Bringing a 78 GS 550 back to life. . .

[Guest]

Slowly bringing each part back to life. . .

Much better. . .

I'm not sure what the "post" with the cutout sticking up off this hub is for. Nothing was connected to it when I bought the bike.
Oh well, I'll look into it.

 

[steve murdoch]

Brake cable stay.
Nice work on the cleanup/polish.
Got any fingerprints left or are you using a wheel?

 

[Guest]

Thanks Steve. Using wire wheel -> 320 grit -> 400 grit -> 600 grit -> black polish (buffer wheel) -> Gray -> Brown -> White-> then seal with Sharkhide. http://www.sharkhide.com/apinfo.html

 

[Guest]

Breaking down the rear wheel hub. I love bringing grungy things back to life. . .

 

[Guest]

It's so much easier to clean up the hub with the spokes removed. A lot more work, but well worth the effort.

Spokes coated with Sharkhide. I love the sparkle.

One wheel down, one to go. . .

 

[hillsy]

Why not new tyres?

 

[Guest]

Believe it or not this bike came with basically new tires (tyres ). The previous owner said the guy he bought it from put on new rubber. The guy I bought
this bike from was a kid who started to rebuild it but gave up. The tires look new with plenty of tread, just need a bit of cleaning.

 

[Guest]

And the beat goes on. This bike has had some rough knocks in its' life. . .

But the best I can do is bring it back with a little "patina" left behind.

 

[GSXR7ED]

That's really good! Thanks for posting pics.


Ed

 

[Guest]

Thanks Ed, appreciate the comment.

Time to paint the top end. Thing was ice cold in garage, so I brought it to room temp in a slow 100 deg oven.

Taping up the top end and ports. . .

I love the way VHT-127 paint gives it that "new" engine look. . .

Getting there. . .

This gives me motivation to clean the rest of the motor and get it painted up. . .

 

[jgm038]

Heres my top end all cleaned up and ready for install, i used the same VhT on the head..

good job with the progress, keep going ! I have lost time / motivation and I am living vicariously through you lol

 

[cowboyup3371]

Believe it or not this bike came with basically new tires (tyres ). The previous owner said the guy he bought it from put on new rubber. The guy I bought
this bike from was a kid who started to rebuild it but gave up. The tires look new with plenty of tread, just need a bit of cleaning.

Please check the date code on them. Tires have a shelf life and if they are more than 5 years old you are not only risking your life but everyone else around you

 

[Guest]

Please check the date code on them. Tires have a shelf life and if they are more than 5 years old you are not only risking your life but everyone else around you

Good advice CBUOQ. The date code on these tires is 06-05-2017, so I'm safe. (As well as those around me).

 

[Jrgunn5150]

Looking good, I'm a little behind you.

Have you have experience with the VHT before? I used it on my C10 and it came right off when gas got on it, but I didn't put my engine block in the oven and bake it lol.

 

[Guest]

Heres my top end all cleaned up and ready for install, i used the same VhT on the head..

good job with the progress, keep going ! I have lost time / motivation and I am living vicariously through you lol

I'll try to live up to your expectations. I like the black on the bottom. Looks nice!

 

[Guest]

Looking good, I'm a little behind you.

Have you have experience with the VHT before? I used it on my C10 and it came right off when gas got on it, but I didn't put my engine block in the oven and bake it lol.

Yeah I've used it before and it's good stuff if you can cure it with heat.

 

[Guest]

I finally got around to cleaning up the motor for paint. Man there are a TON of nooks and crannies that require scrubbing, but it turned out nice.

I've hit a snag with my newly arrived gasket set. Ordered an Athena kit and it showed up with a damaged head gasket. Had to send it back for a refund.
Hopefully the replacement will be complete.

Oh well, it's a winter project and winter has just started.

 

[Guest]

Finally received a solid set of full gaskets. Time to pull the valves, clean them up and replace the valve seals.

My trusty (but butt ugly) valve spring compressor clamp is called into service.

The first intake valve and seat is a little grungy.

Pulling these old seals out is like pulling teeth. Clamp down on them and wiggle them out.

I have no trouble getting to the outside valves, but the valve spring clamp isn't able to clear the head, so I'm going to have to "MacGyver" something together to finish the job.

 

[cowboyup3371]

A cheap spark plug socket with a hole cut out along with a c-clamp worked for me

 

[Guest]

A cheap spark plug socket with a hole cut out along with a c-clamp worked for me

2 minds think alike cowboyup. . . .

8" HF clamp allowed me to get to all the valves. . .

More goodies came today. Got my All Balls Racing steering head bearings.

Grease 'em up. . .