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Dropped off the bike on the 16th with Ed-the wonder mechanic. He said at least 3 weeks til he could get to it. No problem.
He calls 5 days later and tells me to bring him the head from the 79. I had already ordered the gaskets, figuring I'd need them anyway. Those came in from PNM on the 23rd. I was beginning to wonder if they would ever arrive...
Took the head to him on the 24th, and the gasket set. He had some questions for me as to what kind of oil I wanted to use-told him whatever he thinks is best is what I'll go with-. I mentioned the fact that syn causes clutch slippage-he says only if it contains certain elements such as Moly-that should start trouble here. He said he will write down everything I'm going to need to know for the future. He wanted to know what any other plans I had were. I told him about lowering it-he's giving me the 11.5 shocks for that-. He said we'll cap off the air shock and give me another 1/2 to 3/4 inch to drop it down. He wanted to know if I wanted the fork seals done, as they are leaking-one profusely. I said I'd need to order the parts. Nope, he's got them there. Did I say I love this guy?...
He's already cleaned the rest of the engine up. Said it was the worst case of neglect he's ever seen. The outside looks great, but inside he doesn't think the oil was ever changed. Said it was more like tar than oil. That has now been remedied along with a new filter. He sees no other damage from the valves bending. All of them were bent-along with two busted valve guides-serious damage.
He looked over the 79 head and says it looks good. That bike does-well, did-run(until I tore it apart. How fun is it to work on these things?! I was having such a good time working on the bike, I didn't stop at the head. It is now a rolling engine holder. Everything has been removed and labeled to be stored for later use if needed. HWMBO was with his kids and I was unmolested in my demo project. I had a ball!)
Ordered the new cam chain on Tues from Z1 Enterprises. It arrived yesterday! I will call Ed tonight and drop it off to him. The chain was $20 and the master link was $1.34! I couldn't believe it!
I don't know how soon he'll be done with the bike and I really don't care. He can take as long as he needs. Knowing him though, he'll call me next Wednesday and tell me to come and get it-so much for 3 weeks til he can get to it.
Did I say I love this guy?
So I rattle-canned my fuel tank and sidecovers. Nothing special, but I wasn't going to ride around with old crackle coated lacquer for the summer. It will go for a 'real' paint job this winter, when I can drop everything off at my mom's and have access to the compressor and the air brush, fiberglass gear, etc. I got plans for her and the Vetter fairing...
I still have to swap the tires out,even though the rims on the 79 look terrible, the tires are almost new. And I still have a few bugs to chase out of it-left turn signal won't work, having the center stand cut down, reattaching every disconnected lead, etc. No big deal when compared to what I started with, and my lack of knowledge at that time. I'm am learning steadily thanks to all the folks here.
It's not long now. John will ride it home from Ed's. He'll put her through her paces without hurting her or himself.
Can't wait to get her home!
He calls 5 days later and tells me to bring him the head from the 79. I had already ordered the gaskets, figuring I'd need them anyway. Those came in from PNM on the 23rd. I was beginning to wonder if they would ever arrive...
Took the head to him on the 24th, and the gasket set. He had some questions for me as to what kind of oil I wanted to use-told him whatever he thinks is best is what I'll go with-. I mentioned the fact that syn causes clutch slippage-he says only if it contains certain elements such as Moly-that should start trouble here. He said he will write down everything I'm going to need to know for the future. He wanted to know what any other plans I had were. I told him about lowering it-he's giving me the 11.5 shocks for that-. He said we'll cap off the air shock and give me another 1/2 to 3/4 inch to drop it down. He wanted to know if I wanted the fork seals done, as they are leaking-one profusely. I said I'd need to order the parts. Nope, he's got them there. Did I say I love this guy?...
He's already cleaned the rest of the engine up. Said it was the worst case of neglect he's ever seen. The outside looks great, but inside he doesn't think the oil was ever changed. Said it was more like tar than oil. That has now been remedied along with a new filter. He sees no other damage from the valves bending. All of them were bent-along with two busted valve guides-serious damage.
He looked over the 79 head and says it looks good. That bike does-well, did-run(until I tore it apart. How fun is it to work on these things?! I was having such a good time working on the bike, I didn't stop at the head. It is now a rolling engine holder. Everything has been removed and labeled to be stored for later use if needed. HWMBO was with his kids and I was unmolested in my demo project. I had a ball!)
Ordered the new cam chain on Tues from Z1 Enterprises. It arrived yesterday! I will call Ed tonight and drop it off to him. The chain was $20 and the master link was $1.34! I couldn't believe it!
I don't know how soon he'll be done with the bike and I really don't care. He can take as long as he needs. Knowing him though, he'll call me next Wednesday and tell me to come and get it-so much for 3 weeks til he can get to it.
Did I say I love this guy?
So I rattle-canned my fuel tank and sidecovers. Nothing special, but I wasn't going to ride around with old crackle coated lacquer for the summer. It will go for a 'real' paint job this winter, when I can drop everything off at my mom's and have access to the compressor and the air brush, fiberglass gear, etc. I got plans for her and the Vetter fairing...
I still have to swap the tires out,even though the rims on the 79 look terrible, the tires are almost new. And I still have a few bugs to chase out of it-left turn signal won't work, having the center stand cut down, reattaching every disconnected lead, etc. No big deal when compared to what I started with, and my lack of knowledge at that time. I'm am learning steadily thanks to all the folks here.
It's not long now. John will ride it home from Ed's. He'll put her through her paces without hurting her or himself.
Can't wait to get her home!
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