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    #31
    The head is on, pushrods a bit tricky to line up. Timing side is done with the chains that drive the camshaft and magneto adjusted. Magneto is now replaced with a dummy housing that contains an electronic ignition.

    Wheel building a bit tedious because of lots of misinformation about the spoke arrangement. I figured it out. There's a very slight offset for the disc side, and that side has very thick 8 gauge spokes. Trueing it will be fun.

    I found some paint at the local Autozone that simulates stainless steel very well. It's made by Seymour. OMG where has this stuff been hiding? I really didn't want to spend $125 per wheel for new spokes, given that all mine were sound but tarnished. They really looked ratty but I think they came out great. I will do a final touch up with a brush after trueing.






    Last edited by oldGSfan; 06-28-2022, 12:54 AM.
    Tom

    '82 GS1100E Mr. Turbo
    '79 GS100E
    Other non Suzuki bikes

    Comment


      #32
      Hats off to you for tackling Norton disc wheel lacing.
      Remember the woes my friend went through.


      Spectacular cracks on that K81.
      2@ \'78 GS1000

      Comment


        #33
        Originally posted by steve murdoch View Post
        Hats off to you for tackling Norton disc wheel lacing.
        Remember the woes my friend went through.


        Spectacular cracks on that K81.
        That's a very good article and helped a lot. I got a bit sideways after reading "The Central Wheel Norton disc front rim (06-1951) is dimpled 3×1 and is handed." (my italics). Mine's an original Dunlop rim and it is that same part number, but the Dunlop has symmetrical dimpling, 1x1 I think it would be called. The hardest part awaits, aligning and trueing. I think I'll need a spoke torque wrench.
        Tom

        '82 GS1100E Mr. Turbo
        '79 GS100E
        Other non Suzuki bikes

        Comment


          #34
          I know he did both wheels on his Commando and even with a second set to copy from it was a very difficult job.
          I was lucky enough to ride it about 10 years ago.

          2@ \'78 GS1000

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            #35
            Well, his instructions made it a heck of a lot easier. It's all good just need a tire and a new disc rotor. I was about ready to get my old disc 'Blanchard' ground at a shop nearby but it would cost 3/4 of what a new replacement floating rotor costs, so I ordered this one. With new Ferodo pads, a proper ratio MC and stainless lines, and rebuilt caliper (new seals and pistons) I am really hoping for a good result in the stopping dept. My old CB750 is similar tech and does OK, but the lever effort is high and it feels wooden. But it beats a drum, regardless. I had a single leading shoe on my '66 '66 Bonneville and riding 2 up was iffy.

            Tom

            '82 GS1100E Mr. Turbo
            '79 GS100E
            Other non Suzuki bikes

            Comment


              #36
              Mounted the disc and the 'bobbin' or rivet fouls the bottom of the caliper by just a tad. Disappointing, trying to find out the facts. Worst case I could trim about 1mm of aluminum off the caliper, it's not a critical area and is out of view. But jeez.



              Tom

              '82 GS1100E Mr. Turbo
              '79 GS100E
              Other non Suzuki bikes

              Comment


                #37
                Chamfer the caliper bit
                1983 GS 550 LD
                2009 BMW K1300s

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                  #38
                  Originally posted by Cipher View Post
                  Chamfer the caliper bit
                  Yeah been chatting on a Norton forum and a guy did that, as I sort of suspected. Also need to shave the tang off the disc pad, since when it wears down it could also interfere.. Shouldn't be so but well, that's life. I'll post a pic on what I mean when I get a chance.
                  Tom

                  '82 GS1100E Mr. Turbo
                  '79 GS100E
                  Other non Suzuki bikes

                  Comment


                    #39
                    1968 bumps against 2022 and doesn't like it.
                    Bobbins? They'll never catch on, new-fangled nonsense.
                    ---- Dave
                    79 GS850N - Might be a trike soon.
                    80 GS850T Single HIF38 S.U. SH775, Tow bar, Pantera II. Gnarly workhorse & daily driver.
                    79 XS650SE - Pragmatic Ratter - goes better than a manky old twin should.
                    92 XJ900F - Fairly Stock, for now.

                    Only a dog knows why a motorcyclist sticks his head out of a car window

                    Comment


                      #40
                      My condolences. I must have missed this post, but I have been following your current conundrums with the front brake. Pics of the spokes and new disc are neat, but shots of that custom Norton paint with a certain turbo big bore in-line four in the background take the cake.
                      1982 GS1100E V&H "SS" exhaust, APE pods, 1150 oil cooler, 140 speedo, 99.3 rear wheel HP, black engine, '83 red

                      2016 XL883L sigpic Two-tone blue and white. Almost 42 hp! Status: destroyed, now owned by the insurance company. The hole in my memory starts an hour before the accident and ends 24 hours after.

                      Comment


                        #41
                        Originally posted by Rob S. View Post
                        My condolences. I must have missed this post, but I have been following your current conundrums with the front brake. Pics of the spokes and new disc are neat, but shots of that custom Norton paint with a certain turbo big bore in-line four in the background take the cake.
                        Thanks Rob. Hey I have some goodies you might like. I will message you.

                        The seat has new foam and the base is patched with some sheet steel, rivets, bubble gum and baling wire. Well JK but it's fine, the bottom of the seat had cracks all over since Nortons rattle like that paint shaker at the old hardware store. I used 50-something firmness foam and cut up a yoga mat for the bottom inch. It's too soft, the place I went had 70 firmness and I blew it. It's OK but dang.

                        The gearbox is mounted to the engine, plates had to be trimmed a bit due to a special stubby electronic ignition housing taking the place of the magneto. It's all good, what a gorgeous lump.



                        Tom

                        '82 GS1100E Mr. Turbo
                        '79 GS100E
                        Other non Suzuki bikes

                        Comment


                          #42
                          OK now we're getting somewhere. The engine plates and bolts are a ship in a bottle exercise and I messed up the order and had to back out a couple times. First timer blues. But having the frame on a chain hoist and supporting the engine on a furniture dolly on its side made it tolerable. I just can't imagine doing it in an upright bike, putting it in from the side. Much dinner for the knuckle meat gods!

                          Tom

                          '82 GS1100E Mr. Turbo
                          '79 GS100E
                          Other non Suzuki bikes

                          Comment


                            #43
                            I've decided to go with air suspension

                            Tom

                            '82 GS1100E Mr. Turbo
                            '79 GS100E
                            Other non Suzuki bikes

                            Comment


                              #44
                              Don't forget the nitrogen in the tyres.
                              2@ \'78 GS1000

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                                #45
                                Originally posted by oldGSfan View Post
                                I've decided to go with air suspension

                                I get it. But, truth be told, I was looking at the shocks at first, to see what 'air shocks' look like.

                                I've always been insecure, and needed an 'alpha male' type of bike, whether it was my Kaw Z1 or my Suzi 11E. But I would be grinning ear to ear if I rode that old vertical twin in any group of bikers.
                                1982 GS1100E V&H "SS" exhaust, APE pods, 1150 oil cooler, 140 speedo, 99.3 rear wheel HP, black engine, '83 red

                                2016 XL883L sigpic Two-tone blue and white. Almost 42 hp! Status: destroyed, now owned by the insurance company. The hole in my memory starts an hour before the accident and ends 24 hours after.

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