New Year for a New Hope.

 The New Hope

     So, on advice from a friend, I joined the Facebook page 'North Est Auld Skool', intorduced myself and asked about any frames or projects around. With the proviso of nothing until the New Year.

     Well, the friendly welcome and banter there is great, and the people really helpful, i have an offer of a 1980's GSX 1100e rolling chassis, a ponderer. And an option on an VN500 (yes i know) but as you will see, there are some options.

     The GSX is a firm favourite, with lots of options. Here is my issue, well challenge - The engine costs, the old Suzuki lump is a firm favourite of tuners, builders and racers. So they are:

1.     Rare as hens teeth
2.     Rarity brings expense
3.     There are drawings to brace the frame and change mounts for a GSXR 1100 lump.
4.     Would be a true scratch build, either cafe racer or homage to an early eighties racer.

as the start to this 

Or do I stay true to my journey and do something like this:

     A decision to be made and see what the frame tells me if i acquire it. Options are litterally endless, budgets could be blown and the result, i am sure, will be drippingly gorgeous, like a woman in heeled boots. Am sorely tempted by this option, and i know the rolling chassis will be there in the early new year. Also i have the means and drawings to machine the mounts for the oil cooled 1100 engine and can brace the fram accordingly. But then, my mind races, so do i change out the front and reas for more modern running gear, oh the options, the cost, the desire. Although I do have a very nice carbon seat unit inspired from the 70s / 80's race scene to already start this off.

     Then there is this, the VN500, not the most enticing or sexy bikes, but, and here is the but, i could readily do this to one:

    The costs would be substantially less, the look more sino-american than club 59, but it gets me spannering and costs will be a lot less. It also has an appeal of its own, nit quite a guilty pleasure but, to be sure, out of my usual likes, maybe my time in the US has rubbed off a little.....

     So that is my dilemma, a nioce place to be. To be honest, bit bikes will be good, both will be a hoot to ride, and be unique, not a factory belched off the shelf piece, not that there is anything wrong woth thaose, indeeed 851, 916, GSXR 750, Thruxtons, any 1960's Triumph or BSA are all design greats, most these days are modified, even if that is to revert them to original.

     Whatever i decide, the bike will be a departure from my FZR600R and will be in the garage for a while, unless it is so desirable I have to sell it and fund the next one, or once I am emotionally attached to it, keep it and just buy another project.

     Happy times ahead, and as i approach retirement, some quality days in my garage with tools, beer and dreams - not to mention the odd roll up and Hendrix.

Tank Issues and my fix.....brief but a lot of learning.

     Well, as the summer wound down and winter in Scotland creeps in, the FZR has a small fuel leak. Turns out when i stripped it down and reconditioned the pump, the gasket was so old the rubber surround is so old it had turned back into the tree it came from!

It was inevitable that it was going to happen, so looked for a replacement - boy are Yamaha proud of their products, 55 quid plus taxes for it! An even on fleabay there are that price. 

     Haha i think, i can do better than that and purchased HYLOMAR Universal Blue 100G tube fuel RESISTANT JOINTING GASKET SEALANT.

 

Ii is a bugger to control, an ice blue in colour, but i went for it. Was dilligent and followed the instructions, unlike me, i admit, but this is petrol in a tank above an engine. So, took my time and behold, it worked! Then started the bike, it turned over sweetky and fired into life, briefly, i think the carbs need a clean - aaaa-gain. Also the pressure inthe tank withteh engine running pushed a trickle of fuel through the seal I have meticulously prepared.

Shite, thats that good idea scuppered, And now i will have to bite the bullet and give the YAMAHA Motor Company their money and replace the gasket, and then nail the old one to my garage wall near my bench as a reminder - fix it right and fix it once.

Oh well, least i have the winter to get it and fix it, now the only decision i have to make is WEMOTO, AMAZON, Fleabay or local dealer.

Preparing the FZR 600R for the spring and beyond.

      Well, still awaiting a project to come into sight. So while the hunt continues - I may have a lead on a Harley Iron Head 883 - depending on a lot of variables - price being the main one.  I am going to get my much loved FZR back on the road.

     So it needs a good going over, fuel system and a fresh battery are the top two jobs. So fuel system first. The tank needed draining, luckily I love the taste of petrol - trusty syphoning tube and a petrol can in hand, the tank was drained quickly enough, and the lingering taste of petrol stayed with me for the rest of the day. Once tank empty a retaining bolt and swivel bolt removal and the tank lifts off.

     This exposes the airbox, my first Doh! moment. I lifted the box off, it felt a little reluctant - so i applied a little more force to it, and off it popped. Unfortunately the carbs came with it! Forgot to undo the circlips that secure the airbox to teh carbs! Still needed to refresh them - at least I justified my rush of blood. So to put them back on...... A nice new set of shot filled hammers that had been bought for Valentines day, came onto use. Circlips loosened to facilitate a nice refit, i eased the carbs back on to the engine, gently tapping them back, then a rash hard tap and carb number 3 intake cracked! A pice popped off, luckily somewhere into the garage and not into the engine! FFS i whispered. First repair job, to fixe the crack and chipped carb intake.  As can be seen in the picture, the use of expoxy resin and time mended the chipped intake. Also had the presence opf mind to stop drillthe crack! Filled that as well. refitted as seen, here.

The repair can be seen on the 3rd intake in at the 6 o'clock position. Am quite proud of the work and  added a new skill to boot. The carbs move freely and a good dose of WD-40 down each intake just to help.

The onto my original take, clean out the tank and fuel filter inside it.

The fuel pump and filter come of the tank easily, undoing 6 retaining bolts and off it came. The took it apart, removing the rubber tubing and filter for a clean, At this point, a small circular piece fell out of the assembly. I was confucse as i could not locate where is originated from. Was t from inside the cage filter? I searched my manuals and the interweb - to no avail. In a last ditch attempt to find it's origin I googled the wording on it, from AEG. A sigh of relief later - turns out it's a micro chip from the 90's that were glued over a bike to ensure security, happy days, it's not a part! 

So the  filter, seen at the front lower part of the assembly, and the rubber tubing were remover and cleaned. The tubing shortened a little as the ends were granulating. Then the piece put back together, minus the microchip. It is now ready for attaching back on the tank.

The tank is clean inside, so no real work there, just some blistering of paint on the base, where the fuel pump / filter assebly reattaches. Looks wors in the picture than in reality. But will clean it up with a hard brush and see what lies below. I think it will be good, as stated, the inside of the tank is clean as a whistle. So here is hoping no more hiccups on this part of the clean up.

     Next up will be cleaning out the vaccum hoses and overflow tubes. Then plugs, oil filters and oil change to get things on track before battery and starting up. Then the MoT.....