The Dart

28. Januar 2011:

Despite the winters cold and other annoyances here's still some activity to trace, though not very intense.

Today I've experimented with air filters for the Dart. I've bought an original box because I wanted to replace the mounted open pod filters. After having wriggled the filter box into the very limited room for it, I sat down to have look at it - and decided to remove it again! I think it's simply too much in the way when working on the bike! A simple task as adjusting the valves requires removal the tank holding bracket, the tank and also the air filter. Without the box you can simply lift out the tank and you have almost unlimited space.
Also, the Dart offers open pod filters rather good conditions, so I'm going to keep that solution. I will probably buy some of the good K&N filters and the carburetors are going to be hanged up in some way, so that the rubber manifolds don't have to carry them. It's a rather destructive for the rubbers.

Some time ago Ejvin came for a visit, and he brought me some parts. He had been so careless to show me some problem solutions - and I had been so audacious to ask if he would also make them for me. Nice as he is, he took my request seriously, and so he made the licens plate holder you see in the first picture. This way the rear fender is completely gone. Later in the process I'm going to cut of the indicator holders, so it'll be all open and airy down there.

I had also developed a crush on the tank lid holder that he made. He actually did offer me an earlier prototype, but at that time I didn't have the tool tray required for it, so I declined. Meanwhile I have gotten a hold of one, so I asked if it still was up for grabs and luckily it was. So now I don't have to fumble with the lid and the petrol tap when filling at the station. It's odd that the Dart wasn't born with a solution of that sort, because it's a real hazzle without.

By the way, it's a bit strange to have costum made parts on my bike that I didn't make myself, but when it's so nicely build parts you get used to it quite easily ;o)

Now, I wrote that I'm going to remove the indicator holder. You may ask where the good looking arrow head indicator are to sit? - It's almost unbelievable how you can look at details over and over again, but somehow it still disturbed my eyes that the otherwise beautiful slim rear end of the Dart was almost disfiguered by something sticking out of the sides. I therefore came up with another solution that actually came by itself: two round indicators incorporated into the rear of the side panels. They come with clear glass, but I've sprayed them with a special type paint for that purpose. They are now red when out, but as you can see they still light up yellow.


As Ejvin was going to change bushings for the gear lever, he also ordered some for me. They too have been changed, which was the last thing I needed to get a precise gear change. The worn links I have changed some time ago, so it was only these bushings that still had some slack.

Otherwise, I'm just waiting for warm weather so that I will be able to paint the fairing.
Next week we're going to have a little wamer conditions - not nearly enough to paint, of course - but a couple of days without precipitation and frost is sufficient for me to go for a ride :oD