engine torn down... What a mess!

[TOOLS1]

Would not be the first time
The first bike I built when I was 14-15 years old was a 72 Triumph 650 with a 750 kit in it. I used a TMC goose neck frame, and an 18' over springer. Never was able to make the breaks work.

[dave Esch]

If you ever have a minute to spare, look up the history on the old wood track race bikes, such as the Indian. None of them had brakes. Or throttle for that matter. Once the bike started they were wide open throttle. The only speed control they had was a kill switch. Also, they had a hand pump for engine oil, and no valve covers. They spit fire, blew hot oil, caught on fire all the time and didn't stop. Did I mention the racers wore leather helmets? All this on tires no bigger than a ten speed. Crazy!

[TOOLS1]

Actor Keenan Wynn used to race motorcycles on the board tracks. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0943978/bio Scroll down to trivia.
TOOLS

[LukeM]

In my opinion, this is a bike with a purpose.  Great look. One of the next bikes I get, I'm going to powder coat everything: tank, fenders, frame, everything I can. I saw a full dress Yamaha cruiser done in black powder coat, and it looked pretty cool.

You've made great progress, Dave.  I don't blame you for having the shop sync your carbs. I would guess you've already taken them apart, and cleaned and rebuilt them.  Hopefully, all it needs is the sync done.

Are you using break-in oil for the first few hundred miles?  Or just the regular motorbike oil?  With all those new parts in there, most people recommend using conventional (dinosaur) oil for the first few hundred, and then switching to synthetic if you're going to go that route.  It helps rings and bearings settle in and fit themselves to the engine.

Looking forward to more pix, and seeing it run!
Luke M

[dave Esch]

nO i did not go with break in oil. I thought about it, and had I replaced the pistons or bearings I definitely would have.