Topic: Project Iris...Purple Haze.

[toytuff]

Excuse me while I kiss the sky...

The CB160 build is on hold for now. Waiting on parts, paint and carburetors. I wanted to remove the fuel tank on the 350 and get that nasty junk out of there.

Since today was to windy I decided to do a "quick hit" cleanup to see what was under the dirt.

Front wheel. Little rust on rim but check out the hub, fender and lower fork legs.



And the rear is just as nice.



A little here..



A little there..



A little more..





And polished the fuel tank.



Once the fuel tank is removed I'll clean up the engine. I have decided to leave this bike as is. Clean the carburetors, tune up, fresh oil in engine, fork oil and soak the chain.

If there is a little rust here or there..leave it. Mufflers have rust, leave it. I'm going to leave the tires on it to. I believe them to be original Bridgestones.

tt

[toytuff]

Removed the fuel tank this morning. My Lord, the smell was awful!  And the crap that came out of it! 

No pictures of that mess.  On a two week soak now. I did find a latch kit and did get the broken cap open. Did I say it was a mess?

Put a test battery on it and all lights function/ working. Controls need cleaned up as they are pretty stiff.

 

Headlight.



Looking for a right side air filter cover if you have one. Air cleaners are original and very clean.



Soaking the cylinders today and tomorrow just for fun want to see if she will fire up.  Corky did this for me a while back but a little more never hurts.

Placed parts order today for needed items.

tt

[Greggo]

Another tt project!  I'm along for the ride

[toytuff]

 

I'm going to roll this into the Cave but since I'm waiting on CB160 parts thought I would get the bad gas out of it. I'm still dizzy after two hours with the doors wide open. Man! That was nasty shid!

You know how it is. A little here then a little more than what the heck.   

If the carburetors are anything like the gunk that came out of the tank it won't run but since I'm this far I'll hook up a aux tank and see what happens. If it doesn't overflow then maybe it will run.

I need to get the MC off and down to Needles but ordered a kit today. (and $200.00 of other little things)

Madness! Complete madness.

tt

[Bankerdanny]

When I got my prior 550 in 2011 it had been parked around 1982 or 3 with most of a tank of gas. When I got it it has partially evaporated into the consistency of skim milk, and the smell was horrible. On the plus side, the tank needed a good cleaning, but didn't have much rust.

[toytuff]

Hoping the same here.

tt

[toytuff]

Cleaning up nicely.

tt

[bwaller]

Holy #$%*e, that thing is crazy nice.

[toytuff]

Holy #$%*e, that thing is crazy nice.

Cleaning up nice huh? Doesn't even need paint on the engine side cases. Still cleaning to do but want to see if she will run tomorrow. After that it gets put away for a bit while I get back to the CB160 build.

tt

[Stev-o]

Looks fantastic and love the name!   I wouldn't be surprised if it starts.

[toytuff]

Looks fantastic and love the name!   I wouldn't be surprised if it starts.

Not today. Float bowl full of rust. More cleaning of the engine. Haven't touched the heads yet.

Pictures later. 

tt

[Stev-o]

Looks fantastic and love the name!   I wouldn't be surprised if it starts.

Not today. Float bowl full of rust. More cleaning of the engine. Haven't touched the heads yet.

Pictures later. 

tt

I retract....bummer finding that....

[toytuff]

I suppose for fun you could try to run some fuel through it but I think it would just be another mess to clean up.



I also believe this bike has not run since the mid 80's. With a short soak, no valve adjustment and the carburetor condition this is more than acceptable. I'm certain it will come up even more on the left side. Right side is above spec.

Right.



Left.



tt

[Stev-o]

I will hate to see the inside of that float bowl. What is the plan for the carbs?

[toytuff]

I will hate to see the inside of that float bowl. What is the plan for the carbs?

At this time nothing. A little more cleaning then I will get back to the CB160 project. I'm not sure it's rust. Might be fuel residue.

I'll get into this first of next year. All parts are ordered so I will be good to go.

tt

[toytuff]

What the heck. Might as well remove the carburetors and get them done. If anyone needs a Winter Project and can do a good cleaning and rebuild drop me a PM. Parts on order.

Not as bad as I expected.



Right.



Left.



Finished the top of the motor. Will do the bottom when on the lift. Not much cleaning actually.





tt

[toytuff]

Iris is looking better each day with her makeover. 

Headlight ears are just pristine. Decal removed from lower fender.





Still cleaning.



tt

[Stev-o]

Haris should be able to do a number on those cars, he soda blasts them.
Should be fairly reasonable since there are only two [unlike the CBX]

Bike is looking sweet!

[toytuff]

Moving forward as I wait for parts.

Cleaned up the battery area, cleaned electrical and installed.

Before..



After..



Before..



After..





tt

[toytuff]

After a one week soak I drained the evapo rust out of the tank. Won't be able to use it again. Old gas and such.

I need some ideas on just what I could use to break up the gooey black sludge in the tank.



It's soft but needs dissolved somehow.

 

Another issue is you can not get to the other side of the ridge going down the center of tank. Might have to get this done somewhere.

tt

[toytuff]

I'm making progress! Not sure about my health however.

Nasty stuff. Nasty. Soaked in evapo rust but all that did was loosen the crud and pretty much ruined the solvent. Three (3) more gallons on the shopping list.

I soaked it in hot water a few times with detergent. Not much progress. Then I poured in some vinegar. Better. Now swishing with gas so as to break the muck apart. Oh, been using a chain to help the process.

Going to try and get it as clean as possible with another 24 hour vinegar soak then add the evapo rust for a week soak.

Will see then what it looks like. This tank will probably be a fuel filter candidate for a while.

tt

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

If the second soak doesn't help, take it to any decent radiator shop to have them clean and pressure test it.

[toytuff]

If the second soak doesn't help, take it to any decent radiator shop to have them clean and pressure test it.

Have several connections in town however there is not a shop I would trust to do the work. At least not here.

tt

[Stev-o]

If the second soak doesn't help, take it to any decent radiator shop to have them clean and pressure test it.

I had planned to do this and the shop I spoke to said they couldn't guarantee that they would not damage the paint. I didn't do it.

[toytuff]

On a second soak and at least I can see the bottom of the tank. Getting better each day.

Going to dump the vinegar, flush out the tank and roll the chain around. Again. After that I want to put one gallon of evapo rust, let soak overnight then swish with the chain.

Once acceptable I'll fill to the top and soak another week.

tt