Re: Donz '65 SWB Stepper Budget Build...
 

Thanks Clem… Floor has been swept ant least a half dozen times over the course of yesterday and today…:crazy:

Today I started off performing some door surgery in order to help out my mate Rian over in the U.K. I cut out some patch panels that he is in need of...:mm:

Here are some pics...:chevy:

Re: Donz '65 SWB Stepper Budget Build...
 

Git'r done Don! Hoping to get back on mine before long. Enjoy that nice weather while you can.

Re: Donz '65 SWB Stepper Budget Build...
 

After getting Rian's patch panels cut… I continued removing the required brackets and such from the bent frame, and split in two so I could move easier, then after one of the sweeping sessions...:lol: I rolled the straight frame in, removed the rear-end and leaf spring set-up… rolled that out into the woods in and amongst my junk pile… rolled the trailing arm set-up into the work area and removed all the un-needed hardware… all in preparation of installing the Chevy rear set-up…:chevy: The main reason for the changeover is due to the fact that the 12 bolt rear-end axles have already been drilled and re-done to a 5 lug set up...:uhmk: I also removed the rear bumper that sports a Dealer's Name from Newport Arkansas...
Onto the pics...

Re: Donz '65 SWB Stepper Budget Build...
 

One more pic, just because I found it Cool… Gotta Love Plasma Cutters...:metal:

Re: Donz '65 SWB Stepper Budget Build...
 

Good work Don, and yes plasma is fun LOL

Re: Donz '65 SWB Stepper Budget Build...
 

Thank you very much Don, I really appreciate this, again.

Next up, Pack, Post, and Paypal.

Re: Donz '65 SWB Stepper Budget Build...
 

Not much truck time today, but I did manage a few minutes after taking the Boss…read Wife… out to lunch and for a bit of shopping...:mm:

Upon returning home, I promptly excused myself to the shed to sacrifice part of a pizza box for a template to drill the proper holes in the frame for the crossmember that holds the top shock mounts and Upper spring mounts for the rear springs…:mm: A small amount of forward motion nonetheless...:metal:
Tape Measure, Hammer, Marker, soapstone, Drill & Bit in hand and the fun began...:lol:

I haven't started my photobucket account yet so i am limited to 5 pics per post… Rian was asking me for links assuming I was using photobucket or some other pic sharing service… I had an imageshack acct but that went weird quick so I guess I'll attempt to join the rest of the cool kids and go to the bucket...:bann:

Here are a few pics of this adventure in swapping the :chevy: rear set-up to the :gmc2: frame… The soapstone arrows in the last pic show the mounting holes I drilled and will be using, the other two were already in the frame… may fill, if needed, advice welcomed...:chevy:

Re: Donz '65 SWB Stepper Budget Build...
 

Update on Post 1191 of my ongoing saga…

I ended up with an instrument cluster with warning lights that I offered up for the cost of the ride…:uhmk:

Had a guy respond within an hour, then dropped off the grid and refused to answer texts or calls… re-posted and a few days after another person responded… He hit my PayPal pretty quick and today I mailed him the cluster… Called him to let him know when to expect delivery and turns out that he was in St. Louis but originally from a town about a half hour away…;) He didn't need the cluster for a build but he collects Speedometers… He previously had one, but sold it with a 65 he had…:metal: After a short conversation he said he'd drop by and say hello sometime when he visits this area...;)

Re: Donz '65 SWB Stepper Budget Build...
 

You might look into Flikr for your photo hosting as well. I have a Photobucket account but have been gradually moving my stuff to my Flikr account. I know Photobucket was going through some changes a while back, & things were becoming a hassle. However, I haven't paid much attention to them in a while. Not sure how they compare these days.

Re: Donz '65 SWB Stepper Budget Build...
 

Small world.

And I thought collecting number plates was weird.....;)

Re: Donz '65 SWB Stepper Budget Build...
 

X2 on Flickr Don. You can even upload the app on your phone and as soon as you take pictures it will upload them to your Flickr Photostream for you automatically. Then all you have to do is cut and paste the BBcode into your thread. Flickr is very easy and no bandwidth.

Bret

Re: Donz '65 SWB Stepper Budget Build...
 

Thanks for the input...;)


Only thing weird is what others think...:mm: Thanks for the pics this morning mate! ;):chevy:


Will be checking it out… and I hope Donnie can fix you up on the door pieces...:metal:

Re: Donz '65 SWB Stepper Budget Build...
 

Man brotha! You been busy! lol :metal: Good work! New frame is looking good! :chevy:

Re: Donz '65 SWB Stepper Budget Build...
 

Jumped on the Flickr Bandwagon...:mm: Ta2don out there… just getting started so any hints will be much appreciated...:lol:

Re: Donz '65 SWB Stepper Budget Build...
 

