My tires finally came in, and man are they sticky. I was very surprised. A guy named Bob (still don't know his last name) will be helping me true my wheels tomorrow night, so hopefully I'll get the tires on as well.
Turned out a few more bits at the shop today, another wheel spacer, a few fittings to hold the wheels on the rearstand, cut some tubing for the rearstand, etc.
I also sliced open my exhaust pipes. I'm going to just keep the first few inches of each of the extensions - these attach to the header pipes, not the exhaust ports. You can see them mounted in my first post in this thread. When I cut through the first pipe I was flabbergasted. Yes, I think that is the right word. There is a bullet shaped insert stuck in through the back of the pipe. It very nearly fills the entire pipe and its only openings are a small band of perforations. I cannot fathom how this bike was able to run with such a restrictive system. It seem like sticking a potato up someone's tailpipe. Honda, no doubt, had something in mind and I will see if I can't figure out what they were up to. Spark arresters of some sort?
On an aesthetic note, I decided to start working some of the painted bits into a condition that I prefer. They were too clean and shiny (ish) and it wasn't sitting right with me. Here, I tried to get the fork ears to resemble aluminum (they are sheet steel) so they'll match the rest of the fork and be a blend of old style (painted fork ears over the triples) with new style (aluminum tubes through the triples). I included an aluminum rod for comparison.
I was hoping heat would help the metal bits acquire a better look but nothing happened when I held them over the stove. Then I remembered: I used a base of silver engine enamel! It eats high heat for breakfast. Nevertheless, I have ways. Ways and means.
And I learned what to look for when shopping for 160 wheels next time. That's right, there will most certainly be a next 160 build.
