Projects Building My First Roadster in San Francisco

All great advice. Thanks everyone. I did a whole lot of thinking about what to do next on the brake front. I scrubbed the shoes, hit them with brake cleaner, and then let them warm up by the bank of water heaters. They got a little bit better, but were still soaked all the way through—way worse than the first time around. So, I did what any hot rodder would do: I took to the internet to find a creative solution. From what I had gathered, that solution was to buy an old toaster oven so I could bake the shoes.

Yesterday, I sent out inquiries about five different ovens throughout the city. I laughed at the thought of a $10, grease-splattered-and-heavily seasoned example with a lazy door sitting on my fire escape loaded with a pair of 1940s brake shoes. Within a matter of minutes, noxious smoke would billow out into the atmosphere like some sort of small-scale nuclear meltdown. Would it work? Your guess is as good as mine.

Then I took a step back. This is a car where I've done everything in my power not to take any shortcuts. Now isn't the time to start. So, with that, I called up Jeff at Moose Motors. He'll be re-lining and arcing the shoes for my drums, getting them ready to stop better than ever.

 

Thanks everyone! I'll keep you posted on the brake progress as it unfolds. Last night, I walked to North Beach after work and picked up some hardware for the wooden seat filler piece.

The carriage bolts will eventually get painted black and disappear, but they're kind of fun in (almost) chrome. This piece serves no real function other than to make the seat riser look more finished. I'll have more to say about it once I receive my latest eBay purchase. Man, I wish I could find an old chrome upper dash rail.

 

Tonight's progress was made not in the garage, but at the kitchen table. Using wiring diagrams of yesteryear—plus internet resources—I came up with my ignition circuit. If I have all the right parts in stock, I'll be wiring it up this weekend. Crazy that I made that 'banger wiring diagram five years ago while sitting at my kitchen table. Lots of miles on that setup. Hopefully the new one will do the same.

 

I have lots of updates, notes, and thank yous to catch up on and I promise I'll be back with those soon. In the meantime, I think you'll all appreciate this short video from down in the garage.

 

Thank you! Tonight's the night for a small update or two.

Thanks, Jeff! We're inching forward.

Hahaha you nailed it. No gas yet!

 

Tonight's post starts with a huge thank you to @e1956v.
Not only did he custom-make the perfect speedometer cable, but he also ***embled the greatest care package with vintage Stewart-Warner literature, a Colorado Springs car club shirt (which I've already worn for a night on the town), and a thoughtful note. If you have any speedometer needs, Elwood is your guy. Installation pictures to come.

 

As I think of my wiring, I started playing with horn position. I still need to make a stronger bracket, but I'm liking the central placement. At this point, it's actually been moved higher up to help make pouring oil a little easier.

And speaking of oil, I recently scored this NOS breather/PCV tube. Most I see are 8BA—neat to come across a 59AB one. No immediate need for it, but I want to hang on to it for future use.

 

Over the weekend, I spent Saturday hanging with friends and hunting down tools and parts. I knew a big storm was coming, so I took the opportunity to ride the bike. I finally took a picture of this nice home on 3rd Avenue built in the International Style.

If you look closely, you'll see my biggest purchase: a saw and miter box. I have to cut two custom body blocks, and I believe that will be just the tool for the job.

On Sunday, I started my day at the Hunters Point motorcycle swap meet. My buddy Jason's '35 Phaeton was looking great, per usual.

I wanted to buy this Panhead. No money and no time made it way easier to resist.

 

I have a few more updates, but I'll end with this question:

Are you even building a street rod if you don't build it in the street?

The street lamps do a pretty good job lighting the way, too.

That does it for now. More tomorrow!