1993 Honda NSR250SP

This little bike belongs to a friend, at least until 7/4/10 when it goes to a new owner in Virginia. A Japanese model only, it got imported here-somehow, and ended up in Georgia for 9 years.

A tidy little 2 Stroke, it had 24000 kilometers on the clock. A bit small for me though!

Clever Japanese Machinist

A few years ago whilst trolling the interweb, I came across the award winning student project from a Technical School in Japan. Note the intricate articulated joints. Amazing! I don't recall the name of the school, but the student that produced the MetaMan from his own drawings should be in the Machinists Hall of Fame in Japan!

Antique Tools Before and After

These old tools belonged to my great grandfather, a machinist for 55 years with Batson Cook Company. I found them in an old wooden tool box in a basement garage. The rust wasn't to bad due to the oiled coating they received prior to storage, but needed to be cleaned up in "The Dip".

I was surprised to see the grain structure of the material, the marks from heavy work, and the heat treated area of the large adjustable wrench which had a 1911 patent date cast in the handle.

Real tools made in the good ole U.S. of A. back in the day......

1982 MB5 Resurrection

This little bike was given to a friend of mine and he didn't have time to get it running. The plan is to get it going so he can tow it behind his ElectraGlide when he goes to campgrounds and "needs" something a bit smaller to get around on!

A thorough de-rusting and sealing of the tank was first on the agenda, then the long process of de-rusting other components, cleaning the carb, and other myriad repairs are in process. Hope to be operational by the end of July.

British in the Blue Ridge 25th anniversary ride

On June 12 2010, I rode up to Hiawassee Ga with a friend to have a look at the vintage British bikes on display. We were not disappointed! There were hundreds of bikes there, from clapped out relics that people dragged up there and asked too much money for, to museum quality restorations as well as a lot of unrestored "riders" that just looked like plain fun to putt around on.

I bumped into the President of the Greater Atlanta British Motorcycle Association and we chatted for a few moments remembering past bikes.

Enjoy the highlights of the day with the following pictures.

Vortex Rearset Repair

This billet aluminum adjustable mount rear set was damaged in an accident. As a result of the shift lever acting like a fulcrum in the crash, the mount was broken across the first row of adjustment holes. No pictures of before, however the weld is visible after the repair was completed and painted. I also straightened the lever with a acetylene torch and heat treated the lever afterward.

Bug Eye Sprite Radiator Modification

A local muffler shop referred a customer to me who had installed a Mazda Rotary engine in his Bug Eye Sprite. It was constantly overheating and the owner bought a custom radiator that needed to have the lower port rotated 90 degrees. Someone else had tried do to this and made a mess out of it.

I cut it apart, cleaned it up and welded it together. No leaks!

This tiny car originally had 48hp. Now it has 225hp with the Mazda Rotary motor installed!

1961 Bug Eye Sprite Radiator Modification Vid

Here the owner is making a 1/2 throttle pass; listen to the 1300cc rotary whir!

Aluminum Tank Repair

This hand made alloy tank developed a crack along the rear seam due to the original weld being ground away to much, not to mention the vibration of the large displacement of the S&S motor. I repaired this crack with a few smooth beads with a soft alloy filler rod and there were no further leaks.

Saw Blade Welding

I use a special filler wire for welding tool steel saw blades. The material has to be flexible, and durable. These dies are for cutting out commercial buffing pads for polishing floors.

Radiator Modification

This Troy Corser performance radiator did not clear an aftermarket header pipe for a Honda XR650R off road bike. The lower portion required a notch in the billet end cap. I fabricated a plug and formed it to fit.

Rust Removal

These wheels are from a mid 1970s Honda CT90 Trail bike. The machine had been sitting for a very long time and the owner was starting a budget restoration. I was able to help him on his way!