Topic: GV1390's Trattoria "Racer" V2!

[simonpol]

Bump.

So after re-soda blasting it yet again, I removed the spare head/jugs I had on it, wire-wheeled it a bunch and pretty much soaked it in acetone before paint. Same paint was used, just with no primer this time and very light coats. Seems to be holding up pretty good so far.

Re-ringed and cleaned the pistons along with a hone jobs on the jugs and started with the assembly.

That watch looks very familiar - what brand/model it is ?

[Trad]

Sounds pretty thorough. Any reason why you did not replace the stock cylinder studs with HD studs?

Don, sometimes it is more trouble than it's worth. After talking with Mike in depth on this, the majority of the time it's not needed. It add's a piece of mind when finished properly, but it can also open a can of worms without necessity.

Nice work Gennaro! What method did you use to get the cylinder over the Pistons? Also, when splitting the cam chain did you get the correct rivet/soft link from Honda? I would look at doing so man. The endless links on these factory chains aren't meant to be riveted back together.

All in all, I really dig how the engine looks. Props on getting it done so fast. Leaving me in the dust. haha

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Sounds pretty thorough. Any reason why you did not replace the stock cylinder studs with HD studs?

Don, sometimes it is more trouble than it's worth. After talking with Mike in depth on this, the majority of the time it's not needed. It add's a piece of mind when finished properly, but it can also open a can of worms without necessity.

I have left sleeping dogs lie on this before on my 750 (entire rebuild) and my 550 (top end gasket refresh).  On my 550, after springing a base gasket leak, I said screw it and used a set of APE HD studs.  Between the extra torque and new gaskets, the leak was eliminated.

That said, I've had more than a few leak issues in the shakedown of my 750 (no base gasket leak, just valve cover leaks).  I'm inclined to swap out the studs with an engine with an entire build, especially one using higher compression pistons and a higher performance spec motor. 

[Bootsey]

Looking good GV! Engine looks a treat, I'm glad its on the bench now & no longer hanging from the roof - made me cringe every time I saw it, haha.

[Trad]

Sounds pretty thorough. Any reason why you did not replace the stock cylinder studs with HD studs?

Don, sometimes it is more trouble than it's worth. After talking with Mike in depth on this, the majority of the time it's not needed. It add's a piece of mind when finished properly, but it can also open a can of worms without necessity.

I have left sleeping dogs lie on this before on my 750 (entire rebuild) and my 550 (top end gasket refresh).  On my 550, after springing a base gasket leak, I said screw it and used a set of APE HD studs.  Between the extra torque and new gaskets, the leak was eliminated.

That said, I've had more than a few leak issues in the shakedown of my 750 (no base gasket leak, just valve cover leaks).  I'm inclined to swap out the studs with an engine with an entire build, especially one using higher compression pistons and a higher performance spec motor.

HD studs better, no doubt about that. With oil leaks though, proper gaskets, o-rings, mating surfaces, and prep is the main deciding factor on if your engine will leak or not. All that done with the factory studs should not leak unless you are pushing very high compression. We're talking 12:1 and beyond.

Edit, it also depends on if your factory studs are rusted and corroded to #$%*. 

[sinister902]

Nice work Gennaro! What method did you use to get the cylinder over the Pistons? Also, when splitting the cam chain did you get the correct rivet/soft link from Honda? I would look at doing so man. The endless links on these factory chains aren't meant to be riveted back together.
 

Gennaro bought an EK chain and an EK rivet-style masterlink....we used an OTC breaker and rivet tool to remove one link from the EK chain to fish through the cases and the new rivet-style masterlink to put back together. That OTC tool works excellent.....

as far as getting the jugs on, the bottom of the bores are tapered for a reason

set the pistons to have the inner two just a touch higher than the outer two, you can squeeze the rings by hand enough to get them started into the bores, then tap the whole cylinder set down until you have to do the same with the outer two pistons....then when you have about 1/3" left to tap down, install the rear camchain tensioner and set all the way.

[GV1390]

Bump.

So after re-soda blasting it yet again, I removed the spare head/jugs I had on it, wire-wheeled it a bunch and pretty much soaked it in acetone before paint. Same paint was used, just with no primer this time and very light coats. Seems to be holding up pretty good so far.

Re-ringed and cleaned the pistons along with a hone jobs on the jugs and started with the assembly.

That watch looks very familiar - what brand/model it is ?

Ha, it's just a cheap Kenneth Cole Reaction watch.

[GV1390]

Looking good GV! Engine looks a treat, I'm glad its on the bench now & no longer hanging from the roof - made me cringe every time I saw it, haha.

Thank you! Luckily that was just my spare head I was using, but agreed!

[GV1390]

Sounds pretty thorough. Any reason why you did not replace the stock cylinder studs with HD studs?

Don, sometimes it is more trouble than it's worth. After talking with Mike in depth on this, the majority of the time it's not needed. It add's a piece of mind when finished properly, but it can also open a can of worms without necessity.

