How did it start, Initial build!

This is how it all got started. Back in 1989 I decided it was time to do away with all the unnecessary stock parts and get myself a hardtail frame.
In this little 4 by 3 meter shed I build my first bike. I still own that bike and have ridden it every year since then......

Beltcover done!

It's been a productive weekend, also got to finish my belt cover.
Tis been a bit of a fiddly job, as you remember I started this way back in May last year, by cutting and filing a piece of sheet aluminium.
Look wat a great piece it has become. Who's bike is this, hahahaha........

Dash is done!

Spend another few hours grinding, cutting and polishing today.
The dash fits perfectly to the gastank now.
I like the way the Aluminium details contrast with the paintjob on the tank and the rear fender. What do you think?

Warm winds, open roads!

We are heading in the right direction, a few more months. But when, when exactly....

Alu dash update!

Done some welding touch-ups, filling some little holes and started to fit the dash to the gastank. Need to be carefull not to take too much of, slow is the best way forward. Some 8-9 mm to go...............

Making my Alu dash!

Very happy that the season holidays are behind us. Got to spend a few hours in the workshop today.
I have showed you that I had a dash plate made. To fit it to the tank it needs to get its "skirt".
Got the special tools ready :-), started bending, welding and grinding. Needs a few more touch-ups on the welds, will do that tomorrow.
Now....Cut it to size......

Happy new year!

I hope all your projects succeed and all your bike trips are without trouble in 2011.

Good Day today, assembly started!

I've had such a great day today. It is final assembly time!
After all those months in the workshop thinking, making and finishing all the individual parts it was finally time to start putting them together.
From here onwards I will keep adding bits until its finally done.

Cool Calendar!

I found this one the web some weeks ago (look here http://www.mitziandco.com/). What a nice bunch of pictures. I'll find a nice spot in the workshop. Only 1 week to go before the new year :-)

Dashboard plate ready!

Look what I just picked up from Rob Wijers.
Based on my basic design drawing, John van Wanroij did the translation to CNC.
Next step is to weld-on the "skirt" and fit the completed dash snugly to the gas tank.

Paintjob is ready!

Just a few days away from starting to build-up the bike again.
The paintjob is done, the last clearcoat is on.

New Dash, need for speed(o)!

With the paintjob of the S&S almost ready and looking astonishing I can't just slam a standard of the shelf dash on the gas tank. So what to do?
Since I have added those aluminium details on the rear fender I think it is going to be a great idea continuing with that same theme on the gas tank.
So alu it will be, now I need to figure out how to make one and how it will look.
Being a real nutter for the simplest and cleanest look, I will go for a minimalist look. Got things drawn up and John v Wanroij helped again with doing his CNC machine lingo magic.
Soon....and I hope very soon the machine will start spinning and spit out the product. The picture shows you the underside of the dash-plate

Sketching and thinking!

Spend a few hours behind the laptop tonight drawing-up my longbike.
Its far from finished but I got the first lines down. Me like it :) ...........

All tips on how to get this bike on the road are welcome. Give me your comments.

Exhaust ready, nice contrast!

Look what I picked up this afternoon!
The exhausts are ready, nice satin black. The contrast between the aged aluminium and the black exhaust is superb. Can't wait to put them on the bike.
Like I said before NO CHROME on this bike.....

Backpiece, Nice work Marco

In a completely different way some serious artwork is progressing too.
Marco from Skin-a-matic spend a few more hours on Manon's backpiece.
Its coming together nicely. I like it very much....................
That's good news I guess, being married to this walking artwork, haha.