Donz '65 SWB Stepper Budget Build...

[Ta2Don]

Long Story short… I was riding in a pack of about 80 bikes, fortunately I was in the very last of the pack... We were on I-65 in N. Central Alabama doing about 70mph when I heard, and felt, a loud Hammering noise... 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... 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...

[clemdaddy]

Originally Posted by mjh1965

Looks like you have been working hard . Do you think it will be ready for Clems gathering ?

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.
rather cruise than abuse...

[Ta2Don]

Originally Posted by mjh1965

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

Originally Posted by clemdaddy

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.
rather cruise than abuse...

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... Which in turn will put re-assembly that much closer... …but for now, I've got a couple go boxes to prepare for a ride across the pond...

[Grizz1963]

Changing of the Guard at Windsor Castle

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

Changing on the Guard at Windsor Castle - YouTube

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

[Ta2Don]

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

[Ta2Don]

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

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…
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Untitled by ta2don, on Flickr
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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... Free is ALWAYS good!!!

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Untitled 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...
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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... Second pic is of one of the bits and a spiraled piece of 50 year old frame...

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Untitled by ta2don, on Flickr

Two more days off with great weather forecast... 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 to Rear-end swap will be almost complete...

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

[Bomp]

Nice to see truck time full on.

[Ta2Don]

Originally Posted by Bomp

Nice to see truck time full on.

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

[dwcardfan]

Nice progress my friend!!!!

[Grizz1963]

No wonder you were so quiet.

Great progress Don. More than I got done.

[Ta2Don]

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...

Upon returning I began cleaning the bottom side of the rear end and was able to get some paint brushed on… 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...

On to the pics…
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Untitled by ta2don, on Flickr
Untitled by ta2don, on Flickr

[mjh1965]

Looking good Don

[clemdaddy]

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

[Ta2Don]

Thanks Guyz!!!

Gotta get after the rest of the frame now... I was curious to see how the paint did with the temp around 60F… Checked it this morning and all is well... 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... Gotta clean and paint the remaining crossmember and track bar mount as well…

Another step closer to re-assembly...

[Justin@EntropyRad]

Should be a sweet build when done!

[Ta2Don]

I sure hope so...

[Ta2Don]

Another Warm Sunny day in the middle of winter… High of 62F or 16C for my mates in the UK...
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Started the day hanging a tire swing for my Granddaughter's 9th Birthday… then off to the shed to continue with the frame swap saga...
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Finished cleaning and painting the Frame, Rear Crossmember, and Track Bar Mount… then bolted the crossmember and mount on with Grade 8 hardware and Loctite….

Here's the bottom side all done…
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Topside…
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Track Bar mount…
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Crossmember…
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Completed Frame ready for Suspension...
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[bj383ss]

Looking Good Don! You are trucking along. We are having the same weather here in Central Texas although a little bit warmer. High of 74 today and tomorrow maybe a record near 80!

[TJ's Chevy]

Looking great brotha!!! Now ya just need some clear coat! lol

[greg65]

Don you have been a busy man. Your frame looks great. can't wait to see picture of it sittin in front of your tattoo shop.

[Ta2Don]

Thanks Guyz!!!

Upcoming weekend colder and wetter, so I will concentrate on Cleaning and Prepping the Rear-End and Trailing Arms for paint and re-assembly...

[dwcardfan]

Lots of progress!!!!!! Looking good.

[jlsanborn]

Looks great! Keep on truckin' Don!

[Ta2Don]

Thanks Guyz!!!

Wet Nasty day today, so when the wife and dog started watching the Puppy Bowl, I made my way to the shed and built a couple of custom tattoo machine foot switches…

One of my fellow artists, wanted the Rat Trap one and showed me a pic of a Wrench one, so…

Here's the one I fashioned for me… Nevermind the bird poop welding...
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Rear View of the Electrical hookups…
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…and a few pics of the Rat Trap one for my friend Klown…
Here's the artwork…
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Finished product…
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Now it's time to watch the Super Bowl...

[Ta2Don]

Another day with decent weather and a bit of progress...

This is how the rear end set-up started today…
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In a matter of minutes I had the trailing arms separated from the rear end and ready to clean and paint… I used a wire wheel to clean the 50 year old bolts… Here is a shot of one cleaned and the other not...
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Here are the Trailing Arms, U-Bolts, and Lower Shock Mounts painted…
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Here's a shot of the Trailing Arm Crossmember Mounts painted and installed…
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The Frame and Trailing Arms now wait for me to get the Rear End Cleaned and Painted...
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Untitled by ta2don, on Flickr

…til nest time...