@scott-h I kinda like the light under the front lip of the hack fender, but I think you want to crank up the brightness to obnoxious levels to make it useful. I'm sure there is something on the Superbriteled.com site that would do it.
Yes, that needs more thought. Just playing with ideas to maximize form, while still having functionality. I may be changing the style of fender to match the bike. That would change the lighting situation front and rear.
Oh...Scott has a new ladyfriend
🤣 And I'm sure her husband has capable guns. Did I mention this garage is out in the middle of nowhere. 🤣
My dad didn't raise a dummy. Strictly business Sir! 👍
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Getting ready to take the stripped down tub to the upholsterer. Wanted one more mod before it goes.
Motorvation Spyders have the rear tonneau cover snaps fixed to the trunk lid. In order to open the trunk, the snaps need to be undone.
I'm making a plate that mounts just in front of the trunk for the rear snaps.
Just roughed in to get the tonneau cover made correctly. Once back from the upholstery shop the gaps will get filled, sanded, and sealed. The whole thing will get painted with the tub.
Made from Rubber Wood (used in kitchen cutting boards), and a piece of 1"x1"x1/16" aluminum angle. Attached to the trunk wall with screws and fender washers.
Fits tight to the trunk lid, which moves back as the trunk opens, so there is no binding.
These tubs were all hand made. Nothing is straight. With the aluminum angle for strength, it will make a nice "rain gutter" for water to drain off the sides of the tub. If, heaven forbid, the rig ends up sitting in the rain.
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My Watsonian has a similar issue.
The canopy buttons to the boot lid.
There more wear than needed around those studs.
Needs a metal frame somehow.
The solution may come to me in passing one day.
Wrapped and ready to go to the Upholsterer.
tied the tub to a couple of furniture dollies to make it easy for her to roll around in the garage. She has limited room to work, so hoping this makes it easier.
Pretty excited about this.
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Tonneau Cover, and side panels are done.
She suggests I put rivets in each corner of the cell phone pocket on the left side panel. So I'll have to come up with something cool for that.
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Got a call this afternoon that she had it all finished. Just returned home from picking everything up.
Here is the seat, and side panels. Just stuffed into place.
Nice and comfortable now with the proper angles on the foam. She added lumbar to the seat back, and tapered the angle bottom to top for a bit more "reclined" shape, and it came out great!
The logo embroidered is the same Motorvation Engineering logo as is on the data plate. I chose this over the flying ME to match the data plate, and I thought it looked cooler.
This is what the embroiderer worked from. It is from an advert in an old Touring Bike magazine. He did a really nice job of recreating it. She did a great job of centering it on the seat back.
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Love it.
Very stylish and the logo is a great touch.
Are the original builders still around?
I can see a guy slapping his head saying why didn't I think to do that???
Love it.
Very stylish and the logo is a great touch.
Are the original builders still around?
I can see a guy slapping his head saying why didn't I think to do that???
Thank you Sir!
If I'm understanding correctly Motorvation Engineering was sold twice, maybe three times. The flying M logo was established pretty early on during the first or second owner. They embroidered the Flying M on the seat back. Currently Motorvation is owned by Texas Sidecars. They are producing the ME trailers and the later version of the Spyder with trailing axle.
Here is a seatback with the flying M logo. Pr
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Edited the first post with a short cut link to the post above about the second test ride thoughts. Someone who might be interested in the combination, but doesn't want to read through 11 pages of my drivel, no longer needs to. Also changed the title to better reflect how the rig actually came out.
I don't think this is "unintimidating or beginner friendly". But it is a whole lot of fun. 🤩
Now you tell me. 
@scott-h Wow, that embroidering really came out nice! Congratulations!
@scott-h Wow, that embroidering really came out nice! Congratulations!
Thank you Sir! Thread color was picked to match the stripe that will separate the blue from charcoal paint on the tub. Paws crossed that actually works. lol
When I had the seats done for the Scout the company that embroidered the head rests used a computerized embroidery machine. I think this was probably done with a similar type machine. Used for Ball caps, etc.. Makes for a really clean detailed job.
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In the Category of "right place at the right time", Veridian Cruise, a company in Alberta Canada, asked if I'd like to beta-test their new electronic cruise control for the Triumph 400 series of bikes. How could I say no? 🤩 Super quick and easy install using all OEM style connectors. The unit is full featured set/accelerate/decelerate/resume. It will shut off with brake application (front or rear), Clutch activation, Throttle greater than 5% of set point and if RPMs exceed 8,000. I'm kind of amazed they can offer a such a feature rich kit at the low price.
Works great! I sent back a Word Document covering how the install was done along with about 30 pictures. Hopefully it is helpful to them as they bring it to market.
Other than connecting into the Brake Sensor connector, the install was very similar to how the unit connects to the Himalayan 450.
Still need to figure out how best to add a steering damper. Have an idea to use the upper strut mount bracket.
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Hmmmmm. Sounds like a possible future tech article....
Illegitemi non carborundum est!
First good ride of the year.
Friday the 13th ride. Sometimes The Destination Is Better Than The Journey.
Couple of goals.
- Get some good usage with the new cruise control.
- Get rid of the old winter gas and Stabil fuel additive.
Finally starting to warm up. Seemed an appropriate ride idea for a higher elevation to get cold. lol
Decided to ride out to Craig, CO. They have some pretty cool food stops. Choice for this ride was the Yampa Valley Brew Pub. Great place to stop for a lunch/dinner. Food was amazing, service was excellent (sat at the bar), lots of locals enjoying their lunch (good sign of quality). Plenty of great seating inside and outside.
Lunch consisted of a Savana's Smash Burger & Parmesan Fries (wow, wow, wow was that great! 🤩 ), and a Ridiculous Hazy IPA (matching my current vision situation).
Current beer menu.
Something I learned at the lunch break is Craig, Colorado has some amazing women. These two are definitely my kind of gals. Talk about "bringing home the groceries".
With the lack of snow this year, and the early ride date, the jaunt out Highway 40 is pretty bleak. The welcome sign entering Colorado says "Welcome to Colorful Colorado". It should add "As Long As You Want Brown".
When the state roadside attraction is all about a grass fire that pulled a groom away from his wedding... Well you get the idea. 🤣
This stretch of road is well used by big rigs and is in pretty rough condition, which was a great opportunity to put the cruise control to good test. I'm very impressed. One thing I've found is the button switch pack is very compact. It was a real struggle to use the Set button with thick winter gloves. So much so I thought one of the brake switches or clutch switch was hanging up.
Summer gloves work great with the switch pack though.
Side note: These battery heated Tour Master gloves absolutely suck, and are definitely not recommended. The ODI gloves are very nice, but the touch screen sensitive pads no longer work after washing them.
The ride back was a lot more fun. Mostly through canyons carved out by rivers. Perfect ride for liter sized sport bikes, or even touring rigs. Even though it is about 45 minutes longer it is well worth the detour.
Still gave plenty of opportunity to use the cruise control with different speed limits, climbs, descents, and curves. Spoiler alert; the cruise control is awesome, and will be a huge benefit with the sidecar.
So that's it for this ride. Hope you all have an awesome riding season, and post up your rides. 🍻
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