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pmonk wrote: Anyway I was wondering how the brakes are working out now that you have lived with them for a while.

I've noticed Charlie's beard has been horizontal lately. I think it's the brakes.

pmonk wrote:I am considering a handlebar mc for the brakes like you did. I have the info saved under favorites. Anyway I was wondering how the brakes are working out now that you have lived with them for a while. Also seems like I remember one of the pictures of the starter didn't appear to be a bosch so was interested in that also.

I am not much of a cafe or bobber type of guy but your bike looks great!!!

Thanks P. The brakes continue to astonish me. Now that they have settled in - the pads meeting the disk properly - I can stop so quickly and safely, even with a camping load on. There is easily twice the braking force. Highly recommended.

Re the starter - I think you may be thinking of another thread. I'm using the standard Bosch, which I didn't touch during this refurb. It is still on the list of things to do, and I got a reminder yesterday when the starter engaged briefly while I was warming the engine. Could be an ignition switch issue, but I'll sort it out.

I've recently returned from a camping trip to The Grampians and The Otways - lumpy bits in south-western Victoria. Brunhilde handled it really well, apart from a couple of 'offs' in deep sand. She went belly up with the engine running on one of these and got a lungful of oil. Had to take the plugs out so she could cough it up.

I made some new soft panniers for the trip, and am very pleased with how they work. I'll include some pics in case others are interested in this DIY approach.

Bags hang on the rear subframe, and are canted to fit the line of the shock and muffler ...



The hanging strap is adjustable, and goes behind a metal rack ...



Then, two extra straps pull the bags together at the top ...



And they are snug and stable. The best bit is the rack. The frame is welded s/s and the top is hardwood marine ply ...



If it looks like a coffee table that's because it's a coffee table ...



The bags are made with a synthetic rubber lined canvas and have velcro at the top openings, which are stiffened with plastic strips in sleeves to make them easy to roll. They should be completely waterproof.



The nice thing about this design is that the bags are sewn right-side out (easy to sew). I stole the idea from a couple of commercially available soft bags - Andy Strapz and Steel Pony use this roll-down system. They don't include a 60s retro coffee table in their catalogue, however. Total cost was around $50 for fabric, straps, buckles, thread, etc.

Mate those bags look great. You could start making them commercially?

Charlie, that is a bloody work of brilliance! I can't wait to see accessorized Brun in person.

Do you think

you could help me adapt this into something similar? It would be good for rallies, no?



[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/25393592@N07/8213108454/]

Put the kettle on, I'll be right over.

That is going to be a pretty fancy campsite.

So Charlie, do you have a heavy duty sewing machine? If so, you obviously have experience & talent.
As noted above, that is a marketable product, although I did look at the two mfrs you mentioned and they are very similar.

Well done! The rack is a beaut, also. Love the table. I can't wait to see how you work out the chaise lounge!

Mal S7 wrote:
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/25393592@N07/8213108454/]

Mal, why can I see you wearing a leopard skin loin cloth eating grapes?
Whilst being fanned by a wild thing!
That'd go down at rallies.

Ha, thanks guys.
Just trying to cope with the image of Mal in leopard skin, eating grapes on a chaise lounge by a rally campfire.

This is my sewing machine - a 1960 Singer Slant-o-matic 401G (now that's a proper product name - I'm so glad it's not an iSew or some such).



It's a professional dressmaker's machine, German made, runs like an old airhead and will punch through anything. It's one of my favourite things. My sewing skills do not do it justice. I'm ok going slowly through the turns but tend to get a bit wobbly when accelerating down the straights at WOT. I really enjoy designing and making one-off stuff like this but it would be a shitty way to make a living.

Anyway, kettle is on and I have a wonderful new coffee gadget - the Aeropress.



You'll never drink cowboy coffee again once you try the rich oily goodness of a cup from the Aeropress. I just need a grinder that will run off the tacho cable PTO now.

Those are fine and very versatile machines. I gave my wife a built-in Rocketeer a couple of years ago that I refurbished and then refinished its cabinet.

Here's some stock photos of the Rocketeer (Singer 500A). It's the same mechanics as a 401 with much more amusing styling. The only thing that they really changed was the bobbin winder.






And, yes boys, that's all metal, even that swoopy-doopy light housing and the gold knob that chooses the stitch.

Wow Major, that is beautiful, and an impressive restoration. It looks like it is ready to take off at any moment.
They are spectacular machines. I'm awed every time I look inside and see the workings.

Mine is somewhat battered (like me). It once belonged to my 8yo grandson's great grandmother (on the maternal side). The grandson is interested in learning to sew, so I'm committed to teaching him and passing it on. Interestingly, I now know more males than females who sew.