First semester is done!
On Tuesday I reviewed a little for the final exam. I then took apart the other fork from my project bike.
The final was tonight. It was in two parts. The first was a written exam. The second was a practical component. I won't go into too much detail since at least one of you is planning to take the course.
I hung around afterwards and spent some time in the shop. I had hoped to rebuild my forks, but the seals weren't in yet so I helped a little with other projects. The shop is closed until the New Year, but I'll probably be back in shortly afterwards.
The instructor graded the exams as they came in, so I was still around when he came down to the shop with them. I got 100% on the written exam, and 98% on the practical part (the only two points I lost all semester were on the last question of the last part of the exam - I was off in my measurement of a cylinder by SIX TEN-THOUSANDTHS of an inch. Oops. Since I did the extra credit assignment last week my final grade for the course ended up at 102%.
***For those of you planning to attend the International Motorcycle Show in Novi, I'll be working the WCC table on Sunday morning, January 8th, from 9-noonish (I might also be at the vintage Japanese booth as well). There will be a WCC booth at the show all three days, so come on by and see what the program is about! We're planning to have several student-built bikes on display along with some engine cut-aways to look at.***
Next semester includes topics such as: frame geometry/design, rear suspensions, steering head bearings/adjustment, brakes, lacing wheels, vehicle alignment, clutches, drivelines, and more on transmissions. I'm also taking the required welding course. Stay tuned.
I'll end this thread for now with a pic of my shop partner from this past semester. This photo was taken just after he realized that he'd forgotten to replace the oil drain plug before dumping in a fresh quart.
He was pretty amazing in the shop and knows a LOT about bikes. We won't be in the same class next semester and he's planning to go full-time, so he'll be ahead of me by summer.
