Rauta ja Petrooli 2023 - 3rd of September - Hämeenlinna, Finland

Beginning of September I had a chance to visit Rauta ja Petrooli (eng. Iron and Petrol) again in a long time. This year event was held at event area of Kantola in Hämeenlinna and theme was 120 years of Ford. Check out how it looked 😎

Fordson

Turpakäräjät @ Ullan Pakari - 21st of June 2023 - Riihimäki, Finland

Let's continue with another throwback to June and visit to Turpakäräjät 😎

Chevrolet Stylemaster

Turpakäräjät @ Ullan Pakari - 14th of June 2023 - Riihimäki, Finland

Throwback to last June and visit to Turpakäräjät 😎 Happy Halloween 🎃

Chevrolet Corvette C1

Fitted Fest '23 @ Sibelius Hall - 19th of August - Lahti, Finland

 Check out my photos from this year's Fitted Fest held at Sibelius Hall in Lahti, Finland 😎

Toyota Supra MKIV

Throwback - *EX* '91 Solifer-Suzuki S1

Here's some story and info of my first own two-wheeled vehicle that got me interested and started with my hobby of modifying mopeds and motorcycles. In Finland you're allowed to drive 50 cc mopeds (max. speed 45 km/h) when you turn 15 years old and pass a licence for it. Back in the day driving licence for mopeds required a theory test. Novadays you also have to proof that you can handle and drive according to traffic rules in practice. 

I don't remember exactly when my father bought and picked up this moped for me but it happened before I turned 15 years old and passed my licence. I remember this moped being fairly worn out when I got it but still in running and mostly functional condition. My father had taken few pieces of the moped to make it easier to transport so I ended stripping the whole bike before even test driving it. 

Through to years of my owneship moped saw few different forms. At first I painted frame with silver color you see on the swingarm and front forks and fairings and fuel tank with dark metallic blue. Plastic fuel tanks seemed like impossible to paint because fumes of the fuel pass through the plastic and paint starts to bubble. Because of that I ended up removing old paint from fuel tank and just sanded and polished the plastic surface and switching to black/white/silver/gold color scheme. For a long time I tried to find a black fuel tank but didn't come across any. Pictures you see below are from final form of my build from 2012 before I ended up selling it like many others to free some space for other new projects.

List of modifications:

- Electrical system changed to 12V with voltage regulator out of a snow mobile

- battery, voltage gauge, turn signals added to electrical system

- Metrakit Thrower silencer with modified Pro Sport middle pipe

- Stage 2 air cleaner

- Helkama AX50 front fork, wheel and brake

- Helkama AX50 aluminium rear rim

- Renthal handlebar

- Polisport headlight, front fender and hand guards

- holders for gauges and battery, engine protection plate and licence plate holder made out of stainless steel sheet

I will write a similar story of '92 Kawasaki KDX125SR later down the line. Keep an eye on that one 😉

Turpakäräjät @ Ullan Pakari - 31st of May 2023 - Riihimäki, Finland

Last photos from May 😎 Check them out!

Mercury Monterey

Turpakäräjät @ Ullan Pakari - 24th of May 2023 - Riihimäki, Finland

 Check out couple photos from Turpakäräjät I shot last May 😎

Helsinki Bike Show 2023 @ Teurastamo - 10th of June - Helsinki, Finland

Couple photos from last weekend's Helsinki Bike Show held at Teurastamo in Helsinki, FI 😎

'Great Divide'

Lahti Hela Ride-In Bike Show IX - 18th of May 2023 - Lahti, Finland

Check out my photos from this year's Lahti Hela Ride-In Bike Show 😎

Harley-Davidson Sturgis

Turpakäräjät @ Ullan Pakari - 10th of May 2023 - Riihimäki, Finland

 Check out photos from this Wednesday 😎

American Car Show 2023 - 7th of April - Helsinki, Finland

 Here are few photos from my visit to this year's American Car Show last weekend. Take a look 😎

Turpakäräjät @ Ullan Pakari - 21st of September 2022 - Riihimäki, Finland

 Throwback to last autumn. Check it out 😎

Buick Super

The Kustom Kulture Show 2023 @ Cable Factory - 12th of February - Helsinki, Finland

Here are couple photos from this year's The Kustom Kulture Show held at the Cable Factory in Helsinki last weekend. Take a look 😊

Petrol Circus Custom Bike Show @ MP 23 Motorcycle Expo - 4th of February 2023 - Helsinki, Finland

Here are few photos from my visit to this year's MP 23 Motorcycle Expo. Check them out 😎

Yamaha GTS1000

'73 Suzuki GT250 - Part 19 - Carbon fibre rear fender

Here's a quick overview how I made a plug and one piece fibreglass mold for replicating '85-89 Honda CR250R rear fender out of carbon fibre. I used same method with front fender I posted earlier so I won't go through steps here with same detail. 

I'm pretty pleased with the result. I only used two layers of carbon fibre cloth which ended up with a very light part. I might do another one later with three layers of cloth to achieve a bit stronger and less flexible piece.

Next steps would be to make a lower piece for the rear fender and a seat pan out of carbon fibre. I have not fully figured out yet how to make plugs and molds for those pieces. I've also been planning modifications to my '01 Honda CBR600F4i PC35. Hopefully I can figure those out and share some of them within this year. Happy new year!

Plug made out of pieces of wood and
sheets of polypropylene

Plug waxed and taped

Close up of waxing and taping

Two layers of gelcoat

Fibreglass and polyester resin
applied on top of gelcoat

Excess fibreglass cut off with scissors and
trim lines marked with ballpoint pen

Edges trimmed with an angle grinder

Closer look of imperfections
in the mold caused by wax surface

Look after first round of wet sanding

Masking with vinyl tape

Surface after two coats of gelcoat

Surface after wet sanding up to 600 grid

Mold waxed and ready for hand laminating

Vacuum bagging after hand laminating

Vacuum bag, peel ply, release film and
breather cloth removed after vacuum bagging

Third attempt gave best result (left)

Part after separating it from mold
and before trimming edges of it

Edges vinyl taped and ready for trimming

Edges trimmed and part ready for clear coat