after numerous chats and discussions at stafford i thought i should finally get round to posting some pictures and information. might take me a while.
started 1-10-2011. MT 500
basically started with a box of bits, probably 50% complete. no engine, forks, rear wheel and lots of small items. most were in poor condition cosmetically.
my aim was a full restoration, completely by hand keeping the bike as standard as possible, slight mods to the weak links, i.e. wiring , 3 phase mod etc, fittings
i also had a reasonably tight budget, so begged, borrowed, swapped. i would like to thank everyone that helped out, favours will be returned if they haven't allready.
stripped all metal components back to bare metal, even the ones that had about a dozen coats of paint. painted with red oxide , than 2 coats of drab green.
to contradict myself i was going to have the lot powder coated, but after talking to the late jim burns at stafford 2011, he advised me that to restore to original, they was not powder coated, so his advice was to use a small decorating roller. i was a bit dubious at first, as my painting generally is not brilliant. to my surprise i think the finish is very acceptable, to the point where a friend i work with, came around and commented "you made a good job spaying that", obviously i was well chuffed.
the wheels, rear shocks, handlebar levers, front & rear brake drums where cleaned up manually with wire & abrasive wheels on the drill,
these were sprayed with simoniz black enamel and have come up really well.
all plastics were cleaned up, stripped of all paint with nitromors, wet and dryed and 2 x coats of olive drab, with the roller again
anyway started assembly with the frame, both sections, centre stand, swing arm with new bearings,
rebuilt forks with new seals, new headstock bearings, handlebars, wheels with new bearings, rear drum bearings, new brake shoes front & rear, new rear drive sprocket & cushion drive.
to be continued
