I ordered several things on the internet a few days ago for my bike, and I can’t wait to start replacing rusty stuff and hear this thing run.

I need to find a battery box, and then figure out how to mount said battery box.

I also need a seat, and I’m planning on making one myself. I found a tutorial about using an old skateboard deck for the seat pan, and I think I’d be able to handle the upholstery with my sewing machine. Wish me luck. 12 months ago

I took my bike to a carwash on Sunday, and I think it went really great. It looks way better, and should be much easier to work on. Stoked. 14 months ago

I’m having trouble getting started on the first step towards getting my bike up and running, which is removing 30 years worth of grease and dirt. Once I started cleaning, I was shocked at just how dirty the frame and all the guts are. I was trying to use a brush (and Simple Green) to scrub with, but every 30 seconds the brush would become so gummed up with grease that I would have to completely clean it off. My other option is to very carefully close up all vulnerable holes and take a power washer to it.

In other news, my new handlebars came in the mail yesterday! 14 months ago

A couple of months ago, I bought this bike from a friend for $400. I haven’t heard it run yet, but I believe all it needs is a battery and spark plugs. It’s missing several things, but I’m eager to work on it and have some good ideas as far as modifications go.

My goal is to have it running by spring and ride the hell out of it over the summer. I’m loading up on lightweight camping gear, along with my boyfriend and a bunch of our friends.

Yesterday, my boyfriend helped me take apart the carburetors and clean and replace the jets and gaskets. I have a new battery to put in it, but first I need a battery box and to replace the electrical wiring with a more simple set-up. I also need handlebars, a seat, mufflers for the stock head pipes, and most importantly, a sissy bar. I had bought an old tank that I thought would look good on the bike but I think the coils are going to be too high to mount the tank, so I decided I’m going to use the stock tank, but it’s peeling pretty badly so I’d like to sand it down and repaint it first.

Wish me luck. 16 months ago