Flattracker Build

I was supposed to go up to Scotland this last weekend with Mike and Ant for some playing around on trials bikes, but the Chevy has let me down and is sitting immobile on my driveway. Took the opportunity to finish winterizing my garage and make some progress on the Flattracker:

The standard fuel tank just doesn't lend itself to the classic flattracker look... a bit of tape helps the illusion... but it's crap and has to go...

Not quite the classic flattracker look... but work with me here...

The standard, battle-scarred rads are too tall for the cute XR tank and have to go too... 

On a faaaaarking cold weekend (down to minus 6 celsius), insulation is a must. Okay, not the neatest of jobs on the door... but effective. With a bit of heating, the garage temp was soon in to double figures and stayed there with just a little fan heater blowing. Still a bit chilly for my southern blood, but workable. Need a big-ass heater.

 The fibreglass XR tank snags the top of the frame where it splits into the two dwontubes... measure twice, cut once. A classic cut 'n shut job.

Dremels rock! 

A bit of grinding with a power-file... 

Fit, measure, grind, fit, measure, grind... took a while to get the cut-outs just right... slowly, slowly catch the monkey...

Aluminium mesh with a bit of epoxy to bridge the holes... 

And then the fun of fibre-glassing. Man! Them fumes is good! We're gonna git hiiii-iiiigh!

Just got to sort out the mounts for the tank and rads... but starting to take shape and look like a real flattracker!

I also spent a lot of time organizing my garage. Haven't really had a chance to since moving. It's not quite there, but things are starting to find their place and this is freeing up more space. Some principles of the book: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. Ever read it? If you haven't, get it... read it!