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J
JimmyR
Guest
Hey we're talkin' bikes here, not flower arranging! 
Although being American you are allowed to be crass. It's unAustralian to worry about something like that.
Although being American you are allowed to be crass. It's unAustralian to worry about something like that.
I used to know that. Pete and Leigh had me all trained at one point. I just don't retain knowledge as I use to.
cg
N
nikosg
Guest
hey Jimmy,
are these those bar end mirrors you have?
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Billet-CNC-Aly-Bar-End-Mirrors-Yamaha-SR500-XS650-Ducati-CB750-Cafe-Racer-Bobber-/190694791946?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=bin2c664b9b0a#ht_1783wt_898
are these those bar end mirrors you have?
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Billet-CNC-Aly-Bar-End-Mirrors-Yamaha-SR500-XS650-Ducati-CB750-Cafe-Racer-Bobber-/190694791946?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=bin2c664b9b0a#ht_1783wt_898
J
JimmyR
Guest
Hey Nikosg - yup those look like the right ones. Except I got natural aluminium stems and ends with black mirrors - exact opposite colour scheme to those. Motolanna sell direct from their website and I believe it may be a little cheaper that way. They make some nice stuff.
G
Guest
Guest
Hahahaha that's just pure gold Jimmy... how on earth did you keep a straight face with that thrown at ya'? I think I'd be rolling on the floor...
And yeah June/July is definitely nice riding when it's not raining, crisp clear blue skies make for good times on two wheels
I've had to go the quilted and rain liner in mine to keep warm and keep the wind out as I'm normally at work by 7:15 and it's a touch chilly. Gotta go in 10pm on Monday night and home at probably midnight... that's gonna be a cool ride!
Trained? Us? Never! We wouldn't corrupt you Charlie, not us! Mind you Leigh hasn't been corrupting much of anything in months.. haven't seen him on here for ages! Slacker... no wonder you forgot
N
nikosg
Guest
Thanks mate. 
p.s i remember you saying you got your gauges etc from a shop in Melbourne (collingwood?) or was that another Aussie.... what was the name?
p.s i remember you saying you got your gauges etc from a shop in Melbourne (collingwood?) or was that another Aussie.... what was the name?
G
Guest
Guest
Thanks mate.
p.s i remember you saying you got your gauges etc from a shop in Melbourne (collingwood?) or was that another Aussie.... what was the name?
I think you're thinking of the guy with the 450E... Collo I think? He seems to have disappeared...
Oh, and it was the Modern Motorcycle Company I believe...
J
JimmyR
Guest
Yeah I did get the gauges from Modern Motorcycle Co in Collingwood. They get some nice stuff in there. I've been quite impressed with Christian there - good service.
I have got to an interesting, slightly frustrating point with this rebuild. The tank and front fender should be ready tomorrow which is good, although I need to work out how I am going to get some sand out of the tank which got in during the blasting. I'm sure I can, one way or another.
But it's the shimming of the valves. Because I had the valves all seated they took off a bit of metal getting the seats just right. Apparently they then reduced the length of the valves to compensate but they didn't reduce the length enough, so all of my shims are too thick. Most of my shims were around 2.35 to 2.5, and none are now thin enough. So I had the machinist grind some down to around 2.3, but still none are thin enough. Thing is, because my thinnest feeler gauge won't fit I have no idea how much thinner I need to go. If I need to go thinner than 2.15 I will probably need to get the valves shortened some more which will be a right PITA.
So tomorrow morning I want to see if I can measure from the top of the valve to the cam, in the hope that I might be able to work out which shims to use. If I can get the shims sorted tomorrow then I might be right for a ride on the weekend. And they are forecasting rain! Sun all week and rain for the weekend. Typical, isn't it??
I have got to an interesting, slightly frustrating point with this rebuild. The tank and front fender should be ready tomorrow which is good, although I need to work out how I am going to get some sand out of the tank which got in during the blasting. I'm sure I can, one way or another.
But it's the shimming of the valves. Because I had the valves all seated they took off a bit of metal getting the seats just right. Apparently they then reduced the length of the valves to compensate but they didn't reduce the length enough, so all of my shims are too thick. Most of my shims were around 2.35 to 2.5, and none are now thin enough. So I had the machinist grind some down to around 2.3, but still none are thin enough. Thing is, because my thinnest feeler gauge won't fit I have no idea how much thinner I need to go. If I need to go thinner than 2.15 I will probably need to get the valves shortened some more which will be a right PITA.
