Picking up some parts this Friday

[Alan F.]

The Quicksilver mount arrived yesterday, with it came the pair of round reflectors that screw onto the mount and a spare set of pocket covers in useable shape, I'll probably store the mint ones that came on my QS and use these if I mount the fairing up. The mount was removed from a CM400 and I'll eventually be putting it on a CB250 Nighthawk.

I'm collecting parts for that project now. So far I have a 78 CB400T front end that I plan to convert to tubeless Comstars with the left fork lower from a CX500 and the tubeless Comstars from an 81 CM400C 16 rear/ 18 front with a single disc front/ drum rear. I'll swap steering stems this time and bolt up with tapered rollers. Seat, tank and exhaust have not been nailed down yet.

 

[Alan F.]

Awesome! Keep us posted Alan. Good luck!

As it turned out I was back to work in early June and all projects have been on hold, changed jobs again in late August and I'm just biding my time waiting for another lockdown situation so I can concentrate on my bikes.

I spotted a Cycle Sound enclosure in a forum post over on SOHC4, the fairing had been removed from a CB750A by a member in Nebraska. I talked with him today about the Cycle Sound, it seems he's not interested in the fairing and is willing to part with the C-S. They don't weigh much without radio and speakers do they? I'm thinking I can get it for shipping cost. Wish me luck.

 

[Alan F.]

No progress to report, work is slow and I've had plenty of time but motivation is difficult to muster. I've been nursing my lower back into some useful shape and have been making good progress so far, last week I got back out on some local trails for a 5km walk/jog, I'll try to get out again soon, it hurt but seems to have done me a world of good.

I've found a set of lowers from a member over at SOHC4, they're off a CB750F2 WJ3 bike, $50 for the pair plus shipping and they'll be heading my way.

 

[Alan F.]

I've found a set of lowers from a member over at SOHC4, they're off a CB750F2 WJ3 bike, $50 for the pair plus shipping and they'll be heading my way.

Shipping costs have gone out of control, but surprisingly enough this set of lowers shipped from Illinois to Massachusetts for only about $22 with USPS, unfortunately I'll need to go pick them up at the Post Office. Photos soon I hope, we all like photos!

 

[Alan F.]

Lowers arrived yesterday, I thought they would be white like the fairing but they're silver, oh well. Serial is 13-35366 and the righty has some rash on the trim and some scratches, lefty looks pretty good. I paid less than the set I bought about 12 years ago too.

 

[Alan F.]

Picking up a pair of Vetter bags on July 6. $75 for the 2 side bags, damage free, some surface rust on the chrome rails and mounting brackets, lids are white and new seals will be needed. 2 working keys included.

 

[Alan F.]

Does anyone know if the door seals are actually available? I searched here but no results.
There's mention of it on Craig's site but that was in 2012....
http://craigvetter.com/pages/Online_Store/Replacement_Parts/Replacement_Parts.html

 

[Dave Ireland]

Like many other parts, I'd be surprised if the luggage seals were made purely for Vetter. If I had one in my hand, I'd probably have a fairly good guess at what automotive door seal could be used instead.

Solve Your Sealing Problems | Rubber Seals and Trims

Seals Direct specialise in the manufacture and supply of rubber seals, trims and gaskets within the marine, industrial, caravan and automotive industries.

www.sealsdirect.co.uk

 

[Alan F.]

I actually haven't picked them up yet, they still are listed for sale but I'm moving shop and house right now and he's an hour away available only Tues-Thurs and only after 5pm.... I'll get them if I can.

Edit 2-1-23: I never did get these bags, the seller was hard to reach so the sale faded away.

 

[Alan F.]

Today for $50 and 80 miles driven I picked up a very rough WJ4. It's got a radio enclosure but I'm not sure if it's a?cycle sound or not. It has a?separate top & bottom half held together with a slotted wood screw at each side of the front of the radio. Sanyo radio I think, and pioneer speakers, I'll test them someday. The windshield was cracked between one pop-vent and the botton, both pop-vents are very yellow. The headlight is a glass H4 unit, that'll find another life soon. The fairing looks like it saved it's bike a few times, no cracks but it's turn signal lenses were in a box. This one might be a candidate for a post-apolyptical mile eater, or I'll just use it for mock-ups and fitment so I don't scratch any of the nice fairings I've saved to use.

Either way, 2 more off my Vetter stuff wish list. Sorry no pics today.

 

[Kynan C.]

Today for $50 and 80 miles driven I picked up a very rough WJ4. It's got a radio enclosure but I'm not sure if it's a?cycle sound or not. It has a?separate top & bottom half held together with a slotted wood screw at each side of the front of the radio. Sanyo radio I think, and pioneer speakers, I'll test them someday. The windshield was cracked between one pop-vent and the botton, both pop-vents are very yellow. The headlight is a glass H4 unit, that'll find another life soon. The fairing looks like it saved it's bike a few times, no cracks but it's turn signal lenses were in a box. This one might be a candidate for a post-apolyptical mile eater, or I'll just use it for mock-ups and fitment so I don't scratch any of the nice fairings I've saved to use.

Either way, 2 more off my Vetter stuff wish list. Sorry no pics today.