Nice work Gennaro! What method did you use to get the cylinder over the Pistons? Also, when splitting the cam chain did you get the correct rivet/soft link from Honda? I would look at doing so man. The endless links on these factory chains aren't meant to be riveted back together.

All in all, I really dig how the engine looks. Props on getting it done so fast. Leaving me in the dust. haha

Thanks Jared!

Nick beat me to it with the chain questions...

Not leaving anyone in the dust, you'll update soon and blow me out of the water as usual, haha.

Frame and swing-arm are getting paint tonight. I also ended up ordering some Hagon 18kg shocks from Dave Quinn Motorcycles. Smooth transaction and he deff knows his stuff. Hoping to make this thing a roller soon, still so much to do though.

[GV1390]

Some teasers:

[GV1390]

Little update....

The motor is finally back together for the 3rd time. It had to be torn down the last time due to forgetting to install the o-rings around the bottom of the jugs to the block. In that process, a 10mm bolt on the outside that connects the head to the jugs snapped, what a joy that was to fix. Also, when taking my powder-coated valve cover off the corner of it where there is a mounting hole broke. My spare valve cover was broken in the exact same spot. I got lucky and scored a local one from a 77-78 for $25!

I also ended up with some nice Hagon 13.2" shocks. Last night I tossed some pieces together quickly just to get an outline how it will look, obviously it has to come back apart for final install but I couldn't wait, here is what I came up with:

[Trad]

Looks #$%*ing Killer Gennaro. Keep it up!

[GV1390]

Looks #$%*ing Killer Gennaro. Keep it up!

Thanks Jared! Seems like you're the only one who enjoys this, we should just resort to email for updates, ha.

[GV1390]

Mocked the spare headlight up quickly...





Also, drilled and riveted a new vin tag replacement since the factory one was in rough shape:

[GV1390]

Are you not planning on running a steering stabilizer either? I ask because I notice you altered the lower clamp for your headlight mount, and in the final picture the top side is also tapped?

The geometry changes of the gsxr front end on the stock bike does promote the chances of tank slappers, especially since you are now running single-sided brakes.

Food for thought-

I will be running a steering stabilizer...the top size was tapped because I originally was going to run risers with bars but I decided to run clip-ons. Eventually I will be buying a different top size triple piece that is not drilled along with different clip-ons as well. The ones in the picture are strictly to move it around and what not.

I will be drilling and tapping bolts to prevent the tank from getting slapped as well...in addition, the other GSXR rotor/caliper will be added as well, it's in the works before the bike is finished.

[GV1390]

Sorry, my question about the tapped hole was on the top of the bottom clamp in the picture. Where you posted the new VIN tag. Is that a modification for a different steering stop perhaps?

Ah, there are two of those for my headlight bracket with some spacers since the bottom of the bottom clamp does not sit flush. I can add pictures of this to show you if you'd like.

[Trad]

The paint on the frame looks so slick. Where did you get the replacement vin tag?

[GV1390]

The paint on the frame looks so slick. Where did you get the replacement vin tag?

Yeah except it's chipped easily in some spots because the primer was put on in a cold shop. It will be coming apart over winter to re-do the things I don't like, that is one of them, it'll get powder-coated at that point.

http://www.khneisser.ch/products/77/detail/HONDA-VIN-PLATE-USA-Version


Where did you get that simplified tach gear plug? I have one but it still uses the mounting with screw of the tach base, kinda bulky and I don't like it really. Yours is more so a plug that goes right into the hole with no mount? Is it just pressed in tight with an o-ring?

[Trad]

Yeah, mine does too. But think of it this way; With all the beautiful work and parts around the frame, it'll be the last thing people are really looking at.

I got it from Frank (754) on here. Yep, it just pushes in with the tightest o ring I could find. Maybe I'll use a bit of Hondabond if I see any seepage.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Those replacement VIN tags are pretty close. I try to save mine and re-rivet when possible.

[Trad]

Those replacement VIN tags are pretty close. I try to save mine and re-rivet when possible.

I'm in Canada so it's not an option for me

[GV1390]

I suppose this can use some updating.....

I also went on a motorcycle cross-country trip for two weeks and jammed over ~4700 miles, was super awesome but took some funds and time of course.

Anyway; tail acquired, hand made with a vintage red GLASS:



Internal throttle:



Neutral/Oil indicators:



Tank progress:









If you are to buy some of these, I highly recommend you speak with Mike at Power-Barn. Top notch Customer and Techincal Service, as it should be.

Carbs:















Had to send my swingarm out to have proper bushings and pivot bolt installed.

In the meantime, I GSXR front end swapped my daily and got some track time in:







Updates shall be posted quickly in the next couple months.

[754]

So was the swingarm pivot too loose.?
Hey,  read all about it in the other thread..
Your bike looks great,  btw..

[Restoration Fan]

Wow, very sexy!  I love that tail light.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Bummer about the fitment issues on the swingarm. 

Did you go with CR26s or 29s?