So tomorrow morning I want to see if I can measure from the top of the valve to the cam, in the hope that I might be able to work out which shims to use. If I can get the shims sorted tomorrow then I might be right for a ride on the weekend. And they are forecasting rain! Sun all week and rain for the weekend. Typical, isn't it??
G
Guest
Guest
Aaah, I thought you got your gauges from Dime City... wrong again! Ha
As for the valves, be careful you don't need smaller than 2.15 as that's the thinnest the bucket was designed to hold.
I had the same work done on my valves but the valve seats just needed lapping in which I did myself. From memory my thinnest now is 2.35 or 2.40.
If I was you I'd get the valves tipped again regardless. The wear with the valve seats in use results in the clearance shrinking, so if you're getting on the low side with the shim sizes now, it will only get worse and you'll need to get it done again at some point anyway.
Edit: A tip if you can't measure the clearance... Rotate the bucket with the shim in it and if it rotates easily, there's clearance, and 1 shim size should do it. If you can't rotate the bucket easily, then it will more likely be 2 shim sizes or more. And of course make sure you're measuring with everything torqued down correctly.
As for the valves, be careful you don't need smaller than 2.15 as that's the thinnest the bucket was designed to hold.
I had the same work done on my valves but the valve seats just needed lapping in which I did myself. From memory my thinnest now is 2.35 or 2.40.
If I was you I'd get the valves tipped again regardless. The wear with the valve seats in use results in the clearance shrinking, so if you're getting on the low side with the shim sizes now, it will only get worse and you'll need to get it done again at some point anyway.
Edit: A tip if you can't measure the clearance... Rotate the bucket with the shim in it and if it rotates easily, there's clearance, and 1 shim size should do it. If you can't rotate the bucket easily, then it will more likely be 2 shim sizes or more. And of course make sure you're measuring with everything torqued down correctly.
J
JimmyR
Guest
Good tip! Thanks. Yup I torqued everything with my new (and bloody expensive!) torque wrench. I had bought a cheaper one but I don't think it actually worked. I'm tipping oil over everything as of course there is no oil on these newly cleaned bits. So I'm getting there. I have the chain all set up per spec and feeling quite pleased with myself for getting everything perfect.
J
JimmyR
Guest
Isn't it typical - you have one good day then one terrible day. Today was the crap one. Got absolutely nothing useful done. My day job is very slow right now - all year work has been terrible, so I love having this project to give me something to do and feel like I've accomplished something. Not today.
Spent all morning faffing about trying to get the valve clearances done. Nup. No closer now than when I started. When they did the valves they obviously didn't take enough off the tops so now even with 2.20 shims there is no gap.
So I went to Suzuki to get some parts that came in. I thought well at least I have bought some new spark plugs today. Well I did, but none that fits my bike. They gave me the wrong ones. So I went to collect my tank and fender but surprise surprise they haven't even gotten around to blasting the fender. Nothing was ready.
So there goes my weekend. I know things could be a lot worse but today has just been extremely frustrating. I guess all it means is that next week will be much better. Tonight I will do some beer testing.
Spent all morning faffing about trying to get the valve clearances done. Nup. No closer now than when I started. When they did the valves they obviously didn't take enough off the tops so now even with 2.20 shims there is no gap.
So I went to Suzuki to get some parts that came in. I thought well at least I have bought some new spark plugs today. Well I did, but none that fits my bike. They gave me the wrong ones. So I went to collect my tank and fender but surprise surprise they haven't even gotten around to blasting the fender. Nothing was ready.
So there goes my weekend. I know things could be a lot worse but today has just been extremely frustrating. I guess all it means is that next week will be much better. Tonight I will do some beer testing.
J
john82q
Guest
Hi Jimmy,
Not a answer, more a question.
So the valves are too long, what do you propose to do?
a) strip it down again,, you may or may not need new gaskets..
b) grind the tops in place with a dremel,,, very brave...
thinking out loud for you John
Not a answer, more a question.
