OldRed project

[TheBigRed]

Hey Everyone.

As you may see in my sig line (and has been there for a VERY long time) my 550 is in many pieces. Well, today it got turned into even more pieces.

I figured since it has taken this long just on the engine work (No, I'm not having Papparo do my engine work) I might as well go ahead and do a frame off "restore."

I'm not going to do a full restore using genuine parts as my budget won't allow for that. But where I can I'm going to use original parts. Planning on replacing bolts with allen heads where I can etc. So it won't up close look like a restoration when you get down to it, but from across the parking lot those details won't be noticable.

Anyway, this morning I had some time and this is how she looks right now.

I'll try to keep updating this thread as I can.

Anybody think I should race Hoomgar to see who finishes first??

Amos

*Edit* While looking through my documents today I came across a photo of tpeeples 550. And just wanted to post the picture here to show what my goal is to look like when finished:

 

[wrench]

Re: OldRed project

Anybody think I should race Hoomgar to see who finishes first?? :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

Amos

Well Hoomies got a 19 Month 8O head start on you Amos, sooooo i think we should just declare you the winner now :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :wink:

 

[TheBigRed]

Re: OldRed project

Well Hoomies got a 19 Month 8O head start on you Amos, sooooo i think we should just declare you the winner now :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :wink:

Actually, in all Honesty.. This project started in the fall of 2003 8O 8O 8O .

So I think we're about at the same time.

Amos

 

[Guest]

Hey Amos, it looks like your bike's at about a similar stage to mine, except I'm starting much later

I'm keeping all the details on my web page. I'm guessing at this stage that if I'm lucky, I *might* be able to go for a Christmas ride, but somehow I doubt it.

I can only seem to get an hour or two a week to work on it at the moment so it's gonna take a while!

 

[TheBigRed]

Hey Amos, it looks like your bike's at about a similar stage to mine, except I'm starting much later

I'm keeping all the details on my web page. I'm guessing at this stage that if I'm lucky, I *might* be able to go for a Christmas ride, but somehow I doubt it.

I can only seem to get an hour or two a week to work on it at the moment so it's gonna take a while!

Yup, we're about at the same spot. I'm lucky if I get that long each week to work.

However, I'm starting to get motivated to just get this done.

I'm going to be using Por-15 to re-paint the frame etc. I was just reading up on their instructions and application guides. For best performance apply directly to metal, not advised to apply over any other coatings.

So.. Even more time.. Though I was thinking I may just apply it over the paint anyway after scraping all loose stuff and areas around. I figure those areas that are currently missing paint and starting to rust are the problem areas anyway, and the rest has held up for 24 years of use, so I shouldn't have issues there with it not bonding properly.

Anyway, like I said I'll keep ya'll posted.

Anyone have ideas on the best way to clean off the 24 years of gunk buildup???

Right now I"m thinking a liberal application of some sort of de-greaser, followed by a high pressure washing (probably going to rent a real pressure washer as it will be easier than going to the car wash and using theirs)

Amos

 

[marvinsc]

If I'm not mistaken, CRC makes some really good gunk removers as well as electrical contact cleaner. You might need to check a few Auto Parts stores to find it. On the Electric Contact cleaner, there are some formulas that attack plastic, but there should be a disclaimer on the label about that. Another option, since you are going to Repaint anyway is Brake Cleaner.

 

[TheBigRed]

Well, thought I'd give a small update here.

I recieved the fender I won on e-bay.

Looks like I'm deffinately in the market for some touch up paint. As well as finding someone who can manage a small weld for me. However I like the red much better than the chrome I had up front there, so I'll probably do my best to make this one look good. I'll get some pictures of it up sometime.

Oh, and I'm still waiting to get my frame back from being sand blasted. (These delays are things you live with when only paying $50 to have the thing blasted)

Amos

 

[Hoomgar]

Re: OldRed project

Anybody think I should race Hoomgar to see who finishes first?? :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

Amos

Well Hoomies got a 19 Month 8O head start on you Amos, sooooo i think we should just declare you the winner now :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :wink:

Actually Amos has about a year head start on my buddy He could finish today and I'd have time to spare :twisted:


I hope he gets her done faster than I have :roll:


Lookin good buddy :wink:

 

[TheBigRed]

Re: OldRed project

Actually Amos has about a year head start on my buddy He could finish today and I'd have time to spare :twisted:


I hope he gets her done faster than I have :roll:


Lookin good buddy :wink:

Yup... I started mine in the fall of 2003, cause I bought the 650 in May of 2004 when I had the itch the worst.

However Mark yours was a project at that time already, So if my calculations are correct, we actually started about the same time.

Am I off in my figuring??

