Spring Fever

It’s snowing.

Now, most people would be more than a little bit miffed with the reappearance of the white stuff only a few weeks into Spring, but I welcome it.  Takes the edge off.

Because there’s no denying the fact that my projects are all running a bit late.  Shannon took her first spin on her F1 March 7th of ’04 and I had my F1 fired-up and pissing off the neighbors on April 9th last year.

Shannon’s 1987 750 F1 is now as close to a late series F1B (or S) as it’s gonna be and we fired the new 1990 750 Sport-based motor up last weekend.   We struggled with the right cam timing (why not use the settings in the book?) and finally settled on an average of 115.5 degrees BTDC for intake lobe centers with a pair of 750 Sport horizontal cylinder cams (same spec as the f1).  The book calls for 118 degrees BTDC – later than the F1.  The bike sounds incredible and as soon as I figure out how to make my little digital Dictaphone work, I’ll post some sound bits.  Waiting for the seat and front fender to come back from the paint shop and then I can introduce myself to the neighbors.

My F1 is still in pieces, but the pieces are almost ready to assemble.  We’re modifying the frame for a more robust footpeg hanger arrangement next week and I’m told that the MBP Testarosso heads will be finished and heading to the powdercoater next week.  Adam Bennett finished the cylinders (lopping 11 mm off the height) and fabricated an oversized wrist pin bushing to mate the 996 rods with the 944 Pistal pistons.  The lightened crank is finished and the whole affair will be off to be balanced next week as well.  Looks good for a completed motor before the end of the month.  Once I get the new bodywork drilled, it’s off the painter and I’m still hanging on to the belief that we’ll fire up the package before May 1st……

The 1990 once 750, now 900 Sport is progressing nicely and continues to be a truly fun project.   I should have the wiring completed by tomorrow and should have the whole affair (less heads, carbs and exhaust bolted together by the end of the weekend.  I should have the heads for that motor back in 10 days or so and can’t wait to get it on the road and pound the daylights out of it.  Notice how often I say the word "should".  Sigh....  A 2001 900SS rear shock (almost 1/2" longer than the old ones), will drop the rear axle by almost 1" and the ride height will be perfect.