Stranger in a Strange Land

2012-02-11T02:20:00.000+01:00

"Nickel"Rock

2012-01-30T23:05:00.000+01:00

Finally the three way switch arrived today..so it was time to get the wiring diagram out, soldering iron and get the Tomte workshop in full swing..
"nickel" is the name of this one..basically down to the fact that I swapped out all the gold parts to nickel...
having soldered up the sds-1 (vintage) to the Shaw era Dirty Fingers to the single pot and three way switch, I stuck some strings on her and....and...disappointment! the neck pickup was weak..capital W!
hmm..I remembered I'd manage to drop the sds-1 and I'd stuck one of the magnets back on the bottom...could it be that easy that I put it on the wrong way round?
Off came the strings...the neck..the pickguard...out came the pickup and I swapped one of the magnets around on the bottom of the pup..I checked the magnetism and it was suddenly a lot stronger...
Back on with the pickguard..screws..neck..strings..

and...what a sound! great balance between the sds-1 and the DF with a warm sound from the neck pick up. Still experimental by using a 1 meg volume pot and no tone pot..
Since I've purchased this JV body it's been through several changes and from the start..it didn't work...but since then..since the Warmoth pro neck and full size steel block and of course the brass nut..has made this guitar into something special..
The neck is a beautiful top of the line Warmoth pro neck..birdseye maple with a Brazilian rosewood fretboard and jumbo frets with the 9,5 to 12 inch radius..
The JV body started as an 83 3 bolt squire body which I modified to take a four bolt neck and which I routed for a humbucker in the bridge. As the idea was to only have a humbucker in the tail I removed more wood than necessary which gave the guitar a different resonance (a positive surprise).

back to the smoking stacks tomorrow

2012-01-30T00:06:00.000+01:00

Bike weekend.

2012-01-29T23:54:00.000+01:00

On saturday I took the trip down the road to the Bike show in Gothenburg.
16€ later and I was off into a sea of motorcycles, mopeds, helmets and accessories.
To date, I have never purchased a new motorcycle and probably never will either.And to be honest, looking around the stands there wasn't much I would buy.
The theme for 2012 seems to be over done with huge touring chopper whatevers..with nasty paint schemes and horrendous prices...kinda gave me flashbacks to "orange county choppers" who , in my opinon, have never built a decent looking bike since they started...in fact, I would go as far to say that the yanks just don't have the eye for building decent choppers/bobbers/customs. Scandinavian chopper designs are much cleaner and better built and thats just the beginning...
..and at the MCM stand a few nice bikes were shown in a competition for best bike.
Otherwise the new "Victory" bikes were not my taste at all..and the Harleys..my god..I'll post pics of some of the "efforts" on show..the average age of those testing these bikes was Jurassic Period..I don't get it...but good for them if they feel cool driving around on something resembling a lucas ice cream van:

Apparently the lads of Motorhead have their own "victory" bikes..I was stopped and asked one of the younger girls handing out the adverts where the bikes were built...the answer I got was interesting...
- well, I know the drummer is Swedish..but the rest are ..like Americans I think...
I meant the bikes, I replied...
-Oh, America I think...
ok, thanks...incidentally..Lemmy is American ...I said
-Oh..which one is Lemmy...

hmmm...

Moving on and I got talking to some enthusiasts with the same interests which was very informative..a quick chat with Thomas from Motorspeed was followed up by a look at some marvelous bikes from a museum that were on show and had the rather remarkable "flying merkel"...

Now thats what I call a Bike!!! This was back to back with a Patton 500, a gorgeous blast from the past and a bike I've never seen before in the flesh..this however was a modern day replica..1 of 7 but who cares! I'll post pics at a later date that I took of the bikes.

Moving on and trying to avoid the "chopper space ship gliders"....I suddenly came across Checas Ducati superbike which was fresh from his winning 2011 season.This was followed by an incredible Honda Fireblade endurance racing..pics to come ...suffice to say , just the Öhlins forks had the same cost as a brand new fireblade! Swinging arm was HRC and crafted by the dwarfs of Mordor! I had a long chat with the mechanic who gave me some in-depth on the costs and technical datas of the project!

Right, think I'll stop there until I've uploaded the pics!

plans for the 77..

2012-01-27T00:37:00.000+01:00

I've found it too hard to consider routing out the 77 hardtail..
The guitar (body, neck and neck plate) all came from the Isle of Wight and it just seems wrong to start cutting her up. This thing weighs in the same as a les paul , the heavier ones...so it's got a pretty special sound.
I came across a genuine Fender brass hard tail plate from the 80s which I picked up.I'm not sure if people understand that these parts made by fender were 22 carat gold electroplated and brass makes a wonderful ring to the sound.
There are a few options for this combo.We shall see.
I was happy that several parts dropped through the letterbox today, so the SRV p#3 got its black back cover and gold bridge screws and whitey got a claw and springs kit, so now I'm only waiting for a 3 way switch.Once that arrives I can solder up the DF and SDS-1 and see what the results are from that guitar.

Legend. Tone legend.thats all folks...

2012-01-25T16:16:00.001+01:00

2012-01-24T21:59:00.000+01:00

so..delighted with the srv neck project which sounds really great and resonates well...I started thinking about the 77 hard-tail but couldn't bring myself to take a scalpel out and route the beast for a bucker...instead, I thought it would be neater and an improvement to look at adding the new H/S pearloid guard to whitey to make her pearly now, and fit in the vintage sds-1 in the neck and retain the tim shaw Gibson dirty fingers in the tail..great combo from the analog days!
I'd completely forgotten that I'd actually fitted a 1 meg pot before to the DF bucker. This usually increases the higher treble frequencies..the idea now is to fit a Malsteen 250k pot to actually darken up the sound. Although I have to admit, the DF sounded brilliant with the 1 meg pot and of course the Malsteen brass nut that I fitted..
To ensure the SDS-1 fitted in the neck pocket without fixing the routing, I cut back the cover which makes it look the business as well.
Just waiting for a few parts to finish her off and then the solder will be out again.
On the way there is a claw kit complete with springs which is just about all this one needs. At the same time a set of gold bridge screws will be fitted to SRv and the nickel originals moved back to Pearly.

I'm also thinking of making another hole for a tone pot and using a really heavy cap to darken up the sound even more.

JEM20TH

2012-01-24T17:59:00.004+01:00

2012-01-24T01:13:00.002+01:00

..out of the ashes of 1 project..comes others...

2012-01-24T00:14:00.000+01:00

Some of the parts were stripped from the 77 boat anchor hard tail strat..so, when the new parts came in I starting thinking...maybe this guitar is destined to be a rhythm monster! It's on the same weight scale as a Gibson les paul custom , ie around 10/11/12 lbs...
so maybe this would be the guitar to route for a bareknuckles warpig humbucker and sds-1 in the neck!
Think it suits the pearloid guard that arrived today...

last winter I got bored and for a craic stuck the worst parts I'd amassed from fleabay together..i was actually surprised by the result as it played..however I had to strip her of some parts to put the otehrs together..however, what I found interesting was the strap holders that I had on her are the same apparently as used by SRV on the genuine Lenny guitar...those actually came from the Gibson R&D shop...

pics from the workshop today...

2012-01-23T20:55:00.001+01:00

Overdose of Volteraine and panodils and some guitar building..here are some pics from todays mekkin'..

The project #3 sounds awesome!

2012-01-23T03:20:00.001+01:00

Nickel n Gold musical chairs...

2012-01-23T00:55:00.000+01:00

January is always a tough month, and with the project 3# on the go , I've been scratching my head as to how/what to fit into the routes..

I've got 3 awesome humbuckers , but none of them are trembuckers or F-spaced...thats not the end of the world..but...it's just that much off that it's annoying...the dirty fingers is running against a fender bridge and works...but at the same time its twice the power of the burstbucker..

The options out on fleabay are numerous and the humbuckers I wanted are apparently rarely come up...an el diablo seymour duncan for a start..

Then of course, the SRV neck has gold tuners...so..I removed all the gold hardware from the white S/H and replaced all the gold parts on that guitar to nickel/chrome hardware...sounds easy and is...but takes time..and on the new 3T body I had to line up the holes correctly for the bridge, the pick guard and rear cover..the Fender original bridge went in and was replaced by another nickel bridge I had in my parts case..without saddles...

