Some Assembly Required - 68 Raider 12

[71_Bronco 1,072]

32 minutes ago, RJ Hamner said:

Noticed while I was starting to assemble the hood that I only had two hood ornaments.  One with one of the "legs" broken off and the other was full of pits and cracks in the chrome.

I tried cleaning up the unbroken one (used to work pretty good on some of the chrome on a couple of cars when I was a LOT younger)

It wasn't working too well.

Then I thought.....well maybe...

Sanded the ornament down to smooth and gave it a shot of gloss.

 

So what do ya think of my solution?????

 

 

I like it. Subtle, but very nice looking. Matches the headlight lens well. May have to steal that idea for my horse... 

[rjg854 10,711]

I've done the same thing on my Commandos. One I painted the same color as the rims, the other I painted silver to match the stack.  After 50 years the chrome just doesn't look that good. 

[WHX?? 46,704]

You got leds in that headlight bucket RJ? Regular bulbs seem to damage the lens and that one looks pretty nice

18 hours ago, RJ Hamner said:

 

 

 

[RJ Hamner 992]

It outta look pretty good.  It’s brand spankin new

Yep, 1156’ers.  Bought some of the LEDs for our real work tractor.  Used them maybe once, the sockets never wanted to stay connected to the lens assembly. One came loose one day while mowing and blew the fuse (that how I learned the location of the fuse). Did it once more, clipped the wires.

Bob’s New Rule:  If it’s too dark to do yard work.....It’s Miller Time!

[WHX?? 46,704]

5 minutes ago, RJ Hamner said:

It’s Miller Time!

Agreed Bob!

Problem is at shows we often combine Miller Time with a nite "booze cruise"

[RJ Hamner 992]

Decided to work on the front rims today.  

Pulled the front rims off the stack to put in the blast cabinet. 

Guess what I found laying on top the rear tires???

The missing parking brake lever!!!

[ebinmaine 62,975]

57 minutes ago, RJ Hamner said:

Decided to work on the front rims today.  

Pulled the front rims off the stack to put in the blast cabinet. 

Guess what I found laying on top the rear tires???

The missing parking brake lever!!!

Aaagggghhhhh

 

I'm laughing with you.... Not at you... I promise.

 

[RJ Hamner 992]

Got some time to get a few things done. 

Finished the rims. 

Picked up a set of seat springs from fast88pu at the BS

Got them blasted and painted and just finished mounting them and the seat

Had to use RIVNUTS on the seat to get it to match the springs

Before someone mentions that the springs are on backward...I did that on purpose

It tips the seat back a little and gives a little more leg room

 

[Pullstart 59,570]

Ohhh that looks real good....

[Sparky-(Admin) 19,447]

I almost pulled the trigger on a 68 Raider 12 at the Big Show...after seeing yours I kinda regret not hauling it home 🤔.

  To late now, the seller was from Michigan and I’m in Connecticut. 

[Wildhorse 298]

Looking great! 

[RandyLittrell 3,827]

Very nice! I'm a big fan of the black frame and hope to do the same on my GT-14 if I can ever get to it! 

 

 

 

 

 

Randy

[RJ Hamner 992]

Getting a "round toit" is the bane of mankind. 

[RJ Hamner 992]

1968's were never much into any kind of gauges

But...They did have a CIGAR LIGHTER

I always thought that as a minimum they should have a voltmeter.

I rebuilt a 1970 Charger and added a run of the mill voltmeter and used the supplied mounting bracket under the dash.

It worked but looked kinda "odd" I have a 69 Charger that the PO mounted a three guage set below the dashthat lookes even "odder"

I had thought about mounting a 2" gage on the panel below the dash and there even seemed to be a "pilot hole" predrilled.

But the rectifier was in the way

I was looking at Amazon one afternoon and came across a voltmeter made for motorcycles that was digital and fit in a 1 1/2" hole.

Well for 10 bucks I'll try anything.

The tractor isn't wired yet and the picture is a little fuzzy......but it's in there

[RJ Hamner 992]

Got a chance to do some more work on the Raider.

Spent a fair amount of time on the engine.

The block was ready but noticed that some of the parts were ready to go but some of the others, not so much.

Murphy struck again. The hoist was in the wrong position.  Switched it over then discovered that the tractor was too far back on the lift.

Strong-armed it into position.  Ever notice that the only good hold is the exhaust pipe?

Got a good deal on a set of Carlisle Tru Powers for the rear and an OK deal on a set of Deestone ribbed tires for the front.

Getting closer.

Some of the "eagle eyes" will notice that the engine has the "breakerless ignition. The engine is a 69 not a 68

 

[RJ Hamner 992]

Been a little WARM lately so haven't been able/willing to do much but here she is.

Just waiting on the decals from Terry (ordered them last night) and a couple of pieces for the choke and throttle levers.

I saw a stack setup at the big show and thought to myself "I've got all the parts for that" so TaDa!  (still not sure if the exhaust pipe is too long)

The last thing will be to shove her out the door and fire her up

 

BTW:  I know the stack is crooked.  It was still kinda tacky so I haven't straightened it up and put the clamp on it yet

[Pullstart 59,570]

Well done!  I think that stack is perfectly fitting!

 

I may be a bit biased, but a stack and a tractor are like Forrest and Jenny...

 

 

[RJ Hamner 992]

After a few minor setbacks yesterday and today

(I really don't know how many times the folks here on Red Square have pulled my fanny out of the fire)

But today was the day we rolled her out of the door, filled to tank to the top, fired her up and took her for a ride

This is NOT a show tractor.  I rebuilt her just for me.

Basically a 1968 Charger 12 with a 69 engine with the breakerless ignition. 

Didn't like the "push/pull cables" so swapped out a "lever controls" dash.

Quit smoking almost 12 years ago so didn't need the cigar lighter.

I'm not a big fan of the all red tractors so .........

Wanted a "stack" muffler ever since the first one (C121) and finally did it

Some of the earlier photos show a stack I put together.  The more I looked at it, it just wasn't right

Called Jim Kemp and ordered one of his....WOW what a difference.  Looks good, well made and sounds great

Thanks to everyone who followed along, got me out of a few tight spots and offered up some humor along the way

[rjg854 10,711]

Very nice 

[PA.BOB 68]

You did a beautiful job on the tractor Bob.   It really turned out nice. The dash really worked  out nice.  So you used Rustoleum paint on it. What was the name of the color?     Now your ready for another one to do.   Thanks Bob.   Bob....

[RJ Hamner 992]

Regal Red and Canvas (for the wheels)

Rustoleum Self Etching Primer

Rustoleum gloss black for plastic for the dash steering wheel and the knobs (it comes in the weird looking can that is a PITA to use practice with it first to avoid disaster) 

[RJ Hamner 992]

[PA.BOB 68]

Thank you Bob.......  Bob..........

[ebinmaine 62,975]

Ya done good Mister Man.

 

 

Excellent set of personal touches.