Thursday, December 30, 2004
Steering lock cover
Before having the frame coated I'd thought about removing the steering lock and welding up the hole on the frame. Then I thought better of it as I worried about it going wrong and spoiling, rather than improving the frame.
However when the frame came back from coating the lock cover had been dented and looked a mess. I could have complained but what was the point? What's done is done! So it had to come off which left an ugly casting with a hole into the headstock - but now I was in no position to saw it off and do welding. So I made a cover from a piece of stainless. I drilled and tapped the rivet holes in the casting to M3 and fixed the cover in place with a pair of small screws secured with a dab of Loctite.
In view of the workhorse nature of the bike I didn't bother finishing the plate to a high polish.
(0) comments
Before having the frame coated I'd thought about removing the steering lock and welding up the hole on the frame. Then I thought better of it as I worried about it going wrong and spoiling, rather than improving the frame.
However when the frame came back from coating the lock cover had been dented and looked a mess. I could have complained but what was the point? What's done is done! So it had to come off which left an ugly casting with a hole into the headstock - but now I was in no position to saw it off and do welding. So I made a cover from a piece of stainless. I drilled and tapped the rivet holes in the casting to M3 and fixed the cover in place with a pair of small screws secured with a dab of Loctite.
In view of the workhorse nature of the bike I didn't bother finishing the plate to a high polish.
Wednesday, December 29, 2004
Refit a few parts
After discussing the options for remaking the swingarm pivot with NP I remade the thread in the frame with a kit from uni-thread. This is a system vety similar to the well known 'helicoil' but rather cheaper. The thread was originally M14x1.5mm (ie metric medium) and I've fitted the same.
Whilst in the garage I also refitted the steering bearing carriers. They came out quite easily and so I didn't anticipate any problem getting them back in.
I elected to use a piece of M10 studding as a puller and it worked well. At first I did need to lightly tap the carriers to keep them in line. I fitted the upper first and then the lower to minimise the risk of getting them in diagonally.
(0) comments
After discussing the options for remaking the swingarm pivot with NP I remade the thread in the frame with a kit from uni-thread. This is a system vety similar to the well known 'helicoil' but rather cheaper. The thread was originally M14x1.5mm (ie metric medium) and I've fitted the same.
Whilst in the garage I also refitted the steering bearing carriers. They came out quite easily and so I didn't anticipate any problem getting them back in.
I elected to use a piece of M10 studding as a puller and it worked well. At first I did need to lightly tap the carriers to keep them in line. I fitted the upper first and then the lower to minimise the risk of getting them in diagonally.
Monday, December 20, 2004
Frame returned
This morning I took delivery of the coated frame and other bits. The overall finish is good, but not excellent. It's fine for my purposes but I can see those restoring to 'concours' standard feeling the result inadequate.
On examination I found a problem with the swingarm bush on the rightside of the frame. When I'd removed the pivot pin I'd taken care to unscrew it, but it wasn't screwed in. There was a lot of rust. Anyway, now it's cleaned it is obvious that it should have been threaded as the remnants can be seen.
To repair this whilst avoiding damage to the freshly coated frame I'm intending to fit a helicoil-type insert. There's always a problem isn't there?
Somewhere along the line the steering lock had suffered an impact and was bent so I've cut it out. The brass body was stuck with rust into the frame so even when the rivets holding the retaining cover were drilled off it wouldn't pull out.
(0) comments
This morning I took delivery of the coated frame and other bits. The overall finish is good, but not excellent. It's fine for my purposes but I can see those restoring to 'concours' standard feeling the result inadequate.
On examination I found a problem with the swingarm bush on the rightside of the frame. When I'd removed the pivot pin I'd taken care to unscrew it, but it wasn't screwed in. There was a lot of rust. Anyway, now it's cleaned it is obvious that it should have been threaded as the remnants can be seen.
To repair this whilst avoiding damage to the freshly coated frame I'm intending to fit a helicoil-type insert. There's always a problem isn't there?
Somewhere along the line the steering lock had suffered an impact and was bent so I've cut it out. The brass body was stuck with rust into the frame so even when the rivets holding the retaining cover were drilled off it wouldn't pull out.
Friday, December 03, 2004
The re-rebuild starts here
This afternoon I managed to get the frame and swingarm sent off for powder coating. It's such a difficulty having to go into work!
I've heard and read various debates about what is the best way to coat a motorcycle frame and although there are a zillion opinions one common element is to get it done well. I'm hoping that Triple S in Bingley (located in West Yorkshire) will do me a proper job. One reason I chose them is that they specialise in frames and will do the blasting and hole blanking as part of the job. They also offer a 7 day turnaround together with a collection and delivery service.
(0) comments