Thanx Brotha… Had a lot of fun during the warm, sunny days off I had this past weekend...:metal: Now I gotta buy a bunch of Grade 8 Hardware to bolt up, but first it is time to clean and paint a frame...:chevy:

Re: Donz '65 SWB Stepper Budget Build...
 

:metal::metal::metal::metal:

Re: Donz '65 SWB Stepper Budget Build...
 

Looks like you have been working hard . Do you think it will be ready for Clems gathering ?
Thanks for the call to say my parts had arrived . I look forward to getting them so I can carry on my welding speak to you soon Martin

Re: Donz '65 SWB Stepper Budget Build...
 

Only suggestion I have Don is to organize your photos into albums. Makes it easier to find pictures you are looking for. Since it just loads them all into your photostream based on date they were uploaded.

Bret

Re: Donz '65 SWB Stepper Budget Build...
 

Found you on Flickr...Following

Re: Donz '65 SWB Stepper Budget Build...
 

Just saw that… got some truck time in today, had the satellite internet guy install our dish today, so due to the unusually warm weather, I played hooky and got more work in...:metal:

Going to post a couple of pics to your thread of that piston I referred to...:lol:

Re: Donz '65 SWB Stepper Budget Build...
 

Will get some mailing labels printed and such tomorrow, so I should have your bits on the way by Friday at the latest...:mm:

Re: Donz '65 SWB Stepper Budget Build...
 

More truck time this afternoon...:bann:
Another unusually warm day, and due to the fact that I had satellite internet installed today, I skipped outta work and broke out the wrenches, spanners for my mates across the pond…;)
I also started a Flickr account after recommendations from Bj383ss and Likaroc13...:mm: I had previously tried Imageshack, and after a short while they re-vamped their site and made it impossible for me to navigate easily… so far Flickr has me won over…

I removed the front crossmember and got the frame up in the air where I can start cleaning and prepping for paint… Today I was able to get the frame stripped of excess bolts, clips, upper front shock mounts, and very old brake and fuel lines...:uhmk:

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8682/...3e60a4e4_b.jpgUntitled by ta2don, on Flickr

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7504/...b8fa8f2d_b.jpg by ta2don, on Flickr

I rolled the front crossmember and Rear-end to the side…

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7530/...b054be9e_b.jpg by ta2don, on Flickr

Re: Donz '65 SWB Stepper Budget Build...
 

After a quick call to Bret, I figured out the Flickr Pic sharing box and started in… I also posted a pic on his thread of a Piston "Trophy" of mine…:lol: Trophy is a term I borrowed from Bret following our chat..;)

Here's the Trophy… Out of a '72 HD FLH I was riding when it came apart thanks to a bit of gasket sealer that clogged the crankpin oiling port...:ack: Seems the shop that rebuilt that motor for me used a lot of gasket sealer which in the end plugged my oiling system...:dohh:

The rusty bit is a part of the rod…
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8653/...c7202dde_b.jpg by ta2don, on Flickr

Kinda hard to see but on the left top edge of the piston you can spot the marks where that valve kissed the piston...
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7555/...392309ca_b.jpg by ta2don, on Flickr

Re: Donz '65 SWB Stepper Budget Build...
 

Eeeek! That's one wrecked piston! lol

Re: Donz '65 SWB Stepper Budget Build...
 

Question is.......

Did you come away OK ??

I know sometimes these catastrophic endings have wider repercussions.

Re: Donz '65 SWB Stepper Budget Build...
 

Long Story short… I was riding in a pack of about 80 bikes, fortunately I was in the very last of the pack...:uhmk: We were on I-65 in N. Central Alabama doing about 70mph when I heard, and felt, a loud Hammering noise...:ack: I immediately grasped the clutch lever and switched off the ignition as I, followed by our chase vehicle, slowed to a safe stop on the shoulder. A tentative push on the kick starter confirmed the engine wouldn't spin. We loaded my disabled bike and made our way to our destination. Later, we returned to our starting point and unloaded. A few days later I pulled the top end apart and noticed the Valves had kissed the rear piston...:dohh: The end result… The shop that rebuilt my motor prior to this event used copious amounts of gasket sealer which ended up plugging the main crankpin oiling port… The rear rod came out egg shaped with a piece lodged in the bottom of the piston… This all happened in '94, Bret's post of his engine that blew a rod out the oil pan, prompted me to post a pic of my trophy on his thread first…;)
Here's a pic of my former ride… the grey bike in the foreground, pic taken in front of my studio in Montgomery Alabama...:mm:

Re: Donz '65 SWB Stepper Budget Build...
 

i hope so buddy. even if it's just running and not painted. but if not, we will still have a great time... guaranteed.

double wow on the piston. i've spun a few bearings and had a rod knock or two but i've never launched a piston. probably because i drive like a grandma.:lol:
rather cruise than abuse...

Re: Donz '65 SWB Stepper Budget Build...
 

