Vesco Motorcycle Streamliner Restoration

[isiahstites]

Kent the owner of Airtech thought it would be cool to do a build diary on the Vesco liner he is restoring for the J&P Nation Motorcyle Musuem. Since he is so extremly busy working on finishing the liner I will stop by the shop on a regular basis and take pics and relay the build here and one other website.

This liner was one of Ricks liners that was built in the late 60's and features twin XS650 Yamaha motors.
Kent is shooting to have the liner finished in about 10 days so he is going to be busy. They are going to fit the motors in this evening so the body work can be fitted tonight or tomorrow. After the body is prepped and fitted Kent is aiming for painting it tomorrow evening.

All of the powercoated parts are back from the coaters and ready for assembly along with all of the shiny parts. The wheels are currently out and should be ready soon.

This build diary will consist of the final assembly as Kent has already does the initial mach-up, which included lots of new parts that he made in the machine shop along with fabrication to restore the damaged parts.

Scott

Here are some shots of the newly powdercoated frame along with the bottom section of the body work being fitted.
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1783.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1782.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1781.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1780.jpg

[isiahstites]

Another shot of the frame with the lower half of the body and a couple of the top half of the newly made body.
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1784.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1787.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1786.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1785.jpg




Both of the XS650 Yamaha motors

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1791.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1790.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1789.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1788.jpg

[isiahstites]

Lots of parts ready to be installed.

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1798.jpg



http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1797.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1796.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1795.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1794.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1793.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1792.jpg

[isiahstites]

Dusty cutting away some of the body for the perfect fit.
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1802.jpg


The chassis on the build table awaiting the twin motors.
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1799.jpg

Parachute tube
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1800.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1801.jpg

Here is the steering head.
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1803.jpg



More to come tomorrow evening!

[jamming]

Scott....that is so freaking cool. Can't wait to see some more pics.

[isiahstites]

Scott....that is so freaking cool. Can't wait to see some more pics.


Jamming,

I am glad you like the build, I am going to the shop later this afternoon to take some more pics since I know Kent probably pulled an all nighter last night. I have been really blessed to have such a knowledgable group of people to allow me into there family, I have learned so much in the last year.

Scott

[Rchop]

Holy shit, I'm jealous, I left too soon. Cool stuff Scott, wish I was there to see it!!

[isiahstites]

Ok guys, I stopped by the shop today and Kent was hard at work. He got all of the chrome accessories put on the engines.
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1817.jpg

Covers are bolted on
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1816.jpg

Front shot of the engines linked together
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1815.jpg

Back shot of the engines linked together via the huge motor plate. You see the spockets on the back of the engines, I am assuming this is for linking the engines and the belt pulleys must be for the blowers.
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1814.jpg



Per request a few more shots of the neck
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1813.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1812.jpg



Bulkhead being test fitted
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1811.jpg



Body being fitted and the air inlets have been cut out
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1810.jpg


A few pictures of the what was left of the old body work after the crash.
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1809.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1804.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1805.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1806.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1807.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1808.jpg

[vintagemxr]

Scott,

Thanks for the report. I love Bonneville vehicles and it will be great to see the rest of the photos when the bike is back together.

Where has the racer been stored all these years?

Doug

[isiahstites]

Scott,

Thanks for the report. I love Bonneville vehicles and it will be great to see the rest of the photos when the bike is back together.

Where has the racer been stored all these years?

Doug

I am not sure, but I think Kent has had it at his shop. He has three or four streamliners and he also has one of Don Vescos's crashed streamliners.

Scott

[isiahstites]

Kent gave me these pictures today while I was at the shop. I put them through my picture program and cleaned them up quite a bit. I believe these are pictures from Rick Vesco's personal collection.

If anyone has any pictures of this streamliner please let us know, it would be helpful in regards to the small details of the liner.

Thanks,
Scott

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/CCI00000bbb.jpg



http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/CCI00000rh2b.jpg



http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/CCI000012.jpg

[isiahstites]

Windshield ready for cutting
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1824.jpg


What will be the gas tank after some more fabrication. Two feeds and two returns.
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1823.jpg


Assembling the front end
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1822.jpg



Canopy had been cut and all of the holes have been drilled for attachment
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1821.jpg



All body work has been prepped, drilled, sanded and is ready for primer.
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1820.jpg



Canopy hinge has been fabricated and installed.
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1819.jpg



Front fender has been made and is ready for installation.
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1818.jpg

[isiahstites]

Assembly has began and is almost finished since my last post. Motors are in, swingarm and rear wheel have been installed, frontend and front wheel have been installed and more.......

