Tinkering thread! What are you up to?

[mikey_b]

Tidying, mostly. Fairly thorough clean, chain adjustment, disassemble the indicators as they were grey inside.

Very slightly heavier work in removing the topbox mount and bracket, strip the paint off it and sand the rust back to bare metal, and then a lock of hammerite and remount. The bottom of the USD forks are also quite pitted, so I’ll be sanding them back to bare metal and doing similar to them before it gets worse.

[Stuart Fordyce]

I've also just remembered the bits of frame rust that need sorted too...bah.

[GYTRDave]

Mostly just preparing the R1 for, hopefully, a far more active year on track than the last.

Bike has been fully stripped and refreshed, fairings are currently at painters before heading to Sublime designs in March for a custom livery.

New parts are waiting to go on

Z04 pads
EC clip ons
Jetprime switch gear
I2m Pro dash
Samco hose kit
And a few other bits, still need to do some cable management and a few other tweaks but should be good to go end of march.

Let's just hope so are the tracks.

[Biker's Nemesis]

Hungrymc said:

Not me, but my son (he’s only 14, but getting pretty good with the spanners). His Christmas present was a seized old Honda as he wanted to learn his way around an engine a little better. OHC with pistons corroded into the cylinders..... is an adventure.

Thats the most impressive thing I have seen on here in a long time.

[fataitch]

I'm following that well trodden route of trying to turn a Sportster into a scrambler, but teaching myself machining techniques & how to weld along the way.

It's been a much bigger challenge than I anticipated because a) i have no previous skills, b) wife, kids & work get right in the way, c) I decided I wanted to use spoked BMW GS rims**

Getting a rolling chassis has been somewhat difficult, but now progressing well. There's the small matter of needing a bike licence too.

• if only I'd have waited, I see their new touring machine has them..........

Edited by fataitch on Tuesday 16th February 00:08

[Merch131]

fataitch said:

I'm following that well trodden route of trying to turn a Sportster into a scrambler, but teaching myself machining techniques & how to weld along the way.

It's been a much bigger challenge than I anticipated because a) i have no previous skills, b) wife, kids & work get right in the way, c) I decided I wanted to use spoked BMW GS rims**

Getting a rolling chassis has been somewhat difficult, but now progressing well. There's the small matter of needing a bike licence too.

• if only I'd have waited, I see their new touring machine has them..........

Edited by fataitch on Tuesday 16th February 00:08

Sportsters make really nice scrambler, here's one my mate built from an 883.. its now 1250..

[fataitch]

yep, the shape lends itself pretty well, and they're quite tinkerable with plenty of parts. I only bought it for the noise initially.

Effin' heavy though

[Birky_41]

When weather become nothing but cold snow my Dad and I decided to finish the Maico 490 Reed Valve ready for my racing this year

I took a few pictures. There was a lot more but it was just as the bike was built up from the frame, engine fitted etc

First time I ever started it here just to make sure it was running correctly. Primed it 6 or so times before realising the immense compression was because the decomp wasn't on which you hear me mention to my dad. After primed a few more times then first big kick with some throttle and it fired - actually couldn't believe it!

https://youtu.be/D4HUsI8hC7A











Since this did a bit more tinkering then my dad got covid real bad. Everything was put on stop and for 2 days it was touch and go but very pleased to say my dad is after 2 weeks back on his feet. Not great by any stretch but a lot better so this can carry on in the next few weeks

Not touched the road bike. Track bike had to cancel the annual MCT suspension service and bike service due to lockdown so I'll do that March time now

[Ilikemotorbikes]

Some great things going on so far, keep up the good work

A quick update, my calipers arrived so did a little test fit
Before -


After -


Yes the bike needs a wash

[sicarumba]

Last year I took the VMax engine out and stripped it down to try and find out what the awful knocking noise is.

This year I'll be trying to remember how it goes back together.

[Pothole]

The lad's scooter now starts off the button as well as the kicker. Took the plastic off and found that the non-functioning indicators was down to the relay having come unplugged, so everything works now.

I'm waiting for a kit from Revive & Restore to do the Guzzi's wheels as they've got a bit crusty from road salt (bare alloy rims) but in the meanwhile I have a very flat, lightweight accessory to fit:



Need to get my bike lift gone to the mate who's bought it, too.

[podman]

Birky_41 said:

First time I ever started it here just to make sure it was running correctly. Primed it 6 or so times before realising the immense compression was because the decomp wasn't on which you hear me mention to my dad. After primed a few more times then first big kick with some throttle and it fired - actually couldn't believe it!

https://youtu.be/D4HUsI8hC7A



Since this did a bit more tinkering then my dad got covid real bad. Everything was put on stop and for 2 days it was touch and go but very pleased to say my dad is after 2 weeks back on his feet. Not great by any stretch but a lot better so this can carry on in the next few weeks

She took a proper kick to get going eh?! Fabulous sound...Pleased to hear your Dad is recovering after the covid infection.

