Compressor Trials & Trials Bike

 

I got the new regulator/water trap installed the other day. The only thing left is to make a little brace to support the regulator, or so I thought. When I fired up the compressor to test for leaks, everything appeared to be good. I figured it would be a good time to drain the tank and when I stuck my hand under the tank, I discovered a couple of small leaks. I brazed up the bottom of the tank once before as I recall. This time will probably require a patch over a fairly large area. Probably should have just bought a new compressor. Anyway, that explains why there was no moisture build up in the tank when I opened the drain valve.

I went out for breakfast yesterday with a group from the ham radio club. When I got home I headed to the shop and decided to put the projects for others on hold and get a little more done on the Rickati/vintage trials bike. I mounted up the front fender and then started cleaning the dust off of things. I'm going to start working my way from front to back finishing everything. The tabs holding the front of the gas tank need to be finish welded and the hold-down tab in the back needs to be altered due to interfering with the seat. I bought a rub strip to protect the swingarm from the chain that needs to be mounted and I need to finish the linkage for the shifter and brake pedal. Not much after that except to finish weld the frame and get it painted. It should look pretty good when it's all done. Actually, it looks pretty good now after I cleaned off the dust and spent some time polishing the shiny bits.

I'd like to find someone who could make me an enameled head badge like they put on bicycles for this thing and one for the jitney project. I would think with CNC milling, you could carve out the relief of the design on a piece of brass then bake the enamel in easy enough. I'm going to have to look into that.

The guy with the boat console I just welded up used to be a motorcycle mechanic and has a lot of experience working on Sportsters. When I finish up the Rickati he said he'll help me get mine dialed in. That'll be sweet