A new project (includes pics)

[GMS]

Its gonna look great . Black frame and swingarm really changes the look of the curvy.
Will be watching for more pics. of your seat unit thinking of changing mine for something different.

[TamSV]

Yep I'm liking it in black. If this bike works out ok I'll probably strip it back down and get it powdercoated next year.

Is yours powdercoated?

[GMS]

No, DIY spray job. Been ok for a couple of years though. Bit of paint chipping on the forks solved with a respray and some adhesive plastic protectors on front side.

[TamSV]

Maybe I won't powdercoat it then.

[GMS]

My thinking was paint it first and see how well it lasts. As I said its been fine for a couple of years so why bother with powder coat. paints easy enough to touch up/ respray.
Also, being from Yorkshire ,I dont like spending money

[TamSV]

This week I've mostly been wasting my time.

Routed all the cables from the bars and connected them up, refitted the carbs and airbox, fiddled about setting the cable freeplay just how I like it and then realised I'd pulled the cables through the headstock on top of the loom instead of underneath. There was a risk of the loom getting rubbed and I wasn't able to secure it properly so the cables all had to come back out and then go through the whole process again. Refitting the throttle cables is much easier with the carbs unseated so I was basically back to where I started.

Isn't it strange?...doing it once is interesting and enjoyable. Yet doing it twice cause you've fecked it up the first time does not equal twice the fun.

I spoke to myself harshly. Stop and THINK man.

Anyhoo. I did get some other stuff done.

Better photo of the radiator (now mounted up). It's in bad nick but that's something to sort out later.



GB Moto rearsets mounted up. I'm very happy with these.



The new pattern mudguard I got off evilbay arrived. Quite nice in white!



And now it's starting to look a bit more like a motorcycle



I'll get it fired up at the weekend. Through the week I'm working after my daughters bedtime. Starting it up with no end can wouldn't be good move. Then it would be Mrs Tam's turn to speak harshly.

The bike is currently suffering from a distinct lack of wheels. You'll remember they looked like this AFTER a wash with Muc Off.



Two doses of Auto Glym wheel cleaner - left on much longer than the label says, a stiff brush and a light going over with wire wool gets them to this.



Front will be sold, rear will be painted. Still waiting for an SRAD front.

In the meantime, I'll start on the brakes. When I rode the bike home the back brake really wasn't pulling its weight.

This is why. Nice layer of crud on the pistons and, ooh look, the seals are poking out! Lovely.



Got the pistons out with mole grips with a thick wad of rags. Now I'm a keen re-user of seals, even when Haynes tell me not to, but I think I'll replace these.

And thanks for all the comments so far. Cheers.

[andrewsmith]

Tam its taking shape now!!

Those seals do look beyond reprieve. What front end is that?
you thinking yellow and black?

[TamSV]

Originally Posted by andrewsmith

What front end is that?
you thinking yellow and black?

It's a 750 SRAD front.

I don't know about colour. Something simple to keep with the cafe-racer theme.

I was thinking red as that's slightly faster but now that I see it, yellow and black might be nice. The tank needs spraying anyway - there's a few chips and a dent that need sorting out - so having the bike yellow won't save me any time/work/cash.

all black with two gold stripes down the centre like a Norton them

good work