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Messages - the-chauffeur
181
« on: April 26, 2009, 12:47:29 PM »
Sorry to hijack, but Bryan mentioned stove enamelling the outer barrel case and I was wondering . . .
. . . Bryan - what's your experience of how well stoving holds up as an engine finish? I've had a hell of a time with getting conventional VHT paint to adhere to my 750 engine cases - the head and barrels are fine, 'cos it cures fairly well with the heat they generate, but the crankcases don't get anywhere near hot enough (and a fuel leak from one of the carbs has lifted layers right off).
The engine is gonna come out in the autumn/winter so that I can replace the cylinder rods (I think they've stretched) and so I'll have the opportunity to get the engine re-finished properly. Question is, do I get the cases/head/barrels stoved, or give them to a specialist who'll etch prime, then spray VHT?
Thanks in advance for any advice . . .
Neil
182
« on: April 22, 2009, 11:26:18 PM »
Thanks Bry. Very kind.
Bit late now - I won one of them on fleaBay. Fortunately it didn't cost a huge amount.
Not tried it on the CB yet . . . it'll be an experience if nothing else.
Regards
Neil
183
« on: April 17, 2009, 11:21:15 PM »
. . . and are they any good? I've got a bunch of carb'd bikes, two of which have points that a dwell meter might help with. I gather these things have a bunch of different functions, so added to the multimeters I've already got, they seem like a good idea . . .
Trouble is, I haven't seen any reviews by motorcyclists - all those I've seen have been posted by classic car owners.
Any ideas?
184
« on: April 17, 2009, 12:25:19 PM »
You might also want to think about investing in a thread repair kit.
I dunno how common this experience is, but I've found that some of the threads in the head are incredibly fragile, and it doesn't take a great deal of effort to strip them out. Simply retapping the holes doesn't work, and it's a pain in the ar$e to get 95% of the rebuild done only to find that some of the bolts don't torque down.
The upside is that drilling and tapping in the new threads is pretty simple and doesn't require any special skills - just a steady hand with a drill.
And if you take the barrels off, pay particular attention to reseating the large O-rings that fit round the bottom of the cylinders. If they go in wonky, they'll leak oil.
Hope that helps
Neil
185
« on: April 17, 2009, 12:16:33 PM »
Agree with all of the above, adding that whichever way you do the job, two sets of hands always makes it a whole lot easier.
I used strips of lino - that floor covering stuff - and zip ties bought in bulk from ScrewFix instead of towels. Lino's cheap, easy to cut to size, doesn't snag and is tough enough not to tear if it gets clipped by the engine casing. Cardboard works pretty well, too.
If you've got a bare frame, drop it over the engine. But again, two sets of hands.
186
« on: December 31, 2008, 01:16:28 PM »
Ah - OK.  <keeps very quiet>
187
« on: December 30, 2008, 04:19:57 PM »
Thanks Bry
It's gonna take a week or so for it to arrive here, and I'm sure its gonna need work before its in any sort of state to start the registration process. I'll give you a shout nearer the time (and when I know exactly what I'm dealing with). It may be that I just register it with HMRC with the dealer being responsible for the import, but again, I'll know more in a few days.
It's all a bit sketchy right now 'cos I haven't seen the bike - I'm (stupidly/bravely) buying it from photos and a description . . . <keeps fingers crossed>
Regards
Neil
188
« on: December 29, 2008, 11:53:27 AM »
Happy Christmas/New Year all.
I've just bought myself a late Christmas pressie - an imported and unregistered '72 CB450 (I know it's a DOHC - heresey, I hear you cry). The upside is that the bike is in great condition - low miles (originally US), and apart from slightly faded paint, is pretty much complete. The downside is that other than a dating certificate, there are no documents with it.
I've had a look round the DVLA/HM Customs websites and have kinda got my head round the registration process, but I'm a little concerned about the import duty side of things. There's lots of information about importing later bikes (particularly anything under 10 years old), but I can't see what the process is for older machines with unknown provenance. I'll get a bill of sale from the dealer to prove ownership and I'm told that it came into the country through Germany, but again, there's nothing to confirm how reliable that information is.
Anyone had any experience of this kinda thing or know where I can find some answers (preferably online) - and have I just got myself into a costly bureaucratic nightmare?
Thanks for your help.
Neil
189
« on: August 12, 2008, 12:36:37 AM »
At least two of the pound shops near me (what does that tell you about the area . . . ?) stock all kinds of aerosol cans of cleaners - brake, carb, tar, wheel, etc. Bargains galore.
They also sell one litre spray bottles of engine degreaser. Pour a bottle of that into a bucket with half a litre of parafin and there's very little that solution won't clean.
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