First build

This is my first build. I have posted for a while now but today was the first day I had where everything was in that allowed me to do my first step of painting the frame.

So far this build is going to be a retro/vintage looking Indian cruiser/board track racer.

The frame is a GT2A Skyhawk frame with 150mm drop out. The front forks are black powder coated 1 1/8" threadless Sunlite Deluxe double springer. Once my threadless stem arrives Monday I hope the paint to be cured enough to assemble the head set so I can cut my steer tube down to size then I will be using Eastwood Down to Metal paint and powdercoat stripper so I can paint the forks in the same color as the frame.

Anyways here are the photos I have taken from what I have done today.

Primered with Dupli-Color self etching primer
Primered%201_zps7iao2nnj.jpg


Base coat
Base%20Coat%201_zpsi7xkmiwe.jpg


Base Coat w/ Indian Script
Base%20Coat%20with%20Script%201_zpskjxv5nwh.jpg


First coat of clear
First%20Clear%20Coat%201_zpsoh4frllz.jpg


Second coat of clear
Second%20Clear%20Coat%201_zps0edut7ka.jpg


Third and final coat of clear
Final%20Clear%20Coat%201_zpscgsj02db.jpg


For me the shape of the frame resulted in some over spray with the clear so I am hoping when it comes to the buff stage after this clear had time to dry it will buff out. If not I still have some clear left over and I will simply put more clear where it needs it and just blend it in.

For those that are wondering the paint is 1949/1950 Dodge Red. This red as per PaintRef.com shows the mixing code is the same as Coke-Cola red. Which from my research a guy who had these bikes new said the closest match to Indian red was Coke-Cola red as that's what his guy did when there wasn't any Indian red for his bike he would use Coke-Cola red for a almost perfect match. The clear is automotive grade high gloss clear that I purchased from AutomotiveTouchup which is where the base coat came from as well. I have used their paint in the past for automotive and am very impressed with color matching even for 40+ year old vehicles that are sun bleached.
 
Well ok...go back to a rich adjustment everywhere and let it run like crap and 4 stroke all it wants till your done breaking it in.
 
Well only adjusment i changed was the needle jet i moved the clip up one notch. Could bring it down one notch to where it was.
 
I probably would to be safe..you want rich at off idle to midrange more than anything...i just wouldnt go more than 1/4 throttle myself...if it runs like crap there (from being rich)then thats good.
 
At what amount of oil to fuel because if your using 16:1 for break in it may be lean on top just from to much oil in the mix.
I dont think 16:1 is really needed it just fouls plugs and takes longer to seat the rings 20:1 works well stil slightly fouls plugs but after a couple tanks your good to go.I use 24:1 for break in and after two tanks switch to 32:1 and then dail it in.I uasually build around 20 engines per season and a few for me in the off season and they never come back due to premature wear or anything related to improper break in just the usual stuff mostly wanting to upgrade rather than issues,I have one customer that is using a all stock engine,pipe,gear and never goes more than 25mph on it the cool part is I did that bike in 05 for him and it's never needed anything done to it aside from the regular maint and he uses it alot!
 
Well im going to try and vary the speed but if i cqnt do 15 to 25 mph then that will slow my break in down. People are crazy around here and thats too slow. Im going to try and ride the bike around in the neighborhood after work tonight then ride to work after lunch when traffic is better. All to try and break the engine in.
 
minimum of 3 full tanks but i may go 4 or 5 myself then when its time to tune slap in a new plug as well.
 
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