2007 August 25: 2007 August 25:

Created: 2007 August 25

Updated: 2007 August 25

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Due to chores in the morning and the extreme heat with high humidity mid-day, I didn't feel much like working in the shop until late. The floor of the shop was wet just like someone had turned a hose on it. Along with oily residue, it made for slippery walking. Finally after a storm came through around 1800, conditions were much improved and I started work. Got out the power washer and cleaned the underneath of the fender - there was a thick layer of hardened dirt and tar which must have added five pounds to the weight. Gave the upper side a good cleaning and waxing, then bolted it loosely into place. Dug out a pair of fender braces that looked straight and had semi-good chrome, polished those and started installation. Finished up after a quick supper and then set to work on the handlebars and controls.

Decided to try a different set of handlebars than stock - approximately two inches lower with about the same width. I had tried them on an Ambo once before when I was mocking up Sophia and found that the starter button bracket would hit the tank when near full right lock. So, I'll be using the key switch to start it (like a car) and either will have to grow another arm or make sure it's in neutral before starting each time. :-) Cleaned and waxed the lever perches - noticed there was no hole for an enricher lever on the right one, so it looks like I'll be using flip chokes too (might need a fourth arm). Looks very clean without a starter button and enricher lever. Then I got to thinking about mirrors - do I use that nice pair of CRG bar-ends won as a door prize two years ago, a used pair of Napolean bar-ends from my stash or do the same thing as on Sophia (buy two universal lever assemblies and cut off everything that doesn't look like a mirror mount, use two universal screw-in mirrors)? I'm leaning towards the CRGs as the Napoleans never seem to stay put, plus I'm too cheap to buy lever assemblies and screw-in mirrors! Guess I'll have to mount them and then decide if they provide enough rearward vision. Looks pretty cool with the lower bars, should lean me forward a bit more. That will be a good thing since I'm not planning on fitting a windshield (well, maybe a small one for long trips).

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