Waiting on parts...

Not much going on today around the SS shop. Did some exhaust work, new plugs, oil change and repaired a rocker cover leak on the daily driver - but not that eventful.

Waiting on parts can be a drag. In the mean time, check out this cool vintage Puch Moped commercial from the 1970's. Its wild

Epic mission weekend

Picked up a new project on Saturday and then went back to the old shop to work on some pretty neat things with a buddy. Here is a teaser photo of my new project... more to follow soon

Back at the old shop we spent some time fixing an older tire machine so we could swap tires on a 1940 Ford Pick up. Its a pretty wild machine with a Chevy small block and wide tires. My bud asked if I could come over to help get it going. Pretty standard small block, had a Quadrajet - but it cranked and cranked and not a spit of fire. It had spark, timing was close (no timing light around), but I noticed the accelerator pump wasn't working. Its actually really typical of the Quadrajet to stop pumping when the valving gets stuck. Whacking it with the closed end of a wrench seemed to free it up and it started working. Gotta love carburetors. Anyways it fired up and its LOUD, even with full exhaust. Really exciting to see it run.

Later that night we ran into more carburetor problems when buddy's Suzuki quit on us heading into the city. More or less the same problem, sticking needle and seat and a leaking accelerator pump valve. We fooled around with it until we finally had to call for a bud to give us a tow home. No big deal, a few parts, a little work and its all back together.

These carbs are not so much complicated as they are just silly. Produced in the days when EFI was still kinda a new thing, and auto manufactures were still playing with ways to create emission friendly carbs, it created a lot of excessive vacuum hoses, valves and electronic do-hickies. I won't go into too much detail about it, cause well it will be boring for you.

Next week should be full of projects, as well as a continuation of the Puch moped project.

Keep spinning wrenches,

- SS

1975 50hp Evinrude overhaul

Different plan today,

Buddy brought over a 50hp Evinrude from the mid 70's today that didn't start. Alright for you newbies its pretty simple - complicated but simple. You need three (I actually consider four) things for an engine to run. Fuel, spark and compression. Thats the short version, really you need - the right fuel to air mixture, the correctly timed and powerful spark, and the upmost to spec compression. Who ever tells you otherwise - doesn't know what they are doing.

Anyways, it had spark, it had compression - just no fuel. So when an engine has been sitting forever for who ever knows how long what's the first thing you do? Pull the plugs and fire some brake cleaner directly into the cylinder. Try it then. Ok it fires but doesn't run - perfect you know its in the fuel delivery... in this case twin carberuators.

Tore both of those apart and guess what! Both needles stuck in the seat, who would have guessed! Cleaned it all up and re-installed and now it starts and runs perfectly. Tell ya the truth buddy got lucky that it runs this well considering the age and lack of maintenance.

Oh and here is a "Tool of the day moment". Check out how this license plate is held onto this trailer.... who is the ididot that figured this one out. Check out the washer action on this bolt and lack of the 2nd bolt on the trailer.

Keep spinning wrenches,

- SS

Puch Moped Day 2

Installed some painted parts today. I modified the engine kill switch to mount at the side beside the fuel cut-off valve rather than the handlebars - trying to keep the bike clean as possible from wires and cables. Plus its an added bonus reminder to turn off the fuel when you shut the bike down.

I also installed the engine as well. I didn't have to do anything internal with this engine because to be honest - I already have done everything possible to it a long time ago. I ensured it had spark by hand spinning the magneto flywheel and that the point gap was correct. I have new points to install into it, but I'll save that for another day.

List to do is getting smaller. Rebuild the carburetor, clean the wheels and inspect the brake shoes, install new tires, clean out the fuel tank, clean and install the chains, find a new stem and handle bars, mount the cable hardware, lighting wiring... ya shorter list anyways

Might have to take a break from it for a bit to continue on some other projects kickin' around, but I like how this little bike is coming along.

Keep spinning wrenches

- SS

Gearing up

Started going over a 1975 Puch Moped this week. Paint went on on the frame and various other parts today. I've had this 'ped for years so its finally time for it to get the Solid Steel treatment. You'll get a better appreciation for the style that I like to bring vintage things back too. I envision a bit of a 50's rat rod feel, maybe even a bit of scalloping.

Of course its getting the Solid Steel trademark black and orange base paint. Enjoy watching this beauty come back to life

- SS