Big Doin's

Had some big changes here at "Casa Del Keys" this month. I finally traced all my performance issues in the Buddy down to crappy wires. Yep...they just cracked and broke inside the insulation where you just couldn't find the break. Finally got that straightened out with the careful application of quality wire and wiring loom relocation. Apparently, over time, combined with heat, weight and bumpy roads, the seat bucket "settles" and bounces up and down on the wiring loom, thereby breaking individual wires.

Fixed it. Sold it last weekend to a nice young man from Tucson...I hope he's happy with it! Then, THIS weekend, I sold the '53 Allstate to Damn Dirty Dave. I guess forty scooters in his garage wasn't enough.

Bottom line is I took some of the money and bought my dear long-suffering wife some jewelry for Valentines Day (which just conveniently coincides with our anniversary) and spent the rest on my newest project...the "Sgian Dubh" (skee-an doo), which is gaelic for "Black Knife". The Sgian Dubh began life in my garage as a $600.00, 1986 Honda Helix with almost 32,000 miles on the clock and a rear hub in which the drive splines were stripped.

I loaded the Allstate into my pickup for a quick trip to Phoenix Thursday (Feb. 14th). I called DDDave, who met me at Bob's Used Motorcycle Parts (no particular web page, although you can find address and phone by googling the name). He slipped me some cash and I slipped him an Allstate. Then I went in a visited with a nice guy out in the yard who found me a couple of good Helix rear wheel assemblies. I grabbed the best one, paid $40.00 to get out the door and headed home. I stopped at D&K Service in Cottonwood where the Helix was and handed Seth the wheel assembly. He said it'd be done by 5 p.m. and I could ride it home.

Ski and I were going out to dinner, so we got all dolled up and swung by D&K. Seth told me he had discovered a wee bit of problems. No, not the wheel...it turned out fine...the rubber intake manifold between the carb and the head was cracked. Seth epoxied it and so far, so good. Have another on order, though...

I rode it home and noticed it didn't like to turn, but it was too late too mess with it...Alaskan King Crab was calling Ski's name and we had to go!

Well, we got home from dinner about 10:30 and Ski plopped in front of the tube and I headed straight for the garage. I started taking screws and bolts and nuts off like a madman! I removed the entire rear subframe and "trunk" (made my ass look too big, anyway). I removed the windshield. I relocated the tailight. Man, the dust was FLYIN'!!! Good start.

So, this morning, I rode it to a doctor's appointment I had. Did fine, didn't like to turn, still. I checked the air pressure in the tires and sure enough, they had less then 10 pounds in each. Topped 'em off and it handled fine. Started raining while I was at the doctor's office so I got soaked on the way home. Changed clothes and was back in the garage again.

I cut the tailight assembly to a more usable size, then I cut the windshield to a more sporty size...small. Relocated the mirrors for what I think is a sportier look...then came the paint. Yep, my favorite...flat black!! Eventually, I want to highlight it with red wheels and trim, but for now, it's all black!

Ladies and Gentlemen...I present for your viewing pleasure (or fear), the frankenscoot known as the Sgian Dubh!!