Plan is to drive the truck to Clem's this year… If weather forecast remains as is, I hope to have the frame painted by the end of my upcoming 3 day weekend...:mm: Which in turn will put re-assembly that much closer...:metal: …but for now, I've got a couple go boxes to prepare for a ride across the pond...;)

Re: Donz '65 SWB Stepper Budget Build...
 

Changing of the Guard at Windsor Castle

There you go Don, just for you and the other Monarchy lovers.


It was the first time I saw it and enjoyed it thoroughly.

Re: Donz '65 SWB Stepper Budget Build...
 

Thanks for the video Rian..:mm: Pretty Neat to see, will chat soon...

Re: Donz '65 SWB Stepper Budget Build...
 

A bit more work done today...:metal: in and amongst keeping Mrs. Boss happy with some HoneyDoos thrown in the mix!:bann:

Started out preparing to dismantle old unused dog pen, no pics… trimming trees and removing a small stand of briars that had invaded a small portion of the fence line...

Then time to Pressure Wash the frame to remove the crud build-up…
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7447/...21bb20fa_b.jpgUntitled by ta2don, on Flickr
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8624/...97c3e0ca_b.jpgUntitled by ta2don, on Flickr
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7384/...0b451964_b.jpgUntitled by ta2don, on Flickr

Next, with the help of future Son-in-law, we Dis-assembled a hand built dog house and shade structure…

Following that, I made my way over to my neighbors to collect a free gas pedal and throttle cable from a square body cab...:uhmk: Free is ALWAYS good!!!:metal:

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7334/...bdaf0e7e_b.jpgUntitled by ta2don, on Flickr
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8601/...1e10ea1f_b.jpgUntitled by ta2don, on Flickr


Set the now dry frame upside down and located the rear-crossmember for the Chevy trailing arm set-up and marked and drilled the bottom 3 holes per side...:two:
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7343/...18eebee8_b.jpgUntitled by ta2don, on Flickr
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7313/...53e17603_b.jpgUntitled by ta2don, on Flickr
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7441/...25a18135_b.jpgUntitled by ta2don, on Flickr

I bought this DeWalt Drill bit set (1/16" - 1/2") and it is sure nice to have sharp bits, made quick work of the holes...:lol: Second pic is of one of the bits and a spiraled piece of 50 year old frame...:chevy:

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8669/...71089246_b.jpgUntitled by ta2don, on Flickr
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7360/...601e42f4_b.jpgUntitled by ta2don, on Flickr

Two more days off with great weather forecast...:hot: so the plan is to get the rear crossmember cleaned and painted, Clean and Paint the frame, and get the crossmember and Track bar mount bolted on….then the :gmc2: to :chevy: Rear-end swap will be almost complete...:cool:

That's all for now Guyz and Gals...:flag:

Re: Donz '65 SWB Stepper Budget Build...
 

Nice to see truck time full on.

Re: Donz '65 SWB Stepper Budget Build...
 

:metal::metal::metal:

Just a Heads up my friend… I'm bringing my points to the August meet….Obsolete or not...:haha::bann::haha:

Re: Donz '65 SWB Stepper Budget Build...
 

Nice progress my friend!!!!

Re: Donz '65 SWB Stepper Budget Build...
 

No wonder you were so quiet. ;)

Great progress Don. More than I got done.

Re: Donz '65 SWB Stepper Budget Build...
 

Finally finished dismantling an unused dog pen… ;) Honey-dos outta the way, I rode into town to pick up some grade 8 hardware to use on re-assembly of the frame...:metal:

Upon returning I began cleaning the bottom side of the rear end and was able to get some paint brushed on… :uhmk: I'm using Eastwood's Rust Encapsulator… after cleaning the frame with a wire brush on a drill, I painted the rear of the frame...:chevy:

On to the pics…:cool:
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7445/...59bbed80_b.jpgUntitled by ta2don, on Flickr
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7413/...0b2fb392_b.jpgUntitled by ta2don, on Flickr
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8663/...0e614a6f_b.jpgUntitled by ta2don, on Flickr

Re: Donz '65 SWB Stepper Budget Build...
 

Looking good Don

Re: Donz '65 SWB Stepper Budget Build...
 

making good progress Don... looks great.
we got a week of nice weather coming, maybe.

Re: Donz '65 SWB Stepper Budget Build...
 

Thanks Guyz!!! ;)

Gotta get after the rest of the frame now...:uhmk: I was curious to see how the paint did with the temp around 60F… Checked it this morning and all is well...:cool: As long as the Sun shines as forecasted, and the mercury rises again today I plan to at least get the remainder of the bottom, sides, and crossmembers in paint...:chevy: Gotta clean and paint the remaining crossmember and track bar mount as well…

Another step closer to re-assembly...:hot:

Re: Donz '65 SWB Stepper Budget Build...
 

Should be a sweet build when done!