Wiring for idiots (me)

So, with a feeling of overwhelming pride I completed the wiring of the turn signals. I took the time to reference the wiring diagram and to decipher which faded wired over three and a half decades old was sky blue. Hooked up the corresponding turn signals, mounted them, and with a triumphant shout flipped the switch for to the left. Nothing, Nada, no lights, no gentle clicking of the relay... the relay!!!! It was still laying on the bench. OK, added the relay, checked everything over again, with a less genuine shout of triumph flipped the switch to the right. Still nothing, flipped on the headlight, nothing. I stared dumbly then decided to start with the basics, I retrieved my multimeter and checked the battery, 12 V, and there at the tips of my probes was the answer, I had unhooked the battery to do the wiring. I re hooked up the battery, mentally kicking and berating myself, and then turned on the key, and hesitantly flipped the switch . I heard clicking! The relay quietly ticked away and a warm yellow glow pulsed off the surrounding bikes. HA! Triumph! I had overcome. I glanced happily at the left turn signals pulsing away and then with a whimper looked back to the switch... that I had turned to the right....

Why Men Sit and Ponder

I immediately checked online for the availability of this part. Nada, nothing, SOL. So I stood and pondered and gazed around at my plethora of refuse. And then as I gazed at the cluttered bike stand behind the 350, gauging the potential usefulness of each piece, I spied an odd piece of rubber next to the battery that shows up so prominently in pictures. Upon picking it up I about collapsed in shock! It was the exact piece I was missing. In looking at past pictures it's some how stayed right there and never tumbled off into the Netherlands beneath the bike stand. I felt like Gandolf in Lord of the Rings as I stared at it, turning it over in my hands and muttering... "I have no memory of this piece..." (I'm actually really excited about making a movie reference since I absolutely stink at it... but I digest... and yes he said place, not piece....) So got the rear fender properly installed so it wouldn't rattle around, then moved on the to installing the chain. Had a really bad time with the universal link that connects the sucker (the little bicycle ones are so easy) and when I finally got it on was not at all happy with how the safety clip sat in the grooves. While I had no guilt about Ben suddenly taking a face plant after the clip came loose, the thought of his wife potentially becoming angry and unleashing Hell in my general direction made me uneasy enough that I decided I would go and get a proper chain riveter and do the thing up right. So that is the progress at this point.

Side story. My buddy, Mike, who I sold my old black bike to (her name is Deathbitch) is totally hooked on riding now that he started. So anyway, he was in my garage gazing at the little 350 and said "This is Ben's? "

"Yup", I replied.

"Is he gonna ride it?"

"Naw, he'll probably set it aside and polish it occasionally."

"*%$# that, give it to me!" steamed Mike.

So, uh, Ben, if you see a guy on a nasty bike, all black and cruddy (you know the one) come steaming up behind you when you're out cruising around... better start juking and dodging... and don't worry, little 350's are nimble.

slogging along

It's been a while. 4th of July weekend offered enough wind down time I actually made it out into the garage. Spent a little time over the last few weeks getting a bike squared away for a work buddy that needed an abusable beginners bike. (It was the black bike with gold panels in previous pics). With that gone I got a little head of steam going and wanted to dive into Ben's bike. The above pic shows where it is now. Got the front brake stay installed, ran tach and speedo cables. Did a little cursing when I discovered I forgot to order the front brake cable, got foam installed on the seat pan, installed the seat and body work to check fit. Since this pic was taken I have also installed the rear brake pedal and rod. Was missing a small piece of hardware for that task, so will make one at work this week. (Lucky I work in a machine shop). Also installed the rear fender and then hung the tail light to get an idea of how things will look. When installing the fender I realized I was missing a part. This little guy...part 4 in the diagram.