Welcome to Therapy

[WJP]

Welcome to Therapy

Therapy is a very well traveled bike that came in several boxes. In the last three years its been to Canada as spares for its sisters Maple and Syrup, I just called them that now as they normally respond well to other names depending on their ability to perform! These bikes are still out in Canada ready for my return next year.
In October 2013 I returned to the UK for some medical treatment and whilst waiting for it to start, I decided I needed a project to keep my mind occupied with non work and medical thoughts. As there was space in the shipping container, the parts boxes and a spare engine came back with me.
I wanted a standard spec bike, but one that was a bit different from the others I have managed to collect over the years. It was never going to be done to a high show quality, I just wanted a good bike with a bit of character and so things like a few small dings in the tank that came to light after blasting have been left in. I like it anyway!

I started putting this thread together some time ago when the project was still a work in progress, but as its better to be in the garage, well..... its finished before I got around to posting this.

So the story is as follows, the spare engine has been Mintered, there is a thread on the forum by Minter, WJPs engine or similar.

The original engine when I drafted this was in the process of donating some of its key organs to a 500 purchased from flee bay, this operation was performed at Minters surgery, a few months ago now, see thread link WJP 500e posted by minter. That will be for the next project currently in planning stage.

The boxes of parts were sorted, cleaned and assembled to make sure things did fit and no key bits were missing, bent or broken. These were sent away for either blasting and powder coating or painting in a Light Ivory RAL 1015.

This work was all done by Jack and Ben at Oxford Fine Finishing who have done a great job and have been very helpful throughout the process.

So with a full set of bearings and stainless nuts and bolts from George I made a start.

Front and rear wheel bearings replaced and new tyres fitted.

This was done at the same time as the frame was diesel washed to remove any old debris or anything that may have got in during the blasting. After sloshing diesel around and then emptying in out and in the process putting more on the floor, I decided it would be better to rig up a pump and inline filter. With the pump on I simply kept lifting and shaking the frame and all the rubbish collected in the filters. I know the access points were sealed before blasting but some grit did get in, but given the history I am sure that some of the stuff that came out was already in the frame. Anyway, well worth the effort to ensure you don't grind the internals of that newly Mintered engine.

Swing arm, front suspension and rear units rebuilt. On the rear, the springs and fittings are powder coated, the main body is painted as I was not sure about putting a pressurised unit into a powder coating oven. It was fun with the ratchet straps but really very easy to do.
Front forks got new seals and black anodised jubilee clips on the gaitors.

Swing arm assembly put together with rear caliper and new brake lines from Apophis. A caliper seal kit from LMS as the front Caliper seals didn't pass inspection.

Top and bottom yoke assembled with new bearings and made up new SS tube inserts for the handlebar mounts. I remember needing to use some serious heat to get the original rusted ones free from the bolt, so that situation should never arise again.

Carb was all cleaned and the cables lubricated with graphite. Wiring loom checked over and a few new connectors and spiral wrap, then a good few hours trying to connect it up and get the cable flow neat and tidy.

The exhaust needed a small amount of welding, something that Jack kindly did for me prior to powder coating. Luggage fitted, and finally a nice new chain completed the job.

I have had a lot of fun doing this over the last few months and it really was good therapy. My next project will be done when I am feeling up to it between Chemo, not sure of the finish yet but it will have that 500e Mintered lump in it.

A big thanks to Minter for the engine work, tea and encouragement to write this, to George for the SS parts (expect a PM soon George for the next one), Nick at MVS and Diane at LMS for various bits and pieces that upon closer inspection needed to be replaced.

Most of all a big thank you to those who have contributed know how and experience to the Forum, its such a great resource when your not sure how something works or fits together.

Hope you like the pictures
http://s1277.photobucket.com/user/willp ... %20Therapy" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Cheers

Will

[namtip]

Wow, excellent rebuild write up and a fantastic archive of pictures to boot! Thanks for sharing

[Minter]

Fantastic Will!! Glad you posted, bike looks awesome.. Looking forward to your next one now!

[Peakrider2012]

Super Job and great colour scheme. A real head turner.

Well done

[Thumper]

Fantastic attention to detail. Stunning job well done.

[hounddog]

A rebuilt MT to be proud of , excellent job , thanks for sharing with us

[ERNIE]

I agree with all the comments great rebuild well done. Brill Photos
Ps I hate the clean workshop
cheers
Ernie

[appyarry]

What a great job you've done there. I was going to do my C15 in white, after seeing yours it definitely will be in a similar colour to yours.

Thank you for sharing it.

[WJP]

What a great job you've done there. I was going to do my C15 in white, after seeing yours it definitely will be in a similar colour to yours.

Thank you for sharing it.

Many thanks, I am glad you like it. I hope you enjoy the your C15 project as much as I have done this one. It took me a while to choose the colour as I didn't really want it to be too yellow/sand, so light ivory RAL 1015 got the vote. I forgot to say in the write up that it was finished in a satin (30% matt) to give it just a bit of a shine.
Cheers
Will

[WJP]

I agree with all the comments great rebuild well done. Brill Photos
Ps I hate the clean workshop
cheers
Ernie

Many thanks for all the very generous comments. I will be going into the man cave later to tidy it up a bit before I start the next project .

The man cave was built for all my woodworking that I used to do, so this dirty oily stuff needs to be kept under control!
Plastic transparent shoe boxes are great for storing parts as you can see whats in them, keep the dust out, they stack and are as cheap as chips (99cents each from Home Depot) - although the p&p could be an issue!

Cheers
Will