Recent posts

#1

The Lounge / Re: Tig Welders

Last post by MiniDave - Today at 08:19:21 AM

What I'd really like to find is someone with a laser welder.....I've wanted one of those since I first read about them a number of years ago!

#2

The Lounge / Re: Tig Welders

Last post by scooperman - October 24, 2026, 08:03:41 PM

find out if there is a high school robotics F.I.R.S.T.  team near you.  They would welcome you to be a mentor, and might have welding equipment and other mentors who would help you with you projects.

#3

The Lounge / Re: Soliciting thoughts & opin...

Last post by scooperman - October 24, 2026, 07:52:20 PM

I recommend keeping a search active on Ebay for a K100 or K1100 head, cheap from bike junkyards here. Maybe get one for less than $200.  Then buy the conversion kit from Specialist Components or other twinkam providers, should double hp.

#4

The Lounge / Re: Museum level cars in the w...

Last post by scooperman - October 24, 2026, 07:36:29 PM

In the early 2000s I married a lady whose parents were many-year participants, my new in-laws invited us to join them and we drove one of their vintage cars on this event in 2004.  What a blast.  The event is shepherded by the bike troopers of the Colorado Highway Patrol,  we called them The Motors, I think those guys might have been having as much fun as the vintage car geeks.  These cars, in many cases, are stuck in museums, never get out and stretch their legs any more.

I had done some racing in Minis in the 70s, figured I could pedal an old sports car and not embarrass myself.  I remember thinking we were doing good, were in the lead group, not flat out but yeah fast through the mountain bends. High altitude, cold at that time of the year.  Suddenly a couple of Trooper bikes soundlessly zoomed past like we weren't even there, then OMG a pre-war Alfa, driver and riding mechanic wearing leather helmets with ear flaps flopping like Rocky the flying squirrel in the wind, grinning like idiots, came roaring past us on the inside with an exhaust sound like an overreving tugboat, laughed and gave us a cheery wave as they blasted off into the distance, bikes leading the way.  Tried to keep up, yeah, not. Somebody invites you to this event, do it.

#5

Restorations / Re: JDM Mini Canvas II

Last post by 94touring - October 23, 2026, 04:28:29 PM

My last blown head gasket didn't overheat.  Showed up on a leak down test. But my last cracked head was very evident.

#6

Restorations / Re: JDM Mini Canvas II

Last post by MiniDave - October 23, 2026, 03:38:33 PM

I was thinking head gasket blown....for it to overheat in 2 miles seems like it needs to be more drastic than just lean mixture and/or vacuum leaks. I was thinking either clogged radiator or head gasket.

#7

Restorations / Re: JDM Mini Canvas II

Last post by 94touring - October 23, 2026, 09:27:20 AM

Aside from a cracked head, odds are it's from a combination of coolant that's muddy and a stock radiator that doesn't do well around here.  Though in 2 miles it could have been the head in my experience. I could usually drive at speed for a little bit before it went ballistic on coolant temps with a stock radiator in peak summer heat. Even with my thick aluminum radiator I need the inner wing aux fan on for low speed stop n go or the temp starts creeping up. I know you got a new head so that eliminates the head being the problem.

#8

Restorations / Re: JDM Mini Canvas II

Last post by MiniDave - October 23, 2026, 08:17:35 AM

Just to be sure, maybe do a compression test too?

#9

Restorations / Re: JDM Mini Canvas II

Last post by Merlin - October 22, 2026, 07:15:48 PM

I suspect the overheating was a combination of lean condition from vacuum leaks and a lack of sealing on the radiator. I have a four core, new thermostat and new hoses when the time comes

#10

Restorations / Re: JDM Mini Canvas II

Last post by MiniDave - October 22, 2026, 08:08:21 AM

Wow, seriously impressive engineering and fab work.....thanks for posting this whole journey.

Did you figure out why it was overheating?