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/PB231202.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/PB231204.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/PB231200.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/PB231197.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/PB251240.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/PB251239.jpg


Bodywork has been primmed, worked and the white coat has been shot.
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/PB241230.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/PB241231.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/PB241232.jpg

The blue goes on first
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/PB241233.jpg

and then the red
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/PB251242.jpg

and then the clear coat
You can see the mad scientist in the corner of the room shooting
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/PB251245.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/PB251244.jpg


The bottom is finished and the top is out to get some custom lettering and stripping done.
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1864.jpg



Cutting the opening for the wheel
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1873.jpg



Rear shot of the liner
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1875.jpg


Front shot
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1874.jpg



Front wheel and suspension
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1872.jpg



Motor
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1871.jpg


Fire extinguisher
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1870.jpg


The newly built gas tank
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1869.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1858.jpg


And some misc shots of the liner. Body work should be complete in the next day or so and the small details will be finished off in the days to come. Tomorrow the liner is off to the upholstery shop to get the drivers compartment covered.
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1868.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1867.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1866.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1865.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1862.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1861.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1860.jpg

[vintagemxr]

Scott, great stuff and it's so cool to see the bike brought back. I recall seeing pictures of it in bike magazines way back when but of course the images didn't show anything like modern photos do. Any chance the engines will be fired up again? I'd love to hear a sound clip of those two 650s reving up. :020: I'm assuming here that there are no plans to run the 'liner again but only display it.

Doug

[DarthRider]

Scotty -
What a great thread ! I'm so happy you are doing this.
I'm pretty familiar with many motorcycle Bonneville Streamliners, even the "vintage" ones, but I had never even heard of this one...what a little beauty !
The Vescos are arguably the "First Family" of Land Speed Racing and it's good to see one of their early efforts brought back to it's original (maybe better !) condition. The trademark Vesco engineering and attention to detail shows through in every shot.
What makes that bike so interesting to me is the choice of engines, the supercharging, and the er, "dated" streamlining. Rick's brother Don had a Yamaha shop during those days and I suspect there may have been a little behind-the-scenes Yamaha support.
Scotty, do you know anything of the bike's race history ? I know it did not hold the absolute motorcycle record but I sure hope it had a class record !

There is a real trend now in restoring and displaying these old 'liners. The website is defunct now, but here is a pic of the 1954 Triumph 'liner, "Devil's Arrow", later re-named "The Texas Cee-Gar". This bike set the absolute record in 1956 of 214+ MPH with a normally aspirated 650 Triumph twin, burning methanol.
It was later restored and sold to the British National Museum in Birmingham, England where it was virtually destroyed in their catastrophic fire of 2003. We brought her home to Fort Worth and "Team Triumph Texas" did a 100% re-build and were able to use over 90% of the original parts, although the fiberglass body was totally gone and all the aluminum parts had melted & puddled beneath her. The tube frame was twisted and bent like a pretzel.
She is now back in England in this condition, fully operable. I took this shot of her on display at Bonneville, during the first BUB all motorcycle meet in 2004.

http://r1150r.smugmug.com/photos/42636534-L.jpg

Since then, Sam Wheeler's early single-engine Norton 'liner was located and restored by essentially the same Texas crew. It is now in England also.
Soon they will begin restoration of Dennis Manning's dual-engine Norton 'liner, it will also go to England.
T.C. Christenson's dual-Norton top-fuel drag bike, "Hogslayer" has also gone to Birmingham, soon to be joined by it's triple-Norton engine big brother.

With the serious money now chasing these old war horses, I understand why they are leaving, but it's nice to see this Vesco 'liner will be staying here.

Kudos to you Scot, for bringing this great motorcycle to us, and especially to your very talented friends for the most excellent restoration.

[Capt. Blackadder]

What an outstanding thread! :041:

What is it about gleaming, air-cooled motors that just glues your eyes to the screen?

[JCsman]

Great thread is right.

And what a good subject this could make to publish a magazine story.

[isiahstites]

Scotty, do you know anything of the bike's race history ? I know it did not hold the absolute motorcycle record but I sure hope it had a class record !



Dave, I only know what I have been told to this point. It was Rick Vesco's liner and was built in 68' or 69' and raced into the seventy's where it was crashed and to my knowledge never raced again. I was told it's top speed was in the high 170's or 180's.......not bad for two little 650 motors that when in stock for made about 30 horse. Even supercharged I can not see the bike making more than 130-140 horse.

Scott

[isiahstites]

I stopped by the upholstery shop after work today to see there progress. It looks awesome! The material used is a blue metal flake, it really has a lot of "pop" to and really finishes off the driver compartment.



