Progress

[Dave 2]

I can't help but wonder if I'm making progress or just sinking in restoration quicksand. I  hope that my notes and photos help me put it back together again I have a couple of pictures just to show the detail shots that I'm taking. The other is one very naked bike I'm having a ball, Dave

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

It's really all about the fun.  You will never get your money back.

[montmil]

Your photos are gold, D2. At reassembly, you'll have an illustrated instruction manual. How cool is that!

It's getting cold up in your neighborhood. Whatcha gonna do if you can't go play outside? Right! Restore your moto-sickle.

Now, get back to work. Spend some more money. Help the economy. Don't forget the beer. [smiley=beer.gif]

Monte

[Dave 2]

Thanks guys, Without the help of all of you I would not have begun this project. Monte I hope you are right about the "illustrated manual" I have to reign myself in to stop and take the pictures and document the project. I am still working out how the bike will work itself out in terms of stock VS custom. D2

[Adrian]

Hi Dave - love the pictures mate. As Rob said above it really is about the pleasure and not about the money. I was very proud of my old girl after the last rebuild. My profile pik shows her not long after the spruce up. And boy did people take an interest and still did up to the point when I took her off the road this time. I know it's a personal thing but riding a fully restored original bike that gets high numbers on peoples admiration meter is a great feeling. Have a great day mate.  8-)

[Julio A.]

Hey, this is what my R65 looked like half a year ago:







Even if progress is as little as a single screw everyday. You'd get there. Sometimes you really have to call it a day and get some downtime due to frustration but having it run really great and getting compliments and recognition from other people will make it all worth it.

[montmil]

Julio, I love the brick floor in your service bay. Classic [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

Monte

[Dave 2]

I appreciate all your encouragement and photos. I definitely feel more confident as I go along. I"m now waiting for the exhaust fin wrench to arrive from Motobin. With the exhaust off I'm ready to remove the engine from the frame . Time to think about color choices, and my first ride next spring. D2

[steve hawkins]

Dave, cut the exhaust nuts off.  If you have never moved them and you do not know if the previous owner ever has, then you could strip your threads on your heads.  They could have been fitted for 10s of years and be pretty much 'welded' (through corrosion) to the heads.

The nuts are not expensive, but the head repairs are.  You will need the spanner to put them back on so it is not money wasted.  New nuts will look nice.

Get a hacksaw and cut through the nut at 90 degrees to direction of  rotation - do not cut all the way through to the thread - when you have a good cut, get a hammer and masonry chisel and give it a firm wack on the cut - and that should break the nut at the point of the cut and the nut will become slack and easy to remove.

The only way I would risk undoing them was if I had had assurances from a trustworthy previous owner that they have been recently been removed and were put back with some form of lube to prevent corrosion.  

Rev. Light

[Dave 2]

Dave, cut the exhaust nuts off.  If you have never moved them and you do not know if the previous owner ever has, then you could strip your threads on your heads.  They could have been fitted for 10s of years and be pretty much 'welded' (through corrosion) to the heads.

Thanks Steve for your advice. I would guess that they are as you described. It has been probably at least 8 years since they were removed. I will give it a go. Thanks, D2

[Adrian]

Dave, cut the exhaust nuts off

Thanks this is a great idea. I replaced my finned nuts when I rebuilt the bike last time in 1996. Although I used the correct lube to put them back on with at the time it's been so long since the nuts were last off I won't risk it.  

[Dave 2]

Today I'm going to cut the exhaust nuts off, and continue to clean up the aluminum Talk about elbow grease, this job will take awhile! I'm using Simple Green and "Scotch Brite" and other similar products. I've tried some "Soft Scrub" but it is slow work as many of you have said. I gather that the pitting caused by the oxidation on the aluminum will not be removed by this method. The flash on my camera caused the front cover to shine more than it looks in the photo, but it is getting polished. I really don't want a shiny or polished look. I Like the matte finish of the original, but it seems like the metal ends up polished after all the cleaning and elbow grease. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get it looking like an original finish? Thanks, D2

[Adrian]

Hi Dave - yep its a loy of hard work mate but its definitely worth it. I've done this all before so I know what the end result will look like. I managed to spray a few bits today to get the first of the op coats on. Side covers, battery box and seat tail. Next is the swingarm unit, both pannier frames and my home made back rest frame. Pictures will follow once its all done.
I keep my rocker covers, front timing cover and starter motor cover all painted black as well. I like the contrasts of "shiny clean" allow against selected areas of black. Then I gently sand off the fins with fine paper around a square block. Each to their own I guess. I have to reign myself in a lot as I keep thinking of things to do that aren't relly necessary like a complete set of new shiny fasteners from Motorworks for "only" about $175 aussie. I could go on and on and on    
I hope the fun of it all never leaves you. Have a great day mate.
Adrian ..........................

[Dave 2]

I keep my rocker covers, front timing cover and starter motor cover all painted black as well. I like the contrasts of "shiny clean" allow against selected areas of black.

Hey Adrian, Somewhere on this site are some really nice examples of the Black Paint details on the R65 engine that some members have done. I'm really looking forward to that job, and your photos.  I have thought about painting or powder coating the front timing cover but leaving the center strip polished aluminum with a clear coat on that. Do they have a clear Powder coat? That would have some possibilities I will post pictures of my progress today on the exhaust system D2

[Dave 2]

I used a flexable shaft tool to cut through the Exhaust Nuts.  As you can see from one photo I cut a little close on one of them, but there is no damage to the threads When I took the cold chisel to the nuts they didn't break apart but it must have released something because suddenly they broke free, again with no damage to the threads When I removed the airbox I realized that someone had stripped a thread and replaced the original with this "Bolt". Any suggestions out there on this? Should I leave it, or is there a better fix? The final picture shows the end of a vigorous day 8-) , Dave 2