The Dart

18. November 2010:

Once again there has been "embarrasing" silence from me. I actually wanted to write when serious progress had been made and the fairing was mounted. But suddenly fall was upon us and the temperatures too cold for painting, so there has been no big changes. Well, I can always show off my new gear:

Finally, I've gotten a hold of a bike lift. How great it is not to sit crunched over the bike. I have some problems with my lower back (spondylolistesis) so I have to take great care how I position my back. No matter how careful, I often have problems when working in awkward positions. With the lift I can position the working area where it's best - that is so awesome!

I didn't choose it because of the color, what one might think, but because of the price.

I was fortunate enough to find this used one in the neighborhood for a very low price.

One of the first task with the lift was to change the chain kit, and yesterday I painted the exhaust so it's ready for the salt in the winter. Everything is so much easier with the lift and working with it is a pleasure. I strongly recommend to get one if you work on your bike often or even occasionally. I wouldn't have thought it would make such a big diffence, so apparently you have to experience it first hand to appreciate how much it does for the working pleasure.

A couple of other things have also been done: Last month I got a package from England with the sought after parts from Paul Compton.

I was very anxious to see the headlight, as there are two different models. One is vertical so to say. When it's situated in the fairing the top half sticks out of the fairing. The other one is shaped like the fairing and goes completely flush with it. I of course had my hopes on the latter, so when I found that one in the package I was very pleased.
The small tool tray is from NLM, just as the foot rest rubbers and the sprocket. A friend of Paul brought it from NLM and the parts went in the box from Paul so I only had to pay postage for one delivery.

As you can see in the photo to the right I've fitted shrink hoses to the brake hoses. They have been fitted and as usual it was an excellent feeling to have a firm grip on the brake discs.
It should be an easy task to change them, but everything that was able to go wrong, went wrong. A bleeding valve broke off because of rust, a piston had come stuck and the brake fluid needed to be changed. So instead of a walk in the park I ended up disassembling, cleaning and adjusting everything. Anyway, now it's done and at least I know everything is in working order.


The former "customizer" has cut off three essential fairing brackets. The frame has been beautifully powder coated so I'm not too keen on welding in the frame. therefore I've made the brackets as a screew-on-solution. The top bracket is a piece of flat iron with a small piece of tube welded on to. The lower is simply a piece of angle iron (with lightening holes ;o). The last bracket I'll make when the fairing is all done. It only holds a rubber puffer that supports the fairing.

I've also changed the front tire - with the usual BT45 - and in a better size: 100. It was a Avon 110 - that actually measured 120 mm, which of course is way to wide. The Dart was extremely sluggish with that one, so it was nice to get rid of that.

With a smaller tire there was room for the fender I've bought, and not the least the fork brace. The brace I made out of a piece of aluminium I had. A simple task as there are monting holes cast onto the fork legs.
The fender in itself isn't that nice to look at (se the first photo), but it'll all come together with the fairing.

A little "styling" has also been made (now that I can't paint ;o) - at the rear seat I've mounted small logos. They are actually pins for clothing, but the quality is great - You can get them at NLM's.


I'm very much looking forward to have the fairing on the Dart, so I might build some sort of provisional painting cabin that I can heat up. Well, let's see, I also have to get started with the engine overhaul on Sleeping Beauty! And the Dart goes fine without the fairing.