Hi All,
John (T-Up) sent me a PM asking what I've been up to lately. He guessed correctly that I've been dedicating most of my time recently to my Montgomery Wards Riverside 125 (WR), my first ever restoration. In fact, it's been so hot here (in El Paso, TX) that I've only ridden the Thruxton about twice in the last four weeks!
John asked that I share my progress on the WR so I've posted a couple pics in my album. It's been a journey so far. I've got various parts at the chromers, other parts at the powdercoaters, and still other parts at my fabricator's. Meanwhile I'm contemplating sending yet other parts to a real painter's, and I have various eBay and other orders in progress. In short, I'm having a blast.
My wife, on the other hand, ain't so happy with the various parts and bike carcasses spread throughout the garage, car trunks, and the back porch, but what can ya do?
Anyway, it's coming together, and I'm learning a lot. I'd hoped to avoid splitting the case, but opening one of the side covers revealed a whole lot of water damage, so a check of the internals was in order:
It turns out my fabricator actually used to be a Benelli mechanic back in the, um Stone Age, and he's having a blast playing with my engine. The good side of this is that he's doing it for free; more or less reliving his youth. The bad part is that he's being very persnickety about it. Every time I suggest that perhaps taking something off isn't really necessary, he responds (read in your best curmudgeon voice): "You have to do it right -- there won't be any shortcuts here!" Actually, I'm really impressed with the effort he's been putting into it, while my Triumph gas tank rests in 3/4-finished form on the table nearby!
I've chosen what I hope is a sort of "retro" color for this 1960-something bike:
Reminds me of a fridge we used to have.
The bike should really be coming together in the next few weeks. I've got a couple weeks off soon, before the new semester begins, and if I have my way, I'll be at the fabricator's every day wrenching, polishing, and joining. Wish me luck.
Take care everyone.
Mancha
JCW
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