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Guidance
Guidance
Well now I'm finally ready to start into this thing and to be honest I'm feel a little daunted. I'm just not sure where I should really start. Ok i've got the latest Barrington book. I'm above average when it comes to mechanical things but i've never tackled a project like this.
I'd love a concours style refurb but not sure that's in the cards price wise at this point.
Ultimately my goal is to get her streetable and go from there. The motor is free, it does still have compression albeit weak at about 65lbs. Even after sitting since 77, the old girl still thru spark across the plug. So that gives me hope.
I've picked up some keys, a 'new seat', the tool to grab the exhaust header fins, but haven't done much else.
I've got 10k i've put aside for her. I know it'll go a lot further towards my goal if I do the work myself. But i also know that if i screw something up I don't have a full machine shop at my disposal.
I guess I'm looking for guidance from those that have tackled this kind of project. If i take it somewhere, such as Thoroughbred Cycles which is relatively close to me, it'll cost a lot more, but would get done way quicker(my free time is limited work/house/wife/kids/etc). I know just the nature of old vehicles, i'll always have to tinker with it, that doesn't scare me.
So looking for some hand holding, leading the way, opinions and thoughts guidance here.
As a reminder this is the project, she needs to be brung back to life and back out on the road.
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- schrader7032
- Posts: 9056
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Re: Guidance
I haven't gone much farther though...I haven't had to dig into a transmission, driveshaft, final drive. With my skill set, those would also likely need to go to an expert.
If you can't afford to pay it to be done, and you don't want to wait forever, then find something in between.
'78 R100/7 '69 R69S '52 R25/2
Fast. Neat. Average. Friendly. Good. Good.
- CWRoady
- Posts: 91
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Re: Guidance
Even with the "in between" route I have had bike components spread across the Country for (understood and accepted) lead times closing in on a month and a half now and a good bit of cash spent or committed to be spent. It has been a fun and rewarding process and I am thankful to have started a home based project of this magnitude just as this whole Covid isolation timeline began. There is plenty to do while I wait for components to return to my shop (shed really ;- ).
Best of luck on whatever route you take .. I have dug in fairly deep on a couple of /5's I have owned, but this is the first time I have ever taken a bike down to the complete disassembly ... for me it has been a challenge at times, but an unequivocally enjoyable project. I have added some tools to my toolbox (which is always fun too), stored up a good size collection of parts awaiting the return of other components, enjoyed the challenges, new to me experiences and looking forward to the ones still to come. My goal is to take a nice ride on my birthday at the end of September. I hope this helps you determine the best path forward for you and congrats .. it looks like a great project.
1955 R50 / 1973 R75/5 / 1974 R90/6 Hack / 2015 RT
Yard Art 1968 +/- Hodaka & SACHS
Re: Guidance
92 R100RT/69 R69S
2004 Aprilia Atlantic 500cc single cylinder Scooter
83 Honda V65 Magna, fastest production bike in1983
2015 Can Am Spider SE6 1,688 miles
2018 Moto Guzzi V711 Special
Re: Guidance
92 R100RT/69 R69S
2004 Aprilia Atlantic 500cc single cylinder Scooter
83 Honda V65 Magna, fastest production bike in1983
2015 Can Am Spider SE6 1,688 miles
2018 Moto Guzzi V711 Special
Re: Guidance
This one was parked around 1976/77 with 28k miles on it. As I stated, just a bit daunting but after talking with a guy from northern Illinois yesterday and some encouragement I've decided to do what I can myself and send the pieces to the pros for the stuff i'm not so sure on.
Thankfully him and his group of friends (who said they've restored 9 classic BMW's) are only a few hour drive and would most likely be at my disposal if I get stuck or need help.
So hopefully over the next few weeks I'll have some teardown pictures and lots of questions. I do have the barrington book to help with the rest.
I've got 10k to drop on this project, lots of hours ahead of me, but hoping for a running and streetable classic by next spring.
Re: Guidance
As far a tackling the tough stuff - I outsourced the machine work (cylinders and heads) and my transmission rebuild. I had major help with my crank, but ultimately reinstalled on my own. One thing I will mention is don't forget to factor in the cost of all the special tools. There are 4 pages of them in the manual . I made some of them myself, and begged and borrowed some, but a few things you really just can't get around. Check out https://www.cycleworks.net/ for some alternatives that are less expensive than typing "matra" into ebay...
I have piled up a healthy list of links and contacts at this point and if you are interested I'm happy to share more.
Re: Guidance
Didn't get as far as I liked but made some progress.
Couldn't get the head pipes out of the exhaust ports so i have them soaking with Kroil.
Some bolts came out easily, some took some real effort, some just decided to twist into 2 pieces.
Also have to look into removing the throttle cables. Since this bike has sat unmoved since 1977, should i just save myself some headache and cut the cables? Also a few electrical cables going into the top of the motor i need to figure out how to remove. One's gotta be the timing retard cable, assuming the other is magneto kill switch.
Priority one is getting the motor out since i have some gentleman experienced in these classics that have offered up their assistance.
Re: Guidance
92 R100RT/69 R69S
2004 Aprilia Atlantic 500cc single cylinder Scooter
83 Honda V65 Magna, fastest production bike in1983
2015 Can Am Spider SE6 1,688 miles
2018 Moto Guzzi V711 Special
Re: Guidance
Anyhow, I'm down to a few items before I can pull the motor.
I have the resto manual but sometimes it's just easier to get live feedback from people that have done this.
The timing retard cable near the ignition, I know i'm going to have to replace the cable but is there a trick to just removing that cable in the area?
In the back of the motor there's a single wire that was under what turned out to be an orange cap after I degreased it. Anyhow it looks like I just need a small precision screwdriver to loosen the stud and pull that wire?
Also to remove the shaft drive. I got the large caps off the pivot shaft for the swingarm, looks like i'm going to need help getting the nuts out since there's not much room between them and the frame.
I pulled back the boot from the shaft U-joint, is the best way to just remove the 4 bolts between the engine and shaft drive so that i can remove the last 4 bolts holding the motor to frame?
Thanks in advance for any help