So...I made the call to use the original Fender 77 pickups complete in the pick guard and drop it in the 3T body..the gold output jack was taken out white, the nickel output jack from the 77 hard tail went into the whitey...

Now, the reason I'm stripping the 77 Hardtail is basically because I never use the guitar as she is a real porker..typical late 70's anchor...She will be cased and one day everything will be replaced again, but there are too many parts on her to just be not played..

So, the project #3T is almost ready to plug n play...really great weight from the swamp ash body which imo is the secret of getting a great tone from a strat..

And Whitey just awaiting a few parts that are borrowed so now require replacing..but I used the saddles from the hardtail bridge and they fitted nicely..

I'll probably use the tuners from the 77 as well for the 73 Blackie that is currently out on loan...

Kitchens been busy today...

P#3 Body arrived today

2012-01-20T20:31:00.001+01:00

Very much impressed by the light weight and quality of the swamp ash body which arrived from the states today. I had to remove the neck plate from another guitar to see how the SRV signature neck would match up.

Bandage removed!

2012-01-19T20:30:00.000+01:00

..one step at a time..here is what your hand looks like after key hole surgery.
2 weeks after the operation I was told to remove the bandages..
Now it's rehab and hopefully if that goes well enough I can avoid the open surgery.

Project #3T

2012-01-16T00:02:00.002+01:00

Despite having parts lying around, once again I'm having to go out on the web and find some quality parts for the latest project that has a "january" budget.
I wasn't actually intending on even starting a project but when the swamp ash 3 tone sunburst body came up with a light weight of 3,14 it was a "must have"..
I was intending on taking parts off the mint green/white single humbucker project...but to be honest it's such a great sounding guitar, despite the fact that I changed the squire JV 3 bolt to a 4 bolt, its one great sounding guitar...so it stays complete..

So, there are some good deals out there.
Currently on the way are 2 pickguards..both pearloid..

but one is a single humbucker style like Minty white and the other is a single humbucker bridge and single coil in the neck..the reasoning was simple..I have a vintage Dimarzio SDS-1 just waiting to be put somewhere...To keep the balance with an SDS-1 you just can't go weak in the tail..however...EVH style guitars and you want to keep to his philosophy of having a weaker pickup and use the amp to overdrive for the best tone..I have 3 humbuckers which would all do that job anyway...But there are others that are tempting...so still undecided..just have to ensure the balance is there IF I use the H/S pickguard..

So for that project:

3 way switch is on the way, SD in the case..charvel brass volume pot on the way..no tone pot, straight through to the output jack

The MM Body is exactly what I've been looking for to take the SRV signature neck. I'm surprised at the prices they can sell a USA made Swamp ash finished body..but at the same time it's a gloss 3T body which is a poly finish..doesn't really matter , it's the weight imo that makes things work..and of course..a steel block.

Using the single H p/g and thats easy..drop my Gibson Burstbucker #3 into the bridge of the guitar...

As the original tuners in the neck are SRV gold..I've decided to stick to the gold harware route which I feel will work with the pearloid and especially the 3 tone tobacco burst body.
As I don't want to remove the bridge from the M/S EVH style strat, I'm thinking of going a bit more modern with the bridge but keep the steel block as the zinc blocks you usually find in MIJ's make a huge difference to the tone.
After looking around at the options with regards the budget, I reckon this Wilkinson is the best on offer...with stainless string blocks and steel block as well as the whole semi modern look but with the 6 vintage style fixtures..at the price I feel it should fit the project well..

And as always...the charvel style brass volume pot seals the signature single humbucker look.

...and the under the guard I'm going with a seymour duncan Malmsteen speed pot.These frictionless pots are amazing..you breathe on them and they just slide so smooth! However, I was gonna go with a CTS 300k for the humbucker , but will do with a 250K for the project...highly recommended!

Basically thats your lot if your fortunate enough to have a decent muckle neck lying around...the neck can make or break the project! 12" radius and a signute neck on such a light weight body with some serious pups should make for "potato chip" tone..
Time will tell of course, as the first round with the Minty/white sounded aweful and that has given me some experience on this build..

I was toying with the idea of sticking a Dimarzio super distortion humbucker in the bridge as that would marry up with the SDS-1 in the neck position.

Then the more you look the more you find..The Crunch Labs pickup could also be a good one to stick at the bridge..the only downside imo is that its ceramic magnet and not an alnico V...but good enough for Petrucci....

Time will tell...a table full of parts doesn't equate until it's plugged and played..will be interesting this one...

Only EVH would remove the neck pup

2012-01-15T00:59:00.000+01:00

EVH isn't only one of the top guitarists , he's also really into his gear, making his own guitars, his own pickups and all the rest of it..he is accredited lots of times for being an innovator within the branch and that includes building his own amps...may be a porky, but apparently to test his initial 5150 amps, he left them feeding back overnight to see if they would still be good the next day...

The guy is a legend who has influenced so many guitarists which in turn has moulded modern rock.
I mention this of course as Van Halen have now released tour dates.
I'm still stuck in the 77/78 era but regardless...sheer brilliance...

No Right hand but time on my hands...

2012-01-13T00:18:00.000+01:00

So in the corner of the room lies an SRV signature neck with tuners just waiting for a body..
Times are always a wee bit tougher now in the dark months and I hadn't really been planning on building another project..
..however...on the bay the other day I noticed a rather interesting body that was down at 3 pounds 14 ounces with a gloss sunburst..Made in USA and swamp Ash the price with shipping was under 195 bucks.. What had me mostly interested in the body was that it was routed HSH...and I have a couple of humbuckers in the bag at the moment..2 Burstbuckers ( #2 and a #3) and of course the Duncan Antiquity that came out of the 56 les paul junior...
Now one of my favorite builds was the white single humbucker special I put together with the Gibson Dirty Fingers humbucker which had the warmoth pro neck with birdseye maple and brazilian fretboard which I added a brass nut to.

So I thought I'd make this next build a single humbucker special with a pearloid single H pickguard on a high gloss and low weight 3 tone tobacco burst body..Gold fittings and Pearloid with a charvel brass knob for the single volume pot as I'll run the humbucker straight out without a tone pot..

What will be interesting is the fact that the Duncan A 59 will be more vintage and weaker than the DF which should give some great results when driven through the marshall...
Another point of interest will be the fact that the 12" radius neck and size of the SRV signature neck should be interesting when strapped onto such a light weight body..

I'll post pics when she starts coming together..

Steve Jones Aged Les Paul Custom shop

2012-01-11T23:30:00.000+01:00

Here was the second guitar , brand new, I was asked to put out into cyberspace..cool guitar indeed!

todays exotica included...

2012-01-11T23:24:00.000+01:00

a guitar made in only 15 examples by the finest luthiers in japan at Ibanez.
This guitar was made for the 100th Anniversary of the Horisho Gakki Group and it's as rare as Unicorn shit. I was asked to see if I could get any interest for the guitar on the global market.
Most of the Ibanez fans noted their dislike for this guitar but I have to say it's an incredible creation , more a work of art than just simply another run of the mill. If I had the funds I would buy it myself. For a start it's an investment for life with only 15 pcs ever made..

lurking Fuzz...and some BassBalls...

2012-01-10T22:02:00.001+01:00

This LittleBigMuff PY has been packed away for a while so I thought I'd dust it off and start trying to see what I could get out of the 79 original Electro Harmonix Fuzz pedal..
Before this happened however, to my surprise something was picking up what sounded like "russian radio" through the Marshall...odd indeed..
So, back to the pedal..picked up the 61 melody maker (gemini scatter-wound mini-humbuckers) and fiddled..has to be said, the Electro Harmonix pedals have a reputation for the right reasons and this littleBigMuff PY tin box can sound gritty if you get the right volumes sorted..
There are two settings for the tone. One I call Buzz saw as its max treble buzz saw fuzz which can also be used well..the bass setting can be really deep and imo requires all volumes opened wide open to get a really great sound...unfortunately it was getting late so I couldn't really push it..but it was sounding good.

And talking of EH pedals, here is another interesting pedal that can be used for bass or guitar...you get some seriously wild sounds out of this...big fan of funk here..

favorite album cover..taken from a 1976 Hustler front cover

2012-01-10T20:36:00.002+01:00

completely random but cool pic

2012-01-09T23:23:00.000+01:00

just as well be with the trash...

