Springfield Flyer.

[tauruck]

Thanks Sparky.
How's my girl?. Is she ready?.

[tauruck]

This is how far I got today.
The lower centre section will be cut away when the time comes.

[wheelrdealer]

What is the definition of Mike from  S. Africa?   TENACITY!

Anyone who block sands that much has a burn in his soul that rivals a volcano. Mike has a need for high speed. He will not be denied!

BR

[SPARKY]

We are getting close to the final assy. THRASH  ---should pick up the long block tomorrow then start the final fitment---we are having to move the motor forward 3" and the rear axle back 1.5 so we will be busy

[tauruck]

Great to hear that Sparky.

Thanks so much for the kind words Bill.
I'm an extremist, once I get into something I burn bridges.
Hockey and motocross were two examples. I cut school because the rink was empty
and the manager used to just shake his head. I don't remember having a job during the
Motocross days.
Gary Player is my biggest inspiration. Came from the same area as I do. In fact my second cousin
still lives in the house he grew up in. Also 5'7" and he even slept in a bunker at the Open because
hotels were too expensive. Being the runt must give you an edge. We won't talk about the salt fever either!!!

If I never got all the advice, help and inspiration I do from you guys Imight have thrown in the towel way back.
This journey is AWESOME. Thank you all.

I found a big dip in the side of the engine cover by using a 2,5mm SSteel tig rod. Long enough to hold at the
ends and offer it up to the curve!. I guess I did see it but thought it was an optical illusion because the guide coat
was gone. It was that big!!!!. Marked the low spot with a Sharpie and filled it. More sanding therapy, keep the eye on the prize.

BTW, Neil and the other aviation experts will know what material my spreader is made from.

[tauruck]

Check this boy.
They wanted to name him Michael out of respect for their older cousin
but that name was already registered so he's called St. Michael.
Known as the "Big Red" at the stable. He'll only race after he turns 3.

The boys insisted I get my racing silks. Heck I can't even afford tires for my liner
but they insisted, paid for everything and gave me a share in two horses.
Sometimes it pays to be the black sheep. I have awesome family and I could ask
them for financial help on the liner but it's not my way. This is my fight. As for the
ponies we'll wait and see. The stake money could come in handy.



Will I go to the track?. Not likely but I'll send Zina as my rep.  Got a runner on Sunday!!!!.
Life is full of unexpected "surprizes".

We got them yesterday. At a Glance won, one was second by a nose. Two 3rds and a 4th
Tally for the season so far is 64 winners. Still prefer my day job though.

[tauruck]

I like to think I know what I'm doing!!!!! .
This engine cover is giving me a whipping.

I think the surface may be sagging between the ribs on the plug.
I just keep finding low spots and here I was thinking the body work
would be the easy part. 40ft of pure misery. Threw in the towel yesterday
and had a beer with my mate Willie.

[WOODY@DDLLC]

Good plan 'B', Mike! 

[tauruck]

This one's especially for 3 guys, John Goodman, Sid Gyde and Bill Reilly.
John's going through the same process, Sid was being driven nuts by it and Bill might want to try.
Body work is a pain!!!!. Not for normal people.

The bigger the problem, the bigger the hammer.
I tried all the pneumatic and electric tools in my "arsenal" and the surface just seemed to be getting worse.
Been around a while and this cover had me beat. I had to resort to bondo and the block with not much
improvement and panic set in.

I was thinking that I'd lost my mojo, am getting old and found every excuse under the sun not to resort
to the physical side. After all, the power tools are there to make life easier right?. Not in this case.
Too many compound curves. I pulled out the big stick AKA long sanding block.

This block has an interesting story behind it. I made it from wood off a Harley Davidson shipping crate.
I was recuperating from that dog bite and the left arm wasn't much use but I eventually got it finished.
I think it helped with the rehab. A buddy comes around and asks where I bought the tool so I told him
the story. He says "This is Oregon Pine" and they make expensive furniture from it here in South Africa.
Goes to show what lousy wood we have locally. Our pine warps out in the sunshine before you can use it.

I got into the engine cover with the big stick and I know when I put spray filler on it, it will be exactly the way
I envisioned it. I'm poked and used muscles I'd forgotten about. The traps, delts and triceps are on fire and
I need oxygen. No short cut on this one unfortunately. Manual Labor. This part is only 25% of the body and
I've only got the one side close. If it wasn't for the forum I'd have bailed!!!!!. I don't want you guys
thinking I'm a pussy.

Funny how stuff works. I keep telling visitors the body work is a no brainer!!!!!!. LIAR!. Well at least I have
something to whine about for the foreseeable future.

[Buickguy3]

  Nice board, Mike. You're getting there. Like a fuel car. "No matter how outa shape you get, never lift."
   Doug 

[SPARKY]

same thing can be said for spinning on salt or dirt---don't lift----been around once --sideways several times ---but not over ---hopefully never--- have lifted to not get sideways ---but once sideways full on  YMMV

[ggl205]

Oh, Mike, you have gone and done it. You reminded me of all pain building this body. Fortunately, the only compound curves I have are around the top of my cage but all the filling and sanding was beyond reasonable. That long board ( block) was our salvation too. I never thought ot would end.

John

[tauruck]

Thanks guys. Loaded up on ammo, got the scope dialed in, 2 water bottles and ready to fight.
Today is D day. I've been humble all my life except for one statement. Regret that!!!!!.

Does the association give out certificates for pain and suffering?.

Pics later.

[tauruck]

Still fighting and gaining ground inch by inch.
This body thing is going to become a mountain of monumental proportion.
Making four bucks that need to fit each other perfectly???.

I took the afternoon off and watched the horses run while eating a large pizza.
Excellent day. We had 3 winners. Not a betting man but there was an easy pick 6
there.

How did they come up with the term Horsepower?. My drill press is 1HP and it can't do jack.
These horses have way more than that!!!.

[manta22]

James Watt used very large draft horses, Mike.

Regards, Neil  Tucson, AZ