Prepping the engine

I have decided to paint the engine. After concentrating on one rocker cover, cleaning and polishing it for what seemed days, I am not happy with the result. To bring the whole engine up to a chrome like shine will take ages. 

The only way to get that shine would be to dismantle the engine and buff and polish on a bench polisher. Not by dremmel and hand. 

So... Onwards and upwards, cleaning and degreasing prep for painting.

I tried gunk ultra first, which I picked up from Halfords.

Don't bother with it. It's useless!

After looking on YouTube I found a gnarly   looking old dude saying 'marvel mystery oil' is the best thing since sliced cheese :)

It's normally used as an engine treatment oil or fuel additive. He was singing its praises as good cleaner and degreaser on external components too so gave it a try. It's good, but was still very labour intensive. My engine has years of grime and oil on it. 

Shame on the previous owner, it's not like it was even a Mad Max-esque 'rat bob' style that you should never clean.

It was just neglected.

Finally I used straight forward brake and clutch cleaner.

Get a spray can or a bottle and fill a pressure sprayer (like the garden sprayer type things) it works wonders!!!

It eats through everything (including paint I'd assume so be careful) has a high alcohol content so dries quickly and turns oil and grease into dust.

Don't bother with expensive degreasers for your engine.

Once the engine is clean I shall pick up some etching primer and then black paint.

I intend to sand the fins of the engine to give it a cool contrasting look.

No sign of the tank yet. Hopefully any day now.

My frame welders, although 'welding royalty' are not the quickest at turning things round which is a bit frustrating. Perhaps it's all the royal galas they attend ? ;) I hope to have the frame back soon.

My upcoming tasks are painting engine and then building my front end components, forks, bars etc.

Picturing the frame

Took a trip to P&D to checkup on the frame. It's been chopped and the new section is now in place.

They have machined me a new wider rear axle to match my wider wheel.

They are also removing the steering lock brackets, to give me a cleaner look.

I decided to reuse my original seat. However the hinge at the front will be modified to allow easy access to the centre filling oil tank underneath.

They have ordered me a rear fender too. The sizes were limited for my rear wheel, so it is a generic blank canvas so I'm not sure how it will look straight out the box. I will review it once the back wheel is on and the pulley spacers/brakester is located and decide whether to modify it.

I'm guessing the kick-stand will need tweaking too due to the new frame geometry.

Still waiting on the gas tank from Oz. 

Clearing engine clutter

Decided to remove the Hypercharger and Carburettor to gain better access to parts while cleaning.

It's surprisingly time consuming to get the original shine back to the casings. Currently only done one top rocker cover.

Took me most of the day!

Depending how this goes I may opt for a painted engine over a polished one.....

I will decide later, in the mean time I will concentrate on cleaning off the grime.

The closest top cover has been cleaned and half polished. A slight improvement from the back one. Plenty left to do!

One oily lump

With the frame being welded, to keep the thumbs from twiddling, I have placed the engine and transmission on my old portable workbench.

It weighs 181lbs, or 82kg in new money (12.9 stone). I was worried the bench would buckle under the weight, so hung it from the ceiling too.

Thanks for the help Terry. Lifting, balancing etc. definitely easier with two of  us!

Now it's sitting in the middle of my garage with good all-round access, so bring on the carple tunnel syndrome!

Time to get busy with the degreaser & polish.

L

Wheelie good news

Dave 'the wheel guy' worked his magic and laced up my wheels for me. 

Got the tyres popped on and here we go!

Front wheel still has the blue powder protecting the white wall, it cleans off.

Very chuffed with the results. Was a little worried about mixing an 80 spoke rear with a 40 spoke front...... I shouldn't have fretted, it looks tasty.

Off to P&D customs tomorrow to get my frame sections sorted along with the rear axle and spacers machined.

Inheriting style

I have just ordered a 'Cole Foster' tank.

Perfect combination of classic lines with a modern twist. Just what I'm aiming towards.

These tanks are as rare as hens teeth!

I tried everywhere. The USA manufacturing depot has just moved apparantly and there is at least a 3 month waiting list to get on the manufacturing list, even then the guy seemed shady about promising even 3 months.

I have been looking for one since November and just found one on a dusty shelf in Australia, the only one in the shop. it's on its way now (by sea - 3 weeks) mighty chuffed!

Here's what they look like. The flush cap and protruded spine drew me to the design.

Anyone who hasn't heard of Cole Foster, go check him out. A modern day legend in hotrod & bike design!

Progress

Beginning of strip down

All tin work removed.

All wiring removed. Was already a simplified loom, however it was a bodge by previous owner.

Prepping for engine removal. Not a bad days work. Happy days!

Engine weighs a ton but managed to get it out complete with gearbox.

Close of play in Sunday, I've got this far

Time for some food and a beer!

P&D customs

Took a trip to P&D customs to pick up my wheel rim and spoke set yesterday. 

When I last went there this beauty below was still being assembled.

Now complete, they are entering into the national build-off. 

Dropped my wheel bits off to 'Dave the wheel guy' near Heathrow. He was taught to lace wheels by the guy who laced the royal families pram wheels apparantly . I was impressed by his name dropping skills :)

My wheel is 2nd in line to be built after Chris Barrie's wheels (the guy who played Rimmer in Red-Dwarf).

Mine will be 17" x 5.5" with 80 spokes. All polished stainless steel (so no rust from all this rain we are having)

I've also received my 17" x 200 wide whitewall rear tyre through the post.

Only 2 manufactures do these. Mine came from Vee tyres in Thailand. 

My bike will be pretty well travelled before I even start the engine!

Making strong foundations.

After some rides to work and some weekend blasts,  I had time to reflect. 

Engine is sweet, pulls like a train. But frame is ugly and needs work and is as heavy as a steam boat. The previous owners intentions were good but the execution was shabby and done on the cheap.

So after some looking around I find a great rear end with space for a fat 200 rear wheel.

Sergio at 'Rocksolid Motorcycles' is not only a great fabricator but a gent too, he makes me this beauty.

I have until the 15 feb to completely strip down my bike and take this frame rear-end along with my existing frame to be joined at P&D customs in Horsham.

Why not use Sergio and his gang?...they are based in Portugal ;)

Chris & Dave at P&D are fabricating royalty and have built some amazing bikes!

So this is where I am currently. Past two posts were written earlier this week to catch-up. 

New front end - DNA springer

I've decided I want to go for an old-school bobber look. So I've purchased a 2" under stock DNA springer front end.

And a few more shiney bits. 

Flame mirrors, billet grips, flame levers, dummy Left side throttle housing (to match right side) with horn button.

.....and so it starts

After watching endless episodes of American Chopper I bite the bullet. 

I take a gamble on a 91 Harley evo sportster. 

883cc bored out to 1200

Hard tail already added by previous owner

I'm £3200 out of pocket. Ride it home with the biggest grin on my face. 

I didn't stand a chance, it was love at first ride! The sound is awesome, It already has an attitude. 

But this is just the beginning....