HM-2030 Build Log - The Storm Ahead

[Greg K]

Michael,
I purchased this LED module along with some other items for another idea I wanted to incorporate into my build.
https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/highsider-smd-license-plate-light?sku_id=10093418

[Greg K]

Another lighting project I wanted was to have a third or high mount brake lamp. Were many options from surface mount lights for a miata, jag, and retro thunderbird. Hella used to make one that was available from New Zealand or Australia, but was not longer available. So I turned to the motorcycle market and decided on these small dual function run/brake lights from motogadget. A few pics of them below.
They are small but very bright, in the video below, I show the run function and then switch to the brake function. They definitely will get your attention.

[FFR428]

Well done. They are bright!!! Yep that'll work great.

P.S those seats are badazz!! Super cool look.

[Greg K]

Nothing really accomplished today, decided to get a different bracket for my fire extinguisher from Eddie Motorsports, will mount on top of tunnel as shown and forego the armrest plans I had before, When I sit in it, just don't feel the need. Also picked up a drink holder, just need to fab or come up with a bracket to mount on top of tunnel.

[s_reynolds]

I like that drink holder. Wish I had found one like it when I was building. I used some SS ones I found in a boating supply store, but they required cutting holes in the top of the trans tunnel near the back wall of the tub. Fortunately they were short enough so as to not interfere with the drive shaft.

[Greg K]

Got the car back on the ground today and cranked it up for the first time with the body on. It hasn't run since the end of August, hard to believe its been that long. Added some fuel to the tank I had in a container and it started just fine. Drove to the gas station for more fuel, put about 10 miles on it with no issues.

[FFR428]

Nice Greg! Go put some miles on it and have fun!!

[Greg K]

I wasn't going to put the headlight trim rings on till after paint but changed my mind, but wondering if anyone has had this issue mounting them.
The issue is the alignment of the screw hole in bucket and trim ring. Bucket is mounted with the gasket that came with it. Trim ring is held on by one screw and up top by two tabs that create a slot with the gasket. See trim ring for the screw hole and drain holes, screw hole is top one.  The screw will not align with the hole provided on the bucket, so I ended up using one of the drain holes that align perfectly. 2nd drain hole ends up at the bottom.
After paint I will be using the gasket from Metro, that I think gives it a more finished look.

[Greg K]

Weather didn't cooperate like I wished so I could go out and put some miles on the car today, so I messed with some mirrors. Mounted the rear view I picked up that has a slight convex shape to it. Side view that I will mount low to the windshield side arm, just need some hardware I didn't have for it.

[FFR428]

Mirrors look great!

Would be nice to know about the headlights and trim rings. Mine are the same way??

[Greg K]

Mounted side mirror this afternoon and went for a drive. Side mirror is in lowest position, can rotate and reposition if need be outward and up. Both rear view and side mirrors are working well for me and happy with them. Position of side will also allow me to install wind wings if I do.

[Greg K]

Recently I surpassed 100 miles on the odometer for a grand total of 128 miles to date. Brakes are getting better each time out and was confident enough to take it to the freeway this past weekend. Things are a little different at speed than on the back road 2 lane, but I'm getting more comfortable and familiar with the handling of the car. There are things that still need to be looked at after things have settled suspension wise and handling needs some improvement. Have some new tools on the way that will make a big difference in making alignments easier and quicker for me, now that the body is on.

• Steering is a little twitchy but tracks straight at speed, will be revisiting front end alignment and toe.
  
• Steering is really not retuning to center on its own like it should, again will revisit front end alignment.
• Some vibration sounds, believe it is the drive shaft loop, took mallet to it and tapped the loop a few times and sounds like what I'm hearing. I think adding 1/4" thick polyurethane pads to where it is bolted to the x-brace may cure that.
• I know sidepipe mountings make a little too, could be improved, but for now it's ok.

Still it's been a blast so far driving it around here.

[Greg K]

This weekend I worked on updating the car's alignment with a set of hub stands to make the changes and for measurements. After resetting the caster, camber, toe, and wheel base, squaring it all up with the string attachments was much easier than using jack stands for alignment that I did before. Another reason for these stands was that I could make adjustments to access the suspension components easier and be able to make the measurements without having to put the tires on and off after a change was made. So hoping to get it back out today if the rain clears out and dries up to see how it feels now.

[Paul Proefrock]

Greg
Can you share a name / website / link to the stand manufacturer or source?

Paul

[Greg K]

Paul,

The hub stands are from Motive Engineering. https://www.motiveeng.com Specialize more with off road vehicles but they have two different types of hub stands. They can be used on all four corners to measure Ride Height, Toe, Caster, Camber, Wheel Base, Thrust Angle and Bump Steer. There are others out there that are cheaper and more expensive as well. Each stand has a 1,000 pound capacity.
I'll be changing the bearings on the front set of stands to transfer ball units (see pic below) for making caster measurement more easily and doesn't impact other functions. They used to offer them and originally designed them with them but changed to a roller bearing to keep price down. One can still do caster with the the roller bearing, just not as smoothly. Most use these stands for alignment purposes mostly.
I know you have an independent rear end, these stands can make setup much easier along with the front end without having to take tires off and on and allowing access to the suspension with the body on. I will be getting some steel plates, my aluminum was too soft for them and don't feel like taking up the carpet. They should work well on smooth concrete.
Overall I'm happy with them and how easy it was to work on the car and I'm sure they'll be even better with the transfer bearings.