1972 Jawa 250 Californian - Rust Machine
- Thread starter damiansd
- Start date
damiansd said:Cash is tight post Christmas but should improve soon. Its sad when I walk into the garage and I see it sitting there.
Soon soon.
I know the feeling man. Isn't Christmas just a kick in the nuts to any projects you were doing before hand.
Good to see that you are still going. My GS has been dropped to second on the list.
damiansd
Been Around the Block
Gloss black is underway. Going very well at this stage. The imperfections are showing, but I'll sand, level, sand, repaint as I go.
Very happy with progress, however, I got a bit zealous and made a run on the inside of the chain guard. Back to the sandpaper!
Cheers,
D.
Very happy with progress, however, I got a bit zealous and made a run on the inside of the chain guard. Back to the sandpaper!
Cheers,
D.
damiansd
Been Around the Block
Disclaimer: This post will be pic heavy. It is all the black parts of the bike (aside from the front fender) ready to go aside from clear coat.
Battery bracket
Tool box. The second shot has my dog's nose. I couldn't resist.
The brake light bracket is coming up pretty nice.
The rear inner guard is coming up good. A little bent, but this bike isn't for show. I want to ride it and soon.
This is the rear fender. I'm pretty happy with these. You can see I decided not to fill the old rust holes. They'll be under the seat and should be ok. Maybe. Time will tell.
Here is the rear brake arm for the lever to bolt onto.
A mundane right peg.
And the swingarm with an arty touch again.
Thanks for indulging me.
D.
Battery bracket
Tool box. The second shot has my dog's nose. I couldn't resist.
The brake light bracket is coming up pretty nice.
The rear inner guard is coming up good. A little bent, but this bike isn't for show. I want to ride it and soon.
This is the rear fender. I'm pretty happy with these. You can see I decided not to fill the old rust holes. They'll be under the seat and should be ok. Maybe. Time will tell.
Here is the rear brake arm for the lever to bolt onto.
A mundane right peg.
And the swingarm with an arty touch again.
Thanks for indulging me.
D.
Keiff Hardcore
Loves anything that burns oil
awesome build. the czechs know how to make steel, and im sure thru out the project you have noticed.
Keiff Hardcore
Loves anything that burns oil
czech yugo AK's didnt even get chrome, so they rationed that shit like beans.damiansd said:
damiansd
Been Around the Block
Well, the two-tone colour scheme begins.
Some taping.
First coat of red on. Looks ok. Very nervous. I was particularly worried that I'd put too much paint and it had soaked through the painters green tape.
Inner rear fender and front fender done.
Some poser taking a picture of his reflection in the front fender.
The masking did its job well. I have one tiny section to touch with black where the painters tape pulled some of the black off. But all up, I'm wrapped. The kids keep telling me it looks like a professional did it. I wouldn't go that far. But not bad for a rattle can job, not bad.
Cheers,
Damian.
Some taping.
First coat of red on. Looks ok. Very nervous. I was particularly worried that I'd put too much paint and it had soaked through the painters green tape.
Inner rear fender and front fender done.
Some poser taking a picture of his reflection in the front fender.
The masking did its job well. I have one tiny section to touch with black where the painters tape pulled some of the black off. But all up, I'm wrapped. The kids keep telling me it looks like a professional did it. I wouldn't go that far. But not bad for a rattle can job, not bad.
Cheers,
Damian.
damiansd
Been Around the Block
I got the head and cylinder back from the vapour blaster. These things look fabulous.
Greg at Woody's Vapour Blast also welded the fin back on.
Time to get some VHT Barrel paint on the cylinder to stop it flash rusting.
And here is the top with VHT clear coat.
Engine can now go back together. And my Czech supplier tells me the electronic ignition and other bits arrive next week. Woohoo!
Greg at Woody's Vapour Blast also welded the fin back on.
Time to get some VHT Barrel paint on the cylinder to stop it flash rusting.
And here is the top with VHT clear coat.
Engine can now go back together. And my Czech supplier tells me the electronic ignition and other bits arrive next week. Woohoo!
damiansd
Been Around the Block
Well I'm halfway into the build. All is clean. Paint done. Reassembly is ready to start. I thought it would be worth documenting some of what I've learnt on the way.
Mistakes
Spokes
I cut as I thought the rim unusable. Now at this midpoint I'm still $400 from roller due to my exuberance.
Learning: roller first pretty second. In hindsight I might have been able to rejuvenate the rims and spokes. Cest la vie. I've ordered spokes and will have a go at truing.
Loom
I have an electrical engineering background. I've worked on car electrics. But the effort was going to be too much.
Learning: fix first buy new second chop last
Fin
I used a rubber mallet but was still over exuberant.
