TOPIC:

Forks were tonights project. They were in pretty bad shape, so a complete strip and polish was needed. Knocked the old varnish off with some spray gasket remover, which is basically spray paint stripper (bad stuff, too, so don't get any on you). Followed that with some scotchbrite pads, some white polishing compound, and finally some Mothers aluminum polish on a Powerball.



Those Powerball's are pricey, but worth the money. I picked up the small one, and it does a good job of getting into the nooks and crannys.

looking good id like to find an old police bike to build bike to get lost between states on the weekends,i want an 80 or older though since ive got tons of engine parts for the older stuff

Nice work LeeLewis7! Very inspiring. What did you do for a finish on your engine? It looks very nice.

Engine is done except for double checking the valve clearances. Finished it a few nights ago. Setting the cam timing was easier than expected. Using the marks on the cam sprockets and the repair manual make it (almost) a foolproof operation.

The valve cover wasn't taking a shine like I'd hoped, so I opted for quick and easy. Polished the ends, then rattle can-ed the rest with some Dupli-color "Steel" wheel paint. Practically an exact match on the color, but I'm worried about how it will hold up. A few drops of gas and it'll probably look like junk. Easy enough though to pull it off and send it to the powder coater if the paint becomes a problem.

Tonights project was getting the engine back in the frame, and then working toward completing the "rolling chassis".

As you can see, the engine is in but I didn't get much farther than that. If you're ever looking for a way to advance your cursing skills, I highly suggest trying to wrestle a bike frame down over an engine by yourself. I feel like I should go to confession, and I'm not even Catholic. Installing a block without a piston ring compressor works pretty well, too. Either way, you'll be using your entire four-letter vocabulary, and probably inventing some new ones.
I was at least able to get the triple clamp, forks and front wheel on. I'm happy with the results, and thrilled that it starting to look (sort of) like a motorcycle again.

And I thought my engine was coming out clean... holly crap that looks sweet!

What looks better, your engine or Halle Berry in a see through? hmmm..... OMR ponders

Keep the images coming.... damn that makes me want to rip the engine out again...

OMR

I really liked my cop bike alot ,, Yours is looking great .. WoW

Old Man Rock wrote:

What looks better, your engine or Halle Berry in a see through? hmmm..... OMR ponders

The engine looks nice but I'll go for Halle everytime. That's one woman I never get tired of looking at.

Status as of last weekend, but just now getting around to posting.







I'm working hard towards getting the carbs and pipes on it so I can begin trying to start the freshly rebuilt engine. Maybe tomorrow!

Once I pick up the brake parts from the powder coater this afternoon, I'll have everything I need to finish the bike.

Only two weeks left before I'm due to leave for the Natchez Trace Parkway, so I'm crossing my fingers the motor starts okay, and that there are no more surprises!

The bike is done, and actually finished it's first road trip w/ no problems.

I got so busy working on the bike I barely had time to take pictures, so I'm playing catch up now.

Pipes and ignition components are on, and I'm getting ready to try to start her up.



After this I lost a week trying to find/but a replacement IC ignitor because I thought mine was bad. Turned out that the '89 model harness I picked up from the dealer (to replace the original one butchered by the PO) was not exactly identical. For some reason, the hot wire from the handlebar kill switch runs through a connector intended (I think) for the radio equipment, and then to the coils. So I wasn't getting juice to the coils, and no spark. Not a problem though. The later model IC ignitor input lead matched a later model timing pulser I happened to have on hand.

Initial start up revealed a non-working #4 carb (pipe never got hot). I new it was the carb because practically ever other ignition component had either been tested or replaced with new items. Pulled the carb rack back off (PITA), pulled the carb body off the rack, took it apart and let it soak in Berryman's for a couple hours. After cleaning with a little compressed air, reassemble and reinstall. Worked fine.

Finished! Minor fine-tuning aside, it's done.





I originally intended to paint the bike, but everyone who has seen it is impressed enough that I've decided to keep it original. I may pick up a cleaner tank on Ebay if I find one cheap, and some stress fractures on the saddlebags will eventually require they be replaced, but otherwise I'm very happy with the results.