Oh hello i'm back.
Well , the desert bike that's never seen a desert and never will now sports this colour.
 
 
It isn't perfect. It never was going to be with that tank but it's a few firsts for me.
First time i have ever painted a stripe on a tank or not as the case may be, also the first time i have laid crystal pearl paint.
I have put the first two coats of 2K lacquer on and will wait a week to flat it all back with 3000s paper to give it that glassy look when the final overlay is done.
Tomorrow, i will paint the footrest bar and pegs. I can then work on the swinging arm.
I have some grinding to do as the PO chopped the chain guard mounts off and the welds are still there.
Someone at sometime has also TIG welded something on the footrest mount area. That wants cleaning up too.
I can then make the damaged chainguard i have fit. There will be no bottom on it so the bracket i made for the chain tensioner can be welded on.
The dearest stuff i have bought so far for this bike has been the pearl paint. 3 tins at £17.00 a pop.
I have the air filter box to sort out, gear selector pedal, sump shield to paint and number boards to fit. Oh yes, the back light and front light switch and wiring. Near to finishing.

Decided against the chain tensioner.
It might end up putting unnecessary strain on the counter shaft bearings. It wasn't designed to run one . The bracket would end up being un necessarily big .
Welded the lugs on for the chain guard, painted more parts .
I'm just waiting till everything gasses off now so i can rub the tank back and cut the lacquer so the final coat can go on, decals on and that's done.
Going to look at air compressor air filters and boxes to see what i can fit in the space available and pipe up accordingly,

Today i have spoken to a fascinating guy. He started life as an engineer for Cummins. He ended up designing A.I for control systems for the MOD and Nuclear industry.
He has amassed tons ( Literally ) of brand new tools ( Metric & Imperial ) from the air ministry from the second world war.
Built to last and all in it's packaging waxed up. Gear cutters, lathes, milling machines and tooling, hand tools and on and on.
Sweedish , American, English , German and Swiss.
He also had WW2 fighter and bomber aircraft parts, brand new . Spitfire, Hurrican, Flying fortress, Liberator and Lancaster .
So,if your in the market for some new tools that won't break i can pass you on to him. I went for some stuff for working on the Yamahas .
Just thought i mention it.

I spent a few years as a HD diesel mechanic working on Cummins-powered trucks...  The Detroit Diesel guys used to disparage the Cummins engine by calling it a "Columbus vibrator"...  as the Cummins did vibrate quite a bit compared to the silky smooth old Detroit two-stroke diesels.  

Good engines...  we'd often get well over a million miles on the old Cummins NT855 before anything major was needed...  we had one with just over two million miles on it when the truck was finally retired from service.  Engine was still running strong.  

I agree Mark. We have modern Cummins powered VFDs at work along with DDs and V8 CATs.
The thing i like best about the Cummins is the pressure time system for the injectors.
Of course todays common rail is nothing new really as that's what made Cummins stand out.
The worst engine i have ever worked on is Waukesha. Utter rubbish by comparison. We have two of them and they never run without something going wrong.

Well that's the brackets on and the footrests.
 
 
Out of interest, the footrests are from a DT 175 MX.
Quick and simple mod that makes tons of difference, even the pins and springs go right in with no modification.

So the Blackpool beach desert bike (Donkey) has turned a corner.
Pictures below.
 
 
 
 
I love the pearl paint.
Looks a bit sparse on the left side of the bike but there's still some stuff to do .
Tomorrow i will make the loom up for the lights and do the bracket for the rear light assembly.
Since i took the pics, i have put the sump shield on and the whole rear brake lever assembly too.
I will also fit the battery in it's storage box and put the oil sight glass in. Waiting for some bits to turn up so i can make a small 
silencer and TIG a bracket on. White nylon spacers coming too so i can space the smaller head lamp bowl out.


 

Just a reminder . 
A " This is what you've just won!!!", moment

Getting closer every day now.
Just made and painted the rear light bracket. Bit of inventing went on there. It's hanging up waiting to be lacquered as i've just painted it.
 
Tank flatted back and cut. Polished it up and stickers on.
 
Chain and chainguard on. Waiting for the switch and bulbs for the lights. The looms in and all lights function .
Tomorrow i'm going to finish the rear light and mount it.
Do you think i should leave the gators on or not?

I like it!