Amos

 

[Hoomgar]

Re: OldRed project

Actually Amos has about a year head start on my buddy He could finish today and I'd have time to spare :twisted:


I hope he gets her done faster than I have :roll:


Lookin good buddy :wink:

Yup... I started mine in the fall of 2003, cause I bought the 650 in May of 2004 when I had the itch the worst.

However Mark yours was a project at that time already, So if my calculations are correct, we actually started about the same time.

Am I off in my figuring??

Amos

No not at all. I was just stirring the pot trying to hold onto any dignity that I can

My project started in late October 2003 so right around the same time. But if memory serves you told me your bike was down when we met which was earlier in the year so I did think you started then.

You better finish before me or you will look really bad bro! I got Paparo as an excuse :twisted: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :roll:

 

[TheBigRed]

Re: OldRed project

No not at all. I was just stirring the pot trying to hold onto any dignity that I can

My project started in late October 2003 so right around the same time. But if memory serves you told me your bike was down when we met which was earlier in the year so I did think you started then.

You better finish before me or you will look really bad bro! I got Paparo as an excuse :twisted: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :roll:

Hmm.. Ok, I met Jodi in the fall of 2002, and I know I rode it through the cold that winter/spring (that is one LONG COLD drive between Lititz and Duncannon in February)

So I believe I rode it as it was till the fall of 2003, when I took it to a friends place and tried to start working on it.

(I'll have to check I have a picture of Jodi and I with it that should be dated somewhere)

As far as my excuses.. Lets see.. No garage to work at.. Getting married.. Buying a house, fixing the house up, moving into the house.. (uhm, that's about the last of what I have..

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Amos

 

[Hoomgar]

Re: OldRed project

As far as my excuses.. Lets see.. No garage to work at.. Getting married.. Buying a house, fixing the house up, moving into the house.. (uhm, that's about the last of what I have..

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Amos

And when you add them all together they still are not as good as mine :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[TheBigRed]

Re: OldRed project

And when you add them all together they still are not as good as mine :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

What if I add in having to work in an overheating attic during engine tear down??



Amos

 

[Hoomgar]

Re: OldRed project

And when you add them all together they still are not as good as mine :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

What if I add in having to work in an overheating attic during engine tear down??



Amos

hmmm :-k that did stink.

OK we'll call it an even start and equal excuses. Now, get-r-done :wink:

 

[Hoomgar]

OK one month wake up and check in... where is Old Red now?

 

[TheBigRed]

OK one month wake up and check in... where is Old Red now?

Same place as last month.

With things that have been happening in life lately, money is very tight, even though I have a little more time to work on it, I just don't have the money.

I have found out though that my father-in-law works at a place that does powder coating, so I think I'm actually going to go that route once I get the frame back from being stripped. However I don't have the money at this point in time to do that.

Engine is pretty much same situation. I need to get it cleaned up really well, and figure out what I'm going to do about it. Plus I'll have to get the jug's honed to match the one size over piston rings that I have sitting there.

*Sigh* Though I do have my eye on yet another front fender on e-bay that will match. If it doesn't go to high I may try to sneak it into my budget somewhere, then sell the worst of the two that I have.

Wow, that is an awful lot of typing to say that there has been no progress.

I may start tackling some of the more elbow grease intensive parts sometime here. (like making those front forks shine...)

Amos

 

[Hoomgar]

This is having a familiar ring to it :roll:

I hope you have much greater success rate than I have so far bro :?

Keep the faith!

 

[TheBigRed]

This is having a familiar ring to it :roll:

I hope you have much greater success rate than I have so far bro :?

Keep the faith!

Yeah, I know.

I know things should turn around eventually. Just right now it isn't gonna happen within the next couple of months.

*shruggs*

Time will tell. I've debated picking up yet another 550 engine that I could throw in that will get it running in the meantime while I recondition the engine. Dunno though, it's going to be a little while till I'm even ready for that thought process.

*edit*
Ok, I'm starting to get motivated to start back in on the things that I can do.

If I get a chance I'll post some pictures of a few of the smaller items that I've taken care of so far, and start working on more of the pile that is out there. (talk about cleaning electrical connections.. what fun)


Amos

 

[Anonymous]

looks like something out of occ the finished product should look great hey any one know if the tank and handlebars from the 550 will fit on the 450

 

[TheBigRed]

Progress...

Progress...

Progress.. At long last...

Hey Everyone. Finally made some progress today.

Was getting tired of having to dodge the swingarm that was hanging in the garage, so I pulled out the POR-15 directions and went to town.

Here are pictures of how it looks afterwards:


Top of the swingarm. (POR-15 is still a little wet, but I'm pretty sure it will still reflect like this when dried)

Chain guard mount:

Chain Side:

Whole swingarm top:

That's all for now.

Stay tuned for more.

Amos