The Adventures of FriarJohn on Two (and Sometimes Four) Wheels

Apparently there are no speed traps in the Queen City of the Rockies. I really need to add East Helena as one gigantic speed trap, with asshole cops to boot. I guess I need to be a bit more cautious when I’m running up to Thompson Falls on the scoot to go riding with Halpop.

I’ve always been a fan of cool trikes, but usually the old, cheesy, rear-engine, VW-powered trikes. When I first saw this trike I thought for sure it would be 30-grand.

It’s half that much.

I gotta ride it, gotta try it out. This might be the only thing that could push the Triumph Rocket III to the number three slot on my toy list, and it’s the same price. However, it has to be a very big bag of giggles to eclipse the Rocket III.

Primary: Dark Green (flat, non-metallic), Dupont LS179

Secondary: Pale green (flat, non-metallic), Dupont Hot Hues “Bisque”

Accent: Lime Green (flat, non-metallic), Dupont GS012

Dupont matte clear

I haven’t posted much about my bike recently, but a major make-over is in the offing. New paint is the biggie, but only one of several modifications to come. Here are the parts I’ve purchased so far:

• Used tank and fenders for modification (bobbing the fenders and customizing the tank with shaved dash and relocated gas filler). All three are damaged and were acquired very cheaply; the front fender was free.
• Used D&D mufflers. Got them cheap off ebay. They are a little pitted so the plan is to have the chrome stripped off the megaphones, powdercoat them with a black krinkle finish, re-chrome the heat shields and polish the reverse-cone tips.
• Used fork shrouds (to be polished)
• New chrome lower yoke cover for the front end (in lieu of having the front end chromed this year), chrome front brake reservoir cover and chrome brake and clutch levers. Got these three at 50% off.

I’ve got several modifications planned for this year and the next few, from new lighting front and rear and new handlebars to custom-designed bracketry in various places. A few parts will be coming off the bike permanently, such as the factory driving lights, tachometer and engine crash bars. But the only thing I must do this Winter or Spring, in addition to the things listed above, is resolve my rear lighting. I’m having trouble decided on the lighting that will match the look I’m going for. And what is that look? A synthesis of the stock design with old boardtrack racers. The paint is going to be very cool. Eventually I’ll post pictures of the actual work in my Picasa gallery. Right now I just have some pictures of the things I might be using.