2012-01-09T22:50:00.000+01:00

Blondie left on her own...playing the guitars is more of a chore than anything else...and with blondie wearing 13's , she'd snap the hand issues before giving in...

And here it is..softly wrapped and getting pepped with 6 tabs a day...no idea whats happening under..suffice to say they recommend stitching a mail ligament back together which puts me in a cast of some type for over 9 weeks...and then rehab...

testing a few of the pedals with the Washburn Bantam

2012-01-09T00:05:00.000+01:00

So now the hand is currently wrapped up, the guitar play will have to be on minimum.

But I thought I'd get some of the pedals out and dust them down.

Old school pedals with early 80's Ibanez analog or Boss. Also have a couple of 79 Elektro Harmonix.

Fun to muck around , although I'm wondering if some of them are needing a service..

I also dusted down the Washburn Bantam.A guitar from the 80s with a then price tag of 1000 dollars..if you find one, buy it! They are incredible headless guitars!

Audi

2012-01-08T23:55:00.000+01:00

...has to be said that AUDI are creating some very nice looking cars and like the R8, giving them some serious tools under the bonnet!

"ootchaKunt"............

2012-01-08T18:12:00.000+01:00

Troy Bayliss road testing the Ducati 1198...a classic photograph..
apparently he didn't crash the bike...so what happened next was probably completely controlled...
awesome capture and a definite "ootchakunt"...

....speed..

2012-01-08T18:07:00.000+01:00

To me, this amazing photograph (which I have in large format hanging in my living room), encapsulates speed. It's also a great representation of the race bike absolute. On wooden boards without brakes on a Harley Davidson board racer of 1000cc. Inspiring photograph!

The most insane bike ever built?..it's up there....TZ750 Dirt Track

2012-01-08T17:58:00.000+01:00

Just a cool pic of a cool chic..Juliette Lewis

2012-01-08T02:08:00.000+01:00

things may be different after tomorrow, Jim..

2012-01-04T20:10:00.000+01:00

Have to be at the hospital at 06:45 in the morning.
Thats sick to begin with...
But then it's operation time at 07:30
I hate going under the blade...tiresome...hoping the results are positive anyway.Having read all the forums about the TFCC ligament..it's a roll of the dice...

To look forward to...

2012-01-04T01:31:00.000+01:00

Nice wee test by MCN. Obviously this bike is more standard and heavier as it isn't graced with the same carbs, crank, carbon fibre, dymags etc..than my project..but it sounds and runs great all the same!

YEC pistons for R1 show same indentation as mystery pistons for Owl

2012-01-03T22:33:00.001+01:00

This is great news as I now believe the pistons with the Ow01 are indeed 12,8 comp 3 ring YEC kit pistons which are in new condition.
That makes the race engine complete but still requiring a lot of clean up which I'm planning to do myself.
Everything will have to be cleaned and measured. Back in the day I rebuilt my 1100 WT engine and blue printed the engine to a point and the ow01 will require precision.

Whilst I scoured the web for these pistons I also came across some interesting pictures of a Ferrari F1 racing car. Talk about lack of skirting!

..and something you don't see everyday, a genuine NR750 spam piston kit...no prices..

Without doubt the most adventurous that Honda HRC ever moved forwards with in my opinion.

OW01 titanium rod and piston

2012-01-02T22:38:00.000+01:00

Found these pictures on an engineering site out there in cyberspace. Basically a rod and piston from an AMA winning OW01. My four will be used as opposed to being used as a paper weight.

work in progress part 2

2012-01-02T19:51:00.002+01:00

just been putting together some stuff and by all accounts I'm pushing the tempo on this.
No plectrum a playing through the neck pickup and through a Marshall Silver Jubilee clean.

Right then..check list..

2012-01-01T23:49:00.000+01:00

In a few days I get key hole surgery on my right hand.This is going to be a slight pain when it comes to the guitars and the plans for the ow1.
I've decided to do all the work on the crank myself, to remove the surface rust.It will take some time, but at I feel the steel wool/ autosol will be sufficient. I tried it out and it came up okay, so just requires a few hours. The cams also came out okay.
So, the easiest way forwards is to actually use a yzf bottom end, which I have..with the original top casing.
Then I can measure up for the big ends for the journal sizes required with plastigage.

It's always imperative when your mixing up crankcase halves.
The best way forwards would be to ensure the casing halves are cleaned and then blasted and then cleaned again. As well as all the other parts that are in the box. Either that or simply get on and put the engine together and see if she'll fire up. Thats one of my main issues, impatience!
I'll have to find somewhere where I can clean up the parts and then blast them. I'm hoping that a few mates can come in the picture who work in some serious workshops.

Basically the studs need removed, the casings cleaned on one set, and then the same again on a YZF bottom end which requires a tear down first. Once this is done, the rest is fairly straight forwards.
There are 3 sets of barrels which apparently are the same barrels for YZF as they are for Ow1s.
The main issue is that YZF pistons will not work in an ow1. the squish, head and piston size are different.
So, I'm going with what I believe are YEC pistons that were in the box, and obviously when it comes to fitment I should see as the small ends on the Titanium rods are 18mm.
Due to the markings under the pistons, I'm fairly optimistic they are the ones that came out of the engine.
The race engine has covers for the starter motor and alternator which can of course can be removed for the race engine for the road.I suppose it does add weight as well as friction, but as there is no other way around it if I'm going to use the original engine in the frame again.
So basically I'm confident I could get the engine up and running fairly quickly. However, there are a few questions to be answered first, like if the small ends are too worn and require new sleeves.
Measuring tool will have to come out. As there isn't any real panic, the best way would be to ensure I don't rush the jobs in hand.

Engine parts inspecting and a polishing rag..

2011-12-30T23:41:00.000+01:00

Went down to the bike today and got some solvol on the frame.By all accounts the person who previously owned the bike put a lot of time and effort into polishing the frame and after a few rounds with the solvol the frame had a mirror finish. So that was fun!

Then I had a look at the box of parts that currently is filled with a genuine and neglected ow01 engine.
everything is in a pretty sorry state but not past the point of no return.
The cases need a cleaning and the major job and decision is to decide to try and rescue the bottom case or replace with a YZF which is the same. The only difference will be of course that the bottom end shells will have to be measured and the correct set purchased.
What has happened is that the previous owner managed to crack the casing by over tightening an engine bolt.There has been an attempt at a repair and the case has been welded.Just requires more work. I'm really tempted to try and rescue the case. However...I do have a spare bottom end from a YZF as well which came with the bike, so common sense would be to just use the bottom case and retain the top case..anyway, more on that later..
Basically the starting point is to clean up all the parts.

OW01 :the start of the inspection

2011-12-28T22:27:00.000+01:00

Winter hasn't hit sweden yet but the bike has now been moved into a bigger area and I've started the strip down.
Fairly obvious by it's condition that the bike has been in a lock up and just needs a serious looking over and some loving care. I'm not sure, but as far as I'm aware, the engine in the bike is a YZF engine which has the CR flat slides and race pipe of the original boxed racing engine. Big difference here, as the YZF has all the starting gear on the engine which the racing engine has not.

So there are two possibilities here.First of all, retain the bike as it is but do a complete engine out strip down and clean/replace all the necessary parts. Wire up the bike correctly to start off the starter motor ( as opposed to bump start) and basically make the bike road legal with the twin lights but retain the rest of the bike. Would still look the business and be a fairly easy job.

At the same time, do a complete engine rebuild on the full race engine. This should also be a fairly easy job despite the surface rust on some of the parts and the fact that one of the engine casings requires replacing as I have a spare YZF bottom end. That would take care of all the race parts and should produce an engine output as was the original that had Dyno rear wheel figures of 138bhp.

Another question of course would be to fit the original front wheel back on the bike with a speedo drive and keep the Dymags currently fitted for the bike once the full race engine is back in it.

I'm not sure as yet, but the best way forward imo is to strip the bike down to its skeleton and then rebuilt.
Then you know every nut and bolt of the bike.

oh what wicked webs we weave ..when we try to deceive..

2011-12-28T00:35:00.000+01:00

Got some interesting things going down around me at the moment...
Projects on the way up..
Projects on the way down..
Projects deliberately pulled down..

