I'm learning more about this machine all the time. It's so foreign compared to modern vehicles that I feel like I'm discovering operation of some alien craft.
Today I finished replacing rubber and metal lines in the front brake circuit, and bled them. I still need to swap the front wheel cylinders but couldnt get a hub socket yet.
I finally took her out for her first on road test of about 3 miles. I was so afraid I was going to get stranded and be walking home. The brakes are not too strong yet so I have some tinkering to do there. There was a whole lot of play in the steering. Lots of rattles and wheel wobble that seemed to chill out after some time. Might be due to the gnarly rotten old tires that haven't rolled faster than 1 rpm in some years.
Cruising speed seemed normal but the transmission sounds like a tractor. Took a big gravel road mud puddle in 3rd gear like a champ but I have no wipers yet. When I got home I laughed at how water apparently splashed up through the drilled holes in the bed.
I thought the clutch was bad since I couldnt downshift into first (this is where the old hats laugh). I figured it out. Who'd have guessed?
That drive unlocks a lot of 'next step' options. For one, I need to improve the brakes a bit, and also tighten the steering. I want to replace all of the fluids, and get some not rotting tires on there - pretty much continue to make it road worthy.
I'm very happy with the engine so far. I think it's running a bit lean though since it couldnt handle all of the air.
I need to track down a short circuit in the brake wiring and wire up a new turn signal lever that I ordered from KW.
This is good times and I'm happy to finally reach this milestone!
Oh, I also picked up a spare set of axles but for now they are earmarked for my 2a build. Next I need to price out suspension, and then I can drive to Indy to get a repro frame. I think the 2a will be a restomod and the 3a will be original-ish based on the difference in their condition.
Also... I noticed when parked in the barn *rear end-out for the first time that theres a noticeable lean to the driver side. I worried about that too until I did some research