Why We do What We Do

britman · Post by **britman** » Sat Feb 07, 2009 9:05 pm

Today I fired my CL77 project up for the first time. I started the day thinking I would be happy if I just got the clutch installed and adjusted. The next thing you know I was bolting on a couple of parts bike carbs and doing a quick Ed Moore timing set after adjusting the valves. Next the parts bike tank with some lawn mower gas and the pipes trying to beat the sunset. I turned the key, set the choke, and it fired on the second kick. After burning out the assembly oil, it sat and idled probably just as good as it did when it hit the show room 42 years ago. Around the block we went, minus the foot pegs, to test the clutch and shifting. It was perfect even with my feet dangling like I was bareback on a donkey. Sometimes you just can't wait to see if you did everything right and it is a damn good feeling when you reach that goal. Now it is final tuning and adding all of the goodies that make a project complete and road worthy. I don't care if you do a nut and bolt exact restoration or a decent garage rebuild like mine, it is good feeling to bring one of these machines back. I will post some shots in the next week or two when everything is done. I must also say again what a help this forum and it's contributing members have been in my wrench turning. Whenever you encounter a problem, the solution can usually be found here. Thanks again everyone.

Spargett · Post by **Spargett** » Sat Feb 07, 2009 9:19 pm

It really is a beautiful thing. Unfortunately today's popular mindset is that its better to replace something when it breaks or gets old instead of fixing the problem. Just as we toss out our old things, so does the history that goes with them. This mentality tends to spill over to an emotional realm just as it does material, which in turn affects our daily lives.

I find the other parallel of beauty is the fact that motorcycles will prob never be built like these machines ever again. Preserving this moment in time and carrying it into the year 2009 like carrying the engineer's olympic torch on.

It is a proud moment when through our own will, we can celebrate legacy.