OldRed project

[Hoomgar]

You weren't due for a thread wake up for 2 days yet. You went and got some work done and beat me to it :lol:


Good job man. It looks great! Now does it look like there is enough left to do the frame or would an entire frame project involve 2 bottles? I know we had talked about that and were wondering.

 

[TheBigRed]

You weren't due for a thread wake up for 2 days yet. You went and got some work done and beat me to it :lol:


Good job man. It looks great! Now does it look like there is enough left to do the frame or would an entire frame project involve 2 bottles? I know we had talked about that and were wondering.

LOL... I know I wasn't due for an update for a bit, but it had still been far too long. I've got some other items to work on here as well to prepare for getting ready to put it all back together.

Not enough left to do the entire frame. I only used like half of the bottle I had to put the two coats on the swingarm. Used what I had left in my paint bucket (they tell you not to use the stuff straight from the can) on some rust spots on the truck bumper. But, I'm not worried about not having enough to do the rest of the frame.

I've discovered that my father-in-law works at a place that does powder coating. Sooo.. If I can talk Jodi into it that may be my Christmas present. (powder coating the frame that is)

If not I will try to scrape up enough cash to pay for it myself. For now though I still have yet to get it back from the guy that is sandblasting it for me.

(I need to call him by the end of the week and find out the status)

*edit* Just a side note. before the POR-15 had a chance to fully cure after the second coat (it was dry to the touch at this point though). I just was a bit leary of getting bolts through all the holes and into all the threads. So I chased the threads with the appropriate bolts etc and was able to push out quite a bit of the POR-15 product that had found it's way in there.

So if you use it, make sure you also take note to do this. */edit*

Amos

 

[BriTXbike]

Re: Progress...

Re: 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)

So I'm looking to repaint my swing arm also Amos since the PO had a battery that puked acid on the arm and has caused some considerable rust corrosion. I was wondering if you could tell me a little more about POR-15. Did you strip the arm and then paint this on with a brush or how did you apply it? It looks rather durable but this is the first time I have seen it.

 

[TheBigRed]

Re: Progress...

Re: Progress...

So I'm looking to repaint my swing arm also Amos since the PO had a battery that puked acid on the arm and has caused some considerable rust corrosion. I was wondering if you could tell me a little more about POR-15. Did you strip the arm and then paint this on with a brush or how did you apply it? It looks rather durable but this is the first time I have seen it.

From everything I've read it's a great product. Actually supposed to be chemically resistant as well (if memory serves correctly).

Here is a link to their FAQ:
http://www.por15.com/faq.asp

Personally I stripped as much of the paint off as I could get. Used a paint stripping wheel attached to a drill. Took me a bit to get it and about two of the paint strippers. After that they have a couple of other products they recomend to use before painting, one is a degreaser the other etches the metal so that the product can get a good bite. (This is why this product claims to be able to prevent rust, because it actually bonds with the metal creating a watertight seal) After that I didn't get around to painting it right away, but it hung there for a few weeks till I actually got to it.

I painted it with a brush, and it turned out Ok. There are some spots where you can see some dust got in the paint, and some runs in the paint as well. However, I'm not to concerned about them as who is going to be getting that close to look at the swingarm.

As I just stated above, they recomend using the other products that they have do prepare the part before painting. Which if you go to their site and start looking at prices you will notice the price could add up quickly. However, and I would recomend, they have a "Super Starter Kit" which is supposed to be just enough to get you to try it to see if you like it. The kit was more than enough to do my swingarm. They recomend 2 coats of paint, as such on the swingarm I only used about half of what came in the "Super Starter Kit". (They claim it is enough to cover 12 Square feet) And the kit only costs $15 + shipping.

If you want any closer pictures I can take them for you.

Also Here is a link to an information sheet on the product if you are interested in reading further about more of the details of how it actually works
http://www.por15.com/uploads/files/por15sum.pdf


Amos

 

[BriTXbike]

Thanks for the info! yeah I was looking at their website this morning and looked at that start kit. I wasn't sure how much would be needed but I think you answered that question. I love pictures myself. The ones you have look pretty good but I can't really tell since it looks pretty dark.

my email if you are so kind to pics: britxbike@hotmail.com

 

[TheBigRed]

Another Update. WooHoo.

Ok, not much of one, but I picked up my frame from the guy who was sand-blasting it for me. Pictures are below.

Next step will be to see how much it's going to cost to have it powder coated along with all the other little bits (didn't bother to picture the motor mounts which pretty much look the same).

After that I guess I really need to get to work on the engine. It may be some time till I'm able to make a whole lot of progress in that department though, as I still need to remove the old gasket material and sort out the parts of 3 engines to make one good one.

