting on the seat (should be this or next week) before I match up to final paint.
The headlight should be here today (decided to order a bucket on-line) will sand and paint to match. The headlight bucket (which I cast) is destined for the upper storage shelf.
Sent off the original helix throttle cables to a cable company in CA to have them extended to 100" (I have stretched the frame 18"), they should be back in a couple of weeks.
Gas cap, air filter assembly, control cables, final paint, final chrome polish... end of February???

[dryshave]

justbuggin2 - I'm trying a local guy in Mission BC that advertises a lot on CL locally. He's got a full shop setup in his basement and does a lot of work on boat upholstery and knocks off motorcycle seats over the winter, so he needs to get mine out before the spring rush hits. Very pleased with the water jet work on the grill, got two cut at the same time - design setup/cutting and material cost = $750 ($375 each) pricey but relative to the work. No complaints.

[cyborg]

Dude that is THE coolest scooter on the face of the earth

[dryshave]

Thanks cyborg - though I'd have to say the the "roland sands tmax conversion" (check out the youtube video) is the sickest scooter in existence right now.

so here's the update pics - lights are on, everything has been final test fit and the seat is back from the upholsterer.... not exactly what I had asked for and on a scale of 1-10 I have to give the final seat a 5. Quality is excellent, but it's not what I was looking for. It's going to have to do for now, though I am considering dying it a darker color (but that's something I can do later on).

Hoping to see the extended throttle cables over the next couple of days, but now have to order a speedometer extension and a custom front brake cable, didn't think I would need them, but they're both 8" short .

Taking next week off to do final paint, should be complete (and rideable) by first week in March fingers crossed.
You will notice the headlight bucket change in color as I'm finding the brass paint too much, so it's going to be painted the same color as the bike now.

[justbuggin2]

getting there looks like the guy did a good job on the seat but if it is not what you ask for it is no so good

[dryshave]

NO COMPLAINTS about the quality of the seat. Just not what we had discussed... the seat pad area wasn't supposed to be tuck and roll... just two "butt cheeks". The stripe down the back of the seat was to be only 1" wide. Currently the back of the seat sits up too high (was supposed to flow directly into the tailpiece), but not going to worry or stress about it. Maybe next winter after a year of driving the "HELYX" I'll change it up, but getting ready for next week, prepping the garage for next weeks painting session... soooo close! Thx for following along, been a long time in dog years

[justbuggin2]

that is ok I am just an Old Dog myself

[dryshave]

Man... that was a long winter!
Got the Helyx out of the garage for the first time this year. I took it for a quick trip up and down the street for the very first time. It's been two years and a couple months since I started this project. Hard to believe that (A) it took so long and (B) it actually runs
There are still a few kinks to work out, but the carb worked perfectly out of the box (mind you it took 3 weeks to get here). There's a few rattles to take care of and a few bolts to tighten up.
I'll run it for a while and get everything sorted before hauling the panels off (one last time) and making the little adjustments.
Can't wait for the scooter season to start, going to hit a few shows and show her off. I'll record a video over the weekend. I'll drop in a couple, one with the factory exhaust and one with the custom can - it's FREAKIN' LOUD - too loud! So I'll just keep it for shows and such.

More later, it's been a long road my amigos, but the journey is just beginning.
Cheers

[justbuggin2]

man you did a great job yea you better go to shows and enjoy showing off

[brucewayne]

WOW that is freaking Amazing !!!