where to start this build thread...
over the summer I was at work scrolling through the local craigslist and came across this beauty, that weekend it was strapped down in the bed of my truck.
The guy who I bought it from was a bit interesting, he claiming it ran last year but "lost" the key, it did have brand new tires, and upon a quick inspection appeared to be pretty clean. looking back I can think of a few things I should have checked a bit better, but it was the first time i bought a motorcycle, and for $350 I don't think it was that horrible of a deal.
lead to the builds plans, I have always liked the cafe styled bikes and that is the general plan for this on although it will also have a bit of the "rat" style as well and in my head will be pretty awesome if it actually comes out that way, we will just have to see in the next couple of months.
and on to the build!
I got it unloaded and started the tear down. after a bit of work I manged to get the starter motor to turn over. the contacts in the clutch lever where caked in grease and wouldn't make a solid connection, and the lack of a key forced me to split the wires leading from the ignition and connect them according to the wiring diagram. once I got the starter to turn over, i hooked up the gas line and figured I would try and give it a start. and who would have guessed but with a little convincing the bike turned over and ran pretty well, despite the throttle sticking, and the latter realization of 1 cylinder not firing. their was also a little bit of carb issues, as one was leaking and another seemed to be plugged and gas coming out of the filter.
after realizing that cylinder 2 wasn't firing I did a compression test, only to notice that it was much lower than the other cylinders I did the old oil test and compression came right back. thus led to the over all tear down of the bikes engine, and ordering of parts.
those holes could explain the raspy exhaust and certainly call for a repair.
with the valve cover off it looks pretty clean
pulled the head off and got a good look at the cylinders and pistons which didn't look that bad. no real scouring in the cylinders and pistons looked old but really just looks like 30 years of carbon build up.
unfortunately during this tear down stage, I noticed that a previous owner had broken 2 exhaust bolts, and i broke one as well as one of the head bolts. I brought the head to a local machine shop and asked for the valves to be reseated and such and if they could remove the broken bolts. they don't remove broken bolt but would do the valves. when I got the head back I brought it to my campuses machine shop, and asked if it was possible to remove the broken bolts and studs. Two and a half hours later,
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Now that the motor is almost ready for assembly again, the carbs needed work I talked to one of my room mate I knew had done some carb work in the past. Turns out he rework a set of the exact same ones before. I went to class that night came back and he said they where done and ready to rock.
I know its a bit of a long winded thread but this catches up to where I currently am. The next big things on the list is finishing the motor. have to clean the pistons and mount the new rings, purchased a ball hone so I can deglaze the cylinders a little. I also m going to have to reshim the valves, I am not 100% sure what this process includes so if some one would like to offer tips I am game to listen. I will try my best to keep this updated, and the work flowing so I can get the bike on the rod this spring!
over the summer I was at work scrolling through the local craigslist and came across this beauty, that weekend it was strapped down in the bed of my truck.
lead to the builds plans, I have always liked the cafe styled bikes and that is the general plan for this on although it will also have a bit of the "rat" style as well and in my head will be pretty awesome if it actually comes out that way, we will just have to see in the next couple of months.
and on to the build!
I got it unloaded and started the tear down. after a bit of work I manged to get the starter motor to turn over. the contacts in the clutch lever where caked in grease and wouldn't make a solid connection, and the lack of a key forced me to split the wires leading from the ignition and connect them according to the wiring diagram. once I got the starter to turn over, i hooked up the gas line and figured I would try and give it a start. and who would have guessed but with a little convincing the bike turned over and ran pretty well, despite the throttle sticking, and the latter realization of 1 cylinder not firing. their was also a little bit of carb issues, as one was leaking and another seemed to be plugged and gas coming out of the filter.
after realizing that cylinder 2 wasn't firing I did a compression test, only to notice that it was much lower than the other cylinders I did the old oil test and compression came right back. thus led to the over all tear down of the bikes engine, and ordering of parts.
those holes could explain the raspy exhaust and certainly call for a repair.
with the valve cover off it looks pretty clean
pulled the head off and got a good look at the cylinders and pistons which didn't look that bad. no real scouring in the cylinders and pistons looked old but really just looks like 30 years of carbon build up.
unfortunately during this tear down stage, I noticed that a previous owner had broken 2 exhaust bolts, and i broke one as well as one of the head bolts. I brought the head to a local machine shop and asked for the valves to be reseated and such and if they could remove the broken bolts. they don't remove broken bolt but would do the valves. when I got the head back I brought it to my campuses machine shop, and asked if it was possible to remove the broken bolts and studs. Two and a half hours later,
Now that the motor is almost ready for assembly again, the carbs needed work I talked to one of my room mate I knew had done some carb work in the past. Turns out he rework a set of the exact same ones before. I went to class that night came back and he said they where done and ready to rock.
I know its a bit of a long winded thread but this catches up to where I currently am. The next big things on the list is finishing the motor. have to clean the pistons and mount the new rings, purchased a ball hone so I can deglaze the cylinders a little. I also m going to have to reshim the valves, I am not 100% sure what this process includes so if some one would like to offer tips I am game to listen. I will try my best to keep this updated, and the work flowing so I can get the bike on the rod this spring!