Why it's interesting is because despite the constant grey mass convincing me of conspiracy theories et al..I also get reminded that most of the times my gut feelings have proven worthy..

And just now I'm bang in the middle of a "closed door" project gutting that is very interesting to say the least as the blast effect may leave ripples of considerable proportions..

Ever had that that feeling that despite wanting to retain integrity you may just have to play such a diplomatic card that goes against everything you really feel..but you have too? Thats my place just now and even at this minute the paranoia switch is on defcon 4.

This of course will mean absolutely nothing to an outside reader..except for the very few..the point is to leave a fingerprint on this wicked web that people have weaved to try and deceive..so that I have a record to recount..

2011-12-28T00:24:00.001+01:00

The sum of all parts...Character will a Capital C !

2011-12-21T00:58:00.000+01:00

..back in the 90's I was in Nashville, Tennessee . I was there for 6 weeks buying up Harley Davidsons for the Scandinavian market..well, my boss was and I was carrying the cash for him..
I'll never forget looking through some small ads in the local paper looking for Hogs locally and coming across an early 70's Gibson Les Paul Custom. On the way back from buying a bike we stopped by the seller of the guitar and 10 minutes later I was the owner..
Upon my return to sweden, things got tough at one point and I sold the guitar..I always regretted selling the Custom..
So, a few years ago I was looking through the 'bay and all of a sudden a stripped Les paul custom came up.Advertised as a 71-75 with neck repair and all offers welcomed, I sent a mail immediately.It was mine..
I wasn't after an investment, just something to replace the mistake I'd made of selling the one back in 93..

The Rock'nRoll chassis arrived and I set to work to find the parts that I thought would really bring this carcass back to life. So, the running gear ended up as 61 tailp, 63 ABR, 50s grovers, 68 pafs and the original fretless wonders were left in place..the electrics were bought from an R9 with bumble bee caps and the plastic was all sourced originals..

The result is a memory surpassed. The weight, the smell, the sound is all right..it's soul was resurrected and many have mentioned it's their favorite of the collection..purely as a player for the sound..

Collectors would probably want to use the guitar for the spare parts..but...it's the sum of all parts that has made this one the way she is..irreplaceable and a genuine relic of days gone by.

x-mas came early..Gibson '56 junior gets back to p90 roots..

2011-12-16T22:59:00.001+01:00

removing the humbucker and checking the route

So, the Tom Shorts P90 dogear arrived and off I went, with tools in hand , I removed the poorly applied plastic wood that covered the original route for the original p90. Once I'd taken away the putty I found original screw holes which helped lining up the pup. With the cream cover on , there is a very slight gap, but lets face it, this guitar is a player and thats that.

I managed to get the pup in and solder up and the result is a classic vintage 50's sounding pickup.Before the overwounds started..but once I put her through the silver jubilee Marshall gain, the sound was awesome. The guitar is so light (haven't weighed but is very light) and sounds brilliant.

The tom shorts p90 was a custom wound for a guy in London and when it arrived I noticed it was meant for the neck. Not sure if he has made the pickup slightly weaker, but it still sounds raw vintage.
I always wanted a Gibson with p90s. The Melody maker was the start and ended up with hand made overwound mini humbuckers.
This guitar has a history and this is the next part.Out with a duncan antiquity and in with a handmade scatterwound p90 from Shorts. I was gonna put in a soap bar p90 but the route for humbucker was too big and there would have been a lot more work to pull off, so when I saw the shorts pup on the 'bay, I thought it would keep the guitar with an originality to being the dog she is..at the end of the day, it's a great guitar which has character in both sound and feel..brings a smile everytime I plug in!

New Pickup on the way for the 56

2011-12-11T21:24:00.001+01:00

So basically the '56 Gibbo les Paul jr is what you'd term as a player.With it's history, disappearance 30 years ago and then return to it's former owner through a basic mistake..the amount of work gone through the guitar is impressive in my opinion. To take a Jr and turn it into a Special is a lot of work..digging out cavitys for the extra pots and switches, the wiring in the body and all the rest..

But...I just wasn't happy with the fact that a humbucker was routed in the bridge position...It had to be returned to some kind of former self...

Initially I bought a Lundgren p90 soapbar, thinking this would suit the set up and fit. I was therefore disappointed to find that the routing for the humbucker simply wasn't right for a soapbar in the tail..So, the hunt was on..

And here it is..found on ebay and already in London (so no custom taxes) was a custom built p90 with the required cream colour and dogears setup for the body cavity. Not only that, but a boutique handmade scatterwound job from a guy called Tom Shorts who makes Marc Ford his pickups..and Ford has an awesome sound.

What was also positive was the fact that he doesn't overwound but leaves them as the originals, very much like Sliders pickups I have in the strat and tele, so you get the best sound from both guitar and use the amp to distort...

Hopefully will be here soon...can't wait to fit it out to some old wood!

Raw, unmixed and Brilliant!

2011-12-06T01:30:00.001+01:00

Ow01 happy snapping..

2011-11-27T21:13:00.000+01:00

2011-11-27T00:21:00.000+01:00

say no more..t'was an awesome tour!

2011-10-26T21:44:00.002+01:00

The Charvel Snowy white 2H on loan....

2011-10-25T00:45:00.000+01:00

found some pics on the web...
haven't got any of my own as it was loaned out.
These guitars are amazing quality.

Moget

2011-10-24T14:49:00.000+01:00

Sad day in Moto GP

2011-10-23T23:19:00.000+01:00

With the untimely death of the young and talented Marco Simoncelli on lap two of the Malaysian GP.
Looking at the crash it looks like he lost the bike but instead of going into a low slide the tyres still had enough grip to keep the bike from tipping and instead of high siding or low siding, it flung the kid off to it's side and had the bike veer in sharply infield on the oncoming lines of Colin Edwards and Valentino Rossi.
All this happens in less seconds than it takes to read two words from this sentence, so basically nothing could be done. Marco probably didn't have the time to even make a decision to get off the bars...but I don't feel he was that type of rider anyway, I reckon he took the bull by the horns and tried to keep in the race...24 years old and on lap two.
Very sad day for road racing.

ever get tired of injuries...

2011-10-04T23:10:00.004+01:00

Tomorrow and yet again another trip to the hospital to see what they can do for my right wrist injury.
Disaster struck as I was stupid enough to agree to play in a rugby game where I should have only been on the sidelines with a coffee and a cigarette.
The injuries this year have been a new time high..or low..depending on how you see it..
First off, in march I managed to keep getting pains in my lower back. A couple of trips to the doc confirmed the worst, a compressed disc in the lower back.
This managed to effect my left hamstring which lost it's gearbox around may/june. Apparently when nerves get trapped in lower backs they send pulses to the brain which in turn decides to stick hamstrings in reverse..weird as! I could finish a 2 hour session but the gearbox just wouldn't go into third or fourth...
Then, out of nowhere...the archilles decided to start acting up..and under the foot as well went willy wonka without warning..so, at least I had my guitars and my Kawasaki to work on and drive...
..and then..the tfcc ligament in my right wrist suddenly decided to rear it's ugly head and decide to act up...this is a very bad ligament to fuck with..its a rumble in the jungle ligament that can hold you on the ropes for too many rounds..the x-ray is my left hand..titanium bolt holding the scaphoid together....

With a new project on the way that requires some serious mechanics and with the kawasaki in the garage, I'm hoping for good news from the Hand surgeon tomorrow..despite the fact that it is still painful after a month and some...And the guitars...jeez..thats just mean..

I had to give the 69 tele a shot ....

retard..?

..you become immune after the years...but remain retarded...

Update:
After todays hospital visit the verdict came in that I had two torn ligaments in my right hand/wrist and that I would have to retain the cast for another three weeks.If things don't improve then they want to go in with a camera and check out the damage.
Thought it was amusing that the hand surgeon asked me if I needed more volteraine until the next visit..
More RETARD? NEVER GO FULL RETARD!

