Jennifer's Makeover

[Flyboy]

Many thanks Larry, thanks to your knowledgeable advice and tips.
Yes I remember the lifting pin striping and how dejected I was, having to sand it all back down, thought I would never be able to lay paint, but your work is an inspiration.

[bbjumper]

+1 on the cylinder O-rings, I know it's not obvious but those skinny O-rings are responsible for keeping the oil from creeping up between the steel liners and the surrounding aluminum causing leaks.

Cheers

[Highway_Glider]

Nice.

Too bad about the guy with the camera.......

Hey I know that guy.

Daniel

[rustybronco]

Too bad about the guy with the camera.......

Why? It's warm where he lives...

[Flyboy]

Today was spent doing menial peasant work, you know the kind, mind numbing repetitive stuff, but is importandt and needs to be done all the same.
More specifically removing years of grunge from the motor so i can lay some paint on it as soon as I have buttoned it up again.
I have never seen so much mud, oil, and general grime in one place in my life.
But a can of petrol, a long bristle brass brush and a few hours later, i think I can confidently declare it a "relatively" grunge free zone.







The plan is to load it into Swambo's grocery getter on Sat morning and take it down to the car wash for a good steam clean with lots of hot water and steam and chemicals that will throw the green peace aunties into a tizz.

I am in two minds as to what to do with the paint, the heat proof engine paint is a little too light and silvery for my liking, fine for the barrels and head but may be a bit bright for the casings.
Standard from the factory Suzuki only painted the top casing, the bottom casing was never painted, so I might be tempted to just buff up the bottom casing with some fine steel wool and just paint the top casing, or might do both if the bottom does not clean up to my satisfaction.
We definitely know which is easier, but I also know how OCD I can get when it comes to attention to detail.
Will have to see.

[harley10]

Very nice work on paint , you should be proud I could not do that , this whole thread is interesting ,and I thank you just for that, Brian

[Flyboy]

Thanks for the kind words Brian, keeps me honest.
Nah, don't short change yourself, with enough time, dedication and mentoring anyone can, hell if I can......
We are fortunate to have top guys on this forum who are more than eager to share their knowledge and know ho., I could hardly lay down a half decent rattle can job not too long ago.

[nvr2old]

Aw c'mon, Flyboy, you know you'll never be able to surround that engine with all newly painted parts w/o also painting the entire engine.. Although..you might get away with using a gray scotch brite pad on the block depending on how it looks after the car wash trip.

[Flyboy]

Larry, you are 100% correct, but I just think the heat resistant engine enamel I get here is a little tto silver, it could be toned down by one or two shades.
Unfortunately VHT is import here and goes for stupid money, so that ain't going to happen.
I think i will tackle the lower case and see how it comes out, if I am not happy, I will paint it, I have to paint the top case as the clear coat from the factory has yellowed in places.

[Flyboy]

Anyway, to day, was a total waste of a day, 32 degrees and a garage with a corrugated iron roof, you can only imagine, and bugger all to show for it.
Loaded the motor up this morning, took it down and had it steam cleaned.
Stopped and bought two cans of high heat paint for the motor on the way back and a bottle of paraffin to hone with.
Plan was to get the pistons hung, barrels and head dropped on and torqued down and the cams in.
Then finish putting colour down on the tail piece and fairing apply decals get first coats of clear down, so they can cure this week, ready for wet sand next weekend.
That was the plan.....

Fitted the rings and got the pistons hung on the nice clean motor.




Honed the barrels


Dropped the barrels


Yes I remembered the cylinder O-Rings and tear drop O-Rings.




And then...........
Oil control scraper ring


FAAAAAARKKKKK

Went inside to drink beer.

[bbjumper]

I'm laughing only because I did that too. Worst part about that is waiting for another set of rings for that cyl. Look at it this way, you caught it before it was on the bike.

Get a buddy to help, another set of hands, as long as they know what you need them to do, is really helpful. I did my 850 about 5k ago and would ride mine anywhere, anytime. It's great to have that kind of confidence in your ride, and that comes from knowing you did the work correctly.

Your close...

[tatu]

Oh no!....
When I've dropped the cylinders down by myself in the bike I've used a couple of bits of wood to help as you really need an extra pair of hands on that part.

[rustybronco]

Chris, I use popsicle sticks to depress any errant rings as I'm lowering the barrels.

Stan, have you shipped my set of rings? If not, use the wiper from those. I have plenty of good used sets lying around that I can rob one from.

[chuck hahn]

Piece of appropriate ID thin walled PVC pipe and a zip tie makes cheap and easy ring compressors. Take a little section out of the PVC rings you cut and the ties will squeeze it in and whalla....rings compressor kit.

I have seen guys use soup cans, spray paint cans sliced up..just about anything will actually work for compressing them. Get creative and stay cheap is the key.

[Flyboy]

Many thanks Dale, but I will use one of the scraper rings that came out, they are all still within factory spec, so no biggie, just really got me down.
Not knowing what is happening in my life in the near future dos not help either.
Phhhaaa, it can stand now until I know what is going to happen.