I bought a used surface grinder for the shop. Its 3 phase so I had to replace the electrical enclosure to install the single phase to 3 phase VFD since I don't have 3 phase power. The wiring also had to run the oil pump and work light. Ended up being a little more involved than I initially anticipated.
Those two came from Whitchita, KS. I haven’t picked up any B400’s from Atlanta, but I’ve collected project bikes from Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and a couple from Indiana. My buddies say I am curating the Midwest Bandit 400 museum! The Yosh came out pretty good, it’s going on the next project B400, as this one was pretty original and unmolested, so I put a stock system on. One of my other B400’s already has a Yosh system on it and I’ve got on other set of Yosh headers but no pipe. The red bike isn't quite finished but getting closer, just a few minor details to iron out.
First project on the plasma table (and first time using my press brake) , not perfect, but it'll do the job.
My brother has diesel vehicles and fuel oil heat in his house. He asked me to convert a used gas generator to diesel for common fuel plus it's got a longer shelf life. He was going to get this Generac but at $5k it's pretty steep https://www.amazon.com/Generac-6864-Starting-Portable-Generator/dp/B010T243GU plus it needs battery power to open the fuel to the injector, also wasn't in stock at the time. He found the same motor on Amazon for $400 but without the powered solenoid. I gutted the gas generator and got the diesel one to fit. The shafts were different sizes so I machined an adapter shaft. Had to cut 1.80" off the diesel engine engine shaft. The bolt pattern on the generator must be a universal design so it bolted to the new engine without mods. The diesel engine is a lot taller so I cut the frame and welded extensions to raise it 8" so the compression release can be reached easily. I reused the motor mounts but had to redrill due to the motor footprints being different. The generator got a second stack of rubber mounts so the assembly would sit level. My brother wanted to use the original gas tank since it was bigger than the one that came on the diesel engine so I tossed it and drilled/tapped the plastic tank 1/8" npt for a fuel return. The wiring had to be extended 15" since the frame was also extended so I heat shrink butt spliced (5) 12 awg wires to extend. The throttle came with a small knob that had sharp edges so I made a replacement handle out of alum with a vinyl cap. She's a beast to pull over and it's loud but it works as expected and came out fairly decent. I loaded tested it with (2) 1500 watt heat guns and set the voltage (rpm) to 120/240vac .
Cool project I actually transplanted that same powerhead off a bad motor unit to a bad power good motor unit years back for deer camp.
Those diesels are loud but good. I engine swapped my Bolens tube frame garden tractor with one about 10 years ago and it is still going strong. The pull start mechanism on them is weak however, and will fail. They are a clone of a Yanmar (L70 I believe), and the Yanmar pull start mechanism is a direct fit. I recommend either going ahead and swapping it, or having one on a shelf as a spare for when it does fail. I messed with mine way tool long before I just replaced it and haven't had a problem since.
Pretty cool to walk iny to my shop and see both of these. The orange is mine. The Olympic gold is here for me to finish up a few things that I didn't get done before winter as we were waiting for some parts. I love these 69 Camaros. Original numbers matching RS/SS 350 4spd.
I'd rather be working on one of those cameros than outside on the ground in the rain, welding patches in my mower deck. Wanna trade?
you buying? Been looking for 2 years to find a new(er) deck, and found nothing better than what I have. I was blessed with the ability to fix old junk things, not the ability to make lots of money to buy new things
That’s awesome! Still two months away before you have to mow the grass for the first time, and you’re getting ahead of things and fixing it now!