So, once you have one of these injuries it's always good to have a look around the forums and technical info about tfcc and everything surrounding the pros and cons of operations..

the news wasn't good..so I looked around the web and came across this: the wristwidget

Now then, before you get cynical, the reason I knew the spin on this would work was after the hand surgeon today, who was a lot better than the three previous orthopedic doctors, did a few tests on my bad wrist.If I recall, he did a watson test, a derby test and several others..one of them held the same places this widget holds and all the pain went away when he relieved the pressure..thats how he knew it was a torn tfcc and xxx ligament in my hand.So, if you read the spin as to how this wristwidget works, you'll understand once you've done the tests, it's worth the investment! I'll see when it arrives of course..

The man who stopped japanese domination in road racing

2011-10-04T00:05:00.000+01:00

Tear jerker

2011-10-03T23:49:00.000+01:00

I found this on Youtube by sheer accident whilst watching the transatlantic racing from the mid 80s and the first World Superbike from Donington, which I actually went down to.

The 500cc two stroke class was without doubt the most brutal class in my time as an mc fan. Obviously I wouldn't argue with the generation that watched the TZ700/750's appear and remind us mere mortals that Lucifer did exist and worked out of a garage in Japan.
But the years of the Honda, Yamaha, Cagiva, Suzuki..amazing..the big bang engine of the Honda...and the riders taking the bulls by the horns also seemed to have it tougher than todays MotoGP who run 4 strokes with more wiring for the engine management and fuel injectors than they seem to have veins in their wrists.I could be completely wrong of course, and I wouldn't want to detract from the likes of Rossi or Lorenzo, but in my day you were a worthy champion if you survived a season on one of those two stroke beasts!

Cool pic of Jamie James in '92 on the V&H yamaha

2011-10-03T22:43:00.000+01:00

Kawasaki ZXRR porn!

2011-10-01T01:12:00.000+01:00

Kawasaki Race bikes

2011-09-29T16:13:00.000+01:00

I was sent these pictures by a guy selling off his collection of road racing Kawasakis.Enjoy.

Great pics of the YZF TT F1 bikes

2011-09-28T15:43:00.000+01:00

New racing class announced

2011-09-26T22:58:00.000+01:00

That will include bikes like my own zxr750r.
Found this pic of Reynolds on a ZXRr, probably from the year he won the british championship.

Mine is currently in the garage awaiting an mot and some paperwork with regards the K frame. With my right wrist suffering a ligament issue and with the Swedish winter moving in, I'm not really in any hurry and the OW01 will be getting most of the winter hours as the zxr is basically already to go.

Speakers on MAX!

2011-09-26T22:44:00.000+01:00

You gotta love Honda for going insane and building the most incredible multi cylinder machines to compete with MV.

As we all know, the Japanese have a bizarre history in TV shows...so somebody one day felt it would be a good idea to take an rc166 into the studio and to get a crowd reaction..

Best of British? NORTON NRV588

2011-09-26T22:31:00.003+01:00

You'll probably realise I'm a wee bit slow on the uptake with regards bikes that have already been in the news..and heres one I only found out about the other day...what a beauty!
Somewhere filed away under "cancelled projects" I still own a Norton letterhead offer of a complete rolling chassis off the mark 1 Spondon Norton racers.This type filmed here at East Fortune in Scotland:

That usually brings a tear to people who know what I didn't move on..but the main issue back then , is the same now..you had to have a rotary engine to put into the chassis and that wasn't so easy...
I used to head up to knockhill to watch the JPS Nortons with Ray Stringer and Trevor Nation (think Steve Spray also raced them) and watch them firing flames six feet out the exhaust..they ran hotter than hot and sounded like the Kraken was released! The question was always surrounding they're actual displacement..some argued it was double what was being claimed, and looking at them fly past the bikes at the time made you wonder how a twin at 588cc could be that quick..

Anyway, the new version sounds awesome!

check out back in the day...plenty ow01's, rc30s and of course a norton in its infancy..

norton nrs

back in the day

2011-09-21T23:11:00.001+01:00

misc pictures from 88fz to yzf...

2011-09-19T19:39:00.000+01:00

As explained previously, once the OW01 was purchased , it was time to scout around the net for full race bikes or otherwise.Some are the pre-OW01s, and you can see the dna is there and the foundations.

YZF Endurance racer-no words required..

2011-09-19T19:26:00.000+01:00

OW01 History

2011-09-19T19:15:00.002+01:00

News update.
Well, I went ahead a purchased the Yamaha ow01 that was on Ebay. I reckoned I'd never have the same chance if I hadn't without going through the hassle of trying to get a restoration project from Tokyo or somewhere obscure?
So the next thing was to try and find some authorities on the bikes and start looking around the forums and classifieds for any parts or info. It's gonna be a month before I get the bike back from London so theres lots of time before I see what needs to be done.
It's an 89 model which was road registered in 2002 but with an 89 reg plate.
I managed to get in contact with a guy who still races the model and who is sponsored by the main authority on the bikes.He mentioned he remembered racing against the very bike and that it was quick but that it apparently blew it's engine on a dyno..he also game me a name of the person who raced the bike.

So a few googles later and I was on the phone to PDQ, a company who worked on high performance bike building.The technician who raced the bike still worked there and the previous owner of the bike had also worked at PDQ before starting up on his own.So the question was, obviously, was it fast and did it blow on the dyno?

-"no, the engine never blew on the dyno! the owner was curious as to where the engine came from and what it's insides looked like as when he got it and dynoed it the results were so impressive it was deemed as something a bit better than a std tune.back wheel gave 138bhp and the parts on the bike were very trick.Rumours abound that it was an ex works loctite engine.In fact, there were a lot of rumours surrounding the bike but nothing ever really became worked out.The owner stripped the engine and when putting it back together managed to over torque a bolt going into the cases which stopped the rebuild.And that was that.It's got some very serious parts on it, including a race gearbox, race ported head, flatslides and then the frame has a yec gusset kit fitted...also there are loctite stickers painted over on the carbon fibre fairing..so we reckoned it was a full race engine built by a pro..had a race tacho and ecu as well..."

All good news and the rebuilt should be fun.Lets hope so anyway! I'll be updating the site once I start unpacking the bits n bobs.
One thing that I hadn't seen around were pictures of a bike with the YEC frame gussets.I searched and searched, only finding pics of standard bikes or race bikes that didn't have the frame race kit option.
Then , finally on a forum, this bike turned up, Eddie lawsons daytona winning Ow01:

and one more from Italy with frame gusset and swing arm strengthing

You can see the extra frame gusset welded down to the swinging arm pivot over the cast part of the standard setup.
So, basically you have a deltabox frame which is based to take any amount and more horsepower kept together with Grandprix front forks (not like the öhlins above) and an öhlins fully adjustable on the rear.Mine doesn't have the race-kit swinging arm, but does have dymags, qd rear wheel, alloy endurance tank which is slightly larger, and a flatslide/harris airbox:

so, all pretty exciting anyway.Can't wait to pick up the bike and start the strip down..although..famous last words...

One step closer..

2011-08-25T23:02:00.000+01:00

The logistical nightmare of buying a race bike over the phone in another country has taken one step forward.If everything runs as smoothly as it should, I should have the Yamaha ow01 moved to a garage in central London awaiting pickup once I'm over there.
I've also been in contact with the authority on Ow01's who has already been very helpful and has 3 sheds of spares when or f required.
The OW01 is quite a rare beast but I have to say I do prefer them more in race guise than standard road bike. The bike I'm buying, which I've put up as pics in another post, has several race parts and also some other parts used back in the day for racing.For example, the radiator isn't a race-kit part but a kawasaki radiator used by many OW01 racers as they were curved and more efficient.
The bike is road registered. But lacks standard parts like a starter and of course a wiring harness.I also believe it was running a total loss ignition set-up.

However, the gutz of the bike are one of the 140 imported to the UK. Currently it has a yzf engine installed , but comes with the original ow01 engine in boxes. Apparently the cases had a hydraulic lock and snapped a lug off on the inside. I reckon that should be fixable.The pistons have been die-tested and cleared but require rings which have been sourced. The crank has been knife-edged and bulldogged and carries titanium rods. So X-mas shopping list will include a complete gasket set.

There are some other interesting parts.Endurance alloy tank which is slightly larger.Harris airbox.carbon mix fairings and seat . Flat-slide carbs Dymags carry the chassis.At 187kg as a road bike, it will be interesting to find out the weight with all the goodies.

Anyway, full strip down for the winter on the way.Will post updated pics and info throughout the winter.
Oh, and the picture? It's not my bike, but I'd like to replicate those lines for the project bike!

