Sunday, September 21, 2014
Inspiration 11
I like this exhaust. Could easily do something similar with the BMW.
http://www.bikeexif.com/guzzi-cafe-racer-2
I really like the style of this bike.
http://www.bikeexif.com/moto-guzzi-v50-monza
I like this seat.
http://www.bikeexif.com/triumph-thruxton-900
Clean BMW.
http://www.bikeexif.com/r100-bmw
Cool conversion to a mono-shock.
http://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/2014/04/valkyrie-bmw-r65.html
This is a nice BMW. Good idea for the suspension--borrow from a modern Ducati. Can be found cheap on ebay.
http://www.bikeexif.com/bmw-r100rs
I like this exhaust.
http://www.bikeexif.com/brat-style-motorcycle
Cool controls on this bike.
http://www.bikeexif.com/norton-850-commando-2
Nice taillight.
http://www.bikeexif.com/ducati-900ss-atom-bomb
I like this exhaust.
http://www.bikeexif.com/ducati-650
This is a really cool bike.
http://www.bikeexif.com/buell-x1-custom
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
Evicted Evaporator
Before |
The process was pretty simple. I just had to remove the glove box brace then undo the two clamps, two connectors and two nuts (one of which was a pain) and it pulled right out. I referenced this and this site. If we want to use the vents or heater, I will need to buy one of these from a non-A/C car to fill the gap where the evaporator was.
After |
Here's what was removed. Weight savings: 7 lb, 8 oz
Sunday, September 14, 2014
Busted Bushing
I ordered a replacement for the cracked shifter tip bushing I mentioned earlier and it arrived, so it was time to replace it. You can see what the old, cracked one looked like.
Here's the turret without the bushing.
Here's what it looks like installed. I added a little more oil than you see here.
Just playing with the shifter in the driveway, it feels significantly smoother. I might just be imagining that, but I'm happy.
The new bushing has a different design. Instead of snapping onto the shifter it has a "top hat" design that sits in the "turret" and can't fall off the shifter. Aluminum and brass bushings are available, but I went with this delrin unit because it will absorb some vibrations and won't transmit heat. I've also heard the metal ones can get stuck in the turret, which obviously isn't good.
Here's the turret without the bushing.
Here's what it looks like installed. I added a little more oil than you see here.
Just playing with the shifter in the driveway, it feels significantly smoother. I might just be imagining that, but I'm happy.
Saturday, September 13, 2014
Miata Mass
This is what my car will look like when I finish my weight reduction plan. |
Weight without driver: 2259 lbs. 52.2% on the front axle, 47.8% on the rear.
Weight with driver (after a big lunch): 2495 lbs. 51.0% on the front axle, 49.0% on the rear.
I'm pleased with the overall weight, but I would like to get it under 2200.
I'm especially impressed with the balance. I didn't list that much detail, but each corner carries remarkably close to the ideal 25%.
Monday, September 8, 2014
Inadequate Intake
Before |
I also rerouted the mass airflow sensor wiring, which draped over the air-box oddly and was slightly melted from being too close to the exhaust.
After |
Sunday, September 7, 2014
No Nozzles
Saturday, September 6, 2014
Chucking the Charcoal Canister
Before |
After |
Friday, September 5, 2014
Reservoir Removal
Before |
I had to remove the wheel to get access. My normal jack is too tall to fit under the Miata, so I had to use the Miata's emergency jack.
Before |
This gave me a chance to actually see the fancy suspension and brake lines I paid extra for.
After removing a couple awkward bolts, I drained the tank.
And finally removed the last, most awkward bolt and pulled everything out. The electrical connectors were a real pain too.
After |
As you can see, this was a bit of a production.
Notice the sweet hood prop. And yes, I did use the packaging from a ceiling fan to catch the fluid. |
Think my torque wrench is big enough?
Thursday, September 4, 2014
Mashed Muffler
Hard to believe, but I screwed up.
It's kind of a complicated story, but the jist is I took the silencer out of the tail pipe and didn't have the opportunity to properly tighten the nut when I reinstalled it. Chrissy was just going to drive it three miles from my office to the house, so I figured finger tight would be fine. It wasn't. It fell out 100 yards down the road. Then an SUV ran over it.
Miraculously, it wasn't too badly deformed, as you can see above. A little time with the vise and the dead blow hammer rounded things out again. Crisis averted.
I wanted to be able to remove and install the silencer without tools, so I got a wing nut and a lock washer. It held from home to Malibu, so it seems to be good.
It's kind of a complicated story, but the jist is I took the silencer out of the tail pipe and didn't have the opportunity to properly tighten the nut when I reinstalled it. Chrissy was just going to drive it three miles from my office to the house, so I figured finger tight would be fine. It wasn't. It fell out 100 yards down the road. Then an SUV ran over it.
Miraculously, it wasn't too badly deformed, as you can see above. A little time with the vise and the dead blow hammer rounded things out again. Crisis averted.
I wanted to be able to remove and install the silencer without tools, so I got a wing nut and a lock washer. It held from home to Malibu, so it seems to be good.
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
Saving Shelving
Before |
I acquired some fancy bricks from my parents that would replace the crates perfectly. I just had to swap them out without unloading everything. I accomplished this with the help of my floor jack. Genius.
Here's the finished product.
After |
Monday, September 1, 2014
Axing the Antenna
Editor's Note: This is the 200th post on Pekema Projects, and it is just about the 2 year anniversary of starting the blog. If my math is correct, that means we are averaging 100 posts per year, which I think is pretty impressive. Enjoy number 200:
The Miata came with a lovely, non-functioning, retractable antenna. After seeing the size of its the motor assembly, it became clear it needed to be removed.Here's what it looked like in the trunk.
The first step was to unscrew the bezel.
After that all the components came right off.
The motor only had one bolt in the trunk holding it in. Weight savings: 2 lbs.
To plug the hole, I installed an OEM antenna hole plug. Yes, that is a thing.
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