RD125

[mike the bike]

I like the sound of that technique,  I'll give it a try sometime.

[Johnwebley]

As well as the above good advice,  I've been undoing some very corroded parts with the following method but it does rely on getting a socket or some form of drive onto the part (I'm unfamiliar with the non stuck end of your damper rod).

Using a drill with screwdriver with variable clutch (not one of the newer types of impact screwdriver as the torque is too high and will snap components) if you get a square drive socket bit you can set the clutch really low and just persistently rattle with a socket first one way and then the other to free the corrosion,  it make take a little working but it will usually get things moving.

Don't turn the torque setting up much as you are not at that point trying to undo it and it may snap easily, but just keep gently working it until it starts to free itself and you can get more lubricant into it before getting it to turn further.

Works well on case screws as well by using an impact driver bit to get some stuck ones moving,  also exhaust studs are fairly easy even when quite corroded.

 thanks for your advice,in this case its a friction damper of the old school,large plastic head with a screw into a friction plate at
the base of the steering head,its about 4mm dia,see the Ebay link

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/371499958518?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[Johnwebley]

well,

 heat worked !!

  the damper rod finally unscrewed ,

 

[Johnwebley]

after loosening the threaded rod,,that turned out to only half  the problem,the center boss fitted inside the steering head,and it was stuck !!!

 lots of Plusgas,a few gentle taps with wedges to drive the parts free,and then out it came !!

  then cleaning,stripping the frame ,and  replacing the headlight unit,

 this is a 5 3/4 unit,with a 30-30 watt bulb and sidelight,so I obtained the correct size  reflector with a 35/35w H4  halogen bulb.


hopefully now it will be able to use more modern bulbs,

[Johnwebley]

getting some jobs done before I pop off to Italy for a break,being retired is hard work,with Golf,going out on rides on the bike,
evening out at restaurants,its damn hard work,so I need a holiday !!!

back to the little Yam,

  having sorted the damper,got new headlight unit,time to clean up the frame ,so out comes the gunk and paint stripper,

 in the pick are the headlight shell,fork ears,side stand and frame,also swingarm,all need more preperation prior to painting,

 

[MarkCR750]

Are you having it powder coated or spraying it yourself John?

[Johnwebley]

Are you having it powder coated or spraying it yourself John?

 I am spray painting using industrial paint,various colours from the Rustoleum range,very durable and cover well,
 I have heard of powder coating cracking if the brackets flex,

 but,I am in a bit of a jamb,

 I need to fing out the length of the Yamaha RD125 drum braked models spokes,

 I cut the old spokes out of the wheels and disposed of them ,and the rims,before finding Central Wheel doesn't have the spoke details,

 so if any of you know were a YAS3 and/or RD125 is,please measure from center of spoke hole to rim,
thanks all

[Johnwebley]

wheel problem sorted

  Hagon wheels have all the sizes and details ,so ordered from them today

[Johnwebley]

wheel problem sorted

  Hagon wheels have all the sizes and details ,so ordered from them today

 as I ordered the rims,I guess I need to get the drums re-furbished,
and after a couple of hours,I have done about 80%

 more to follow

[Johnwebley]

after removing the 'orrible paint,

 time to restore a bit of shiny !!!

[MarkCR750]

That's certainly smartened them up John, I polished the outside of my hubs but sprayed the ribbed section (too difficult to polish), looks like new 18 months on, anyway keep up the good work!.

[Johnwebley]

more parts refurbed,

  the exhaust had new studs fitted ,

and
 the frame has had the stand pivots reinforced to take out wear and general slop.

[Johnwebley]

the frame is back to black !!  that sounds familiar!!

 get the VIN plate exposed,no idea what it means,hope to find out soon

[Johnwebley]

oh goody !!

  the shiny bits are coming together

[MarkCR750]

Can't beat standing back and admiring the shiny bits! Looking good👍