F
Flyboy
Guest
Nice build, following it with interest.
The nut that holds the steering head in is normally not hard to remove, it is never really that tight because it preloads the steering head bearings, so it is not one of those that is 'tighten as far as you can' type applications, normally a simple adjustable pliers is enough to loosen it, if not then what you guys would call a pipe wrench will do it easy, I have been known to loosen them with gentle tapping on a drift in one of the slots with a hammer (a bit redneck, I know) but does no damage.
Putting it all together though is another story, because you need good feel and control over how much you tighten it, as I said, that is what determines the preload on your steering head bearings. The actual spanner you are looking for is called a C-spanner, because it looks like a C with two little tags that engage in the slots.
There are many schools of thought on the gasket issue, ask six different members, you will get six different answers, none are necessarily wrong, just different.
Personally I don't like to put a gasket on totally dry, unless it is some silly little gasket for the points cover or something, but engine gaskets, I give a light smear of clean engine oil, nothing else, just makes them a pleasure to remove down the line.
You should not really have to use sealants with gaskets unless you are trying to make up for some fault, like gouged or warped cases, in which case you should just have them faced first, do the job properly.
But maybe for whatever reason, you can't have the cases repaired, and there is some damage, there are a ton of sealants out there that will work to help seal, but please, please, whatever you do NEVER BRING SILICONE SEALER near a motor, that stuff blocks oil ways and creates all manner of problems, it is evil.
I like the red Indian Head, very good stuff, and I have some stuff we used to use on the Alfa Romeo engines, that is the best you can get, it is what Alfa Romeo use in assembly.
Like the bikes, the Alfa engine is all aluminum, but a lot of the surfaces are face fit, no gasket at all, just a thin film of this stuff and bolt together. I will see if I can dig a tube out of the boxes in the garage somewhere and get the name.
As I said, that is just my opinion, if the job is cleaned and done correctly, and good quality gaskets are being used, no need for sealer, that is what the gasket is there for, just a light smear of oil will do.
The nut that holds the steering head in is normally not hard to remove, it is never really that tight because it preloads the steering head bearings, so it is not one of those that is 'tighten as far as you can' type applications, normally a simple adjustable pliers is enough to loosen it, if not then what you guys would call a pipe wrench will do it easy, I have been known to loosen them with gentle tapping on a drift in one of the slots with a hammer (a bit redneck, I know) but does no damage.
Putting it all together though is another story, because you need good feel and control over how much you tighten it, as I said, that is what determines the preload on your steering head bearings. The actual spanner you are looking for is called a C-spanner, because it looks like a C with two little tags that engage in the slots.
There are many schools of thought on the gasket issue, ask six different members, you will get six different answers, none are necessarily wrong, just different.
Personally I don't like to put a gasket on totally dry, unless it is some silly little gasket for the points cover or something, but engine gaskets, I give a light smear of clean engine oil, nothing else, just makes them a pleasure to remove down the line.
You should not really have to use sealants with gaskets unless you are trying to make up for some fault, like gouged or warped cases, in which case you should just have them faced first, do the job properly.
But maybe for whatever reason, you can't have the cases repaired, and there is some damage, there are a ton of sealants out there that will work to help seal, but please, please, whatever you do NEVER BRING SILICONE SEALER near a motor, that stuff blocks oil ways and creates all manner of problems, it is evil.
I like the red Indian Head, very good stuff, and I have some stuff we used to use on the Alfa Romeo engines, that is the best you can get, it is what Alfa Romeo use in assembly.
Like the bikes, the Alfa engine is all aluminum, but a lot of the surfaces are face fit, no gasket at all, just a thin film of this stuff and bolt together. I will see if I can dig a tube out of the boxes in the garage somewhere and get the name.
As I said, that is just my opinion, if the job is cleaned and done correctly, and good quality gaskets are being used, no need for sealer, that is what the gasket is there for, just a light smear of oil will do.
, don't know if I did that or if it was that way)... anyone have an extra? A new one is around $16 so it's not expensive 
but I just broke my vice getting out those rear shock bushings hahahaha... Guess I need a new one (better one!!) or a real press... I wonder if I can waltz into a local garage and pay them a few bucks... sigh!!
that the better than silicone gaskets are too thick and don't allow the tach gear to mesh very well...)
Well, win some, lose some ! Keep you posted as more happens..