OGK STEVE HISLOP FF-4 Helmet

2011-08-08T23:42:00.001+01:00

on the way...

Not this one, but a new one on the way.
Hizzy was a legend and a true road racer ambassador for Scotland.

OW01 awaiting a buyer....

2011-08-01T23:18:00.000+01:00

Project RED

2011-07-29T21:24:00.000+01:00

2011-07-29T21:11:00.000+01:00

Bodywork is all carbon mix ,Afam chain and sprockets with spare chain and sprockets ,Race Kit Cams ,Gas flowed head, Race Kit gearbox ,Race kit pistons ,Knife edge crank and bull nosed but rusty, titanium con rods ,Race kit cdi ,Race kit breather ,Flatslide carbs ,Race kit Airbox ,Race kit Radiator,Race kit frame,Dymag Wheels,Race kit Exhaust full system, Spare front wheel with discs,Extreme tech steering damper speed sensative ,Original WP steering damper ,Ohlins rear shock with hydralic preload adjuster but taken off the shock.Spare body work with 2 spare belly pans and other parts in a box also spare crank cases.....

Not this one....

But one of the original OW01's that made it to the UK...
phone call's been made.Basically a complete factory engine that never got put back together and requires some work, but just to keep things ticking along , a YZF750 engine is fitted, together with the kit airbox, full exhaust and flatslides.

Suffice to say I'm interested....

A cacophony of megaphonitis!

2011-07-27T23:42:00.000+01:00

Anoraks of Sound need only watch and enjoy...you gotta be a petrol head to understand, me thinks..

Bark...of the MV!

gotta love that bark!

and the best to last..the 6 cylinder..

Honda thought they'd copy and have a shot..

Honda went insane with the amount of cylinders and cubic capacity...sounds good though

Current builds..

2011-07-27T00:26:00.001+01:00

Things been moving since my last attempted update which ended on the scrap pile.
..basically it's been musical chairs since the inception of the RED project.
The main problem I have is that I really don't like going half way on projects.
I found a great body for the project neck but it was an American Standard trem setup and had a "swimming pool" route...okay, that may actually sound awesome AND the body was real light, running in at 3,6lbs..
But, at the same time, it's a schecter neck and I do have a red / tangerine Schecter body running in at 3,5lbs with a relic pickguard setup. So Red will be that.
At the same time, I finally put the Relic 77 stratocaster hardtail together. I've had her parts on a lighter 76 body but felt she deserved to be put back together despite the 70's heavy Ash weight.
Just to ensure the fingers got a workout I fitted Rotosounds 13-54's and tuned down a half.
A genuine fender 76 neck and neck plate will be fitted to the super light 76 body.
A genuine signature SRV 12" radius will be put aside as the RED takes shape.I've been offered an SRV signature body at a good price, but I'm not sure..it's like..innovate, don't copy 100% , if you know what I mean..
..the EJ relic I put together is a good example..with 59 thin skin custom shop scatterwounds and genuine relic bakelite 50's parts , its not exactly the same as the std EJ strat..

Updates to follow..
oh, and lets give cred to the crazy Swede who uses 2 zillion marshall 50 watt heads and no floyd..

ProjeKt Red

2011-07-13T23:07:00.001+01:00

So you kinda guessed by now what the plan is...or was..you know they change around when your in projex time..
So the SRV "red" guitar will be the rough plan but the parts are Schecker , including custom body in iroko which is really light, and the newly acquired neck which is a reverse head with rosewood board and made by L'arrivee guitars in Canada.I'm actually surprised it didn't sell sooner as the quality by L'arrivee is second to none and just looking at the pics I was impressed.
Schecker at the time were getting parts also made in japan but at some point they pointed their finger to Canada and here is the result.
Of course, a lot can happen before the neck actually arrives as there is a very heavy 77 hardtail strat body and a 78 tele body..we shall see...

1+2

2011-07-12T21:42:00.000+01:00

part 1

2011-07-12T15:54:00.001+01:00

Bucharest European Championship

2011-07-11T15:23:00.001+01:00

In 7 a side rugby.
Ticket is booked.
Team is picked.
I'm heading as a technical advisor.
Tough group but already getting ready for the challenge.And when the word challenge comes along , the pipes come along...

Projex

2011-07-11T10:49:00.001+01:00

Currently waiting for news from the states as a friend will be bidding on an item that is only available in the USA. It's a steal imo if I'm fortunate enough to get it and more news will follow.
Looking at building a tele with a scatterwound neck humbucker and handmade scatterwould bridge pickup with a gatton bridge and saddles..
As usual the body is the main issue with regards weight and finish but I have found a new body whichy may be spot on for the tele.
I'll update as parts are sourced and purchased..

A must have..

2011-07-07T12:52:00.000+01:00

If you like the SRV texas shuffle then this recording is a must from his early days.
Uncomplicated and brilliant..(well, as uncomplicated as he gets..)

Yes yes

2011-06-28T15:16:00.001+01:00

We've all heard it ...but..I never get tired of this song and I stumbled over this version on Youtube which is a version I'd never heard previously..so enjoy!

Special...

2011-06-28T09:33:00.000+01:00

I'll kick off first and foremost by saying I'm not really that familair with Zappa and his library of music.
But now and again somebody posts something or I come across something and his genius or sheer incredibilty falls on my lap.I always loved "the torture never stops" from the very same Barcelona concert which can be found on the Tube..but this actually leaves a mark..just love the sound/tone/feel and the whole composition of the song is brilliant.Really leaves a mark, this one..

Scottish funk?

2011-06-26T11:02:00.003+01:00

In a Galaxy far far away...
..feels like that anyway, but a while back I listened to a band headed up by Jesse Rae..
The bass playing on the only album he released was firmly left in the memory banks..
So nowadays with Spotify making every obscurity available at the touch of a key, try giving it a listen.
Fav bass playing on "inside-out" and his voice and music really seems to go a 360 on his stage image..
actually, the man always dresses like this and is currently involved in Scottish politics so at least he dresses with intention!

Back to the music though, Scottish funk, dressed in traditional scottish dress...not something you come across every day.

Just found this on the Tube..from 2011..didn't know he was still performing..he must be about 100 years old..

talking of classic and original acts...

Muzzy Works fitted and wheezin' n poppin'!

2011-06-26T00:00:00.000+01:00

Not forgetting this is the OEM Silencer. You can see yourself how the down-pipes are pretty standard stuff, same diameter the whole length into a rather heavy and clumsy collector box and a silencer that weighs in @ "too much"...

The Verdict?
Well, having only driven the K1 with the stock silencer, I have to say I was getting used to being ever so quiet and being the neighbours best friend.The Stock silencer really kills any race sound what soever and almost strains when your giving the beans..I really don't enjoy hearing the top end louder than the exhaust tone..
So, after the change and once the +2 advancer was fitted, I hit the start button not really knowing what to expect..
Upon start up, the first thing that popped into my head was, "what happened to the silencer packaging"...
Suddenly I'm starting on a grid waiting for the lights to turn green.Total race sound, from the front end to the rear.Revs seemed to raise much easier, probably pipe and advancer..it's just a raw sound thats hard to explain..I was slightly worried that there would be a lot of blow-by as things seemed a bit too loose..but instead it's just raw...a raw roaring rawk would pretty much summarise...It's balls have just dropped and it's become a man , instead of a geisha gal..even though all my bikes are she's...so a she-male perhaps?
If you've ever worked with hand-made exhausts with 14 springs and 3 peice headers you'll know how interesting it gets...a spring tool was bought but it ended up useless of course and I was left with a trick of pulling springs from an old Norton tuning book from the 40's..worked a treat.
I put away 5 hours to do the job from start to finish and it ended on 4...so not too bad when you consider the pitfalls..due to one of the headers hitting the cooler fan bolt I had to adjust plastic once I put the fairing back on...
Buts it's on and of course tomorrow is sunday and , well..."On any Sunday"...

Wednesday is play away..

