ABOUT
/
This blog serves as a tack board of personal project updates,
as well as everything that inspires me in the overlap of good design and custom wrenching.
as well as everything that inspires me in the overlap of good design and custom wrenching.
My name is David Mucci. I'm a professional Industrial Designer based in Chicago, IL
with a passion for hand crafted items and custom vintage machines.
How did you make / Where did you buy the seat on the CX500?
Do not be fooled by the seats that look similar to the one on the Moto-Mucci CX500 that pop up on eBay. There are NO long flat bolt on seats that you will be able to buy for a CX500. This is because the frame does not allow it. The CX500 frame kinks in many directions and has a large vertical looping support member. In order to get a long flat seat on a CX500 the seat portion of the frame must be chopped down and modified. You will then need to make a seat pan that matches your modifications and have it upholstered. I'd recommend sending the pan to a professional upholsterer for the best results. Us wrench turners aren't typically skilled with a needle and thread.
I've never touched a wrench but have been inspired by your flustering charm and stunning good looks to start wrenching on bikes of my own. Do you have any advice?
Yes,
You can reach me at contact@motomucci.com
with a passion for hand crafted items and custom vintage machines.
I do my best to respond to everyone, but please read the following FAQ before firing off an e-mail.
FAQ
Do not be fooled by the seats that look similar to the one on the Moto-Mucci CX500 that pop up on eBay. There are NO long flat bolt on seats that you will be able to buy for a CX500. This is because the frame does not allow it. The CX500 frame kinks in many directions and has a large vertical looping support member. In order to get a long flat seat on a CX500 the seat portion of the frame must be chopped down and modified. You will then need to make a seat pan that matches your modifications and have it upholstered. I'd recommend sending the pan to a professional upholsterer for the best results. Us wrench turners aren't typically skilled with a needle and thread.
I've never touched a wrench but have been inspired by your flustering charm and stunning good looks to start wrenching on bikes of my own. Do you have any advice?
Yes,
1. Spend the money on a good repair manual (not a Haynes). Clymers and manufacturer manuals are the best.
2. Follow torque specifications in the repair manual you just bought. You'd be surprised how loosely some bolts need to be torqued. Over tightening leads to a world of immediate and future headaches.
3. Buy a common bike. If you're just starting out you don't need the added headache of not being able to find parts and having no one to talk to about it... which brings me to
4. Join a forum for your bike. The biggest one you can find. You're likely into vintage bikes which means there are guys out there who have been working on your bike since it rolled off the lot 40 years ago. They've acquired more knowledge then you can fathom and are usually willing to share it. Use them. They are a resource.
5. Never modify anything without fully understanding how it functions and, most importantly, it's relationship with everything it comes in contact with. The more you mechanically understand the more you can modify.
6. Likely the most important lesson - Use the right tool. These machines were engineered to be put together and to come apart in specific ways. Figure out how via your manual, parts diagrams or through the forum before trying to force something.
You can reach me at contact@motomucci.com
