help with his missing leg. He ended up with a decent prosthesis and got around reason- ably well. There will be a memorial in a couple of weeks. I’m sure it will be a good time,
enjoyed. My big, slow winter project of straighten-
ing the Slash Five frame is under way. The original plan of having it done in Denver (using Paul’s BMW frame jig) was put to the side after I found out I would have to replace a good part of what I had just removed--engine, transmission, sub frame, front end, shocks and the wheels—in order for work on the frame to be accomplished. Therefore, I have shipped it to an outfit in California and should have it back in a few weeks. As I wait, I’m cleaning and servicing as much of the bike as I can. After the wheels were cleaned up, for example, I mounted new tires, serviced the wheel bearings and balanced each wheel. Now they sit in my basement, waiting the rebuilding. Also in the basement is my gas tank. I
drained it and removed the petcocks to get any possible water out. After several days in direct sunlight, I put it away. The carbs were cleaned up and given a quick service. The clutch parts were cleaned up, and the clutch plate measured out at 5.6mm, indicating there is lots of life left there. The internals of the fork lowers were cleaned out. The triple tree (upper part of the forks) received one new bearing to replace a slightly notchy one (there are two). The brake assemblies, front and rear, were taken apart and cleaned, with the various pivot points cleaned and greased. After the handlebars were taken off, the mirrors were repainted and the hand controls cleaned up and greased. I’ve ordered a new wiring set from Todd Milli- can, who lives outside of Boise and is the Idaho Airmarshal, to replace the 44-year old assembly that has been cut into a num- ber of times. The covering is brittle and flaking off as well. All the grease and road grime are being cleaned off the parts. Replacing these parts will be a much cleaner and nicer bit of work than the removal! Another of our local club members, Ralph, suffered a stroke a few days ago. He’s
something that Paul would have
home now but will be doing a few weeks of outpatient rehab. He lost sight in one eye and sometimes has trouble with words when speaking. He, his partner Helene, Susanna and I were planning on going to the Las Vegas motorcycle auctions in Feb- ruary (we did the same trip last year). Between his need to recover and Paul’s memorial, now scheduled for the end of January, we’ve decided to not do the Las Vegas auctions this year. Susanna and I will add a few days to our Southwest tour instead. Susanna and I are planning our tour for
February and early March. If Strider (the Slash Five I’ve been discussing) is not back together, I’m checking over the Mexico Bike as my ride. Because I really went through it before the 6,000-mile trip to the Yucatan last winter, there is little to do in the way of repairs. It received new fluids before I put it
away last March after I returned home. The carbs were drained and the tank topped up. The tires were new for the last trip and still show well over 50 percent of the tread. The battery holds a good charge. Really, all I need to do is give it a good check over and go.
I received a couple of calls and emails
inquiring if I was anywhere near the fire- works disaster in Mexico a couple weeks ago. I appreciate the enquiries and concern over my well-being. This is the third time that the market in Tultepec (a town to the north of Mexico City) has gone up. I’ve been in that market when I have visited for the fiesta in early March; however, I was safely home in Colorado when the disaster occurred. Hopefully, the celebration of the patron saint, San Juan de Dios, will con- tinue in its wild form. I do wish to return to Tultepec for the fiesta if that happens.
The remains of Strider, my Slash Five, purchased in April of 1972. While the frame is off being straightened, I've been cleaning and servicing the various parts. The gearbox, for example, got cleaned up with a toothbrush and carb cleaner. The clutch was measured (and found well within serviceable limits - 5.6mm) and cleaned up. The brake shoes were pulled off and cleaned up. I removed the bottoms of the forks and cleaned up inside the sliders. The wheels had the bearings serviced, new tires mounted, were balanced and the drums cleaned up. The carburetors got taken down, cleaned up and new orings installed. I cleaned and painted the centerstand, starter, and the mirrors. The steering triple tree got cleaned up and one bearing replaced. I've put about and equal amount of time into the cleaning as I did into the "taking it all off" part of this undertaking. The Mexico Bike; sitting behind all this, is ready to be used for the planned February and March Southwestern riding we are planning.
March 2017 BMW OWNERS NEWS
43
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