The Red Rebuild Thread (MT500)

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namtip
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The Red Rebuild Thread (MT500)

Post by namtip » Fri Dec 28, 2012 3:25 pm

It all started with wanting to change the head gasket due to a minor oil leak. I don't know how it escalated to a full rebuild! Anyway, I charged ahead and before I knew it my bike had been turned into a million bits all over the garage floor.

Took the frame and loads of other bits and pieces to the powder coaters, and a week later picked them up: playtime begins!

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Stripped the engine down, looks pretty clean inside...

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...which is more than I can say for the outside:

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So it's off to the vapour-blasters for this lot:

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Meanwhile, I couldn't resist putting the shiny new frame together (and to clear some space in the garage):

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Painted the shocks with a spray can (Hammerite direct to metal gloss). The springs were powder coated along with the frame. The rubber/foam bump stops were completely shagged so I cut them off.

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Reassembled them.

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The swing arm, shocks, and back wheel are then fitted:

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Yoke and forks are then fitted (with new seals)

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Front wheel and brake and handlebars (from a 350 - for the barkbusters and pump grips) are fitted:

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The first dash of red goes on - cowling, headlight and instrument cluster all go on, as well as the superb front rack by arceye:

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Mounted the GPS and lockable Touratech RAM mount combo (a fantastic bargain ebay win), as well as the hand pump which will eventually be painted red.

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Fitted tank seat and side-panels temporarily - just to clear some space. I will be getting the faded tank and plastics repainted along with two MT350 front pannier boxes.

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While visiting the folks for Christmas, I took the engine down with me and repainted it using plastikote BBQ spraypaint. Gave a really nice satin finish and apparently doesn't need primer:

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And that's as far as I've come so far. Can't wait to finish her off. When I do, I'll update this thread.

Thanks for looking!
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Minter
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Re: The Red Rebuild Thread (MT500)

Post by Minter » Fri Dec 28, 2012 3:49 pm

Brilliant job Colin! Having just called it a day tinkering on various projects I'm going back out there to carry on!

:D
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freddy54

Re: The Red Rebuild Thread (MT500)

Post by freddy54 » Fri Dec 28, 2012 3:59 pm

that is quit nice ,, however (and not an arguament)

the BBQ paint needs to be hardened by heat for it to work , or it stays soft , ideally this is within 8 hrs,

I did a spare silencer/ex sys and the softness was apparent , I sorted this by simply applying a B+D heat gun on it , it then hardened quite well.

good luck with the rebuild

alan
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woodruff

Re: The Red Rebuild Thread (MT500)

Post by woodruff » Fri Dec 28, 2012 4:16 pm

Wow thats not the scruffy toerag of a bike I saw! Looks good.
Glad to see some rebuilding (other than Minter) from the 'no green thanks' arm of the club.
Top job Colin

Otto
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appyarry
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Re: The Red Rebuild Thread (MT500)

Post by appyarry » Fri Dec 28, 2012 4:36 pm

I like the colour, great job. I hope it fixes the oil leak :-)

Ta,
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Minter
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Re: The Red Rebuild Thread (MT500)

Post by Minter » Fri Dec 28, 2012 4:52 pm

woodruff wrote:Wow thats not the scruffy toerag of a bike I saw! Looks good.
Glad to see some rebuilding (other than Minter) from the 'no green thanks' arm of the club.
Top job Colin

Otto
:lol: Looking forward to your forthcoming little project Otto! Will it be green or........??!!

:D
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Manuals & Technical Publications on above MTRC shop link

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bth2bth2
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Re: The Red Rebuild Thread (MT500)

Post by bth2bth2 » Fri Dec 28, 2012 5:35 pm

the plasticote bbq paint does give a good satin finish.i have used the same myself.its not petrol proof tho.
nice build so far. just ashame about the colour :lol: ive heard it reduces top speed by 10mph.

brian
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Slowly slowly catchy monkey.............
CBR 900rrs , zrx1100.in green gone but not forgotten.....mt500 in green ,stolen and abused but still alive.......cos one day , all bikes will be this slowwwwwww

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Re: The Red Rebuild Thread (MT500)

Post by appyarry » Sat Dec 29, 2012 10:18 am

Not Petrrol Proof?

Please let us know how it goes with the plasticote. The finish looks very good it would be a shame if it does come off if you have a petrol overflow spill.

I've never had anything Vapour blasted I will have a look around locally and see if there is anyone who can do this.

Thanks,
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Englishman
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Re: The Red Rebuild Thread (MT500)

Post by Englishman » Sat Dec 29, 2012 11:35 am

Great progress Colin since I met you in Brighton and the 500 is really coming together, I look forward to seeing it completed, well done so far a fantasic effort :)
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namtip
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Re: The Red Rebuild Thread (MT500)

Post by namtip » Sat Dec 29, 2012 11:20 pm

Thanks for the words of encouragement!
freddy54 wrote:that is quit nice ,, however (and not an arguament)

the BBQ paint needs to be hardened by heat for it to work , or it stays soft , ideally this is within 8 hrs,

I did a spare silencer/ex sys and the softness was apparent , I sorted this by simply applying a B+D heat gun on it , it then hardened quite well.

good luck with the rebuild

alan
Yes, I remember the the feeling I had when I read this bit on the can - about two whole days afterward!!! So out came the heat gun - the paint did still feel a bit soft - and I stood there for two straight hours making sure I got everything. I could smell some fumes coming off and afterward the paint was noticeably harder. Hopefully I haven't ruined it by waiting so long. Only time will tell!
bth2bth2 wrote:the plasticote bbq paint does give a good satin finish.i have used the same myself.its not petrol proof tho.
nice build so far. just ashame about the colour :lol: ive heard it reduces top speed by 10mph.

brian
It's disappointing that it's not petrol-proof, I'll have to put a longer overflow pipe on the carb and route it away from the engine.

Maybe you should inform Ferrari about your findings Brian - I'm sure they'd be very interested! ;) 8-)
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