Motorcycle Race Van build (clever name forthcoming)

[sowega]

Whew, what a Saturday!

I got the tires rotated and balanced (for $35 at the custom wheel shop around the corner, even), and the ride has improved immeasurably. There's still a little lateral shake between 70-75 mph, but it evens out closer to 80. There are nearly 190k miles on it; I'm willing to bet that shocks/struts/whatever's underneath the van may need replacing. On the list!

After digging all the grime off of the seat bracket bolt, I found that it wasn't truly stripped out, just full of nasty. So I hooked up my largest Torx bit to the breaker bar and gave it hell. Done and done.

Fixed the rear door latch, installed the head unit, speakers, and rear cam.

It turns out that the cut wire I found it was a speaker wire that had been cut, not the tag light. The tag light had fallen out of the housing (the brittle plastic crumbled around it), and was just hanging in the door.

Today was all about cleaning up, and mocking up the bike restraint setup. Definitely going to need another pair of hands to do the final install, so it's a project for another day.

I have races on Friday and Saturday, so the bedliner will have to wait until next week.

What's left?

I have to fix the cruise control. The horn works fine (if a little anemic), but the cruise control button on the wheel doesn't work - there's no dash light at all. The switch, maybe? Luckily, Road Atlanta is only about an hour away, so it won't be as maddening as it would be if I was driving to one of the Florida tracks.

The AC comes out of the defrost. The good news is that it's still very effective. With that said, I'd prefer that everything work as it should, so I need to get the vacuum reservoir sorted soon.

[sowega]

Originally Posted by boywonder

Did you pick up an ENO singlenest/doublenest hammock? I have one of each.....work great and pack down small.

I did! A nice bit of kit for ~$50

[boywonder]

Originally Posted by sowega

Road Atlanta is only about an hour away, so it won't be as maddening as it would be if I was driving to one of the Florida tracks.

Yes, tough to live without cruise control.....I raced MX at Road Atlanta way back in the day....1980 I think...and Atlanta Int'l raceway and all over FL.

Originally Posted by sowega

I did! A nice bit of kit for ~$50

I left my hammock straps at a campsite in Kennedy Meadows, CA last year wrapped around a couple trees...

...so I used really crappy moto tiedowns for the hammock on my deck. bad idea, I hooked the hook of the tiedown to the eyelet part of the hook on the other end. 10 seconds of being in the hammock the hook pulled through the eyelet and I went crashing down on the deck...could have been worse...luckily didn't whack my head..mostly sore ass...

[sowega]

First van trip with the yeti. I think he approves:

[sowega]

TRS #1 installed tonight:

[simplesez]

Cruise control issue might get solved by replacing the clock spring. That is the wire harness for the steering wheel.

[sowega]

Originally Posted by simplesez

Cruise control issue might get solved by replacing the clock spring. That is the wire harness for the steering wheel.

Cool; thanks! My Ford guy said to switch out the release switch on the master cylinder first, but I'll definitely take a look at the spring if that doesn't work.

[sowega]

The van did great on two trips to Road Atlanta and back. Had a long break between practice and races on Sunday, so I spent a lot of time lounging in the hammock.

I replaced the brake switch on the master cylinder yesterday, but still don't have cruise control. The horn works (but it's anemic, and will have to be replaced soon), but the "on" button doesn't do anything; ie, there's no indication light on the dash, and the "set" button doesn't work.

From what I read a few minutes ago, a failed clock spring will result in the horn nor the cruise working. Switches, maybe?

[sowega]

Replaced the steering wheel switches today. Still no luck.

[225]

Originally Posted by sowega

From my experience in transporting bikes, it's the most secure, easiest, and least-cumbersome way to take bikes anywhere. After using them with several race teams for whom I've worked, I swear by them (and pretty much all of Pit-Bull's stuff).

Sweet Ape! I'm racing a Ducati 899 and a Ninja 250 (with a Zuma 50/70 scooter along for pit bike duty).

Sweet rides. I need to start track days again. But living in Mecca (Blue Ridge Mountains) makes it hard to go.

Originally Posted by sowega

Until we get the bed design firmed up, I found a contingency: $50 hammock from REI, suspended from the driver's seat belt hanger and the rearmost passenger side seat belt hanger.

Most likely what I'll be doing for a while.

Me at work:

ENO Double Nest

Originally Posted by sowega

TRS #1 installed tonight:

Dammit, now I'm buying one.