reviving an old beast

[GARTHXS]

ok!

Not much time today, I'm going to dump the gas and gear drives and that's about it , I guess I need to go shopping for chemicals

[GARTHXS]

done for the day

Drained and refilled gearboxes to spec and drained the gas tank, took off the petcocks and very carefully disassembled them and managed to save all the diaphragms and seals cleaned em up reinstalled and they work fine so far (no leaks)

[DGXSER]

Awesome, good to hear it worked out for you!!

[GARTHXS]

whats next

I installed a lockhart oil cooler , next is remove old carb boots , can I use liquid gasket to seal the newer ones?

[GARTHXS]

brakes

what is the best way to pull out caliper pistons?

[petejw]

Garth,
If the calipers are fitted to the hoses, slowly pump
the brake lever and the piston will pop off, clamp that brake hose to remove the other piston.
if the callipers are detached, u can carefully pump air
into the caliper, wrap a rag around the caliper, they can
literally shoot out.

[GARTHXS]

i dont have a compresser

I think I have an extra mc , ill try that

[petejw]

Garth,
If they're not seized u could also grab a pair of vicegrips/multigrips
onto the piston and twist them out.

[bikerphil]

Removing caliper piston

A nice trick I figured out last time I had to do that... Take a valve stem from a car tire and whittle down the rubber on the base end until you are able to thread it into the banjo bolt hole on the caliper. Take a bicycle pump and slowly pump air into the valve (bleeder screw closed of course) and the piston will come right out. It's nice because you can slowly pump air in versus compressed air, and your hands and face can be away from the piston. Works well with not too much brake fluid flyin' out. The rubber valve stem makes a nice air tight seal.

[GARTHXS]

bike pump

How did you ever figure that out? I would have never thought of that

[bikerphil]

How did you ever figure that out? I would have never thought of that

That's actually the same idea as a makeshift car radiator pressure tester. Use that shaved off valve stem and insert it into the overflow hose at the radiator cap, pump it up a little, and check for leaks. Been doin' that for 25 yrs. and I'm still too cheap to buy the real tool, lol.

[GARTHXS]

cheap

Why waste money on tools when you can spend it on parts! Haha

[GARTHXS]

frozen

Any tips on getting out seized brake pistons

[petejw]

you can try placing a piece of wood over the piston
and give it a few 'waks' with a hammer, then try twisting the piston with some vice grips, or use compressed air as stated before.
Ive also heard of ppl pumping in grease into the piston, but ive never had to try this.

[bikerphil]

Soaking piston with PB Blaster may help. Let it sit awhile.