So the valves are too long, what do you propose to do?
a) strip it down again,, you may or may not need new gaskets..
b) grind the tops in place with a dremel,,, very brave...
thinking out loud for you John
N
nikosg
Guest
Pete mate,
im dying to see your rebuild thread but for some reason my computer won't load threads that are that extensive with posts..... do i need to change some settings or something or am i forever dooooomed?!?!?
L
landshark
Guest
Sorry mate, no help here, just feeling the frustration cause we have all been there. I will never do a frame up rebuild again unless i have another bike to ride, sometimes you need to just go ride.
J
JimmyR
Guest
Thanks guys. I think extreme beer testing will help tonight. John, I think I will see what 2.15 shims do, otherwise I will be taking the head off and asking the machine shop to reduce the valve tops for me at no extra charge. I would rather not but I obviously want to do it right. No way I'm cutting corners at this stage. It's only a bike and now it's raining here anyway.
Maybe tomorrow I will try to replace the lower bearing race in the steering head. That sounds exciting! I am making a tool to help me remove the old one. I don't have a welder otherwise I would weld it out. Today I cut out a split circle of steel that I will try to install just above the old race so I can knock it out from above with a drift and a mallet. I'll let you know if it works.
Maybe tomorrow I will try to replace the lower bearing race in the steering head. That sounds exciting! I am making a tool to help me remove the old one. I don't have a welder otherwise I would weld it out. Today I cut out a split circle of steel that I will try to install just above the old race so I can knock it out from above with a drift and a mallet. I'll let you know if it works.
J
john82q
Guest
Jimmy,
you just need a piece of 1/2 rod with a nice square cut.
it will grip the top of the shell by about 1mm but thats enough,
work around while you tap from the top...
you just need a piece of 1/2 rod with a nice square cut.
it will grip the top of the shell by about 1mm but thats enough,
work around while you tap from the top...
J
JimmyR
Guest
Yeah I tried something like that but couldn't get enough bite on the edge. I'll get it out somehow. Thanks!
G
Guest
Guest
Jimmy, sometimes times like this just suck... extreme beer tasting is always an excellent way to get your mind off it
Considering there's a certain brewery within your vicinity that brews several excellent beers I reckon you should be all set
I still suggest the horribly frustrating way of taking the valves back to be tipped some more... I guess I lucked out that the head shop I took mine to tipped them a similar amount to the face they took off.
Bugger! There's some settings you can change in the User CP in the "Edit Options" section that affect how threads and posts are displayed, so maybe try changing some of them? Maybe more posts per page or something?
I am aware my rebuild thread is embarrassingly long
Tim, 100% with you there! No way will I do that again either... at least Jimmy still has his Harley while the Zuk's off the road
Considering there's a certain brewery within your vicinity that brews several excellent beers I reckon you should be all set
I still suggest the horribly frustrating way of taking the valves back to be tipped some more... I guess I lucked out that the head shop I took mine to tipped them a similar amount to the face they took off.
Pete mate,
im dying to see your rebuild thread but for some reason my computer won't load threads that are that extensive with posts..... do i need to change some settings or something or am i forever dooooomed?!?!?
Bugger! There's some settings you can change in the User CP in the "Edit Options" section that affect how threads and posts are displayed, so maybe try changing some of them? Maybe more posts per page or something?
I am aware my rebuild thread is embarrassingly long
Tim, 100% with you there! No way will I do that again either... at least Jimmy still has his Harley while the Zuk's off the road
J
JimmyR
Guest
I think I just needed to vent, as they say in the States, or have a whinge as we say here! It's just a motorbike and I'll get it sorted.
Extreme beer testing is going well. I have found the need to augment it with advanced single malt appreciation. Laphroaig quarter cask is amazing. While Pete is right about Little Creatures I have developed a relationship with James Squire's ales, esp the 150 Lashes.
One idea I had about this bike was how cool would it look with a natural leather covered seat? That is something I may explore. I think it would complement the natural rubber grips really well, and be a little unusual. I don't like for things to be predictable.
Extreme beer testing is going well. I have found the need to augment it with advanced single malt appreciation. Laphroaig quarter cask is amazing. While Pete is right about Little Creatures I have developed a relationship with James Squire's ales, esp the 150 Lashes.
One idea I had about this bike was how cool would it look with a natural leather covered seat? That is something I may explore. I think it would complement the natural rubber grips really well, and be a little unusual. I don't like for things to be predictable.
