Wow, an update.

I just realised it's actually been more than a month since I've actually updated anything here. But to make it even worse, it's because I've been slack up to the point I haven't done anything since the last post either. Just been waiting for the right motivation I suppose.
Finished removing brake lines this afternoon, and took them around to the brake and clutch place down the road to get them re-made into stainless braided lines. They should be back tomorrow.
I've now gotten the mindset that it's time to get back to getting everything ready for re-assembly. Will have to look into perhaps getting the fenders re-chromed. The engine is ready to have the crankcase split, so there's a job for this week / weekend.
Plenty to do, and I wont get it done by sitting back. Time to get back to work I suppose.

Cheers.
-Hobbsy

Night work

I know I said in the last blog that the frame would have everything off it on the weekend, but it turns out I find it hard to keep deadlines with myself on this. A swap meet in Toowoomba ensured that. I also find it hard to get motivated when I'm working night shift at work, the daytime seems like a better time to arse about and do nothing. Must try and remedy that.
Just a quick bit of pottering about, and without pictures, since the batteries for my camera sacrificed themselves for a Lego bulldozer. Dont ask...
The triple tree and forks have finally come away from the frame, leaving only the swingarm to get off, but since I lack the socket to do it with (I swear I need to go and buy some tools...) it'll have to wait until I can get one from someone.
Also started stripping the carbies properly, and I'll be waiting until the re-build kits turn up for them. Which means I'd better get in and order them too... damn.
See you next update.

Cheers,
-Hobbsy

Engine removal

Finally got the engine removed today, although the task was made a little harder by the cylinders not wanting to play the game. Before the block was lugged out of frame, I removed the cylinders, and the pistons, for making the weight a little more manageable. Not sure if I'll be re-using the pistons, that can wait for a little while until I sort out the bottom end stuff.
Haven't split the crank-case yet, will probably do that next weekend, or during the week if I manage to wake up during the day before work.
It's a good thing I got my hands on some plastic small containers for bolts and nuts, otherwise there would be stuff everywhere, which makes the reassembly a pain.
Also took off the front calipers, rear brake cylinder, the oil cooler and the front indicators. Everything seems to be in good condition so far, apart from plating and paintwork containing more rust than coating. It'll all clean up alright though.
If I work at it, the swingarm and front forks should be off the frame next weekend, so it'll be ready to cart back to Inverell for sandblasting and painting, along with the rest of the things that will need it.
See you next update.

Cheers,
-Hobbsy

Small hiatus

Well, after a week of having not posted anything, the fact that I can get lazy has shown. But I won't use the fact I've been sleeping during the day and working nightshifts as an excuse. Nope, not me. But anyway, a long weekend is a good opportunity, I figure.
Did a bit of stuff during the week, which mainly consisted of making a makeshift centre stand, since mine is about as helpful as a black snake at a barbecue. See photo. Actually works quite well, as long as you don't lean on the bike too much.
Started the removal of the engine from the frame today, got as far as the cylinder head being off, will finish up tomorrow. Everything as far as top end wise seems to be in pretty good nick, no worn down camshafts or metal flying around. Piston crowns and chambers are a little carbonised, but what 27 year old engine doesn't have a bit of character?
Will have to look into getting the head cleaned up, sort that out after disassembly is finished. Posted a few photos too.
See you next update. (Should be tomorrow)

Cheers.
-Hobbsy

Surface Finishing

Thought I'd get a bit of the painting of little stuff started today, so I started by dismantling the instrument cluster, including the instrument covers. Sanded those down, and got rid of the rust from them, and painted the metal bits with black gloss paint. Came up pretty good actually.

On an unrelated note, I remembered how expensive motorbike batteries are today. $145 for a battery to go into my Yamaha FJ1200, after the one in it decided to collapse. Expensive...

I found that the speedo on the instrument cluster has the odometer reset knob broken off. I have both pieces, but I'm not sure how well a good glue is going to hold it. Don't really want to dismantle the speedo to get the knob out completely, I think it'll be more trouble than it's worth. I'll see how it goes.
A little weekend work done today. I'll have to make a habit of it.
See you next update.

Cheers.
-Hobbsy

Electrical removal

Just a quick one today (believe me, there'll be a lot of quick ones during this), pulled out the wiring loom and electricals from the frame, only electrical thing left is the front indicators. Also pulled the rear guard, exhausts and centre stand (before it decided to fall off itself).
Told ya it'd be quick. See you next update.

Cheers,
-Hobbsy

Blood, sweat and tears

Damn, it's been hot today.

I got around to removing a fair amount of components from the bike. Since one of the first orders of business here is to get the frame fixed up and re-painted, everything else has to come off. Makes sense, really.
You might notice I said the frame needs 'fixing up'. Well, this is because the metal where the centre stand welds to the frame has ripped away, which explains why the centre stand doesnt really work the way it should. I'm pretty sure a good welding up will fix the problem. I'll cross that bridge when I get to it. I've put a photo of the nice crack/gaping hole below.

I think I found the most roundabout way of removing the battery from a bike, too. Since the bike came with no keys, the left side-cover which the battery is supposed to slide out from is kind of locked in place. The screws to take the lock from the frame were sitting under the battery holder. So, in order to get the battery holder off, the battery had to come out. Of course, the right hand side has a bunch of other stuff in the way, so I ended up having to remove the carburettors and the air-box in order to get the battery to come away. Admittedly, all this stuff had to come off anyway, but it would have been nice to take it off later on. I also managed to jam a nice sharp bracket into the start of my thumb-nail while getting to the battery, so the blood and swearing were a good addition to the day.

Still havent found any broken pieces either (except for the whole centre stand thing), which is a plus. The more bits I can keep and use now, the less time and money I'm gonna have to spend later trying to track down things which were busted.
Must find a locksmith this week, try and get some keys made up for this thing. Might just make life easier.

Back to work this week, progress may be a little slow... don't judge me just because I'm a lazy bugger. See you next update.

Cheers,
-Hobbsy