The old upholstery
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/Picture010.jpg


This is Jesus, he is doing the great work on the upholstery.
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/Picture011.jpg



http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/Picture008.jpg



http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/Picture007.jpg



http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/Picture006.jpg



While I was there I snapped a few more shots of the work Kent and Dusty finshed up after I left last night.Wiring and plumbing is underway.........
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/Picture009.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/Picture012.jpg

[isiahstites]

Scott, great stuff and it's so cool to see the bike brought back. I recall seeing pictures of it in bike magazines way back when but of course the images didn't show anything like modern photos do. Any chance the engines will be fired up again? I'd love to hear a sound clip of those two 650s reving up. :020: I'm assuming here that there are no plans to run the 'liner again but only display it.

Doug

No, it will not run again, it is set-up for display only. I really would love to hear those motors for the first time, I am sure they were mean little bastards.

Scott

[Ed K]

Just checking in for the first time to this thread... Holy crap Scott!!!

Its amazing to see this being born!

[isiahstites]

Here is the finished upholestery.
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1878.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1879.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1880.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1881.jpg



Here are a few shots of the liner leaving the upholestery shop this evening and headed to Randy Nelsons shop to have all of the throttle cables made up and then back over to Kent's for an all nighter to get the liner finished up so it can be packed up and shipped out on Friday.

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1877.jpg

This is Dusty strapping the liner into place.
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1876.jpg

The wheel holes have been cut in the belly pan.
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1882.jpg


Here is the finished off paint...........looks AWESOME in person!
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1883.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1884.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1885.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1886.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1887.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/Vesco%20Liner/100_1888.jpg

[isiahstites]

Darth,

Below I have pasted an edited quote from Kent himself in regards to the motors and a little bit of history on the liner.

Scott


Don and Rick had a Yamaha dealership, Rick built this liner in '69 and decided to use Yamaha's brand new fangeled 4 stroke twin motors.... they were mildly tuned to handle the "Pepco" superchargers...

[DarthRider]

Thanks Scotty.
Maybe you can con them into a test ride before she leaves town...?!

[Rchop]

Holy cow, are those "MDR" tie down straps or the special "AirTech streamliner" tiedown straps? Wow, I'm impressed!! Those look specially made to go FASTER...LOL

[isiahstites]

Here are the final build photos of the liner I took after the get together this evening at Air-tech. The last picture is of Kent and Dusty the builders of this beautiful machine.

Scott

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/100_1893.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/100_1894.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/100_1895.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/100_1896.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/100_1901.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/100_1902.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/100_1903.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/100_1904.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/100_1905.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/100_1906.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/100_1907.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/100_1908.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/100_1909.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/100_1910.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/100_1911.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/100_1912.jpg

[DJ Down Under]

Excelent..:eusa_clap:

DJ

[Elsie Smith]

It's a beauty, what a project for a restoration that won't be run. Third picture from bottom, profile, looks like it's furrowing it's brows in determination to run again!

[fganger]

Man O' Man,

What a great project - it has it all: History, craftsmanship, tragedy, and of course, The Motorcyclist Cafe's Scott.:eusa_clap:

You da man. :pftroest:

[isiahstites]

Man O' Man,

What a great project - it has it all: History, craftsmanship, tragedy, and of course, The Motorcyclist Cafe's Scott.:eusa_clap:

You da man. :pftroest:

Thank you Frank, I am glad you enjoyed the pictures and the story.

Scott

[DarthRider]

El Bumperoonie!
I stumbled across this old, forgotten thread. It's good enough to re-cycle and I hope some of the new folks like it.
Thanks again, Scotty!
I assume it is still safely ensconced at the J&P Museum?

[Donson]

Cool! Thanks Dave, I had never seen this , it was before I showed up. I was never aware of the existance of this liner.
I knew Don had run a Yamaha liner, but had no ides it was a twin 650 twin!

[isiahstites]

El Bumperoonie!
I stumbled across this old, forgotten thread. It's good enough to re-cycle and I hope some of the new folks like it.
Thanks again, Scotty!
I assume it is still safely ensconced at the J&P Museum?

To my knowledge yes Dave.

Kinda of a bummer I haven't been able to help these guys or race much. We all still talk and have plans, but things get in the way.

[Pacific]

What a great rediscovery.

[SV Andy]

Thanks Scott that was fantastic.

[DarthRider]

Kinda of a bummer I haven't been able to help these guys or race much. We all still talk and have plans, but things get in the way.


"Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans..."
- John Lennon

[Sir Limpsalot]

The workmanship, no, craftmanship in that restoration is simply stunning. Those 650 engines are works of art, and look good enough for the front room of a stately home!

[Donson]

Simon, there is now a line of Hoodies and T-shirts for sale featuring the Yamaha 650 engine, shot by Daniel Peirce.