Alas, here are the latest pictures. Enjoy!

Amos

 

[Hoomgar]

Bare metal rusts fast buddy! Get something on it ASAP!

 

[dcaswell]

Amos

That looks great, but at least get the metal prep stuff on that frame and keep it dry. Living room would be good

Dave

 

[TheBigRed]

Bare metal rusts fast buddy! Get something on it ASAP!

That is the plan.

I need to talk with my father-in-law and see what the cost is going to be. Then I hope to get it done asap.

I need to get the bearing races removed first though, and according to manual, it requires a special tool. Grrr..

Going to go post a question in tech section about powder coating.

Amos

 

[Hoomgar]

Wakey wakey
The spring bug is biting already bro.
What's your bike status mate?

 

[Jethro]

The spring bug is biting already bro.
What's your bike status mate?

From what I see in this thread, Amos has posted at least 5 or 6 posts with photos and such, but you have not posted one bit of info about your progress. Hmmmm....:-k

 

[Hoomgar]

From what I see in this thread, Amos has posted at least 5 or 6 posts with photos and such, but you have not posted one bit of info about your progress. Hmmmm....:-k

That's because I cheat by always maintaining at least one running bike so it never matters :twisted:

 

[wesleyweazel]

Frame

Frame

Is that frame from a GS550T 1981? I have a GSX400F 1981 and the frame and swingarm look the same. I have been contemplating getting another model's engine and fitting it to my bike (got engine troubles) as parts are rare for the original including expensive. Perhaps I should make my bike look a little better too. I have tremendous respect for anyone that is willing to strip down a bike that much and build it up from the ground. How do you keep track of all the bolts? From the results that I've seen on this site it definitely seems worthwhile to do so much restoring work. What will it cost to respray the frame. Can it be sprayed with a can or aren't the results worth it? How do decide on the colour of the frame? Are you going to keep yours black?

 

[TheBigRed]

Bare metal rusts fast buddy! Get something on it ASAP!

Well, the frame survived the winter and wet spring with little to no Rust. My garage Must be Dry.

Wakey wakey
The spring bug is biting already bro.
What's your bike status mate?

Hold your horses.. Updates will HOPEFULLY start coming a little faster now.. (read below)

From what I see in this thread, Amos has posted at least 5 or 6 posts with photos and such, but you have not posted one bit of info about your progress. Hmmmm....:-k

Jethro, when I first read this I thought you were talking bout me. I'll have to go see how Hooms project is coming along here shortly. Esp seeing as how my 650's inspection ran out last month (oops). I'm thinking I'll drop by Papparo's and have him inspect it while I'm at work.. All depends on how the day shapes up tomorrow.

That's because I cheat by always maintaining at least one running bike so it never matters :twisted:

Hoom, You have taught me this well... though having the 650 to ride may have made me a bit lazy on this project.. Hmm.. need to re-think that strategy maybe..

Is that frame from a GS550T 1981? I have a GSX400F 1981 and the frame and swingarm look the same. I have been contemplating getting another model's engine and fitting it to my bike (got engine troubles) as parts are rare for the original including expensive. Perhaps I should make my bike look a little better too. I have tremendous respect for anyone that is willing to strip down a bike that much and build it up from the ground. How do you keep track of all the bolts? From the results that I've seen on this site it definitely seems worthwhile to do so much restoring work. What will it cost to respray the frame. Can it be sprayed with a can or aren't the results worth it? How do decide on the colour of the frame? Are you going to keep yours black?

Yes, that is the frame from a 550T, which was only made in 1981, so, yeah.
Keeping track of the bolts?? I was supposed to do that?? Oops.. Well, I do have the factory manual for my 650 and the clymer for the 550, and the engines are nearly (though not quite, esp when it comes to the clutch) identical. However I do have a few pizza box lids with outlines of engine parts and bolts sticking through them..
As for the frame color and cost.. Well, my father-in-law works at a powder coating place, so my loving wife for my birthday paid to have it powder coated (approx $135 I'm told). The color, well, since this is a resto-vation I decided to stick with gloss black, just like original.

Now for the news....

I've got my frame BACK!!!! WooHooo... Pictures will follow, though probably not till next week, unless I get energetic tomorrow night (actually I might seeing as how I'll be home alone again)

Man it looks nice.. Gloss black.. *sigh* Now I need to get to work shining up all the bits and pieces of the engine and deciding on which pieces from the 3 engines I tore down I'm using in the re-build.

I'm probably going to hit a snag in that I have one size over piston rings, so I'm going to have to pay to have them matched up with the jugs, and money is really tight right now.. Time will tell.

