Teardown and Rebuild
10-05-2010 | 12:29 AM
#31
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From: Phoenix, AZ
Shock/spring= disengaged and in my hands. Heard some rattling so turned it upside down and shook some boulder sized rocks out. Hmmm. I also bought the wrong size socket to get the swingarm pivot bolt off so that'll have to wait another day or two. Probably using the wrong terminology but whatev, as long as my head organizes it so that I can understand it again later. I did get my new wheel/rotors in so am that much closer to a cbr 929rr front end now!
Check it! 929rr vs VTR:
Check it! 929rr vs VTR:
10-05-2010 | 11:47 PM
#32
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From: Phoenix, AZ
More stuff that is probably only interesting to me, but in these days of twitter and facebook, I post to the public my personal activities in place of actual human interaction:
De-wired the nervous system. This stuff all just looks really messy to me. Is there any criteria for inspecting/cleaning the wires? A lot of the tape has black overspray from some paint job in the past, and that bugs me. I plan on removing it all and replacing it with basic electrician's tape, unless this is a bad idea?
Thanks for the advice on making a castle socket! Worked out great and save bunches. I finished the one for the frame nuts, now just have to make one for the downtube one.
De-wired the nervous system. This stuff all just looks really messy to me. Is there any criteria for inspecting/cleaning the wires? A lot of the tape has black overspray from some paint job in the past, and that bugs me. I plan on removing it all and replacing it with basic electrician's tape, unless this is a bad idea?
Thanks for the advice on making a castle socket! Worked out great and save bunches. I finished the one for the frame nuts, now just have to make one for the downtube one.
10-07-2010 | 12:54 AM
#34
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Bam! Engine! The beating heart of this somewhat neglected but full of character machine. Well, here's where I'm going to start needing advice... for those who want to give it. I'm planning on cleaning and putting together everything slowly. I'm already curious about several things such as: can I replace the hoses with general ones that are the same size in hardware stores? or is it best to order OEM.
What do I do with this while it's out? Suggestions? I'm looking for anything that will help longevity and performance, in that order...
And the reason this whole project started:
Now, I gotta re-organize all of my stuff and start making a list of things I need from the dealer. Sure is cool seeing that huge motor all packed up inside of things. Way different from a car, with most of the same pieces. Just all between the legs. Still fascinating me...
What do I do with this while it's out? Suggestions? I'm looking for anything that will help longevity and performance, in that order...
And the reason this whole project started:
Now, I gotta re-organize all of my stuff and start making a list of things I need from the dealer. Sure is cool seeing that huge motor all packed up inside of things. Way different from a car, with most of the same pieces. Just all between the legs. Still fascinating me...
10-07-2010 | 09:58 AM
#35
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From: Phoenix, AZ
Well since it already has APES the major longevity worry is taken care of. The R/R you should replace too, but otherwise feed them gas and change their oil regularly and you should be good. (well regular maint too, drive chain, valve check etc but those are standard for a motorcycle)
10-07-2010 | 12:09 PM
#36
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Got the R1 r/r sitting on the shelf waiting to be put on! Valve check.... I'll have to look that one up.
Well since it already has APES the major longevity worry is taken care of. The R/R you should replace too, but otherwise feed them gas and change their oil regularly and you should be good. (well regular maint too, drive chain, valve check etc but those are standard for a motorcycle)
10-07-2010 | 01:35 PM
#37
I loves me twins
Superstock
Superstock
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 380
From: Houston, TX
-Don't fool with auto store hoses, thats way more trouble than it's worth. Hook up with someone parting a bike if you need specific bits like that.
-There's been good advice for the longevity part, and I can't imagine you have the funds to go very far with the performance part. Order a jet kit and a good airfilter if it doesn't have that stuff already already. I think the bike already had a good pair of mufflers, if not you can find a good pair in the classifieds. Scumbag has some really nice carbon kevlar mufflers that look great for cheap.
-Personally, I wouldn't mess with the wiring. That electrical tape isn't very reliable or long lasting, if you insist on replacing it look on eBay motors or here for a cheap new harness.
-Other than that, go to the auto parts store, get a bucket, and fill it with different styles of brushes, then get some degreaser like kerosene or mineral spirits or simple green and clean the crap off of everything. That alone makes a huge difference, and just cleaning things with mineral spirits will get most of that overspray off too.
