Re: Project Gretta: The evolution of a confused '74 360
Alright boys and girls. It's been a minute...
The flu virus tried to kill me, but I prevail, and I am back to work on the bike again!
Actually, I've been pretty busy with it the past few days, but me walking around in my boxers with grease on me hovering over the sink cleaning motor bits doesn't make for very coo update photos, so I saved you guys the pain and suffering of that and waited to post pics of an update proper.
I've been hardcore in the middle of the motor and lemme tell you, it's a bitch. Cleaning these things isn't for the weak of heart, and I had two thoughts while doing it. The jugs sure would be easier to paint and clean if they were off of the bike, and I needed to inspect the cylinder walls for wear anyway, so I tore her down. Cylinders are immaculate, and so are the piston rings, so I'm good there. Also tore down the carbies, and lo and behold, both diaphragms look amazing! Thank god. With all of the chain slipper broken pieces I've been running into in these motors, I'm glad one of the Achilles heels are turning out to be on the positive side of things.
I tore down both sides of the motor and removed all of the e-start crap and also took apart the oil pump assembly and pickup screen and cleaned the bajeezus out of them too. The bike ran great when I tore it down, but a little preventative maintenance can never hurt. The old gaskets turned out to be the worst part aside from the cleaning. They were super glued on it seems, but now they are finally off and the motor is painted and ready for reassembly.
I painted the side covers and the valve cover with a high heat wrinkle paint. I love the way this stuff looks on the new Triumph motors, so I decided it would look wicked here. The jugs and motor body are gloss black. It took lots of taping and trips to the oven to get it all cured and ready to go, but I'm pleased with the results.
I scored a few cool goodies from the Barber's swap meet. I got some NOS chain tensioners for the rear and a NOS steering stem nut from a guy for $5. I also got a headlight visor for $1, and some really sweet patches (vintage) for $5. I also bought a frame for my next project, but I'll save that for a new thread.
All in all, the motor is almost there, so I have to finish grinding welds on the frame, and then it's time for disassembly and powder on the frame. I think I decided on a color scheme, but I'm gonna draw up a few pics for reference and then you guys can tell me what you think. So here's the progress shots, lemme know what ya think, and as always, thanks for tuning in! I'll be back at it hardcore again now, and I am stoked.
The weather is getting crisp...it's a balmy 34 degrees and cloudy here tonight!
Motor painting...the valve cover and side covers. Filled in the Honda logos for a subdued look:
Bottom end paint (the side covers on here are the old ones, just too keep paint out of the innards!):
The ol' lady being funny with the camera. Yes that thrift store jacket is awesome, I know.:
The NOS parts:
The headlight visor:
The badass patch collection so far. Gotta find me a vintage jacket to put these on. The Joe Rocket has too much padding, and it was $350, so I just don't think it'll work!
Ordered some of this for the paint. After Troy's success, I couldn't resist. And I found it for $10 a can on Ebay.
That's it for now. Work tomorrow, but hopefully some assembly on Monday for the motor. That should give the paint enough time to cure up. I can't wait! She's coming along, just gotta keep on movin'! You guys take care and lemme know what ya think! You all rock as always.
