Evie: Rolling Chassis!

Big day for Evie as she gets built out to a rolling chassis.  Except for the main stand pipe and the rear axle, all the other parts came right out of the bin!  That must be some kind of milestone for the shop...

Had been making a checklist for the past couple weeks and supposedly had everything we needed.

Swingarm went on with no issues.

Hit the very first problem with the main stand.  Looks like the bracket had been bent (impact?) and so the holes were not completely aligned.  Took about 3 whacks with the dead blow to straighten it and then the pipe dropped right into place.

The bigger challenge came with the steering head.  Neither top nor bottom race was in the frame so they both had to get installed.  Ended up using the new ones that came with the set of new caged metal bearings.

But with everything in place, the tube would not come up far enough for the top nut to grab it.  Realized that the top race was only sitting flush to the top of the frame but needed to drop inside a few more millimeters.  Luckily, the 30mm socket was a perfect fit to whack it down into place.

Cranking down on the top thread also seemed to force both races to seat properly (though I cringe to think of what was happening to the bearings).

Next problem was the right side threads at the top of the cushion, which were almost completely perished.  Really thought there was no chance of getting the bolt to thread, but going very slowly and applying pressure, finally got it on.

Caught another lucky break with the rear wheel as I realized that the drive flange didn't have a bearing in it.  But had one in the batch I was meaning to actually throw away (never throw stuff away!!)  Knocked it in and we were back in business.

Rear wheel went on without any more problems.  Then mounted the Bridgestone Battleax to the front rim.  Skipped the rim strip and also just used an old 2.50 tube that appeared to have been patched?

Was disappointed to see the Bridgestone "crack" as it went on... like little hairline cracks.  Maybe the tire was no good in the first place?  Can't remember if that seller said it had been sitting for a long time...

But at least it went on rather easily.

Front wheel also mounted without too much drama, except I was missing the proper axle spacer.  But ended up using the bottom race that I didn't need for the steering head!

And she rolls!