Like I just said, I'll post some pictures tomorrow night so ya'll can see how it's coming along.

Amos

 

[Hoomgar]

Rock on buddy, can't wait to see it

 

[TheBigRed]

Rock on buddy, can't wait to see it

Anytime.. I think I'm going to head to HF early next week and see if I can find some attachments for my dremel to start shining things up on the engine parts..

And like I stated, I'm going to have to find somewhere to hone my jugs and match them up with the pistons and rings I have..

But having the frame back, I'm kinda getting pumped about starting to put things back together.

Wanna come over tonight and help me re-build the 550's forks?? (possably on the agenda along with packing for yet another weekend trip)

Amos

 

[Hoomgar]

Anytime.. I think I'm going to head to HF early next week and see if I can find some attachments for my dremel to start shining things up on the engine parts..

And like I stated, I'm going to have to find somewhere to hone my jugs and match them up with the pistons and rings I have..

But having the frame back, I'm kinda getting pumped about starting to put things back together.

Wanna come over tonight and help me re-build the 550's forks?? (possably on the agenda along with packing for yet another weekend trip)

Amos

*sigh* I'd love to but can't. I have to get that hole in the side of the house closed while I have the ladder :|

 

[TheBigRed]

Pictures Promised, Pictures Delivered:


Here is the nice shiny Frame:

Nice Shiny Stands:

Nice shiny other bits:

Well, that's all the good news.. Now for the bad... I need money!!

LOL, don't we all. Anyway, I discovered in my haste to get the frame and everything torn down, I misplaced the bolts, spacer, etc for the center stand, and now that I think about it.. probably the side stand as well, so I'm gonna have to buy new. Such is life though, might as well do things right since I'm at this point, eh?

I decided today that despite having put the POR-15 on the swingarm, which right now looks just as shiny, I'm gonna probably want to put at least a couple of coats of gloss black enamel paint over it, as other pieces I painted with said paint are no longer glossy. Such is life once again, and I can just use that paint to do up some of the other parts that should be freshend up (tripple T for one).

So, that will be my next step I believe.. getting some paint and getting those bits painted. Follow that with a re-build of the forks, as well as a nice buffing.

Alas, don't let me get ahead of myself.

Someone come light a fire under my arse...

Amos

 

[TheBigRed]

Ok, never let it be said that I don't admit when I'm wrong.

Cause I was wrong!! WooHoo..

I was just digging through boxes of parts and I found the bolts/spring/spacers I though I had lost!!

Though this poses another problem (one I was vaugely aware of when I unloaded parts last night) Unfortunately they did not block off all of the places they needed to when prepping the frame. IE the spacers that are used in place of bearings (sort of) in the center stand won't fit. Few other places as well that I"m going to need to figure out a way to remove some of the powder coating without ruining the job. I'm trying parts first though, because if they fit without grinding etc, I'm leaving it as is..

I started putting some bits and pieces on the frame. The rubber grommets for the side covers are on, the rubber tank pad is on, but not the round bits, don't want them falling off and getting lost. Bolted on the seat lock latch (since the lock itself is on the seat) Even fitted the seat on, man was that ever funny looking.

Anyway, I'm feeling like a little boy on Christmas morning, cept this is more fun because I'm getting my hands dirty.

Alas, I'm out of light and need to pack for a weekend away.

Oh, and I discovered I had more replacement parts than I thought I had already. (ie the round tank tabs).


Amos

 

[Hoomgar]

Ok, never let it be said that I don't admit when I'm wrong.

Cause I was wrong!! WooHoo..

I was just digging through boxes of parts and I found the bolts/spring/spacers I though I had lost!!

Though this poses another problem (one I was vaugely aware of when I unloaded parts last night) Unfortunately they did not block off all of the places they needed to when prepping the frame. IE the spacers that are used in place of bearings (sort of) in the center stand won't fit. Few other places as well that I"m going to need to figure out a way to remove some of the powder coating without ruining the job. I'm trying parts first though, because if they fit without grinding etc, I'm leaving it as is..

I started putting some bits and pieces on the frame. The rubber grommets for the side covers are on, the rubber tank pad is on, but not the round bits, don't want them falling off and getting lost. Bolted on the seat lock latch (since the lock itself is on the seat) Even fitted the seat on, man was that ever funny looking.

Anyway, I'm feeling like a little boy on Christmas morning, cept this is more fun because I'm getting my hands dirty.

Alas, I'm out of light and need to pack for a weekend away.

Oh, and I discovered I had more replacement parts than I thought I had already. (ie the round tank tabs).


Amos

WooHoo! Ahh to have time, money and spare parts. You may choose one of the three :lol: