Spent some time in the "man-cave" - From Wreck to Restoration

[BassCliff]

Hi,

I started the de-rusting process today.

I was trying to find something to stop up the fill hole and the fuel gauge hole. I found these at the local Home Depot.

They are used to plug drain holes. They worked great. First I put a regular rubber stopper in the petcock hole.

Then I put the plug in the fuel gauge hole.

Now I'm ready to pour in my Evapo-Rust. I used a gallon (4 of these bottles).

Then for flavor, I added a few little handfulls of 1" roofing nails.

Then, because the larger plug was a smidge too big, I had to take it apart to fit it in the fill hole. I had to be very careful not to drop the assembly into the tank.

Now the rubber piece.

Finally, using a flat blade to hold the bolt while I fasten the wing nut.

A few more photos in the next post.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[TheCafeKid]

I will be anxious to see how well the EvapoRust works in your tank Cliff, I have a VERY VERY nice 76 750 tank that is gorgeous on the outside, and a bit rusty on the inside. I dont want to line it, so im thinking i will do just what you have done if it works well!!

 

[BassCliff]

Hi,

Here's the tank, plugged, a gallon of Evapo-Rust and some nails inside.

Now it's time to do the tank shake dance!

I'll shake it once in a while, turn it, and let the Evapo-Rust work its magic.

I also set the mixture screws tonight using the "highest idle" method. Maybe tomorrow after church I'll get time to sync my carbs.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[BassCliff]

I will be anxious to see how well the EvapoRust works in your tank Cliff, I have a VERY VERY nice 76 750 tank that is gorgeous on the outside, and a bit rusty on the inside. I dont want to line it, so im thinking i will do just what you have done if it works well!!

Hi Josh,

Yes, that was my thinking too. If this works well enough I'll rinse it out with gasoline and then immediately fill it up so that no "flash rust" can occur. When I'm commuting and running errands, my bike rarely goes a day without running and I'm always filling the tank. I'm hoping not to have to use a tank coating too. I'll certainly let you know how it goes. Thank you for your interest.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[Colin Green]

This thread is a great read Basscliff. It is really pleasing to see the all round healthy recovery of the two of you. Great progress :clap:

 

[979roadrunner]

Hi Josh,

Yes, that was my thinking too. If this works well enough I'll rinse it out with gasoline and then immediately fill it up so that no "flash rust" can occur. When I'm commuting and running errands, my bike rarely goes a day without running and I'm always filling the tank. I'm hoping not to have to use a tank coating too. I'll certainly let you know how it goes. Thank you for your interest.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

If you aren't going to line the tank, a freind of mine who's a bike mechanic suggested a small amount of Marvel Mystery Oil in each tankfull to keep the rust to a minimum. Just like a capfull.
Seemed to help.

 

[BassCliff]

Went for a test ride tonight!

Went for a test ride tonight!

Hi!

I did it! I went for a test ride this evening after synchronizing the carbs and finishing up the tank. Look in the post above to see the before picture, here's what the tank looked like after the Evapo-Rust treatment.

After I poured out the Evapo-Rust I had a bit of a time getting all of the roofing nails out. Next time I think I'll use some bb's or smallish ball bearings that will pour out of the petcock hole easier. I had to turn the tank on its side and fish the nails out of the fuel gauge hole with my fingers. It wasn't hard, just tedious. Then I rinsed it with gasoline a few times until the gas came out clear. I put the tank back together, put it on the bike, then took a test drive and filled the tank to prevent any "flash rust" from forming. I was a little surprised and quite pleased at how well the Evapo-Rust works.

I'm uploading a video now. After everything, I had a bit of trouble with the brake light. So I cut my ride short so that I could fix the light issue. I started going through the wiring and realized that the brake light was on all the time, no running light. When I stepped on the rear brake nothing happened, but when I grabbed the front brake the light would flicker. I took the front brake switch apart and found the contact slider had slipped out of it's slot. I reassembled it properly, then put on my new Slipstreamer S-06 windshield. I try to post up a final picture tomorrow.

Anyway, I'm back on two wheels!

I took a bunch of pictures while I was sync-ing my carbs so I'll be writing up another pictorial guide soon. Here's my Morgan Carb Tune. I've had it over a year and this is the first time I've used it.

Here I'm setting up the bike for the sync procedure, temporary tank, golf tee in the vacuum line, fan in front of the engine.

Removed the vacuum port screws from the intake boots.

And installed the vacuum fittings for the Carbtune. These work but I'm going to invest in a nice set from Z1, the brass kind with longer fittings. The fittings included with the Carbtune are short, plastic, and hard to work with. (I need the 5mm set, don't I?)

After I hooked up the hoses and used the throttle cable adjustment screws on the handlebars to set the idle a about 2000rpm, this is where I started.

I used the fancy adjustment tool, a long flat blade screwdriver inside an 8mm socket, to adjust the vacuum on the carbs.

And I ended up with this. Not to bad for my first try.

