Messages

1

Haus of Projects / Re: Pidjones' bicentenial build (a '76 RD400)

« on: February 24, 2021, 03:04:14 PM »

Well, temperatures got over 60F today, so I shot the color and first clear on the tins. Not my best work, but it is my first time with the waterborne. I could have done a LOT better on the bodywork too, but this bike has plenty of blemishes so it wasn't worth a lot of effort and time. I plan on this one being ridden a lot in good weather, and I have some great roads nearby to ride it on. Now to order the decals.

2

Events / Re: Deals Gap?

« on: February 19, 2021, 08:14:39 PM »

AJ, I used to work with students from all over the world. The best advice you can get is #1 DON'T USE AN AGENT!!! They will just take your money. #2 Go on the US consulate web site for your country and follow their instructions to the letter. Re-read the instructions (they change from time to time). Having a COVID vaccine is probably going to be required. Would love to see you here this year. I live about an hour's ride from 129.

3

Haus of Projects / Re: Yet another rd

« on: February 19, 2021, 08:09:21 PM »

You should be able to grab the front brake and bounce the forks to see if they are working.

4

Haus of Projects / Re: Pidjones' bicentenial build (a '76 RD400)

« on: February 19, 2021, 03:37:21 PM »

Fiddle pharting around until weather breaks and I can paint. Disassembled my paint guns and ran them through the ultrasonic cleaner. Installed a new gasket on the fuel tank cap. Gasket was from Sumo rubber parts. Ground and drilled the rivets out, cleaned it all up with the wire wheel, than reassembled with pop rivets. It got up over freezing today (barely), and the guys are supposed to be here tomorrow to finish the front deck. Next week MIGHT see painting weather (doubtful, though). I do have the paint from RS Bike Paints. It is waterborne, so will be a whole new trick for me to learn. Everything that I've read and watched about it indicates that it should be easier than the lacquer that I have been using. I will still clear coat with 2K rattle can from SprayMax. I have 2 cans of it - one for after the color is fully dry, and one for after the decals are on and several days drying.

5

Show Off / Re: $4.00 Fork Seal Puller

« on: February 15, 2021, 03:07:58 PM »

I made up a puller by Randakk's instructions to pull the seals from G1000 forks. Used two Unistrut angles ground to fit. Still requires heating with a propane torch until they are smoking.

6

Turning Wrenches / Re: Rear Brake reservoir Hose

« on: February 15, 2021, 03:03:52 PM »

I've had good service from Yambits, and fast shipping, too. I know that some on here have problems with them, but they have done well for me. I don't know about their shipping to Canada or how it is now that Brexit has so many scurrying to satisfy the tax peolpe, but very reasonable several months ago. You might also try Sumorubber.

https://yambits.co.uk/rd250d-brake-master-cylinder-hose-rear-p-14279.html?currency=CAD
BTW, they also carry the "spring" cover for it.

7

Haus of Projects / Re: My Wife's RD125

« on: February 12, 2021, 11:44:12 AM »

Oooouuuh. Nice! Would love DRO on my little mini lathe and mill. Just tuned the lathe abit last week, and it still tuns out rough projects pretty well. Would love to go up in size and quality, though.

8

Turning Wrenches / Re: Rear caliper seized. What now?

« on: February 11, 2021, 07:53:28 AM »

This has worked for me as well.  Try and make both pistons come fully out at the same time otherwise you will no longer be able to put pressure on remaining piston.

My caliper is also frozen heat and air won't move it.

I was going to try a grease gun but the standard zerk fitting threads are too small to fit the bleeder bolt hole /threads.

Do you happen to know what size zerks I need to order to get these suckers out?  Thanks

"DISREGARD" I found some stuff in my stash and was able to get them out with grease - now the fun part cleaning the seal grooves.

Great! I made a tool with very stiff ~3mm wire bent 90 degrees, cut, and ground to a chisel point. I use it to clean the groove and press Scotchbrite in to polish it. Then make sure plenty of brake cleaner and rags to clean out ang grit.

9

Haus of Projects / Re: Narcolepsy

« on: February 10, 2021, 07:17:56 AM »

Good tips! I had to store my RD400c project in a shed for a few months this winter. After several rescue projects had spit hulls out the exhaust on startup, I taped the ends of the mufflers with aluminum duct tape. Also stuffed aluminum foil in the air filter box over the inlet to discourage nest-building there. Now, hope to remember to remove it all on first start!

10

Turning Wrenches / Re: Dave F Mod after porting

« on: February 09, 2021, 10:45:04 AM »

I often find hidden poor connection between the wire and the connector.

11

General Chatter / Re: Wheels Thru Time founder passes

« on: February 09, 2021, 10:43:38 AM »

Been there four times and will go back soon. About a 2 hour ride by interstate, or 3 fun hours through the Smokys park. I have several photos of Dale there. Here is one:

12

The 4-Stroke Blasphemy Forum / Re: New bike

« on: February 08, 2021, 11:26:24 AM »

   On a big heavy bike like that 20K on a set of wheel bearings seems 'ok'.  I do agree that figuring out a way to add more/better grease to the replacements is a good idea. And torque the axle to factory spec.
    And not to hijak this thread, but just pure happenstance, I happen to be doing some work on my BMW Airhead wheels, and was seeking information on the wheel bearings.  Timken (the bearing mfg) lists the service life of the BMW wheel bearings as...........2.6 BILLION miles  when properly adjusted; and still over one billion miles when either too loose or too tight. How the hell do you test for that?????    FWIW they are tapered roller bearings and run as a pre-adjusted 'stack' inside the hub, so axle nut torque has zero effect on bearing adjustment or tension.

I have over 120k miles on the original rear (in the drive hub) bearings on my '06 GL1800, and 80k (replaced when I had the wheels powder coated) on the front, and they are still silky smooth and tight. They are sealed bearings.

13

Haus of Projects / Re: Pidjones' bicentenial build (a '76 RD400)

« on: February 08, 2021, 09:24:19 AM »

The screen in the bottom of the oil tank is trashed. I made up a little aluminum filter body on my lathe to put a 60 mesh brass screen in to replace the filtering capacity.

14

Haus of Projects / Re: Narcolepsy

« on: February 08, 2021, 07:22:33 AM »

All of the lighting in our garage is two-bulb fluorescent bins (converted to LED) suspended from chains and plugged into outlets in the ceiling wired to the switches. I've managed to store all sorts of things above them.

15

eBay/Craigslist watch / Re: Unusual H2 on ebay

« on: February 04, 2021, 12:58:53 PM »

Seems a reasonable price, IF his story is true.