2/19/09

So yesterday I said I might be talked into a V-twin or the N600, right? Well, after John and I had a look at the car, the differential thingy from Northern, and some other stuff, I think I've been convince that a V-twin is the way to go. So, now I’m on the lookout for an air-cooled carbureted big-inch Japanese V-twin. Oh, I'm also looking for a small differential unit, like from a Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV-4, or Ford Escape. When I mentioned my concern about the bike’s charging system not being up to the job, John interrupted me and suggested the very idea I was about to ask his opinion on. Remember, I was thinking about running a GM one-wire alternator off of either the output flange of the engine or the input flange of the differential? So, since we agree on that idea, it looks like we’ll be doing that. Now, as for the inboard brakes, we’re not so much in agreement there. Fortunately for John’s side of the argument, we found a set of 13” wheels that will work so we have room for big brakes outboard. While we were at Northern looking at wheels and differentials, I mentioned that I'd measured the studs and was pretty sure they were not 4 on 4” but something like 4 on 110mm. With that in mind, we opted to not buy a trailer wheel and tire combo. We had a look at those blue Libra wheels which have been floating around the shop forever, the ones which have fit nothing so far, and voila! They fit. We also discovered that the center caps from a set of Mercury Capri steel wheels fit perfectly. So, I'm also on the lookout for a set of 175/50-13 tires in the near future. In a quest for a name, I looked up how to say “600” in Japanese. I believe it is Roku-Hyaku, so I think for the time being I'm going to start calling the car that. I might throw in the “N” as well and say N Roku-Hyaku. I am also trying to learn the Kanji script for Honda N Roku-Hyaku, just in case. Just in case? Just in case what? Just in case your face, that’s what. Anyhoo, back to the car, John has ordered a set of Mini flares for it. They should be here tomorrow so we’ll play with them on Saturday. He also has a car we need to go get and a dude coming to buy the 240Z on Saturday. We might get around to playing with Roku-Hyaku, I don’t know. Ok, up above when I said I was on the lookout for 175/50-13 tires, he’s actually found a set of Sumitomos in that size on the Tire Rack website. I guess I need to cough up the $204.00 for a set and get them on their way here. Damn, I'm getting excited about this car! In fact, it has taken my mind off of guns for the first time since October. I can hardly wait. Hey, if I were using a Hardly engine, that would have been a bad pun. So on that note, I think I'm going to call it a day and get the funk out of here.