Blast from the past. Surly posted this the other day on Facebook. I'm guessing this was '78 at US 30 Dragstrip - "Where The Great Ones Run". This is my first frame build. I didn't have a tubing bender, so with a bit of Yankee ingenuity and some help from the machine shop instructor at my first teaching gig, I made a bending die for 1" tubing and I was in the frame business. The engine is a 900 Kawasaki from my buddy's bike. That's him in the saddle. The bike's a bit crude but it worked well and we had some fun. He's since passed away - probably been gone at least 10-12 years. Nice guy, good family man, helluva bike rider and one tough dude.
Cuzzin Ricky passed this one on to me, also from Facebook. You can read the particulars here. Short version it's a updated version of a Kurtis sports car frame. Beautiful craftsmanship. While I've always been more involved with motorcycles than cars, I've done a few frame things. Nothing like this one. In fact, my current project is going to be my first ground up automotive project. However, if I was a younger man, I'd pursue doing more of this kind of work rather than being a handyman. However, that job's not too bad. In fact I got another call from the boss yesterday asking a hardware question. The boss missed the boat when he didn't hire me when I first put in my resume, rather than waiting seven years or whatever it was. But then I would have missed my time at the college, which was something I wanted to do and enjoyed. We'll see how the current project works out - maybe a Kurtis or Watkins replica roadster some day.
Did work on my track racer yesterday. I got the piece for the cab made and fit -up. Didn't take me long but I didn't take my camera out to the shop with me. I'll get a photo up next post. I need to work on a couple of things for the side gig and get the mower out. The grass will need cutting in the next day or so. Got a few other yard things to address as well. Going to be busy but it's spring and it's what we've all been waiting for.
Take care everyone.
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