Akastus
Been Around the Block
Hey Guys!
I picked this little gem up for about $400. It would crank, but not start up, so i thought "eh, why not!" Got it home, and immediately pulled the carbs to clean them. They were fairly foul with a little bit of varnishing on the jets, but overall in pretty decent shape. Slapped those bad boys back on, and no go... still wouldnt start. It tried and almost started a few times, so i began to go through the check list. First up, sparkplugs. With those, i found one was deader than dead. replaced it, and checked spark. Once i had spark to both cylinders, i buttoned her back up, and she started right up. Unfortunately i couldnt rev the engine. I suspected the air cleaner may be the issue since it didnt seal tightly. A quick test with putting my hand in front of the inlet proved this was the case. Long story short, here we are almost a year later, and its about 95 percent done. Not bad for an initial investment of $400
How it looks now after a fresh washing
This is how it was when i bought it. Its hard to see, but i could see its true potential the moment i laid eyes on it!
The next morning when i started the strip down process
more tearing down
At this point i did some serious work on the mechanics. Make sure everything ran right. I then decided to do some test fitting, and mockups
New tail. also, you can see how i "fixed" the air cleaner problem
It was at this point, that i didnt like the giant warts (gauges) sticking up. I decided to fabricate a new bracket to hold the Speedo, and the indicator lights. In order to keep the stock indicator lights and make them more sleek, i mounted the whole assembly upside down. Since the lettering was practically rubbed off anyways, it wouldnt matter. The turn signal indicator lights would have to be swapped from side to side... Easy enough!
Poster board pattern, and the gauges as how they will be mounted. The Speedo was replaced with one from a CB750 (which also got a new overlay)
Knee dents and bar dents were hammered into the tank, and everything was primered
Testing out the new color, it is really striking
A few coats of GM metalic dark cherry went on. and everything was mocked up again. So excited!
I then began routing all of the electronics through the new seatpan and under the bubble.
Another shot. It was at this point that i removed the front fender and decided i like the bike better with it on. It also gives a little more protection to the radiator
LED tail light from DCC fits so nicely in there. It was also very easily installed <5min
side shot. im really impressed with the outcome of this light!
Painted the frame, fenders, and did some general tidying up and heres where we are at today
I rejetted the carbs to a 90/120 and added some universal shorty mufflers. The sound is not too loud, but super mean! Im really digging the way this is coming along, but i really wish i would have started in on the internals first before the looks. Eh oh well!
I still have some things left to do such as:
-paint the wheels
-new tires
-rebuild forks/change springs
-Change rear shock
-Clip-ons instead of clubmans
Anyways, i hope you guys like it so far. ill update this as i get more done!
-Akastus
I picked this little gem up for about $400. It would crank, but not start up, so i thought "eh, why not!" Got it home, and immediately pulled the carbs to clean them. They were fairly foul with a little bit of varnishing on the jets, but overall in pretty decent shape. Slapped those bad boys back on, and no go... still wouldnt start. It tried and almost started a few times, so i began to go through the check list. First up, sparkplugs. With those, i found one was deader than dead. replaced it, and checked spark. Once i had spark to both cylinders, i buttoned her back up, and she started right up. Unfortunately i couldnt rev the engine. I suspected the air cleaner may be the issue since it didnt seal tightly. A quick test with putting my hand in front of the inlet proved this was the case. Long story short, here we are almost a year later, and its about 95 percent done. Not bad for an initial investment of $400
How it looks now after a fresh washing
This is how it was when i bought it. Its hard to see, but i could see its true potential the moment i laid eyes on it!
The next morning when i started the strip down process
more tearing down
At this point i did some serious work on the mechanics. Make sure everything ran right. I then decided to do some test fitting, and mockups
New tail. also, you can see how i "fixed" the air cleaner problem
It was at this point, that i didnt like the giant warts (gauges) sticking up. I decided to fabricate a new bracket to hold the Speedo, and the indicator lights. In order to keep the stock indicator lights and make them more sleek, i mounted the whole assembly upside down. Since the lettering was practically rubbed off anyways, it wouldnt matter. The turn signal indicator lights would have to be swapped from side to side... Easy enough!
Poster board pattern, and the gauges as how they will be mounted. The Speedo was replaced with one from a CB750 (which also got a new overlay)
Knee dents and bar dents were hammered into the tank, and everything was primered
Testing out the new color, it is really striking
A few coats of GM metalic dark cherry went on. and everything was mocked up again. So excited!
I then began routing all of the electronics through the new seatpan and under the bubble.
Another shot. It was at this point that i removed the front fender and decided i like the bike better with it on. It also gives a little more protection to the radiator
LED tail light from DCC fits so nicely in there. It was also very easily installed <5min
side shot. im really impressed with the outcome of this light!
Painted the frame, fenders, and did some general tidying up and heres where we are at today
I rejetted the carbs to a 90/120 and added some universal shorty mufflers. The sound is not too loud, but super mean! Im really digging the way this is coming along, but i really wish i would have started in on the internals first before the looks. Eh oh well!
I still have some things left to do such as:
-paint the wheels
-new tires
-rebuild forks/change springs
-Change rear shock
-Clip-ons instead of clubmans
Anyways, i hope you guys like it so far. ill update this as i get more done!
-Akastus