2011-06-15T13:57:00.000+01:00

So wednesday is the day I finally have some time from coaching teams or training myself and tonight I'll try and fit the Muzzy exhaust to the Zxr750k. I had to redrill out the rivets I added on the silencer as I managed to not notice the springs didn't fit on the sides but on the top of the silencer..doh!!!
I can't remember if I had to remove the rad to change the exhaust...and I'm not sure if it's a case of putting all the springs on prior to fitment..anyway, I'll soon find out..you know what it's like..your scrambling in the dark to fit that last impossible bolt...
No idea how the packaging in the silencer is gonna have her sounding..but just now the stock silencer is incrediblely quiet ..almost to the point of being dangerous , as cars can't hear you creepin' up behind them..
so , we shall see..hopefully this will be a more similar sound, although running straight air trumpets through the FCR's must be a nightmare to get the jets sorted..

Adjustable Wrap-arounds

2011-06-15T13:45:00.000+01:00

Once I recieved the Gremlin Mountain Queen neck pickup I soldered it in, only to discover that once again I'd been sent a bad 'un. I contacted Mike and he replied immediatly with the news that he would send another and that I had been unfortunate. The neck pup wasn't dead, but the sound was very thin and my original mini humbucker was a lot better.So, fingers crossed the replacement is better.

So now that I'm developing the 61 Melody Maker, it's time to maybe look at upgrading the wrap around tail peice. To be honest I haven't check the intonation but by all accounts with an original it'll be off..maybe better off though..didn't really worry people back in the day and their sound was acceptable..
She's turning into a really great sounding guitar despite the thinness of the body of these old guitars..you can't beat old wood!

Edinburgh Blues Night live back in the day...

2011-06-14T12:48:00.000+01:00

Back when I was a teenager I lived in central Edinburgh and every weekend we used to collect all the spirits we could find and pour them into a large cooking pot, we then passed round a small snaps glass and tasted the brew....it was usually always ruined by something resembling coconut or even worst, cheap wine...it all went in, and just like the magic potion in Asterix we all became invincible before heading into Edinburghs pub districts to listen to the blues...Blues N trouble were always the best band to catch, as The Preservation hall would be sold out and even standing areas included the tables..
It all changed with the advent of pissed off neighbours which ensured that decibel limiters were fixed above the stages around the pubs..the death of live music as we knew it..things would never be the same again and it was like watching the extinction of the Buffalo...

Once I'd moved to Sweden in the late eighties, early ninties, The BnT's played a gig at the local blues bar in Uppsala..I met up with them and we all got trashed on a free bar and some skin ups..good times and a fantastic band!

Muzzy AMA Supersport works exhaust

2011-06-10T23:42:00.000+01:00

One night I noticed a guy in California was selling a full Muzzy exhaust system which he noted in the ad had apparently adorned Scott Russells AMA Supersport ZX7R..okay; i know what your thinking...they all did...
Anyway, 3 days later and it was mine. And when it arrived it's fairly obvious this is indeed a hand made exhaust.No idea if it did adorn a works Muzzy bike, but the amount of work in every section of the pipes, the plenums and belling of the sections and quality of the welding..held together with a bunch of springs..has me wondering..this is no ordinary standard pipe imo..

The ad also added the silencer packing would need changed..and the ends of the silencer had had the rivets removed.The packing was layered and extremely tight and wired to the baffle..thats the best way to ensure nothing gets baffled and the gases just head straight out! Loud pipe in other words...
The amount glass fibre and wire (all done by hand) was impressive and it took a fair amount of work to clip and unwind the wire and finally remove the baffle from the skin scratching packing.

Out with the old , and wrap up with the new..loose, so it's not as loud as a full race pipe.

Then I just got happy snappy once the pipe was put back together and the down pipes were slotted into the collector, awaiting springs..the headers go into a separate plug that goes into the head and attach by springs..as I said before..the workmanship per pipe section is exceptional and the pics just don't give it justice!

The weight of the entire exhaust is less than the stock silencer...

1 of 3 of Grandads Medals in Scottish Football...

2011-06-10T14:36:00.000+01:00

Just brilliant...

2011-06-08T13:28:00.002+01:00

and some....

Seriously feel the Black Crowes are on par with Zepplin with regards their song writing and overall soul in their music, I understand why Jimmy Page toured with them.

39mm flatslides...no pain-no gain!

2011-06-08T00:07:00.000+01:00

Just getting used to the rebuilt k1.
You never just "let loose" once you've done a rebuild from the ground up, replacing a frame, welding up a swinging arm and changing the tie rods and rocker in the rear.
The weather has been picking up and now back to being crappy. The front tyre arrived in the post today which is great as the one she currently wears has completely lost its edges across the entire ratio....as I tend "ride the front" quite hard and enjoy braking real late, it doesn't leave much confidence once your down to nothing on the front..so a new Dunlop 208 RR will be put on tomorrow.
I took her out for some speed runs on monday and I wasn't too happy that the foot-pegs started vibrating around the 180 and into 220. I'll have to have to check the engine mountings are tight.
Reading about these engines and the cam chain gets a mention.Apparently they wear out, so thats the next job then.I did feel it was a bit noisy and also heard the transmission was pretty loud.
The gearboxes selector forks take a kicking due to the tall first and close ratio second to six.

Now the biggest complaint about these bikes are the flatslides. Roller coaster power peaks and dips, open the throttle too wide and the air/fuel ratio bogs you down and your left in a huge flatspot until she coughs up flem and lets you go.You have to really be careful and start understanding once your in the zone to throw her WOT.
As I'm used to bikes being difficult, like Laverdas 180's running open trumpets, or 400/4's running open, the flatslides are a great challenge of point, squirt, but with the precision of a surgeon! Wrists get a great work out despite a hydraulic clutch..
The Gsxr 6 pots are also something to get used too, I'm really surprised by how much feel they have.I reckon its down to the standard master cylinder, so maybe an upgrade on the way...

Next move is to get the Muzzy works silencer repacked, re revitted and hopefully she'll breathe easier!
Also possibly a 4 degree advancer for the ignition.

But lets get that front tyre fitted first so I can get more confidence to throw her around and really test those flatslides!

Coming soon..

2011-06-01T00:12:00.001+01:00

Dropped in the letter box today..
The replaced Gremlin Mountain Queen mini humbucker which has double the output of a stock mini, and some silencer packaging to finally work on the works Muzzy pipe for the zxr...

pics to follow and perhaps some sound clips of the hand made bucker in the tail of the 61 melody maker D.

The Barden Tele on loan

2011-05-29T20:50:00.000+01:00

The Barden tele which Ive blogged about previously got a live airing at the weekend with a mate and his band. Sounds good imo! Good performance all round by Silver and the Rainydays.

Back in the day!

2011-05-27T13:59:00.000+01:00

I try and explain to people that my Kawasaki, being a 91 model, is actually very much a classic in todays MC market. But when your brought up with looking at pictures of Eddie Lawson riding the Moriwaki kawasaki monsters , you realise just how much changed from that bike and then up to the delta boxed ZXR.
Air cooled, steel frame, underslung swing arms and dual gas shocks, which engines tuned to burst and of course those flat tracker bars giving everything away.
Cool that they released a modern version of the bike, but as usual the weights increase (as well as power of course) but the whole retro thing doesn't really get it as the bikes are too rider friendly! They weren't back in the day, with a 130 Pirelli on the back you were working with large tyres :-)
I suppose the generation prior to that probably felt that was also massive compared to what they had to use.
Those old kawaski Eddie Lawson replicas go for big bucks nowadays.

Another bike to die for was, in my opinion, the Mike Hailwood replica. These bikes are such dinasaurs nowadays compared to whats happened since the time that Brembo Goldlines were considered the best one could buy, alongside Lockheeds that is.Keeping in mind that in 1981 you still had to have a wee carpet under the bike in case it decided to remind you that the Italians had a different concept of Quality Assurance...

As always with the Dukes, it was that sound. I had a friend who owned the standard 900ss and it looked and sounded tremendous..but reliability versus costs...you know the rest...

Then came the beast I never owned but always wanted..back then that is..the RG500..Look at the rear tyre..didn't even stretch to a 130..but it worked..The number of times I went down Leith walk in Edinburgh and just sat on an RG , looking at the clean lines of the cockpit and wondering how she'd fair against my yamaha 350 at the time..which had powerjet 38's and Swarbrick pipes on a tuned engine...

Funny when you look back and what was and what is available out fo the crate nowadays..

Seems like the aftermarket frame constructors have been closed down as the factories are providing the bikes that everybody wants out of the crate.

