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Another small step. Got my exhaust where I want it but I still need to get it TIG welded (headers to adapters). Came up with this hanger solution but I hate it. I think that even with painting the frame clamps black and strut black, it doesn't flow. Mainly due to the clamps being so chunky. Probably will get some shaft collars from McMaster to make it less noticeable.
I was able to use one of those clamps to mount a license plate/tail light holder. A friend of mine cut some scrap steel to mock up the placement. I think I'll run with it. Now, the seat gets attention.
Your bike looks sweet man! I like the pipes with the up sweep elbows. You may want to rubber mount the muffs or the brackets will crack after a awhile.
Great looking bike. I almost got a 450, and also a 350 (picking up a '73 Yamaha RD350 tonight). Very very clean. That tank looks awesome. Is it the original, or did you find one in really great shape?
Thanks! The tank was more or less in this condition. I pulled a dent from the left side but it's still noticeable. If I can match the color and decal I will paint at a later date.
Noooooo! I had the filters and covers off due to carb issues. Rear fender is trimmed and painted semi black. I plan on welding a small tab with insulated grommet to the hoop so the fender has something to attach to.
Finally got a brake light and plate holder in place so I took my first loop around town (8 miles). Starts up no problem but doesn't have throttle response until it has warmed up a little. Could live with that for now. BIG problem is that it bog down when I crack the throttle or on any acceleration for that matter. Got worse as I went on. Thinking it was purely carb issues so I decided to at least stop the oil from leaking out of my left case. On the way over to my friends shop it stalled twice and did not want to start. I checked the battery (which is brand new and properly charged) and it was only showing 11.62 volts. This did not seem to change when the bike was running either. Now I have 3 issues.
Anyway, popped the cover off to add a gasket and discovered this wire broken. I'm guessing that would mean nothing is charging and the bike was running off the battery (resulting in shit for power). Put my spare in and half a block into the test drive my gearshift spindle broke!
Might have to rename this thread to "The Nightmare". Same power issues after charging issue resolved. Found a few more issues. Keep in mind this is my temporary engine from a donor bike.
Shift lever return spring was installed in reverse by PO causing a jam (why the selector broke)
Carbs seem to blow some fuel out the wrong way
Points plate is turned as far as possible clockwise and screws are completely buggered up
Rotor markings seem to be stamped over...then replaced underneath (anyone see this before?) Obviously not at TDC in photo, just the 1st thing I noticed.
Can't line up timing marks on cams at TDC (thinking the chain needs to be jumped to get the cams in the right spot.
Compression of 120 on each side (What???)
Rather then spend any money on the donor, I'm just going to finish the top end rebuild on the original as I have the parts, just need the time. Hopefully I can still get this on the road before it snows.
Found some time for "the bitch" this week. Was finally able to give some attention to my original motor and get all my parts in one spot for assembly. Honed the cylinders, put some fresh rings on, new cam chain 'cause I'm in there anyway. 6 hands to get the marks all lined up. Went back together nicely. Cam chain link pressed ok I hope. I have a much better understanding of this thing having been thru the top of the engine. Blew my mind when I got to the cam clearance. .0012? I read that getting it to .002 is more humanly possible without any ill effects.
I used a $7 Harbor Freight chain breaker with a some replacement pins for a Motion Pro riveter. Didn't take much at all to get the proper smush. I had success with this combo on a drivechain for my GSXR a couple years ago. Probably spent $20 total.
Get anywhere with the issues from last month with the temp motor? I am having IDENTICAL problems with my 450. Have tried nearly everything and still not there yet.
Well, I made the decision to not spend anymore time on it because everything I got into looked like someone took a chisel to it. Figured I would just put the time and money into the original since it was unmolested. If I find a titled frame along the way I might get back into it.
The original engine is back together and in the bike again so here we go again with another engine installation! Let's see how this one does.
It's amazing the things you forget to put back on when you are frustrated and in a rush. I spent about an hour trying to figure out why the clutch wasn't engaging properly and remembered the circlip for the clutch basket was on the workbench. Gotta slow it down, hell it's been over a year already.
A little annoyed that my gold chain is now shit colored after 5 miles of test riding the other engine...it's like the gold washed off! I can see that I will slowly be changing ALL the bots on this thing as they are all starting to rust. Not a big deal but I was really expecting to at least be riding this for a while before it started turning on me. The aluminum is going to need attention before this bitch's 2nd maiden voyage.
Glad to get rid of the old engine with the sprocket oiler...
In unrelated build news, I told my friend about this ad on craigslist and he snapped it up for $1300. I'm a little upset I didn't just grab it myself! So it serves for a little inspiration as it's in the shop where I'm working on my bike. This thing is NICE.
Finally closing in on another test ride. After putting the original engine back in with new pistons and rings, I had to chase down problems I confuse the hell out of me. Was backfiring like a shotgun from the right exhaust. moving the air screw or idle on the right did nothing so I took the carbs off. I don't know how I did this but it almost seems like I put the wrong carbs back together! ( I have 3 sets) Had 150 jets in there and the idle jets looked a little clogged. Broke them down again since it's been 6-8 months from when I built them last anyway. Fresh and clean, new jets. Then the thing wasn't firing on the right. Looked like weak spark so I tried a different set of coils, they were both dead. Put the bad ones back and no there's spark but cyl is not firing. Ditched the NEW plug and put in an old shitty one and I got some fire. Seemed like it was skipping on the right (and one of the points looked like it was barely sparking). Put in my new points and did my best to set them up. I need another set of eyes on this as I don't know what the hell I'm looking at...even my Triumph has electric ignition. I guess I figured it out 'cause the bike runs/idles and had a nice throttle response. Only got that far which is good. Now for the fine tuning... http://youtu.be/V5ojmxxWbaE
This bike has been keeping up at night for about 6 months...like many others on the board it consumes all my thought and life has just been getting in the way. So many set backs had me thinking "I need this shit to be over". Well, I think I have finally emerged from that dark area. Dialed in the rest of the little stuff, checked all my nuts and bolts one last time and had a friend TIG the stainless exhaust adapters to my headers. Just need to polish 'em up a little.
Headed out around town and things looked good so I ventured farther. At a light my buddy pointed to some smoke rising from my bike, not much, probably some burn off of something. I looked a little closer and saw my right valve intake adjustment lock nut backing of from vibration!! Small amount of oil dripped from the valve adj screw. Did I hear the tapping? Yes, but I have no idea of the normal operating sounds yet. Was able to adjust it and lock it back down but I have to get in there and measure the clearance.
Anyway, bike felt great! Everything is nice and fluid (unlike my Triumph) and it's a blast to ride. Happy with the exhaust sound as well...loud enough but not obnoxious. Did about 25 miles. Definitely not gear for the highway..60-70 had it screaming a bit.
Now all energy into a seat. Probably going to ditch the cafe hump in favor of a slim tracker style seat...
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