10-09-2010 | 12:07 AM
#38
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Yeah, not really looking to do much with performance. At this point the bike has more in it than I can use anyway, so just want to keep it thumping for awhile. I tried mineral spirits- cleaned most of the dirt/grease/grime/tarnish off the engine, but the overspray is still pretty apparent. Simple green is simply amazing too. Is it worth trying to use turpentine or should I focus on other parts of the bike?
I do plan on going through the manual and checking what I can- all this valve check talk and such will be addressed if it's easy enough b/c it would be nice to know that I did something other than remove .25 lbs of grime.
Thanks for all the help so far- all the little advice adds up and makes the process that much less frustrating and that much smoother for me
I do plan on going through the manual and checking what I can- all this valve check talk and such will be addressed if it's easy enough b/c it would be nice to know that I did something other than remove .25 lbs of grime.
Thanks for all the help so far- all the little advice adds up and makes the process that much less frustrating and that much smoother for me
10-10-2010 | 12:25 AM
#39
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From: Phoenix, AZ
This just keeps getting better! I am learning all kind of things!
If your clutch cover is painted black and bubbling, a-like so:
Then the inside may look something like this:
I bought my motorcycle very custom. I will definitely be on the lookout on my next purchase. Maybe I can send all of these pics to the PO and show him what his ride really was like... I have a feeling he didn't know from talking to him b/c all he said he'd done is change the oil regularly and put coolant in it every once in awhile (this last part now sounds strange to me, but at the time I just wanted a Superhawk!)
Should I worry about this rust?
And, finally, she is a bit cleaner now:
Big discovery today for me was that the alternator ALSO is in the same oil bath that pretty much the whole bike is in. That oil ... it is just passed around everywhere. I only somewhat recently learned that the clutch was "wet" and now this? I only a basic understanding of electrical stuff, and for some was weirded out by having electrical magnetic hoochie wah current passing through oil. Makes sense I guess... just have to get used to the idea.
If your clutch cover is painted black and bubbling, a-like so:
Then the inside may look something like this:
I bought my motorcycle very custom. I will definitely be on the lookout on my next purchase. Maybe I can send all of these pics to the PO and show him what his ride really was like... I have a feeling he didn't know from talking to him b/c all he said he'd done is change the oil regularly and put coolant in it every once in awhile (this last part now sounds strange to me, but at the time I just wanted a Superhawk!)
Should I worry about this rust?
And, finally, she is a bit cleaner now:
Big discovery today for me was that the alternator ALSO is in the same oil bath that pretty much the whole bike is in. That oil ... it is just passed around everywhere. I only somewhat recently learned that the clutch was "wet" and now this? I only a basic understanding of electrical stuff, and for some was weirded out by having electrical magnetic hoochie wah current passing through oil. Makes sense I guess... just have to get used to the idea.
Last edited by 7moore7; 11-21-2010 at 11:55 AM.
10-10-2010 | 01:05 AM
#40
Über Member
Superstock
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 293
From: Virginia Beach VA.
This just keeps getting better! I am learning all kind of things!
If your clutch cover is painted black and bubbling, a-like so:
Then the inside may look something like this:
I bought my motorcycle very custom. I will definitely be on the lookout on my next purchase. Maybe I can send all of these pics to the PO and show him what his ride really was like... I have a feeling he didn't know from talking to him b/c all he said he'd done is change the oil regularly and put coolant in it every once in awhile (this last part now sounds strange to me, but at the time I just wanted a Superhawk!)
Should I worry about this rust?
And, finally, she is a bit cleaner now:
Big discovery today for me was that the alternator ALSO is in the same oil bath that pretty much the whole bike is in. That oil is like a spliff at a Rusted Root concert... it is just passed around everywhere. I only somewhat recently learned that the clutch was "wet" and now this? I only a basic understanding of electrical stuff, and for some was weirded out by having electrical magnetic hoochie wah current passing through oil. Makes sense I guess... just have to get used to the idea.
If your clutch cover is painted black and bubbling, a-like so:
Then the inside may look something like this:
I bought my motorcycle very custom. I will definitely be on the lookout on my next purchase. Maybe I can send all of these pics to the PO and show him what his ride really was like... I have a feeling he didn't know from talking to him b/c all he said he'd done is change the oil regularly and put coolant in it every once in awhile (this last part now sounds strange to me, but at the time I just wanted a Superhawk!)
Should I worry about this rust?
