It's only two more bolts

[CasaJones]

I have posted very sporadically in the past but today merits more than a question.

A brief history.  A year and a half ago I was welcomed into the world of the Vision.  It is a fun bike that runs most of the time.  It was so fun to ride that a year ago I bought another one for $300 that needs an engine replacement because it wont stay in second gear when it accelerates.  No problem.  I found an engine in Austin TX for $100.  All I needed to do was change out the engine and away I ride into the sunset.  HA.

It all starts with 2 bolts.  Then 2 more bolts.  Then 2 more...  ;D (I am laughing as I am writing this.)  I have argued with myself as to how far I am going to strip down the second (I call her the Twin Twin or TT.  It is red and just like the first V-twin) to get it back up.  Only two more bolts and now I am taking off the rear mud guard to clean the mud and clean up around the rear end.  Why not pull out the hose and spray it down?  It is just 2 more bolts.  Pretty soon I will 2 more bolt myself to just the frame so I can clean, sand, and paint it up and make it look really cool like a lot of you other Visionaries.

In 2 more bolts I'll have something else apart so I can find 2 more and so on and so on...

In the mean time I have a "honey do".  The kitchen drain is clogged.  Wait honey do's... Doesn't that mean that my honey do's it? :D

I am beginning to get the Vision of the vision.  A lot of fun to rebuild and then ride, then fix, then ride. 

Just like life :)

The best part is that I don't really have a clue what I'm doing here.  I do have the manuals and this forum.  I have read more than I have posted.  I'll start to do more posting.

[YellowJacket!]

Yep, I started with the two more bolts mindset and ended up with several neatly organized boxes and cardboard mockups of parts in my garage for over a year.  One thing became another and what started as a mostly fully assembled bike became nothing but parts.  But over time, it took shape, was cleaned, painted and reassembled...with only tow extra bolts left over :-o

In the end, it was well worth it.

David

[Night Vision]

just a word of caution..... too much of a good thing can be addicting...

having a spare parts bike is a good thing... but be careful because the next thing you know, it's too nice to be a parts bike....

and you can't ride two Visions at the same time  ;)

[Brian Moffet]

At least when I started my rebuild, I knew it was going to go pretty far (though it did not go as far as I feared :-) )

Brian

[CasaJones]

The current 'plan' is to keep the running one running.  It will be the 3D model to put togther the second. 

[CasaJones]

Good idea David, to have boxes with hand schematics on them.  At the rate I'm going I'll make several trips to the bolt store.  I can take 'em off. It's keeping them in order that is the trick :)

[akvision]

CJ don't get discouraged...pretty soon you will run out of bolts to remove.  Then, it will be time to assemble.  Take the "honey do's" as a thoughtful time for "deep thoughts" about your future Vision.   This is good advice.

For perspective,
I have been working on my old Beemer since 1998 when I started two bolting it.. then I got bored and set it aside.
Then, I spotted this dead Vision at Steele's M/C Salvage with 5k miles.  It was forlorn but looked sound.   My son inspired me.  "I will have it running and ready in no time. said he.   Dang,says I, I have to get that Beemer going and trade it out...so here we are, I am on schedule and plan to ride it in the 4th of July Local Community Parade.   What is it?  Spark, compression, and gas.  It should run.. I have faith in the future.  I'm taking it to Denver in September.   The vision is coming to Ketchikan! 8)

akV

[YellowJacket!]

Good idea David, to have boxes with hand schematics on them.  At the rate I'm going I'll make several trips to the bolt store.  I can take 'em off. It's keeping them in order that is the trick :)

And take lots of photographs.  Even though I had the Haynes Manual and Lucky's CD, the pictures helped a lot too.

David

[CasaJones]

Pics for before and then after... So I can say later "Where does that bolt go? :-\ ?" and then I'll know. :D

[Brian Moffet]

And if you do have a set of pictures you want to be available on the web (no, I'm not talking 5000+ here) let me know.  I have some space.

[akvision]

I keeps pieces in boxes with labels and used sandwich bags for small parts with a note in each one.
At this point I cannot locate "2 special D shaped bolts".  :'(   But it is not done or over yet.

good luck with your rebuild.

[CasaJones]

That is great advise to AK.  I am going to have to get files/bags for all the little items.  I will do that before the parts are spread all across the garage.

I am getting more exited to put Twin Twin back together again.  Fortunately the gent I bought the first one from is near by for advise.  He has been around motorcycles for a while and loves to tinker.  Me, I just like to tinker.  Great at pulling things apart but horrible at putting it all back together.  I can enVision this one going back together though.

[Night Vision]

don't forget to exorcise the gremlims..... make sure your other Vision is nowhere near when you do this.....

[YellowJacket!]

Oh man that black motor looks good!!

David

[Rick G]

I guess it depends on your point of view . I have never liked black motors. Makes me think they were too lazy to polish it . I really like polished aluminum.  But then opinions are like a$$ hole, everyone has one!

[inanecathode]

I guess it depends on your point of view . I have never liked black motors. Makes me think they were too lazy to polish it . I really like polished aluminum.  But then opinions are like a$$ hole, everyone has one!

and they all stink  ;)

[Rick G]

Now, is that the opinions or the a$$ holes?

[RadRacer]

I think both :)