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16th June 2012 - The Arrival
Thanks to Jayne's Dad Jerry for supplying the verbal support while loading! We managed to get it back in one piece. Well actually to be honest the bike was already in more than one piece. I jokingly quipped that maybe the seat would come off in my hand - and it did. I then foolishly added a comment about the tank..and err that did also. It looks like Phil had begun starting to strip the bike down. Anyway, I'm its daddy now and I currently have a bucket load of vigour.
The frame has been chromed and is going to need some attention. It's only surface rust but I have decided to strip it down and get it painted black again. I think the first task though is going to be to work out what each of the bits is in the 'box-o-bits' that came with the bike.
The frame has been chromed and is going to need some attention. It's only surface rust but I have decided to strip it down and get it painted black again. I think the first task though is going to be to work out what each of the bits is in the 'box-o-bits' that came with the bike.
20th June Update
24th June Update
Cleaning up a few parts and removal of the engine
27th June Update
Flushing the tank, new speedo and rev counter, new mirrors and fuel cap clean.
7th July 2012
Breaking down parts for powder coating. Also tested out the bench polisher.
Engine Rebuild
Started by Anarchy Motorcycles. These guys no longer trade so no need to go looking for them. Tim Blakemore completed the engine build for me.
16th August - Chrome Plated and Stipped Parts.
Chromed and Stripped parts from S&T, Yate.
31st August - Powder Coating..
Stripped bits ready for powder coating
18th September - Dismantling of Front Shocks
Dismantling the front shocks has turned out to be yet another challenge requiring some tools that I didnt have to hand. I ended up borrowing some extension bars and digging about in the bottom of my Dad's tool box to make up a bar with a HEX socket on the end that was long enough to reach inside of the shock and grab the nut. With the inner nut secured you can then remove the bottom bolt...without this the bottom bolt just spins.
20th September - Preparing wheels for Powder Coating
Removing the wheel bearings.
22nd September - Starting the build
I collected the frame and other Powder Coated parts from on Friday from Bristol Motorcycle Powder Coating. I am very happy with the job they did - everything looks like new!
Now that I have the frame back I can now start the build up - although I need to be careful not to add too much to it just yet until I get the engine seated.
I started with the head lamp assembly and then moved on to the battery box and one of the handle bar switch units. I also drilled and attached the new rear mud guard - looks great!
Now that I have the frame back I can now start the build up - although I need to be careful not to add too much to it just yet until I get the engine seated.
I started with the head lamp assembly and then moved on to the battery box and one of the handle bar switch units. I also drilled and attached the new rear mud guard - looks great!
30th September
Rebuilt the front shocks, rear brake calliper and fitted the battery tray mount to the frame. I am hoping I won't need to remove this when I fit the engine! I also built up the top an bottom yokes - all looks very shiny. Another thing ticked off the to do list was that I stripped down and rebuilt the front brake master cylinder as it was stuck solid.
8th October - Quick update with a few Photo's
Just a few photo's to update the main gallery
13th October
Replacing wiring loom tape, Sheared Screws, fitting tyres and building of front wheel.
Paint work by ACE of Sprays, Bristol.
Actually these photo's don't do the paintwork justice. I'll take some more in natural light ...and wipe of my sticky finger prints first!
Z1000 Badge Restoration
After a suggestion from ACE (..of sprays) I set about giving the Kawasaki badges a lick of paint. I dropped the white into the lettering and then lightly polished the chrome with some wet and dry to remove my splatters. I then painted in the black background to finish the job.
2Nd Feb - The Engine Returns
So having collected the engine from Tim Blakemore I set about getting it in the frame. Not an easy job as it turned out! I bubble wrapped the frame around the engine sections and set the engine on its side lowering the frame over the engine. It took two of us to twist and turn the frame so the mounts met up taking care not to damage the frame in the process. It took a while but as you can see from the photo's - we did it. Thanks Josh!
I spent the rest of the day working on the frame adding what has to be said are the easy bits. Finally it is starting to look like a motorcycle. You never know I might actually get it running !
I spent the rest of the day working on the frame adding what has to be said are the easy bits. Finally it is starting to look like a motorcycle. You never know I might actually get it running !
3rd Feb - Injectors and wiring
I managed to grab an hour this morning and then a few more tonight but made some good progress. I stripped down and cleaned up the injectors this morning and then gave them a lick of paint. Tonight I put the injectors together and fitted them to the pipe assembly that I previously had chromed. I'll have to post a pic later as I didn't take one today. I then fitted the assembles parts to the engine ..again, a pic to follow.
I then started the head scratching part of installing the wiring loom which once I got going went better than I thought. I still have lots of connectors that have yet to find a mate but that's the process...chip, chip, chip away.
I then started the head scratching part of installing the wiring loom which once I got going went better than I thought. I still have lots of connectors that have yet to find a mate but that's the process...chip, chip, chip away.
9th Feb - The End is in sight
...well almost. Still quite a few things left to do, but it looks almost complete.
Engine Rebuild Photos
Some photo's sent through from Tim Blakemore.
Seat Project
After finding out that a MKII seat doesn't fit an H I decided to have a go at refurbing the old seat. I wasn't satisfied with the result though and thought that it let the bike down so had a cover fitted professionally by P&P in Birmingham. Though spending just 15mins in their workshop makes you happy ...from the glue.
10Nov She Run's
The sun was out and as I have reached the major milestone of actually getting her to run at a reasonable idle speed I thought id give her a quick polish and take few photos.
First ride
More photos
May Bank Holiday ride
Practical Sportsbike Photo Shoot
A few months back I had an email from Chris Newbigging at Practical Sportsbike Magazine about doing a feature on the restoration project. Naturally I said yes and on Wednesday Chris came down with a photographer and took a few photo's. I took a quick couple of shots on my iPhone below .. I'm sure PSB's are going to be a bit better. Im not sure which issue the piece will be in yet ..watch this space.
Practical Sportsbike Photos
Some photo's from the Practical Sportsbikes photo shoot
copyright: Practical Sportsbikes/Bauer media
copyright: Practical Sportsbikes/Bauer media