There are an awful lot of really nice looking bikes on this thread!
I posted this little mini build on the nominations page and thought voters and others may appreciate it here too.
Mine was my very first build. I've done a ton of restorations and race builds, but they've all been cars. Mostly British, but I started in vintage Porsches.
I paid a few hundred bucks for it, and it was literally in baskets and hadn't run in years (most likely decades). I slapped as many of the parts to make it look like a motorcycle again and snapped a couple photos.
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I was pretty excited about the whole thing, but had no idea what I'd gotten myself into.
Disassembly began, starting with building the J-hook to use a hoist to pull the engine from the frame (thanks to this forum). Then started pulling part the engine.
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After a bunch of research, again thanks to this forum, I went with the 836 kit from CruizinImage in Japan. I had the head machined by a rockstar local machine shop, and the cylinders bored based on the clearances recommended on the forum.
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Then the prep began for reassembly.
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Got a tank to replace mine that was pretty rusty (thanks Steve-o).
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And started the assembly.
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Installed with CycleX valves/springs/retainers.
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A lot of elbow grease into removing 40 years of grime.
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Rebuilt with Progressive springs.
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Installed brass bushings.
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Welded up the loop for the beautiful seat.
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And the parts just kept coming!
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I took the entire frame down to bare metal to remove any corrosion at all.
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Then covered it in POR15 chassis coat (which has worked great - super tough stuff).
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The whole bike got All Ballz bearings.
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Coming together!
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All new wiring harness.
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More rebuilt bits - restoring these parts was actually pretty zen.
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New CycleX shocks.
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Completely rebuilt controls (again with help from this forum).
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All new electrical from Hondaman, Rick's and my own work.
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Then I studied for about two weeks. I tried to learn everything I could about the PD 42 carbs. I rebuilt, rejetted and reset them. With APE pods and a 4-1 exhaust, they work beautifully. I also got new rubber boots which I HIGHLY recommend. Worth the $100.
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I endd up with the Delkevic exhaust after talking with them and doing a bunch of research on several other options. I couldn't be happier with my choice. Love the sound, well built, light, fits the passenger pegs and the center stand.
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After some final tweaking, I made my first ride - shocked by how fast even under part throttle and under 5K for the break-in!
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Then I settled on a color. I went with a slightly metal grey. It looks like a gloss grey, but when the sun or light hits it just right, you can see the metal in it. On top of that, it's a 2016 MINI color (which gives a nod to my background). This was the first ride to work.
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Since then, I've just been riding it! I love the bike. Everywhere I go, other people love the bike too. Harley guys, Sportbike guys, grandmas doing shopping, little kids, teenagers on skateboards, everyone.
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Thanks so much to everyone who has helped (and continues to help) me with this build. It is a real honor to be nominated for BOTM.