So there you go Alan, tell us this crazy story of the post apocalyptic Vetter, and no pics! Guess we will just have to wonder......

 

[Alan F.]

Sorry Kynan, I'll get some next time I'm out there.

 

[Alan F.]

Some photos, the fairing isn't really in bad shape, I have the turn signal lenses and headlight, but no pocket covers came with it.

The radio enclosure appears to be a Vetter unit by the badge on it. The Sanyo High Power deck AM/FM works, I somehow didn't have an audio cassette nearby to test the player with, but I'm optimistic. Ans the speakers appear to be oversized Pioneer units.

 

[KGBnut]

If I recall correctly, the CycleSound was the original. It was designed and made by a friend of Craig who had an independent company, but was considered an 'authorized accessory.' The badge on it said something like "CycleSound by Vetter." When Craig sold the company, the new owners knocked it off and called it "VetterSound" and just put the Vetter badge on it. Other than that, they were essentially identical.

 

[limpy45]

And..... today i picked up a really nice set of Hippo-Hands from the original owner, last used on an 81 Beemer.
I'm about to search the forums here for more info on mounting them.

This sure is addictive isn't it?

Hippo hands just slide over all the hardware on the handlebars including the mirror stems. Then zip them shut and stick your hands in and go. Takes a bit of getting used to as your mitts are sort of "trapped" inside and not as free to move them around. I have a new set never used but tried out on my 99 GL 1500 just to see if they would work. Will sell for $75 plus shipping.

 

[Alan F.]

Thanks but I'm all set for now.

 

[Alan F.]

That last fairing I picked up had a few toggle switches and jeweled indicator lights as many fairing have had. I was thinking about that during a boring Zoom meeting I'm attending, and it occurred to me that I should make up a "music player" for my new-to-me clamshell radio enclosure. It's pretty easy to download music these days, and 1TB micro SD cards have gotten cheap if you aren't too put off by a brand name you've never heard of... I've had good luck with them anyway.
Back to the sound system idea, you can buy 12v stereo amplifiers that are just a circuit board, there are cheap MP3 players with SD and MicroSD card slots, you can buy spare card slot connectors too.
I'm thinking that I could design a fun, possibly period correct looking control panel using momentary toggle switches to replace the tiny momentary contact buttons on an MP3 player. I could label each switch with the old Dymo labels, I could find a nice jeweled indicator light with a bulb not an led, I could probably even ad a back-lit analog meter to each audio channel.

I could make all of this to fit seamlessly into the DIN opening in the radio enclosure and use waterproof marine speakers that will fit the enclosure correctly.

Thoughts?

 

[KGBnut]

That last fairing I picked up had a few toggle switches and jeweled indicator lights as many fairing have had. I was thinking about that during a boring Zoom meeting I'm attending, and it occurred to me that I should make up a "music player" for my new-to-me clamshell radio enclosure. It's pretty easy to download music these days, and 1TB micro SD cards have gotten cheap if you aren't too put off by a brand name you've never heard of... I've had good luck with them anyway.
Back to the sound system idea, you can buy 12v stereo amplifiers that are just a circuit board, there are cheap MP3 players with SD and MicroSD card slots, you can buy spare card slot connectors too.
I'm thinking that I could design a fun, possibly period correct looking control panel using momentary toggle switches to replace the tiny momentary contact buttons on an MP3 player. I could label each switch with the old Dymo labels, I could find a nice jeweled indicator light with a bulb not an led, I could probably even ad a back-lit analog meter to each audio channel.

I could make all of this to fit seamlessly into the DIN opening in the radio enclosure and use waterproof marine speakers that will fit the enclosure correctly.

Thoughts?

If you are looking for a fun 'see if I can do it' project, I think you could make a great setup that would look period correct. However, Bluetooth technology has come so far it may not be worth the trouble. I took off my CycleSound years ago. I found that I had to blast it to hear barely okay through my tight fitting helmet. The cars next to me could sure hear it.

I switch to helmet speakers and an MP3 player for several years. Now, I have a Bluetooth communication system that pairs to my phone. The sound quality is amazing. I can answer (or ignore) phone calls hands free, and it even reads my text messages to me. Also, great for turn-by-turn directions from my GPS.

So, if you are looking for a music solution, I think Bluetooth is a better option. If your goal is a cool project with some modern parts hidden to augment it, I think you have a great idea.

Ken

 

[Alan F.]

Thank you, I agree there are better ways, and I'd bet I can add a Bluetooth receiver easily enough, I'd just add another switch for two inputs.
It's much less of a "can I do it" than a "how cool and correct looking can I make it" type project. I'm not one for helmet speakers, and my phone stays off or muted while I'm riding, no calls, texts or emails on my time. I've been on call 24/7 for dangerously close to 20 years, so unplugging from everything is a priority for me when I'm allowed.

I haven't started shopping for parts yet, but I've been thinking about it. I'll have to start a notebook on it.

 

[Alan F.]

Wow are antique toggle switches expensive. I've got a bag of mini spdt toggles somewhere, maybe I'll make the 1984 version of the 1972 device I'd pictured in my mind.