And, finally, she is a bit cleaner now:
Big discovery today for me was that the alternator ALSO is in the same oil bath that pretty much the whole bike is in. That oil is like a spliff at a Rusted Root concert... it is just passed around everywhere. I only somewhat recently learned that the clutch was "wet" and now this? I only a basic understanding of electrical stuff, and for some was weirded out by having electrical magnetic hoochie wah current passing through oil. Makes sense I guess... just have to get used to the idea.
Good work! Looks like fun.
10-10-2010 | 07:43 PM
#41
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I stripped these things with the intention to re-paint them and I think I just discovered awesome mode! Is there any reason I can't keep them shiny, being aluminum and all? Plus I should go faster cause they're lighter, right? And probably cool down quicker... Definitely a performance thing and not aesthetic at all...
10-10-2010 | 10:03 PM
#44
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,611
From: Belgium, WI
Those two mods are very rare. I worked hard for those.
Also, if you want to loose weight and feel great, dont be afraid to get the dremel, a grinder, and some files out and do some work. forget the port and polish, the heads flow fine. There is actually little to be gained with the cams that it has. Instead, go after all the extra bits and pieces left by mass production. If you look inside the head, there is flashing and extra bits hanging off all over. On the outside, there is a potential cct location that is extra. I think you could cut considerable weight off in just those bits.
Also, if you want to loose weight and feel great, dont be afraid to get the dremel, a grinder, and some files out and do some work. forget the port and polish, the heads flow fine. There is actually little to be gained with the cams that it has. Instead, go after all the extra bits and pieces left by mass production. If you look inside the head, there is flashing and extra bits hanging off all over. On the outside, there is a potential cct location that is extra. I think you could cut considerable weight off in just those bits.
10-10-2010 | 10:15 PM
#45
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Yeah I came to the same conclusion about the port and polish after a bit of online research. Seems to be more of an aesthetic mod on the inside of the bike which I don't really need. The more I learn about this bike's engine, the more I am convinced that it is better if I leave it alone with my skillset. As soon as I get whatever tool I need to check valve clearance I'll do that b/c it's at the 24K mark and I highly doubt it was done at 15. And the loosing weight was a joke on my part! I was just practicing giving reasons for why I scrubbed the paint off other than I think it looks cool...
shoot, I may glue my old cct's onto those blank ports just to confuse the hell outta my mechanic or the next owner...
shoot, I may glue my old cct's onto those blank ports just to confuse the hell outta my mechanic or the next owner...
Last edited by 7moore7; 10-10-2010 at 10:21 PM.
10-19-2010 | 12:52 AM
#46
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From: Phoenix, AZ
I've been posting on annoying amounts of threads to get help and so far have yet to get negative reaction... guess I'll just have to try harder! Trinc gave me a great deal on a new frame and quickly shipped so that's just another bonus.
More small pieces are coming apart, been doing stuff like this:
after:
And organizing a plan of attack. After sanding part of the frame to prep for powdercoat, I'm liking the idea of polishing it and just PCing the wheels. Anything is possible, I suppose...
More small pieces are coming apart, been doing stuff like this:
after:
And organizing a plan of attack. After sanding part of the frame to prep for powdercoat, I'm liking the idea of polishing it and just PCing the wheels. Anything is possible, I suppose...
10-19-2010 | 05:33 PM
#48
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For the engine housing I'm just using simple green and nylon brushes/cotton rags. All those corroded aluminum bits: WD-40 seems to be working best in combo with steel brushes. My current theory is that it'll keep them more resistant to tarnishing and easier to clean off in the future.
Oh, and the covers I stripped with aircraft paint remover... that stuff is nuts.
Oh, and the covers I stripped with aircraft paint remover... that stuff is nuts.
aircraft paint remover,lol ummmmmmm im sure you cant get that at your local autozone,thats nuts.
10-19-2010 | 05:59 PM
#50
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Actually I bought it at ACE hardware for about 12 bucks... shelf was just lined up from mild to toxic. Mineral Spirits, then Turpentine, then Aircraft Paint remover, then a box DVD set of Sex and the City.
ummmmm sex and the city right next to dangerous toxic chemicals,hmmmmmm i guess it is harmfull if swallowed or it gets in your eyes.lol causes death and Epilepsy.
10-19-2010 | 10:39 PM
#52
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From: Phoenix, AZ
Epilpsy! You ever tried to watch a whole episode of it? I'm usually pretty tolerant of television strangeness, but would rather deal with the aircraft stripper...