[podman]

Biker's Nemesis said:

Hungrymc said:

Not me, but my son (he’s only 14, but getting pretty good with the spanners). His Christmas present was a seized old Honda as he wanted to learn his way around an engine a little better. OHC with pistons corroded into the cylinders..... is an adventure.

Thats the most impressive thing I have seen on here in a long time.

The whole thread is impressive! Some clever people we have amongst us.

...Wish I had a 14 year old that was that interested in anything motor related and so easy to buy for at Xmas!

[airsafari87]

Hungrymc said:

Not me, but my son (he’s only 14, but getting pretty good with the spanners). His Christmas present was a seized old Honda as he wanted to learn his way around an engine a little better. OHC with pistons corroded into the cylinders..... is an adventure.

Thats brilliant.

I wish I had been given a siezed engine for Christmas when I was 14, infact I'd be canny happy getting one for Christmas now

[Killboy]

Ilikemotorbikes said:

Some great things going on so far, keep up the good work

A quick update, my calipers arrived so did a little test fit
Before -


After -


Yes the bike needs a wash

Mmmm, KTM have raided the same Brembo parts bin. The top are the callipers on my Supermoto, the bottom are the callipers on my RC8.

[Biker's Nemesis]

Birky_41 said:

When weather become nothing but cold snow my Dad and I decided to finish the Maico 490 Reed Valve ready for my racing this year

I took a few pictures. There was a lot more but it was just as the bike was built up from the frame, engine fitted etc

First time I ever started it here just to make sure it was running correctly. Primed it 6 or so times before realising the immense compression was because the decomp wasn't on which you hear me mention to my dad. After primed a few more times then first big kick with some throttle and it fired - actually couldn't believe it!

https://youtu.be/D4HUsI8hC7A











Since this did a bit more tinkering then my dad got covid real bad. Everything was put on stop and for 2 days it was touch and go but very pleased to say my dad is after 2 weeks back on his feet. Not great by any stretch but a lot better so this can carry on in the next few weeks

Not touched the road bike. Track bike had to cancel the annual MCT suspension service and bike service due to lockdown so I'll do that March time now

Good work birky and pleased to hear your father is on the mend.

[Ilikemotorbikes]

Killboy said:

Ilikemotorbikes said:

Some great things going on so far, keep up the good work

A quick update, my calipers arrived so did a little test fit
Before -


After -


Yes the bike needs a wash

Mmmm, KTM have raided the same Brembo parts bin. The top are the callipers on my Supermoto, the bottom are the callipers on my RC8.

Not just KTM, Same calipers as the S1000rr and some Ducatis too

Bottom is off an RC8 but same as fitted to 1098/848 as well

[MK3 Dan]

I just need to finish 'cleaning' this. May have got a little carried away!

[chippy348]

Birky_41 said:

When weather become nothing but cold snow my Dad and I decided to finish the Maico 490 Reed Valve ready for my racing this year

I took a few pictures. There was a lot more but it was just as the bike was built up from the frame, engine fitted etc

First time I ever started it here just to make sure it was running correctly. Primed it 6 or so times before realising the immense compression was because the decomp wasn't on which you hear me mention to my dad. After primed a few more times then first big kick with some throttle and it fired - actually couldn't believe it!

Since this did a bit more tinkering then my dad got covid real bad. Everything was put on stop and for 2 days it was touch and go but very pleased to say my dad is after 2 weeks back on his feet. Not great by any stretch but a lot better so this can carry on in the next few weeks

Not touched the road bike. Track bike had to cancel the annual MCT suspension service and bike service due to lockdown so I'll do that March time now

So Glad your Dad is on the mend, Maico looks a nice one.

Who fixed the cracked sleeve for you ?

[Birky_41]

chippy348 said:

So Glad your Dad is on the mend, Maico looks a nice one.

Who fixed the cracked sleeve for you ?

Cheers all for the comments on my dad. Not something I ever want to see again. He is only in his 60's

I binned that sleeve it has a new nickel one put in. Wasn'w worth messing about. Its had a lot of work on this. V Force reed block, carbon reeds, specially coated gears in 'box, custom exhaust which Graham Noyce used, updated CDI blah blah

Should pull hard and clean from low down and run well all the way up top. The other 490 non reed valve came in hard mid range but had a clunky 'box and was flat right off the bottom