"Scrambler" almost finished tease.

[dlearl476]

I was just joking around....although I am envious of the talents of people that do that kind of work.

I know. It's a shame about the body makers.  I'm afraid it's a lost art.  Very few kids are learning the trade and we're losing the old guys.  I seem to remember an ad in the back of Throroughbred and Classics (Limey vintage car  mag) for a 4 year apprenticeship.  Lot's of investment.

The pic I posted is of a former MIG factory in Poland that Kirkham Motorsports contracts to build Cobra bodies.

Not an F1 fan...insomnia.

Bummer.  I have the opposite problem. 

[ducpainter]

I know. It's a shame about the body makers.  I'm afraid it's a lost art.  Very few kids are learning the trade and we're losing the old guys.  I seem to remember an ad in the back of Throroughbred and Classics (Limey vintage car  mag) for a 4 year apprenticeship.  Lot's of investment.

The pic I posted is of a former MIG factory in Poland that Kirkham Motorsports contracts to build Cobra bodies.

It's a basic problem with our society.

Everyone needs to go to college, sit behind a desk, and make a ton of money according to the pundits.

The 'trades' are viewed by our society as being second class, and pay accordingly.

When all the craftsmen are gone it will be too late.

[Duck-Stew]

It's a basic problem with our society.

Everyone needs to go to college, sit behind a desk, and make a ton of money according to the pundits.

The 'trades' are viewed by our society as being second class, and pay accordingly.

When all the craftsmen are gone it will be too late.

Here, here! [raises a pint....er....at this hour a  ]

[ducpainter]

Here, here! [raises a pint....er....at this hour a  ]

I waited until cocktail hour to respond....

[mookieo2]

It's a basic problem with our society.

Everyone needs to go to college, sit behind a desk, and make a ton of money according to the pundits.

The 'trades' are viewed by our society as being second class, and pay accordingly.

When all the craftsmen are gone it will be too late.

but people don`t realize that there are plenty of plumbers, electricians, and city workers that make more money than a lot of those guys in suits.

[ducpainter]

but people don`t realize that there are plenty of plumbers, electricians, and city workers that make more money than a lot of those guys in suits.

Some,

but not all of them....

I think that's more a function of location.

...and not to demean their work...I've done most of it...

 most plumbers, electricians, and city workers...

can't build you an aluminum Cobra body.

They are tradesman...but not necessarily craftsmen.

[mookieo2]

Some,

but not all of them....

I think that's more a function of location.

...and not to demean their work...I've done most of it...

 most plumbers, electricians, and city workers...

can't build you an aluminum Cobra body.

They are tradesman...but not necessarily craftsmen.

True

( So much for the scrambler thread)

[ducpainter]

True

( So much for the scrambler thread)

Should we visit the ban yourself thread?

I have the suspicion dlearl476 won't mind this slight deviation.

He'll tell me if I'm wrong

[dlearl476]

Should we visit the ban yourself thread?

I have the suspicion dlearl476 won't mind this slight deviation.

He'll tell me if I'm wrong

Hah!  I just followed someone else's link in a thread re: spoke wheels to MY OWN THREAD.   

You guys hi-jack all you want.  The "Scramber" is 99% finished and I'm working 16 hrs/day.  Did I mention it was 72˚ out today.

[ducpainter]

Hah!  I just followed someone else's link in a thread re: spoke wheels to MY OWN THREAD.   

You guys hi-jack all you want.  The "Scramber" is 99% finished and I'm working 16 hrs/day.  Did I mention it was 72˚ out today.

What's left?

[dlearl476]

What's left?

To re-do the whole thing, twice.   

I finally came up for air and got a few ducks in a row (no pun intended)  I scraped the OEM forks w/spacers idea when I scored a pair of cheap calipers for the SS forks I have.  You know about the fender.  Got the top triple and the speedo drive back yesterday.  Shipping the RoadRacing exhaust off Monday, then all I need is to measure, order, and install the new front brake lines and it should be on the road.  I'm about 20 hours out now.

[MotoCreations]

You can carefully heat the badges with an O/A torch and anneal them.  Be careful though as they can deform easily with the heat -- so keep the heat into the back middle area.  Then just bend to shape as required as they become very soft.  Use your rubber mallets and wood dowels to tighten up tolerances if needed.  If you have damage to an old badge, they can be fixed and then media blasted / polished to bring back to original condition.

Biggest trick is putting fasteners into the tank itself to attach the badge itself.  Most shops will refuse to weld a gastank without stripping/boiling it firm to remove all fuel remnants.

Making aluminum coachwork ala Bugatti's, Cobra's, etc?  Not hard.  But you don't want my wrist / elbow or shoulder from doing it for years.  Nor do you want to learn to O/A weld butted joint aluminum panels that are .040 or .050 before it was planished/worked.  Or how about forming 3-dimensional shapes that don't "oil can" and fit the attachment points and still fit the master buck form. It's a lost art to be honest. (and why my next project will be foam/clay with carbonfiber bodywork -- it's easier!)

Cool project -- been watching this one for awhile.  I remember Jeff / MonsterParts when he debuted his @4 years ago with his interpretation of the Scrambler theme on his M900 as well.

[dlearl476]

You can carefully heat the badges with an O/A torch and anneal them.  Be careful though as they can deform easily with the heat -- so keep the heat into the back middle area.  Then just bend to shape as required as they become very soft.  Use your rubber mallets and wood dowels to tighten up tolerances if needed.  If you have damage to an old badge, they can be fixed and then media blasted / polished to bring back to original condition.

Biggest trick is putting fasteners into the tank itself to attach the badge itself.  Most shops will refuse to weld a gastank without stripping/boiling it firm to remove all fuel remnants.

DP had that all sorted, I just decided to go with the stickers.

Making aluminum coachwork ala Bugatti's, Cobra's, etc?  Not hard.  Nor do you want to learn ...

I don't want to learn. I'm just bemoaning the fact that it's hard to find anyone anymore that you can PAY to do it for you.   
Ten years ago, I knew 10 guys who could hammer out an alloy tank.  Now I know OF two, one in UK and a fortune and the other's in Italy and, well, slow.  (In his defense, he's one busy mofo)

Cool project -- been watching this one for awhile.  I remember Jeff / MonsterParts when he debuted his @4 years ago with his interpretation of the Scrambler theme on his M900 as well.

Thanks. I spoke with Jeff a lot, before and after I bought the wires from him.  In fact he gave me the stickers I used.  His bike, and my '69 scrambler, were the inspiration for my bike.

Hopefully, you'll see some glamour shots by the end the month.  (I have a pro-photog friend that read me the riot act for my crappy SmugMug photos, he offered to shoot the finished bike for free.  Should be cool)