Now that I managed to open the tank cap and I don't need to buy a new one I thought id strip it down and clean it up.
I spent a few hours on the fuel tank tonight. First i removed the fuel cap and then set about flushing the inside. The stones were an idea from a forum but to be honest it was a bad idea unless you want to spend an hour trying to get that last stone out. A better suggestion would be to tie a bunch of nuts to a string and drop it into the tank - keeping hold of one end! Flush the tank with boiling water and shake until you faint. I have been struggling with the seized fuel cap off and on now for a few days and yesterday even asked a Lock Smith to have a look. Until 10mins ago it wouldn't budge. What worked for me was a very thin screw driver I have on a multi-tool pen knife. I inserted the flat driver into the key slot to push back the wafers, turned the driver and the cap released with no fuss. I can see why it was a struggle to open though..what a mess! For info z-power.co.uk sell a replacement (Partcode: 51048-1018) for £47 and I was on the verge of drilling out the lock and buying one. Just dropped off the frame and some other bits at S&T Electroplate to be stripped. They also have a number of parts for re-chroming. ETA 6-8 weeks!
I have also just found a mechanic willing to work on the engine rebuild. Anarchy Motorcycles in Calne. Details are on the links page. Engine drop off is tomorrow ;0) So the rolling of the frame worked although I am going to have to find a better way to get the engine back in. Its been a productive weekend.
More photo's published to the Main Site I have been working on stripping parts down with a view to delivering them to a workshop for either re-chroming or removal of the chrome plating in prep for powder coating.
The brake calipers are currently driving me nuts as on the rear i cant free the piston due to corrosion. It looks like the best way to remove the pistons is with some compressed air. I am going to try a foot pump first to see if that delivers enough pressure. Harry the spider made an apperance from one of the front calliper assemblies. Not sure how long he has been living in there! Remember the corroded cam shafts? Well they are now soaking in parafin with the hope that this will shift a bulk of the rust. Its only surface rust and i had a quick go with some light wire wool which works but takes a while. Hopefully the parafin will shortcut some elbow grease.. This afternoon is going to be fun as I am planning to remove the engine from the frame and I dont have a hoist. Even if i did then im not sure the joists in my garage would take the strain of this 4 stroke engine. The plan is to lay down lots of padding and then roll the frame (and engine) over onto its side. I'll un-bolt the engine and then hopefully lift off the frame....ha, sounds easy. Just the engine to remove now! I have located a company that can remove the chrome plating and another company to powder coat - all local in Bristol which is great.I am hoping to get the frame and some other parts like the centre and side stands to the chrome stripper next week. Just need a company to rebuild that engine ! So I have finally got my hands on the Z1000. See the main page for more photos and comments. I have been checking through the paperwork that came in the box of bits and it looks like Phil kept all the receipts for everything he did on the bike as well as some magazines from 1980 that feature the Z1000 H. I have scanned in the magazines and posted links on the main page. I intend to catalogue the receipts so that we can all see how much the beast costs in its life time. That'll be interesting/frightening reading! I finishing off a restoration project started by Pam's uncle Phil some 16 Years ago. Phil sadly passed away late last year and I have been asked by his son George to continue his work. I'll record my progress as I go and post plenty of photo's. read more..
|
AuthorShaun Chivers. Archives
August 2016
Categories |