More Progress..

Well, I went to my builders place on Friday and though his wife didn't seem to notice any progress, we actually got a lot done.

I went through parts and organized into piles according to function/location. My builder was able to clean some more parts up nicely, and I assisted with getting the engine back together.



By mid-afternoon (around 3ish) we were ready to start getting the engine mounted in the frame. Which is easier than it sounds. Easiest way to do this is put the engine on it's side, then drop the frame over it. Well, things were going well, then we realized just how thick powder coating was. So we had to spend some time grinding away at that in order to clear the engine, actually had to do this in several locations. Oh, I had also earlier cleared powder coating out of some of the orifices that needed to be cleared for parts to make it through and operate smoothly (namely the rear brake pivot joint, and Swingarm pivot joints).




When all was said and done though, the engine is mounted in the frame, and the frame (with engine) is loaded onto his motorcycle jack and tied down.



I brought carb parts back home to finish the rebuild there with new bolts (that I need to go pick up). And he has the rest of the bike there. When I left he claimed he was going to have some fun cleaning and putting thing together, but I told him not to have too much.

That is it for now.. Pictures will come either tonight or tomorrow sometime.

Progress..

Well, my engine builder (to be known as Dude henceforth), and I have been in contact quite a bit. I've got a fire lit under me and I'm fanning the flames as much as I can. I have, however, spent my limit for the time being on major bits (piston rings, a bolt kit and some gaskets), so anything else that comes up we'll probably have to make due with what we have.

Case in point is the points cover. Dude cleaned it up and says there is a bunch of road rash on it, and I should consider getting another. So, I'm thinking it is a simple enough part to switch down the road, so we'll just put on the one that I have and deal with it looking used for now.

Other than that Dude says he is just about ready to start putting the engine together. Have I mentioned I'm excited. Anyway, Tonight I'm going to spend some time on the wiring harness cleaning it up and the contacts to get it ready. I downloaded a copy of the manual (Dude has both my clymers and factory service manual at the moment) and have printed a couple of key pages for the wiring harness and cable routing.

I need to talk with Dude and find out if a trip down there this Friday is the best use of my time, or if I should use the time to get the bits ready that we'll need in order to fire the engine the next time I'm down (ie, I don't think I'll have the carbs ready to go on the bike by this friday, but I should by new years eve). But that all depends on how fast Z1 sends out my order (that cost me almost as much in shipping as the order). The good news is they are based in New York, so once they get it in the mail it should be here in a day or two.

Anyway, that is the update for now..

Motivation

Ok, it's been quite some time since I posted, so here is an update.

Last week had me doing a LOT of thinking on the 550 project bike, and since I had stated earlier in the year that if no major progress had been made I was just going to scratch the project by passing it on to someone that would complete it. So, I contacted a gentleman who I knew would have the desire and ability to give this project the attention it required.

After a short conversation on the phone with him, it was decided he would stop by to take a look at where things stand, and make a decision (or help me make a decision) on Sunday. Well he arrived at my place around 11ish on Sunday and we started going through the bits and pieces. He had been thinking and decided that his wife would not allow him to take on another personal bike project, so that option was out. However after looking at everything I had we talked about things and he asked if I had a running engine would it motivate me enough to put the thing back together. After a bit of thought and some more talking I decided that that probably is the big show stopper for me. So then he generously offered to take all my engine bits and build an engine for me. Also he knows of a guy who works at a motorcycle shop who would press the bearings into the swing arm and wheels.

Well, get up this morning and have a message from the engine builder (the kind and generous person mentioned above) asking if I can come down this Friday on my day off to get a jump start on the project. Unfortunately, I already promised Jodi that I would watch Karissa this Friday, so that scratches that opportunity. Oh, well at least there is some light at the end of the tunnel, as faint as it may be.

So, all that being said.. It looks like life is being breathed back into the project.

Changing directions.. part duece

Well, let it be said that I don't finish things I start. Time has gotten away from me, and other bills have come up to push this to the back burner again.

However this time with it on the back burner I've decided to start simplifying life (of sorts). That being said I've had the thought to abandon the project, and that pains me, as I really want to see this completed.

Well, as I've been thinking about it, I think I'm just going to take what parts I have now and see what I can put back together in this project. What that means is, I'm 95% certain the 650 top end bit is out (at least for now anyway, unless the guy comes through and actually ships the parts to complete that bit, which is seaming doubtful). So, the bike will continue to be a simple 550, which I guess I can live with, since I rarely ride with Jodi anymore. Besides that, I already own all the gaskets I need to keep it in it's 550 glory, where doing the 650 top end would require more purchases.

So, that brings the project to:

• Re-building the engine with current stash of parts
  
• New Bearings everywhere: Wheels, steering stem, etc (as these have already been purchased and delivered)
  
• Stainless allen bolts to replace cheap Phillips on the engine (pretty much a must as the Phillips heads are pretty much shot, though I do still have them for refference)
  
• Progressive springs for the rear on unknown shocks
  
• Cleaning all the surface rust and road grime from the bike to make it as "pretty" as possible

After all that is done, if it actually runs I'll make the decision on where to go from there. If it runs and has no issues, I'll probably sell the current ride and put the money into savings for a later purchase, or use it for other bits and pieces that aren't critical (repairing the seat cover, re-chrome the grab bar, etc) but would make it look nicer. I'm also keeping my eye open for a nice looking shaft drive bike which will require less "consumable" parts (chains/sprockets) on a regular basis that I may sell both of the current bikes for to obtain.

Well, that is it for now. I may try to update with pictures of the progress as it is made. Bottom line is I may keep the project on as long as I'm not dumping lots of money into it, just time (when I get it)

Changing directions...

As anyone who knows me knows.. My first motorcycle was a 1981 GS550T that, well, I started to replace the transmission on some years ago. Well since then the transmission replacement has transformed into a bit more.

I decided about a year and a half ago that since it had been taking me so long, and was not looking like a quick and easy back on the road repair, that I would do a complete re-build of the bike. I took everything appart. Well, things happened (marriage, house, etc) and the bike sat neglected for quite some time.

Last year for my birthday my lovely wife paid to have the frame powder coated. Basically this is a process that covers all the metal of the frame with a layer of plastic, that is much more durable than paint and provides a longer life. Well, after that money was tight and the project went back burner (well, make that no burner).

I have recently started doing some consulting on the side which has brought in a bit of extra income, some of which I'm now devoting back to this project. I've already started getting bits that I at one point planned, then unplanned to replace.

Anyway, with the parts (bearing kits) I just purchased, and a little more prep time on my part here (need to paint a couple of pieces) I should have the bike back into a rolling form in short order. After that there is still a lot of work that will need done, but I think if it is starting to come back together I'll get motivated to stay on the ball.

Here is a list of what I"m updating/changing:

• Re-building the engine with a 650 top end and 550 bottom end (basically putting a larger engine in, while maintaining the 6 speed transmission of the 550)
• New Bearings everywhere: Wheels, steering stem, etc
• Stainless allen bolts to replace cheap phillips on the engine
• Progressive suspension for the rear (maybe front eventually as well)
• Cleaning all the surface rust and road grime from the bike to make it as "pretty" as possible
• Repairing/replacing the torn seat

Once it is back and operational I am going to look into getting customized tags for it, which I'm still working through some ideas.

Anyway, so this project is going to be taking over my spare time till I complete it, as it has been an ongoing project for far too long now.

Amos