Topic: '78 750k "getting to know Jack!"

[kerryb]

It's time I started a build thread to document my progress and establish a background for this project.
  I've been enjoying my first '78k for a couple years now, and really diggin this site for almost as long.
I bought the first one as a rider, it only needed oil changes and riding since the day I got it. 
I bought it  for a bike to work on, but was too afraid to do much because I had no knowledge to work with.  It isn't pretty, but its not too ugly either, so I cleaned it with rags, rode the heck out of it and started looking for "parts bikes".  I bought all the '77/'78 k's I could find. None were running, a couple had titles, and I was bitten bad by the "bug"
  I still didn't know "jack", but I was learning the names of the parts, how to take them apart, and the importance of labeling what I thought it was and putting it in a bag with the label.
Last fall I started putting all the parts together that I had learned about and put together one complete bike that had all systems working and I could ride it around the street in front of my house.
  I was getting to know "jack" and this is to be the story of Jack's restoration into a fun bike to ride and be proud of.  I plan a low budget build, with as many custom parts as I can create with my own new skills and tools I am acquiring.  This is the childhood hobby I wanted to have many years ago!

http://i1164.photobucket.com/albums/q561/kerryb42/Jack/IMG_2903.jpg

[kerryb]

I just spent hours signing up for photobucket and trying to post a photo in my own thread.  I'm feeling pretty stupid, so I'll show you a picture of what I've been able to accomplish with my welder.  It is a cafe-style seat cowl on a standard seat pan.  The stock hinges and latch are used so the frame is unmolested in the unlikely event that '78k frames become valuable someday.  The sheetmetal came from a '78 gas tank and forms a small glovebox inside.  The taillight is bolted to a bracket that is bolted to the seat pan.

Where/how do I copy the photobucket link that makes pictures just appear in my thread?

[CafeDawg]

I know the bug of which you speak.  I've got my rider, which is not running at the moment, a 550 in need of resto and my eye on two more 750's.  It's a great hobbie love turnin wrenches and sourcing parts, selling what I don't need to finance what I want.  Anyway good luck gettin the new one running, I like the use of the tank for the cowl and keeping the gas door for access.  To post a pic you have to push the Mona Lisa Icon which says insert image when you put the cursor over it then in photo bucket select your photo and then IMG code in the right hand box, just click on it, then use paste to put it in the image insertion [] box.
[/img]
Respect
CD

[Retro Rocket]

Kerry, when you are looking at your little pics on Photobucket {before you click on them and make them larger} there is a link under them all, left click on the link and it goes blue, then right click and copy the link and all you have to do then is right click and paste the link into your post, very easy to do mate....

[70CB750]

What RR says

Nice seat , i like the curves matching the tank.

[kerryb]

"LINK DELETED"



thanks for your help guys,
I went to PB, read the instructions again, copied the HTML code as instructed, so we should see a picture of one of my "barn finds"

Ok...that didn't work, lets try again.
this is a copy of "direct link"

http://i1164.photobucket.com/albums/q561/kerryb42/Jack/IMG_2903.jpg

Ahhrrrgg!  , I'll try again later!

[kerryb]

maybe this time...


JACKPOT!

.

[kerryb]

Disassembly continues, here I am pulling the heart out.  A double line pull setup on the HF electric hoist permits fine control to scratch the frame less.  I hope I get better at not hitting the frame before putting it back in!

[mono]

wish i had that kind of gear to remove my engine with!    keep it going!

[kerryb]

Mono, the key is a harbor freight electric hoist,( I got it on sale for about $90) and enough distance between the bike and the hoist.  I've got my hoist bolted to a pipe in the rafters at roof level.  The "j" hook is tubing from a recycled exercise bike and three straps off my kayak rack.  So for the price of a set of carb parts you could have a deluxe engine removal system.
[img][/img]


having the bike on the floor, on the centerstand, works rather well.

[kerryb]

Now that he is completely disassembled, I'm having a little trouble getting jack back in the box  .


It's now time to start sandblasting the frame in preparation for paint.  I want the frame some color other than black...red frame, black tins with some accents unless somebody can convince me that something else would be better.  I'm nervous about black tins because I'm a novice painter.  I'll be using engine paints and the 2k max stuff.

[kerryb]

A couple people here showed how to make a blasting booth, so I gathered up hinges, 2x4's,particle board, and some vinyl gloves from harbor freight.  My version folds up out of the way when not needed, and sits on a workbench when in use.


 

So jack does indeed fit "in the box" for blasting and painting




But I'm getting ahead of myself 'cause I haven't protected the Vin tag or the swingarm openings yet

[kerryb]

Made some progress tonight.  Got about half-blasted, the frame, not me .
 
Can someone suggest an inexpensive device to limit the water in my airlines?  I have a harbor freight water absorber unit to install.  Will that be sufficient for sandblasting?

[kerryb]

I finally made some progress amid all the other distractions.  the frame is painted with Plasticoat engine paint in a rattle can.   Ford Red.  I had purchased Tractor Supply implement paint but when I went to get more they had discontinued it on the shelf.  So I went to my local auto paint supply house and got what they claimed would always be in stock.  I discovered a great paint stand in my back yard and when the humidity finally dropped I got paint and clear applied.