Sleep is only optional anyway.

Well, here it is, 1.12am and I can't sleep. Well, with things going around here how they are, who could blame me. But I digress. The motorcycle, right.
This week has been fair for progress. Things have finally started rolling a little, seeing as I pretty much now have all the parts I'm going to need to complete this bike. Except for the exhaust, for one. So, the basic run down on what got done is as follows:
-Reassembled the bottom end of the motor. Took two attempts, as I had to do the crankcase joining twice. Dont ask, it just makes me feel stupid. (See if you can find what I forgot in the first photo that made me reseparate the crankcase.)
-Reassembled brake calipers. Now the discs are the only bit of braking to look into. Might see if I can get the discs re-surfaced.

-Completed the carburettor re-building, except for the polishing of the No. 4 carburettor top. Will only take half an hour or so. All the fibre washers and float needles came in (finally).


Basically, the next move is either start on the frame rebuilding, or continue with the motor. But seeing as the motor is heavy as to lift by myself, it's probably wiser to get a rolling frame ready for engine implanting. Will probably look into the fuel petcocks at some point soon too. I can only imagine how big a mess they're going to be. Hopefully will get away with not having to order bits.

Wheels will require stripping and repainting at some point. Will definately be easier out of frame, so that might be the next move. See how the mood is this week as to whether that gets started.

Well, thats basically it in a nutshell for now. I realise I've been slack with this, but keep in mind I've been away for 3 weeks. But its all good now. Well, I'm going to bed now. Much tiredness. Few pictures added for viewing pleasure. Cheers.

Catch you next update.
-Hobbsy

Ah... Little break back there...

Holy crap, it was April last time I updated this? Pretty damn slack of me. But, I got in and did a little more this week, since I got back from Darwin on the weekend after 3 weeks up there. Brake calipers are completed, except for the pads which I'll still have to order.
I sound like a broken record, but the engine is going to start assembly this week. Even though most of the gaskets are on backorder, I at least have all the bearings I need now.
I'm kinda tired, so this is going to be a short update, even after so long. Will do a better one another day with a full update of progress.
See you next update.
-Hobbsy

Putting off what has been done already

Well, I should have posted this about a week or so ago, but once again it just kept getting put off. Meanwhile, a bit more got done, so this is really more of an update this way. Bit more substance, or something.
The frame came back from Inverell a week and a bit ago, all repaired and painted. Came up good, I'm happy with it. Disassembled the brake calipers as well, just need to track down seal kits for them and re-paint.
The engine crankcase got split this week too, after a bit of drama (and profanities...).
I really hate it when Torx head bolts (or star head bolts, whatever) decide they dont want to play the loosening off game. Things get messy, as the picture below shows. Luckily, a drill and set of screw extractors came to the rescue without things getting out of hand.
Made a little more progress with the 3rd carburettor, but I think I'll just get everything I need to re-assemble the engine and concentrate on that. Will probably reuse the main crankshaft bearings, they look really good. Pistons as well, probably. Just need rings. Other than that, just a few oil seals are going to be required, and everything should go back in place. After the innards of the engine are cleaned out of all the dirt etc that got into it during disassembly.
Well, thats about it for now. I think this could be called progress, slow as it is.

Until next update.
Cheers.
-Hobbsy

Detachable frame...

Finally, I got around to getting the frame away from the rear wheel. Was going to do it by unbolting the swingarm from the frame, but due to not having a 27mm socket when I needed one, I went a different way about it. Same end result though.
Will be loading the frame onto a mate's ute to take back to Inverell this weekend. Must try and get it sandblasted, welded and painted if possible this weekend. Being a 4 day weekend, I reckon it's doable. Even if I do tend to slack off.

In a sense, it could be said I made it half-way through this project, seeing as the bike is completely disassembled. Maybe thats just an overly optimistic way of looking at it too... Something tells me the next half is going to be the hard part.

Cheers.
-Hobbsy

Cleaning and continuation

Brake lines came back from the workshop yesterday, came up pretty good. Pricey, but what isn't nowadays? Now the lines are done I'll get started on the calipers. With any luck the insides of them will be in good nick.
Getting back into finishing the carburettors, on to No.3 carby. Will order the float valve needles and seats probably next week, so should have the carbs done so they can go in.
Next weekend being Easter, I'll be taking the frame back to Inverell to get sandblasted and fixed up. Once I get that done, it'll be a whole lot easier to get started with putting things back on.
Last thing, finally got around to sorting out the garage. I can walk around without taking out my shins now. A few photos posted up too.






Cheers.
-Hobbsy

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