A Simple Face Lift

This past week I have been focusing on the little things to get Bessie up and running again. Somewhere between Denver and Dallas her carb choke lever fell off... kinda hard to start a kickstart bike without it. I searched high and low looking for it, tried to modify one that was meant for a chopper, but ended up having to buy one for $18 off Mike's XS.

This little piece of metal has been the vain of my existence lately

However Bessie finally has her carbs in a happy place, now. 

I also took time to clean up the rear end. The motorcycle had an ugly luggage rack on the back with rust on the spacers that just looked horrible. Her right rear blinker broke when I had a friend try to help me kickstart her... that will happen to 33 year old lights and I didn't like them anyway. So, I dismantled the luggage rack (which put up a good fight and didn't want to come off) and I installed my new short stalk replica lights. Yippie! It took a little creativity to get the lights on, but I think they will work just fine. 

Before

After

You have to admit that just this simple change cleaned her up nicely... however those reflectors may have to go. I also need to figure out something with the front end. I don't know if I want to put short stalk blinkers or mid-stalk. Also, I need to ditch the Colorado enduro tires which will help me lower it a little as well as give it a sleeker look. All of this paired with new handle bars will be a good start to the look I'm going for. 

Go short or stay long? Those handlebars need to go, too.

I'll be the first to admit that I am knowledgeable on how to work on a lot of my bike, but carbs are something that is still a work in progress. I have a really cool veteran rider that is helping me learn more about setting my points accurately and getting the whole system dialed in tighter. I'm glad that I have a teacher that is willing to take his time and show me how to do this instead of just doing it for me. The greatest thing about the motorcycle community is everyone is willing to help especially veteran riders. I'm sure that there is some pride in teaching someone a skill, much like teaching your kid how to change the oil in their car.  A lot of working on motorcycles comes to down to patience, research, and the willingness to know what your limitations are. I know mine and when I started working on this bike I knew what it was going to take for it to come together the right way. A motorcycle isn't a complicated machine, but if you try to get into a rush it will certainly frazzle your nerves. 

Rockabettie