I reckon the ZXR750R K1 is more than enough for me nowadays..gettin' old and paying classic insurance on a bile with a Japan full power engine...sign of the times...

One of the best live bands

2011-05-26T14:00:00.000+01:00

..I was fortunate to witness the same year as this clip from Youtube.
There are a few bands that you just can't stay sober and watch! The Pogues are one of them, and the Ramones is another.
Both times was at the Barrowlands in Glasgow that I recall the days following the gig, swearing to myself that I would never drink the "water of life" ever again....
The stomach pump at St Marys hospital still didn't do the trick however...

Enjoy!(I always wanted a penny whistle as well!)

heres a diagram..

2011-05-24T23:45:00.000+01:00

which should explain why D208RR's are awesome tyres. Unfortunately, unlike the weather today which was storm warnings, the diagram seems to be stored in a dry environment and the 208's aren't at their best when it's pissing with rain..
Regardless, I'll stay positive and hope for a bright summer with tacky tarmac!
The front is on the way, had to wait for payday, but I'll be happy when I have a new front as the one on the bike has no edge left..
Anyway, back to the diagram to assist...(?)

Chaincase replacement

2011-05-24T23:40:00.000+01:00

well, not this exact example, but one similar to replace the one that cracked after the chain exit.
Just have to keep scouring the net for some nicer plastic..

Jackanory with a message.....

2011-05-24T15:41:00.000+01:00

..that kinda sends a message..

Apparently a famous guitarist was playing away on a guitar and an guy who was doing an interview with him said, "wow, that guitar has a great tone"..
At which point the guitarist put the guitar down and said, " sure, what kind of tone does it have now?"

Arrrrrrrrrgggghhhhhhhh!

2011-05-24T00:13:00.000+01:00

Monday morning.
Bike was parked up sunday and I was actually please the weather was bad so I didn't feel too bad about losing ride time. But that split link was worrying me.I still can't believe the guy at the bike shop on the saturday refused to help me out even though the split link could have come off on the motorway.
"come back on monday" was his rather sad answer when I asked to borrow the softlink tool..."I don't know what it looks like..sorry mate" was his answer..I tried to explain I'd be fucked if it came off on the way home..but this guy wasn't bothered his ass..
I made it back, driving well below the speed limit.
Monday morning.Weather is looking good.Split link in pocket- check! off I went towards yamaha centre. Kept to the city roads and not motorway to keep the speed down...take a long right...open her up around the apex..and theres a dip, infamous after Swedish winters...crunch!...clutch in..throttle down and I roll to a stop..car follows and stops..."is that your chain lying in the middle of the road?".. .. ..
-"no shit sherlock"...

Fuck me I was PISSED! Every swear word in the vocabulary was aimed at saturdays svenny...it was ALL his fault...obviously on reflection..it was all my own fault..but blame is easier...
So, I phoned another local bike shop, about 1km away..
-" hi..I'm in big trouble..chain link off...need a tool to put the one in my pocket back on the bike."..
the answer didn't help the swearing or my own already disfigured ideology of Svennies...
"naa..sorry mate..don't lend tools..not even of you leave a card.."..............
Thanks very fucking much, MATE!

so..there I was.I did what had to be done.I phoned a mate, went and bought the chain extractor / rivet tool, collected the tools required to remove the engine casing and of course the blocks to lift up the rear wheel. 15 minutes later having collected the gear the new split link was on the bike and my bpm was down a tad.

On reflection I was lucky the damage wasn't worst than it was. The only victim was the top of the magnesium chain cover which was cracked and a small piece removed...new replacement already sourced..it could have been much much worst.
I think what disappoints me more than anything else is the attitude from the bike shops.It's not just the bike shops mind, but every subculture that I'm been involved with just isn't the same anymore...getting old perhaps and missed a sign of the times sign somewhere along the line.
Years ago I was working on a bike , late in the evening in Musselburgh,scotland, when I heard a loud scooter on its way along the long straight just next to the housing. Then it popped and wheezed and there was that annoying silence you get when something has just stopped working.
I walked out of the garage and towards the scooter boy who was shaking his head at his wheels. When he saw me he didn't look much happier, as back in the 80's it was rockers versus scooter boys...that was the classic..
..but that evening we pulled his scooter into the garage and he went off with my promise that it would still be in one piece when he returned the morrow. I even tried to fix the thing, but to be honest I simply couldn't get to grips with the design or build..it was alien to me..
Wheels are wheels..oil is oil..and oil is the blood we all share.Or used to. The whole saga surrounding the chain break is actually more a disappointment of an end of an era..or simply I'm in the wrong place at the wrong time..it's like an end of an era...

Russell/Muzzy '92

2011-05-22T22:49:00.001+01:00

Cleaned up after start up and unpacked the exhaust I bought which apparently was the exhaust from the official muzzy race shop.And you'd probably believe it was if you saw it close up. welding is amazing and everything is kept together with springs at every joint. The silencer has had all it's rivets removed and will need repacked, but I can't wait to sort it out and fit it up.
But first, a front D208RR will have to be fitted as the first is really at the end of days.
Once that is out of the way, I'll sort out the paperwork. I think I'll also fit a 4 degree advancer , together with the exhaust as that is meant to be a huge benefit.Maybe there is already one in it?

With regards packing for the exhaust, it's fairly simple. Tight = loud, looser packing= less loud .
last but not least the rear-sets will be fitted.

Anyway, I've been taking it really easy due to the split-link issue which I plan to resolve first thing tomorrow. The bike isn't pristine as she was, but there is a lot of character there which almost suits a bike that was made for the track. And of course the entire FCR39 experience is always a sweet one!
Think an oil change will be on the cards as well.

Russell leading Chandler in 1990's in the SuperSport on the zxr750r.

Startup

2011-05-20T20:34:00.000+01:00

Now the tyre was changed to a new dunlop 208RR and the screen had arrived from germany, I filled up the tank with 5 litres and crossed the fingers...battery ran for a second and then the solenoid starting clicking...so much for the "new battery thats ready to use from the box"....
Slapped a charger on her and waited...used the time to tighten, re-tighten, check and double check...
After 2 hours I tried again...nothing.dead. I thought the CDI was cooked...worst case scenario...
then I thought I'd re-attach the red/white wire from the battery direct to the CDI.
I started checking all the connectors around the fuel pump, checked the fuel pump relay..just had the feeling that there was no fuel getting through..and It was too early to take the tank off and start checking for spark..

then...one more time, as it always is..pull in the clutch,and hit the starter button...and she started!!!

rough as to begin with, but the last time she ran, she was thrown down the road , mind..
so, she was misfiring, the carbs were all out , the rev counter was soaring left right and centre..
Then she cut out.Dead. I tried, the solenoid clicked...the fuel was set to off...bollox...

waited a while and then, on reserve, hit the starter and off again..once again she started misfiring, but I adjusted the tickover and let her run hot.After around 5 minutes and she sounded like she always had..not smooth....but smooth with an edge..

The OEM silencer is currently on the bike as I'll have to sort out the paperwork and legalities.hence sewing machine immitations..

It's awesome when they start. I drove her up the road to garage 2.

Great memories and the start of Sleipner!

2011-05-20T00:54:00.000+01:00

Just found this on Youtube, simply awesome to find this old footage of the legendary BOTT harley "lucifers hammer" ! Only the other day I found the blue prints of the oil tank that you'll see if you look closely , slung underneath the engine. Completely different design used by Dick O'brian who sent me the prints from the Harley Davidson race shop. The commentator also mentions another guy I was in contact with, Don Tilley, who was a big name in the HD racing game.

Sleipner, my own designed, built and raced Harley had it's origins with "lucifers hammer".

Super Friday!

2011-05-19T22:46:00.000+01:00

Expectations are high for tomorrow.

The last parts are finally ready to be fitted, so first thing I'm removing the zxr rear wheel and dragging it off to get a new tyre fitted.
Then collect the screen for the fairing.
Then I have the blasted soft link to sort out, but the plan is to start up the bike!!!
As the Zep said, "been a long time since I rock n rolled!"..fingers crossed nothing shorted the CDI..
Happened to me with the V&H GSXR WT...expensive mistake..

Then the R9 is to be collected from the local music shop and once again, fingers crossed the diagnosis isn't a dead pick up...

Big day!