Todd's "Hoping For a Quickie" refresh...

[Neil]

Good to see you back at it Todd. Sorry to hear about health issues causing your friend to have to downsize.

[brokentoe]

Glad to see you back at it Todd. A few years ago I came across a good description of how circumstances in life interfere with us accomplishing our goals: "dream intruders."

[Track T 2411]

Snip... "dream intruders."

I kinda like that. Well, no, I don't, but I do...

[Track T 2411]

Got in a little more time on the bike yesterday, but not enough to really say I accomplished much. Did make a list of stuff I need to bring back to work on it. I'm limited by having no electricity! Today is a sleep day, but I'm hoping for some time to source parts and get stuff ordered if the weekend weather doesn't cooperate...

[Fred Camper]

But you are still tending the machine none the less. Keep at her TrackT

[Track T 2411]

OMG! I had to go back 17 pages to find this thread! How depressing! I guess I suffered more than a few 'dream interruptions' in the two years and five months that have passed since my last posting on this project. I have to say, though, that some of that time has also been spent pursuing other dreams. I haven't been totally idle as far as Quickie goes, either, and I hope to do a quickie style update on where this project is at now, and the timeline for getting it on the road in the near future. Anyway, stay tuned, race fans! The tortoise is still in the running!

[Track T 2411]

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Well, I didn't want to restart this thread without a pic, so here we go! Here Quickie sits, in my basement. She's been down there just over two years, and I've piddled around here and there, not really accomplishing much of any substance. Way too many life issues got the better of me, and for a while, I was in a really dark place. Thanks to the help of dear friends and my wonderful partner, things began to turn around last summer, and I've been able to squirrel away a good portion of the funds I needed to get her back on the road.

My original plan was to do a quick refresh only (hence the name), then ride while I concentrated on the 'Josie' build (I hate to look and see how many pages back that thread is... ). Not much has changed in that regard, except that I've decided to invest more in new parts, such as wheel bearings, all new cables, and a full-on rebuild of the brakes. Some parts that I originally bought or refurbished for the Josie build have found their way to Quickie instead, just to save time, money, and energy. I'm also doing a little bit of cosmetic work that I hadn't originally planned, but I figure that I won't have to revisit those areas later, If I decide to sell her (I have so many concepts in my head, I couldn't possibly fit them all on one bike!).

[Track T 2411]

OOPS! Sorry for the sideways picture! That always gets me when I see it...

Just a little aside on this build. I've obviously gone through fits and starts here, and it seems that two things, money, and gumption, have combined to all but crush this project. While I haven't won the lottery or anything, I've been lucky enough over the past year to stash away a little extra each month to put toward Quickie. As it stands, I've made every major expenditure (some days major = $30 ) except for a battery. I'm quite certain that other costs will pop up, and that may slow it down a bit, but I feel I have the money half somewhat under control.

The second issue, gumption, is not so under control. While the needed parts list shrinks, the to-do list grows, and I'm having a difficult time keeping the momentum going. That's the thing. Quickie has been sitting in my basement for better than two years, with all kinds of tasks that I could have been doing, but didn't. Two plus years of this pile-o-parts hanging over my head, a near daily reminder of my non-accomplishments (I refuse to use the word failure!). Even now, every distraction, last minute 'obligation,' and setback becomes a momentum killer, a 'gumption trap' that I struggle to overcome, sometimes with little success.

This is more than just another project now, it has become a test of will and grit. I need to know that I can grind this out, and not cut corners or do a half-azzed job. I've set the goal of making the Deadwood run this year on Quickie, all sorted out, and running strong. June 1st is my target date for her first start, even if she's not completely rideable. From there, it should be road testing and tweaking and miles, miles, miles!

I guess the most important thing I have to say is "Thank You" to all the great people who make NGW what it is. Without y'all, I'd be lost. Hanging out here often allows me to recharge and refocus, putting some 'oomph' back into these old bones...

[Rat]

Get back to work ..... Deadwood's coming .....

Gord

[Track T 2411]

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Just some of the stuff I have to move to work in my work/paint/storage shed...

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Whee! She's getting some fresh air! A friend and I carried her out of the basement using a couple of 2x4's to allow something to hang on to. The poor guy stuck in the front (me) got all the weight, lol.

[Track T 2411]

"On with her head(s)!"

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I think I have everything...

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OK, time to unseal her (long story for later), and get those heads on!

[Track T 2411]

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Well, one head is buttoned up, anyway! I'm essentially treating this like I'm pickling the engine, just in case it takes a while to figure out what I'm going to do about the cam issue, hence the tape. Right now I'd rather get as much together as I can while the weather's nice.

That's all the time I have for today. Time to clean up, eat, and get a few hours of sleep before the work week starts. Split shifts suck!

[Track T 2411]

The cooler weather is kind of getting me down, but I'm pushing through with the hope, no, conviction, that I'm gonna ride this thing yet before the snow flies!

Got the other head on yesterday. Still have to figure out what I'm doing about the cams. I have four sets of 1100 cams, and all show some amount of wear on the lobes. I'm thinking I'll lay them out side by side and pick the best set and just run them until I have the time to find a known good set. Changing them out at a later date really won't take that much time.
The front rim is cleaned up, and new bearings installed. Cleaned up the brake discs (surface rust), and will reinstall them after I change the tire. The rear rim is so dirty I can't even tell what color it is, but I'm sure it'll clean up OK. The rear disc has to come off and get cleaned up as well. The bearings popped out pretty easily, which is good.
The front forks are all assembled except for the springs and oil. New steering stem bearings are installed.
The brake calipers and masters are all painted, just need to assemble them. I have all new kits and stainless pistons. Also new pads and stainless brake lines.

Things are falling in place. Time is the biggest issue. Time time time...

[Track T 2411]

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Mmmmm, yummy! Soda blasted, painted, and rebuilt calipers and master cylinders. New stainless pistons in the calipers, and a nice, pretty, new reservoir for the front master. Bit by bit...

[Rat]

Keep up the good work

Gord (love work .... could watch for hours .....) Jones