I am having serious issues trying to figure out what color scheme I want this thing to be. Not neon colors (lime green, bright orange, yellow or blue) but other than that it's the hardest thing I've had to do yet. And after getting advice, decided not to polish the frame. I want to wash this with a hose, not a buffing cloth.
I am having serious issues trying to figure out what color scheme I want this thing to be. Not neon colors (lime green, bright orange, yellow or blue) but other than that it's the hardest thing I've had to do yet. And after getting advice, decided not to polish the frame. I want to wash this with a hose, not a buffing cloth.
10-19-2010 | 11:19 PM
#53
the boss
SuperBike
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,182
From: largo,fl
yea,i want to paint my fairings and frame too.i may just stick with the yellow and maybe come up with slick pattern for it.
i been looking around at car mags,bike mags and websites just seeing if something sticks out or inspires a idea.
i been looking around at car mags,bike mags and websites just seeing if something sticks out or inspires a idea.
10-20-2010 | 10:26 AM
#55
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From: Phoenix, AZ
I did the valve clearance check and bought some new shims. Took me about 4 hours to do what is probably a 30 min job because it was my first time and I triple checked everything. TDC is a breeze now. This whole thing giving me huge practice in patience if anything...
11-04-2010 | 09:20 PM
#56
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From: Phoenix, AZ
Work has been busy so the recreation version of work has been slow(er)
Took the time last weekend to organize everything; While my roomate's car was gone I had the garage to myself. Boom! awesome). Finally got things zip locked and still doing the cleaning process on parts. A couple before and afters:
And finally got everything that I want to powdercoat ready to go. We'll see how much of this stuff they'll be able to bake color into.
Man oh man this project is just creepin along but soon I should be putting stuff back on. Talking to my mechanic, he was tentative at best about doing an undetrail radiator in Phoenix, so I may be re-evaluating that option. I could just move to Colorado or something for the sake of my bike if I do it that way. I've heard of worse reasons for moving I guess.
The hardest part so far has been deciding on colors. Seriously. Hardest part.
Took the time last weekend to organize everything; While my roomate's car was gone I had the garage to myself. Boom! awesome). Finally got things zip locked and still doing the cleaning process on parts. A couple before and afters:
And finally got everything that I want to powdercoat ready to go. We'll see how much of this stuff they'll be able to bake color into.
Man oh man this project is just creepin along but soon I should be putting stuff back on. Talking to my mechanic, he was tentative at best about doing an undetrail radiator in Phoenix, so I may be re-evaluating that option. I could just move to Colorado or something for the sake of my bike if I do it that way. I've heard of worse reasons for moving I guess.
The hardest part so far has been deciding on colors. Seriously. Hardest part.
11-08-2010 | 11:06 PM
#57
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I am going to single handedly keep this thread going- this is probably grounds for getting kicked off. Maybe there should be a "journal" category so that I can just keep recording my progress for myself!
Got a couple more before and afters- Cleaned up whatever this thing is:
Then cleaned and painted my side covers- I went with a orangish yellow (more yellow than anything) as a highlight color and a dark grey for the frame and main color for my powdercoated parts. Hoping that the standard black components and some of this will make the bike darker so that the yellow pops out.
The black is hard to see in the pictures, but much cleaner than the previous owner had them.
I'm hoping to get the exhaust wrapped in the next couple of days and will be that much closer to bolting everything back together when the parts come in!
Got a couple more before and afters- Cleaned up whatever this thing is:
Then cleaned and painted my side covers- I went with a orangish yellow (more yellow than anything) as a highlight color and a dark grey for the frame and main color for my powdercoated parts. Hoping that the standard black components and some of this will make the bike darker so that the yellow pops out.
The black is hard to see in the pictures, but much cleaner than the previous owner had them.
I'm hoping to get the exhaust wrapped in the next couple of days and will be that much closer to bolting everything back together when the parts come in!
11-10-2010 | 06:34 AM
#59
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,934
From: altoona, pa
you're doing an amazing job and learning a bunch while you're at it. Fun huh. Since you are doing/have done a lot of cleaning, some with harsh chemicals, it would be a good idea to soak all rubber and plastic parts, wiring/connectors, etc. with good heavy silicone. Without it, they may suffer a significantly shorter life.
Looking forward to seeing the finished product. Hell you'll be half afraid to ride it after all this TLC. haha
Looking forward to seeing the finished product. Hell you'll be half afraid to ride it after all this TLC. haha
