Come from the shadows - the Shadowfax restoration.

[Gosling1]

Lookin' good mate - just need those wheels now and all of a sudden it will be 50% complete

[fezzick]

Have you been able to get onto old mate about the wheels? His moi\bile is his work phone and I'm guessing he's on hols already. He hasn't logged on to FB for weeks either.

[Gosling1]

He was recently in hospital for an operation mate - I think that might have slowed him down a bit ? It was a planned op, not an emergency or anything like that.......will see if I can get a response from email.

[fezzick]

Thanks, mate.

[fezzick]

A very merry Christmas to all my ksrc friends and a happy New Year as well. Thank you so much to all of you who have contributed in any way to this project, your support and encouragement has meant much more than I can say.

[fezzick]

As is always the way with projects like this, everything either happens all at once or nothing happens at all. Well, this week, it's happened. After a spate of emails back and forth, next Monday the bike goes to Sydney to Kent's workshop to have the fibreglass work fitted. As this is, and always was, a prototype bike, you can't just go the the store and buy the bits you need, most stuff has to be custom made and that certainly is true of fairing/seat/tank units and the associated brackets that secure them. So Kent will be taking care of that part of the job and it will probably take a few weeks. Not sure how I'm going to manage without being able to go out to that garage and look at what's been done so far or to "tinker" with something that needs doing, but I'll try to cope.

As well, today I had an email from Greg saying that the back wheel is finished and the front wheel almost, whoohoo. Greg had been delayed by having to have some elective surgery done, but he's in "full steam ahead" mode and hopes to have the wheels at his brother's house in Moss Vale later this week. This means that I don't have to go to Canberra to collect them and also that I will (fingers crossed) be taking a proper, full, rolling chassis to Sydney next Monday. Suddenly it's all got very exciting again.



Completed rear wheel.

Parts supplier supplied the wrong length spokes for the front wheel, but Greg has a spoke roller that can turn them down to the right length.



In preparation for the trip to Sydney, Kent asked me to fit the bike with as many parts and ancillaries as possible so that he can make brackets and fittings so, thanks to my brother who came around this afternoon for two hours, we have as close to the completed chassis as we can get, this time with everything seriously bolted into place and ready.



Those of you of a squeamish disposition might want to skip over the next picture quickly.



I'm waiting for our contact in France to get back to me and then we'll make arrangements to have the fairing shipped.

Getting so close now, should be ready for the Sheene.

[kawadave]

I'm liken the progress so far Phil...

Who's that ole codger on the bike?

[Gosling1]

that's great news Phil ! Even if you are unable to deliver a rolling chassis to Kent, he should still be able to fit up the bodywork without any problems.....

[fezzick]

Like I said, either nothing happens or it all does. These two pictures just arrived from Kent by email.



Seat in the foreground and almost completed fuel tank in the background.

Tank is joined and helicopter-style fuel cap is fitted (as per original specifications)

[fezzick]

OK, peoples, here's two more things that we need for you to consider.

1. A vintage 1970-80's Honda Bol d 'Or tacho



2. A roller starter. Since the bike has a pretty high compression ratio it would be great to have. Kent tells me that it CAN be bump started, but, with my dodgy leg, I can't see that happening any time soon. I have looked at a few at race meetings but they seem to be very expensive. Can you make one yourself, and, if so, how difficult is it?

As always, any help would be gratefully received.

[fezzick]

OK, tacho problem is solved, thanks very much. Some good advice floating around about roller starters, the best of which seems to be that it's pretty easy to make one. I might talk to the eminent Mr Dowde about that.

[fezzick]

OK, wrap your eyes around these!



Rear view.



Front view



Side view.

Makes me realise just how awesome the thing is going to look!

[born green]

Coming together nicely
What are ur plans for her? are u trying to get her ready for the island classic in the new year?

[fezzick]

Coming together nicely
What are ur plans for her? are u trying to get her ready for the island classic in the new year?

I was hopeful, because Edwin Haazer who has been a huge encouragement to the project, is coming out from the US to race there, but I have the feeling I'm going to JUST run short of time. So it will debut at the Sheene and hopefully do some demo laps there and then on to be a track day toy.

[born green]

Coming together nicely
What are ur plans for her? are u trying to get her ready for the island classic in the new year?

I was hopeful, because Edwin Haazer who has been a huge encouragement to the project, is coming out from the US to race there, but I have the feeling I'm going to JUST run short of time. So it will debut at the Sheene and hopefully do some demo laps there and then on to be a track day toy.

Yer, i read that, and been watching with interest, hoping it all comes together, be nice, but as u know, these projects take a mind of their own!!
Finger's crossed.. be good to see in action...