Ok, so this is becoming a bit of a standard beginning to my project updates... Sorry it has been so long between drinks... what can I say, I am slack and haven’t done a whole hell of a lot to the little Jawa in the last few months.

However I have made a decision, I have decided that I want the damn thing together by Christmas which means some serious pulling of proverbial finger from proverbial rear end. So with this new resolution in mind I have made an attempt at progress. First of all a brief list of what needs doing...

Get frame to powdercoater
Paint all tinwork, and wheels... ok so prep, prime, sand and paint
Rebuild hubs, brakes etc
Source Indicators
Source new taillight (existing one is HIDEOUS)
Source new instruments (woops broke existing ones trying to repair)
Source new cables
Source new chain
Rebuild Front Suspension
Source new rear suspension
Source new suspension bushes
Reupholster/reshape seat
Build new Wiring loom
Source new battery
Source (potentially... probably) new exhaust
Finish Tank... potentially source second tank (can’t make up my mind what to do so doing both)
Source tires
Get assorted bits and bobs to chrome plater
Reassemble
Grumble about spare/leftover parts
Disassemble,
Reassemble
Try to get the wiring to work (I fail at electricity)
Potentially 12 volt conversion (probably job for MUCH later... see above)

Compliance

Ride?

Ok so maybe December is a big call but I will see what I can do... also if anyone reading this has any of the assorted bits (or services) that I need to “Source” floating around and would like to donate... cheap or free in exchange for Massive publicity and love on the site... I would be glad to receive them.

Anyway, some progress has been made... All the parts are now back in my possession (in boxes in the garage) after finally getting off my lazy arse and finishing the bead blasting (thanks again to the boys at Errol’s Diesel and Turbo... you guys rock my world!) so now just some final sanding and painting to do on the tin before it is ready for paint... prep has begun! ... in fact I have even started on paint on painting the instrument binacle thing (the bit that covers the handlebars etc)

I mentioned above that I’m not sure what the plan is for the tank, at the moment the two options are for a full rat rod styled tank, that will include full authentic (no airbrushing here) designer rust with satin black logos and polished (dark grey steel) stripe down the centre and leave the dents and whatnot in situ. This is the option I am currently running with ie the tank is out in the rain as we speak!(Thought I was joking... see first pic of tank ala garden) Option B is... assuming I can source a tidy enough tank... to get the tank copper plated, clear coat and fit... this is a slightly more “bling” approach that will still fit with the overall theme of the build.  Assuming I pick up another tank I will probably do both and swap them as I get bored.

Wheels are 90% complete, thanks to the semi rat rod style this bike is going to take on the finish doesn’t need to be perfect, and the satin black with stainless spokes and brass lugs is looking lush! I have also polished/cleaned up the hubs and whatnot so the centres are looking pretty damn tidy too... all in all pretty happy with how they are looking

I have removed, repacked and refitted the front wheel bearings... they now roll smooth as silk which hopefully means the wheels won’t fall off the first time I ride it... actually maybe I will honour Mad Bike Boy with the first ride... just in case. Rear bearings will be stripped and tidied up on the weekend.

Excitingly enough I also managed to track down an original owners manual which comes complete with some super useful information including how to rebuild the suspension... which as you will notice is on the list of things to do... ace!

So... only about 150 thousand things to go... there really are a lot of bits... hope I remember where they all go. Anyway I promise more regular updates over the next couple of months and any assistance, advice, donation of parts is gladly accepted... back to the dungeon I go.