Long day of cleaning, almost 12hs with short breaks for lunch and supper. Just gotta wait for the parts. Gonna go through the wiring on it with help from Jeremy while waiting, looks like it might need a few minor repairs. I'm pleased with how nice it's cleaning up so far!
First set of the after pictures! Been up since 830am, had Teddy join me scrubbing with the degreaser. I'm so impressed how easily the shit comes off with it! I'd whore myself out for advertising that product any day after cleaning this bike!
First wipe down of the bottom of the engine with engine degreser. That stuff works wonders! Just gotta get in the smaller hard o reach crevaces before polishing it all up! Before and after is night and day already, and I'm not even done!
Once again the 33yrs of grime got the best of me, I spent another 4hrs before work today cleaning. Jeremy and I tilted the entire bike onto it's frame and swingarm and kept it suspended via 2 tie down straps. It was perfect to start cleaning the underside of the engine and frame. After all the initial work I picked up some engine degreaser, buffer, and polisher on my way to work. Tomorow I shall continue, and hopefully by the time I'm through it'll look like a brand new bike(+33yrs)... Just hope the darn thing runs after all this work. Gonna order the air filters, oil filter, and battery nxt tuesday after I get paid!
Got the left side engine case off, and found 33yrs worth of thick greasy muddy mess. I spent 8hrs today with bucket after bucket of scorching hot soapy water scrubbing down parts and the lower end and swing arm. I am pleased how it's coming along, and plan on finishing up cleaning up the bike this week. I'm going to get a new set of straight slightly angled back handlebars, the few gaskets I need to put the engine back together, a battery, and air filters. I still have to clean the carburators and polish the engine case. Lots of work in the next week or two.
On my mind, been lookin at pictures of the 'cafe racers' online alot. I like the look and think I might do that as slowly as I can afford it. Started a quick little sketch at work between customers!
Day 3, thought it'd be easier if I had a left or stand, looked online and saw they cost around $100. Went behind my garage and tore down an old pallette, found some wood screws, and used the 2x4's to make myself one. I used 2 tow straps to secure the frame to it and it seems to be plenty sturdy. Started to continue to tear down the bike. Ran into one problem, taking the cover off of the left side of the engine, one of the bolts was stripped a decent amount, so I carefully worked on loosening it. Have to figure out yet how to properly remove it now that all the bolts are out.
Day 2, put a few pieces together and went through the rest to see what all I was missing. Seems possibly a reserve gas tanks, a few gaskets, and a battery should be about all I need to find for it. Gonna tear the bike the rest of the way down to thoroughly clean it.
Day 1, picked th bike up for cheap from Grafton ND. It was one of a few too many father son projects that they needed to get rid of. I purchased it, but with no trailer, I had to get creative. I had already had the back and passenger seats out of my car to help my girlfriend move. I decided to try and fit it, and with the wheels removed and the handlebars turned down I managed to fit an entire motorcycle in my car.
