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12 
Member since 3/28/08
Posts: 2333
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Posted on: 6/25/08 1:11 AM ET
Here's my OTHER giant hole that I pour money into.

I have a 2001 KTM E/XC 200 motorcycle. 2001 is pretty old for a motorcycle, so this spring (yes, should have been a winter project, I know) I finally got my bike all torn apart. Literally, there's not enough parts in the garage to tell there was once a bike there. So I had the frame powdercoated in orange (originally gray) and ordered silver bodywork (originally orange). Couldn't say why, just seemed like it might look neat.

Tonight I got a bunch of parts put back together. Nowhere near finished yet, but I got a start at least.

So if you guys wanna see, here's pix of the work in progress:
I *finally* started putting my bike back together.
Browse pix:

Bike gallery

And here is about what the bike looked like pre-project:

-- Edited on 6/25/08 1:11 AM --
  
Member since 5/3/08
Posts: 74
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Posted on: 6/25/08 2:20 AM ET
In reply to FirecrackerKTM
Hmmm...glad to see that other sewers have come to the conclusion that things like auto mechanics and furniture finishing are merely variations on a theme: sewing.

Decades ago, whilst living in Minnesota, I had occasion to rebuild my aging Volvo's Motorola Stromberg Zenith dual carbuerators as well as my master brake cylinder on my dining room table. If you can cut a pattern, you can recognize a pattern. If you can pin and fit the pieces together, you can assemble machinery and furniture. True, all require somewhat different kinds of oil, and different tools, but, with patience and a will to understand the nature of the beast, all things are possible. And I learned that carbuerator diaphragms were, well, similar to others I'd encountered.

And as for the Volvo? Well, it ran just fine in -50 degree weather, (yep, that's fifty below temperature, not wind-chill!) and the brakes: well.... From where I lived in Minneapolis, every direction was downhill. And at the bottom of every hill was a lake. Usually a large lake. Granted, they were frozen solid when I undertook this "rebuild" job, but, still, the Volvo came to a full stop. I didn't swim with the fishes.

To all you sewer/mechanic/refinishers out there: gopherit!
Mary Ellen
  
Member since 2/7/04
Posts: 2188
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Posted on: 6/25/08 2:26 AM ET
Wow, I'm impressed! You wouldn't believe how challenging it was for me to put together a tricycle out of the box... with instructions!!

It will look great when all done. Keep posting pics!
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Leah
  
Member since 3/28/08
Posts: 2333
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Posted on: 6/25/08 2:54 AM ET
Hehe, I was actually a tinkerer before I was a sewer. I rebuilt my 69 Mustang when I was in high school (dad sat on a stool and chain smoked). I kept my 75 CJ5 and 77 Ford truck running during college, which sometimes was a challenge. I actually got dumped by a boyfriend when I was a teenager because I had grease under my nails and he thought that was gross.

I've been keeping this bike running too--just because of the use (abuse) they're subject to, the maintenance intervals on bikes are MUCH more important than cars. I've never torn the whole thing down before, but I've had every part dismantled at some point or another, including the engine and suspension. A lot of it has been learning the hard way, but the beauty of motorcycles is their simplicity, especially two-strokes like mine.

I really enjoy this. Maybe more than sewing, I'm not sure. But I can't wait to go riding!
  
Member since 3/11/07
Posts: 2074
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Posted on: 6/25/08 12:26 PM ET
In reply to FirecrackerKTM
Hey-- I think I'd be glad to be dumped by a guy that thought that! Not a keeper. At all.

Make sure you post pics of the bike post-redo. I can't wait to see it!
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Needle Needle Straight and Slim, Dust and Sweep the House for Him! --Grimm Fairy Tales
  
Member since 3/28/08
Posts: 2333
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Posted on: 6/25/08 12:36 PM ET
Oh he wasn't, in SO many ways. But I was 18 and he was cute! it stung the ego at the time.

I hope to finish it in time for the weekend, but I just got more work so I may not :(
  
Member since 2/17/07
Posts: 2506
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Posted on: 6/25/08 3:56 PM ET
I think I'm in love....



------
A sewing machine is just a welder for textiles.
  
Member since 1/22/06
Posts: 1183
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Posted on: 6/25/08 9:51 PM ET
In reply to FirecrackerKTM
Quote: FirecrackerKTM
Hehe, I was actually a tinkerer before I was a sewer. I rebuilt my 69 Mustang when I was in high school (dad sat on a stool and chain smoked). I kept my 75 CJ5 and 77 Ford truck running during college, which sometimes was a challenge. I actually got dumped by a boyfriend when I was a teenager because I had grease under my nails and he thought that was gross.



I've been keeping this bike running too--just because of the use (abuse) they're subject to, the maintenance intervals on bikes are MUCH more important than cars. I've never torn the whole thing down before, but I've had every part dismantled at some point or another, including the engine and suspension. A lot of it has been learning the hard way, but the beauty of motorcycles is their simplicity, especially two-strokes like mine.



I really enjoy this. Maybe more than sewing, I'm not sure. But I can't wait to go riding!

Dumped for grease under your nails? Oh-oh, you challenged his masculinity, and he was probably afraid you knew more about autos than he did. Plenty of other cute ones out there, anyway.
My first job out of high school was building racing engines, the looks on some of the customer faces when they met the "engine guy" were priceless
DH loves the fact that I can and will help him with whatever auto tasks he's working on, them I will turn around and go fishing with him anytime he asks. I don't know that he's exactly thrilled that I up on him by 64 fish so far this season
------
Formerly sew*itch
  
Member since 3/28/08
Posts: 2333
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Posted on: 6/25/08 11:48 PM ET
In reply to Big Dog
I think I remember fixing his power steering when he couldn't. That may have been a different boyfriend though.

That sounds like an AWESOME job. I wish I'd done more machine work or welding training because I'd sure as hell be making more money now!

I know more about engines than my fiance but he's catching up quickly. He just never had to deal with it as much before. Keeping two Jeeps running can be demanding.
  
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Member since 7/21/06
Posts: 3642
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Posted on: 6/26/08 8:32 AM ET
Quote:
I actually got dumped by a boyfriend when I was a teenager because I had grease under my nails and he thought that was gross.


I LOVE that! You're nominated for Real Woman of the Year.
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Cindy Lou, no more than 2
"Sew, Esmerelda! Sew like the Wind!" -Martin Short, The Three Amigos
"When inspiration calls, you don't send it to voicemail." --Will I Am.
  
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