Learning: more accuracy to avoid accidents
Seize
Spent too long trying to unseize.
Learning: If no joy in a fortnight move straight to driving it out
Whenever looking for bikes I'm asking if it's seized
Brand
Support. Uncommon brand so few know how to help. Even fewer are interested.
Parts. Hard to find. Ended up getting most bits from czech Republic. Not cheap.
Learning: Japanese or English bike next time
Learnings
Molasses for rust
20:1 3 weeks awesome. Must be fully submerged. If rust under paint works well. Finish with power washer then prime in a timely manner
Wire wheel
Awesome although awkward for small spaces. Need small wire wheel for die grinder or sand paper intight spots.
Sand soda
Tried cheapo sand blaster. Did not work well. I need to get a proper setup for next time around. Sand blast for all frame and non engine parts. Soda for engine external and internals.
Rattle can
After getting everything stripped back spray can primed everything with 2 coats. 5 minutes between coats else wait 1 hour between coate. Let sit for three weeks.
Base coat. 1 light coat. Wait 5 minutes. 2nd slightly heavier coat.
Wait 1 hour then a heavier top coat. Wait 10 minutes then another heavy coat.
Let sit for 1 week
Light clear coat. Wait 10 minute then do another light coat. Wait 10 minutes and do a heavier coat. Wait 10 minutes and do another heavier top coat
If pin striping do main colour as per above. Then wait two weeks to do second colour with everything taped off properly. To avoid peeling the main paint peel ten minutes after the last coat of second colour is done. Then wait a day or two then clear coat as above.
Photos
Thousands of photos have been taken. The purpose was twofold 1) to show me how to put it back together and 2) to chronicle it for a project coffee table book.
Polishing
Truck wash and lower washer were first line
Wire wheel was second
Sand paper 80 grit for tough stuff
Then rag wheel and rouge on the bench grinder
Unseizing
Atf and wd40 soak is good for seized pistons.
Wd40 then manual impact driver is good for bolts
Heat and cool cycles can help unseize pistons.
Good learnings on this first project. I'm sure there'll be a whole other set of learnings on build #2.
Damian
Mistakes
Spokes
I cut as I thought the rim unusable. Now at this midpoint I'm still $400 from roller due to my exuberance.
Learning: roller first pretty second. In hindsight I might have been able to rejuvenate the rims and spokes. Cest la vie. I've ordered spokes and will have a go at truing.
Loom
I have an electrical engineering background. I've worked on car electrics. But the effort was going to be too much.
Learning: fix first buy new second chop last
Fin
I used a rubber mallet but was still over exuberant.
Learning: more accuracy to avoid accidents
Seize
Spent too long trying to unseize.
Learning: If no joy in a fortnight move straight to driving it out
Whenever looking for bikes I'm asking if it's seized
Brand
Support. Uncommon brand so few know how to help. Even fewer are interested.
Parts. Hard to find. Ended up getting most bits from czech Republic. Not cheap.
Learning: Japanese or English bike next time
Learnings
Molasses for rust
20:1 3 weeks awesome. Must be fully submerged. If rust under paint works well. Finish with power washer then prime in a timely manner
Wire wheel
Awesome although awkward for small spaces. Need small wire wheel for die grinder or sand paper intight spots.
Sand soda
Tried cheapo sand blaster. Did not work well. I need to get a proper setup for next time around. Sand blast for all frame and non engine parts. Soda for engine external and internals.
Rattle can
After getting everything stripped back spray can primed everything with 2 coats. 5 minutes between coats else wait 1 hour between coate. Let sit for three weeks.
Base coat. 1 light coat. Wait 5 minutes. 2nd slightly heavier coat.
Wait 1 hour then a heavier top coat. Wait 10 minutes then another heavy coat.
Let sit for 1 week
Light clear coat. Wait 10 minute then do another light coat. Wait 10 minutes and do a heavier coat. Wait 10 minutes and do another heavier top coat
If pin striping do main colour as per above. Then wait two weeks to do second colour with everything taped off properly. To avoid peeling the main paint peel ten minutes after the last coat of second colour is done. Then wait a day or two then clear coat as above.
Photos
Thousands of photos have been taken. The purpose was twofold 1) to show me how to put it back together and 2) to chronicle it for a project coffee table book.
Polishing
Truck wash and lower washer were first line
Wire wheel was second
Sand paper 80 grit for tough stuff
Then rag wheel and rouge on the bench grinder
Unseizing
Atf and wd40 soak is good for seized pistons.
Wd40 then manual impact driver is good for bolts
Heat and cool cycles can help unseize pistons.
Good learnings on this first project. I'm sure there'll be a whole other set of learnings on build #2.
Damian
