"Project Bantam" - assembly mockup

Since most of the sub assemblies were already prepared (except for the engine). I was able to set the pieces together to make sure everything fit right.  In retrospect, this should have been done before I painted.  I would not have thought that there would be a problem with the fit of the new fenders.  The build tolerances are not the most precise, so it should not have surprised me that there was a problem.

  

From the picture you can see that the right fender does not fit down against the running board.  Its too late now, a spacer will have to be fabricated.

The original input shaft stud mount bearing was completely shot.  This consequently wore down the shaft, which had to be repaired with welding in more material, and then machined down again.  Otherwise, the input shaft fit right back in place.

Otherwise parts fit back in position as they were originally. Its starting to look more like just a collection of parts now.

"Project Bantam" - Orange

All the de-rusting, blasting, bodyfiller, and sanding has culminated in this weekend of painting.  A six-pack of Kubota Orange tractor/implement paint has transformed the pile of tractor parts.  Only the hood has too many imperfections for my liking.  It will have to be sanded down again and re-sprayed.  They body looks good enough, as do the grill and fenders.

  

The basketball hoop in the driveway served as a great location to paint the body.

The only part which hasn't been painted now, is the engine.  I still need to come up with a plan for the exhaust and muffler.

 

The front wheel assembly went back together easily. The new design for the wheel bearings should be much more reliable.  I can't wait to mount the rear wheels and pillowblock bearings I bought to replace the rear axle bushings (which looked rather sorry and worn).

For now the paint must dry and I can drink a beer with a sense of accomplishment.  After getting everything painted, I'll need to purchase a set of new fasteners.  Tractor Supply sells fasteners by weight, so I'll have to compile a shopping list soon.

Red Inner Tube

When is the last time you saw a red inner tube?  That's gotta be an old one.  Its only got two patches on it but holds air.  It came out of the front wheel.

The rims look pretty good.  They'll need scraped down and the surface rust removed, then given a shot of paint.  I can't see putting them back together without.  The rear rim is worse than the front, not sure if that is lack of cleaning in the past, or heavy braking on the rear.  The DURO tires came in last week (by recommendation of my brother who runs them on his Ural), they look pretty good.  They're nice and FAT-looking.  I got them at a good price from Tires Unlimited

I'm being tempted to paint more and more things.  The center stand is next on the list.  Its nearly devoid of paint and really needs to be protected.  I want it to be original, but I also have an urge to make it "pristine" rather than the "patina" I originally planned on.  I know once the painting starts, its hard to stop until everything is repainted or re-chromed.  Somebody stop me!