Well Dingetty Dern! I just heard it's supposed to rain tomorrow. Bi-carbonate of soda! Split my infinitives! Wouldn't you just know it!?!?

There's about 5 minutes left in my video upload. I'll put a link in the next post.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[BassCliff]

Test Ride Video!

Test Ride Video!

Hi,

As promised, here is the video of my first ride since my accident on June 20th of last year. Wow, it's been a long time.



Click on the thumbnail to see the Youtube video. I'm wearing the exact same gear I crashed in. I still need to tweak on the engine to get it a little smoother, but now I can ride!

EDIT: Here are a couple more pictures I just took. I just had to go back out to the garage and show you guys!

I also wish to express my sincere gratitude to the GSR community and all of my friends here who donated parts, came over to help, offered advise, lifted me up in prayer, etc. I am indebted to you and look forward to returning the favor. Thank you, thank you, thank you! God bless you all.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[Matchless]

Thas the way!!!!
Congratulations now you are back in the land of riding!

 

[Mindless]

That Evapo-rust stuff seems great.

And congrats on making it back onto the road.

 

[mike_of_bbg]

Yeah that evapo-rust is good stuff. Unfortunately it evapo-rusted some "structural" rust in my tank and found some tiny holes to seep out onto my floor through.

Very good to see you and Jessie back on the road again :clap:

 

[Baatfam]

Outstanding! Good work, Cliff! :clap:
She is lookin' good!

And installed the vacuum fittings for the Carbtune. These work but I'm going to invest in a nice set from Z1, the brass kind with longer fittings. The fittings included with the Carbtune are short, plastic, and hard to work with. (I need the 5mm set, don't I?)

Yes, do get the brass ones from Z1...much easier to work with and yes 5mm is what you want.

 

[Charlie G]

Basscliff,

I see that I'm not the only who's parking arrangements require surgial driving skills to to go for ride. Glad to see you both up and running!

cg

 

[BassCliff]

Hi,

Thanks guys. Wouldn't you know it? It was raining when I left for work this morning.

Last night I even washed my Hi-Viz vest and Icon jacket. Then I sewed the busted seem on my favorite pair of gloves (that I was wearing when I crashed). Oh well. It's supposed to clear up later today so perhaps I'll take in an evening ride around sunset......................

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[Larry D]

I think I'd be more concerned about the earthquakes than the rain...Looking great and Congratulations on all your hard work.

Hi,

Thanks guys. Wouldn't you know it? It was raining when I left for work this morning.

Last night I even washed my Hi-Viz vest and Icon jacket. Then I sewed the busted seem on my favorite pair of gloves (that I was wearing when I crashed). Oh well. It's supposed to clear up later today so perhaps I'll take in an evening ride around sunset.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[BassCliff]

Basscliff,

I see that I'm not the only who's parking arrangements require surgial driving skills to to go for ride. Glad to see you both up and running!

cg

Hi Charlie,

Yes, it's a little tight getting out. It was even tighter when my truck was parked in the driveway. I have a little bit of concrete walkway that I back onto before pulling down my short driveway. I was so excited last night that I didn't even check the tire pressure before I left on my test drive. I knew something was a little off by the way it handled just riding down to the gas station less than 2 miles away. When I got home I pumped up the tires. The rear had about 24psi and the front had only 15psi.

I normally run about 30-32f/36-38r.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[BassCliff]

I think I'd be more concerned about the earthquakes than the rain...Looking great and Congratulations on all your hard work.

Thanks Larry,

My wife and daughter felt the earthquake yesterday, but I didn't. I guess I was too excited about getting my bike back on the road.

...................

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[Raven457]

Glad to see you back on two wheels, sir! I know you've got to be on cloud nine right about now

 

[chuck hahn]

Thats just awesome Cliff.. So gald to see you and Jessie have mended so well. So how did she feel and perform? Any detection of dog tracking or anything? Did the 2x4 and sledge treatment bring everything back in line?? DETAILS MAN!!!!!! DETAILS!!!!

 

[BassCliff]

Glad to see you back on two wheels, sir! I know you've got to be on cloud nine right about now

Thank you! The only thing that bummed me out was the rain this morning. But it's clearing up for this evening!

Thats just awesome Cliff.. So gald to see you and Jessie have mended so well. So how did she feel and perform? Any detection of dog tracking or anything? Did the 2x4 and sledge treatment bring everything back in line?? DETAILS MAN!!!!!! DETAILS!!!!

Hi Chuck,

I cut my test ride short last night because of my brake light issue but I did manage to ride about 5 miles last night. I didn't notice any steering irregularities. I even took my hands off the bars at one point to make sure she tracked straight. No problems so far. The power/acceleration/shifting/etc felt normal. My front brake is working better since the calipers were rebuilt and steel brake lines were installed. So far, so good.

It looks like the weather is clearing so I'll be able to go for a little longer test ride after work today. Thanks for asking.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff