Spica restore completed

[mack]

Well it's finally done. I would have ridden her today but my oil filter housing is leaking. Got a replacement coming so maybe next week. Still has lots of hand prints on her from assembly but these should give you an idea of my result after several months of effort. Sorry about the picture quality. Tried it with the shop door open but there is too much reflection. I'll take some better ones when I can roll her into the sunlight.

[dntemp_ca]

Nice job! Looks better than new!

[mlew]

WOW
What did it look like when you started?

[crazy steve]

Beautiful job......

[foreda]

Mns

Me likey!!!!!

[DGXSER]

WOW Mack....incredible work! That thing is spotless. I think I need to tear mine back apart and start all over again!!

[mack]

Thanx for the

kind words. I know there are some that think spending the time to restore them to their original condition (I think the term used was museum piece) is a waste of riding time, but I did this one over two winters. I can assure you that it will recieve an equal share of riding time. The way I looked at was, the time I spent bringing her back will make her as good as she ever was or can be (with all the upgrades) and perhaps last another 30 years. I know I won't but I want my bikes to go the distance when I throw a leg over them. I don't want to be standing by the side of a country road scratching my head as to whats wrong with it. So I take them down to nothing and replace all the old worn or broken pieces and correct all the flaws accumulated over the years before I ride them. Removing the rust and repainting is preventative, but also gave me a chance to look at the frame welds.

[petejw]

beautiful work mack.

[Schming]

Sweeeet!!!

Nice job Mack!!!
Gotta love the "Black & Gold"

Do You have the side cover emblems ?
If not here's a site with, metal not plastic, high quality emblems. I have two on the shelf for my Midnight Maxim restore. Actually I sent him an extra one I had and he used it to replicate others.

http://badgereplicas.com/badges_yamaha.htm

[Rasputin]

That is one sweet looking ride Mack. I wish my frankenMNS could look that nice. Oh well I will settle for it being a good runner and hopefully a good looker once it is done. I can only imagine what that plating cost as painting mine was fairly dear due to all the small parts involved. Personally I love it when I see fellows such as yourself take them to as new or better.

[Cobia]

Dude, I'm with you about the side of the road thing.
Regardless of sunlight reflections..... she looks awesome.
Glad you like to ride it as much as restore it. I'm sure you'll get a lot of stares and much deserved inquiries.
Right on.

[Joab]

Absolutely beautiful!

[WSL91]

kind words. I know there are some that think spending the time to restore them to their original condition (I think the term used was museum piece) is a waste of riding time, but I did this one over two winters. I can assure you that it will recieve an equal share of riding time. The way I looked at was, the time I spent bringing her back will make her as good as she ever was or can be (with all the upgrades) and perhaps last another 30 years. I know I won't but I want my bikes to go the distance when I throw a leg over them. I don't want to be standing by the side of a country road scratching my head as to whats wrong with it. So I take them down to nothing and replace all the old worn or broken pieces and correct all the flaws accumulated over the years before I ride them. Removing the rust and repainting is preventative, but also gave me a chance to look at the frame welds.

I can't see the pix from here at work but I can apreciate your approach. I do the same thing with old tractors and when all the guys are troubleshooting a problem on thiers I'm out running mine. Great job
John

[WSL91]

I'm at home and can see them now, WOW! What do you use to restore the gold finish on the different parts? Is that ceramic coating on the exhaust?
John

[mack]

Exhausts abd Gold

Yes the exhausts are ceramic'd and I sent out the gold to be replated with a brass/ gold hybred. I thought that would cost me an arm and leg but it wasn't really too bad.Not much more than having the exhausts done.