Topic: Early Sandcast Found......

[BenelliSEI]

With taxes, just over $1800 Cdn. Six pcs. For a Z1, probably far less to buy new reproduction parts?

[BenelliSEI]

The guy that re-chromed my sandcast rolled rim mentioned I might be able to buy a new rim for less. I said yes, but not that particular rim. He smiled and said OK then, as long as you know that.

Yep! And the original rims have only a tiny “DID” stamp. No numbers or sizes..... The instrument back plates are still available from Honda and 1/2 the price of Plating, but they are “universal”, for speedo and tach. The originals are two different parts. The fenders were strangely undamaged, so they are beautiful too. Shop did copper, polish, then chrome, so they are almost too nice....

[lash]

Did they repair any dents, rust spots, cracks before they chromed them?

[BenelliSEI]

Did they repair any dents, rust spots, cracks before they chromed them?

No. Fenders had minor pitting and rims too. But, straight.

[Prospect]

Crazy prices for Chrome up here.  I've heard of restorers sending parts to Poland and getting it done for a fraction of the cost.

This was a better choice vs. reproduction.

With taxes, just over $1800 Cdn. Six pcs. For a Z1, probably far less to buy new reproduction parts?

[RAFster122s]

Here in SW and Cali a lot of guys work with chrome shops across the border in Mexico.
Much less than US prices and very good out of many of those shops. No personal experience with them yet.

[BenelliSEI]

Crazy prices for Chrome up here.  I've heard of restorers sending parts to Poland and getting it done for a fraction of the cost.

This was a better choice vs. reproduction.

With taxes, just over $1800 Cdn. Six pcs. For a Z1, probably far less to buy new reproduction parts?

Interesting..... the frame on my Rickman will need to be re plated when I finish brazing on all the brackets and tabs (it was a race bike for 30+ years). I may end up shipping back to England to the guys that bright nickel plate the replica frames today!

[BenelliSEI]

Crazy prices for Chrome up here.  I've heard of restorers sending parts to Poland and getting it done for a fraction of the cost.

This was a better choice vs. reproduction.

With taxes, just over $1800 Cdn. Six pcs. For a Z1, probably far less to buy new reproduction parts?

It’s only money! I want to use every original part possible, so no options......

[MauiK3]

Years ago I had an old F250 upholstered and painted in Tijuana. They did a great job, I sold that truck for 3x what I bought it for.

[BenelliSEI]

Did a bit of shipping prep on the chopper today. Sold it to a really keen guy in Indiana! It was raining this aft, so Shop time seemed a good alternative.

Put the painted frame of the S/C up the the hoist just to have it up there...... next thing I knew the centre stand was on it. Cleaned up the triple bearings and they look so good I froze the races and warmed the headstock and installed. While the frame was upside down, brushed a bit of black enamel on a couple of spots that Honda, and then my friend the painter, both missed.

I was planning on NOT working on this bike until next Winter, but I have a new set of spokes, freshly chromed rims. May be just enough to get it clamped properly on the table?

The front fork tubes came apart too. One tube looks fine, but the second has some pitting in just the wrong place...... Mmm.

[MauiK3]

The force of the Sand Cast muse has captured you

[Don R]

 I have a nice set of sandcast fork tubes +6" over.    L0L.  Except I do.

[BenelliSEI]

I have a nice set of sandcast fork tubes +6" over.    L0L.  Except I do.

I think I can save these.

[BenelliSEI]

Raining again, so I spent a few hours clearing holes and “test fitting” a few bits.

Have to keep reminding myself: fit the rear brake operating arm BEFORE the swing arm.

On most of my bikes, I drill and tap for a grease nipple, where the brake pedal shaft goes through, the tube on the frame. Also, knock the brass nipples out of the swing arm pivot bolt, and tap them for a proper grease nipple. Decided #1250 will stay “stock”.

Apologies for the upside down photo. If you tap to enlarge, it flips to right side up. Baffles me.

[y2kc0wb0y]

So many schools of thought on improving these old bikes. In the end it's just that "an old bike" regardless of the rarity. The bike is going to be around for few centuries after us so does it deserve some minor improvement?

[PeWe]

The thing with the early sand molded CB750 engines and other stuff that were improved the years after is lack of improvements and not many left This increase the interest and price.

There is a chart of improvements done in engine from 1969 to 1978. Later is better but worth less

[BenelliSEI]

So many schools of thought on improving these old bikes. In the end it's just that "an old bike" regardless of the rarity. The bike is going to be around for few centuries after us so does it deserve some minor improvement?

Have you seen sandcast values lately? Common sense would suggest using the $1500 bike to modify.......This one stays totally original.

[Don R]

 My thought exactly, I have a nice titled K2 with a no number replacement frame, a beautiful planet blue gas tank full of sealed rust, an engine number beginning with a 1 and a big bore kit done back in the day. It's probably going to receive my collection of hot rod parts, I see it as the perfect bike to modify. Was +6" forks with tall pullback bars, it was not even pleasant to move around in the shop.   
 

[y2kc0wb0y]

Have you seen sandcast values lately? Common sense would suggest using the $1500 bike to modify.......This one stays totally original.

I'm aware of the prices and the defects. I don't think minor and sensible improvements would NOT* affect the value at all. Like a tapered headset or needle swing arm bearings etc. BUT sounds like these SC restorations are doomed for the museum dust rag and sensible improvements are not worth mentioning anyway. #asyouwere

[754]

I have a nice set of sandcast fork tubes +6" over.    L0L.  Except I do.

 I have cut a few sets back to stock length..

[BenelliSEI]

I have a nice set of sandcast fork tubes +6" over.    L0L.  Except I do.

 I have cut a few sets back to stock length..

I dipped the tops in my phosphoric acid bath. The seal areas look good, so I think I can reuse the originals. The bike shows 17,000 miles on a working speedo, and all the parts measure up nicely.

[Don R]

I have a nice set of sandcast fork tubes +6" over.    L0L.  Except I do.

 I have cut a few sets back to stock length..

  If we lived closer, I'd probably be a pest Frank! 

[BenelliSEI]

I have a nice set of sandcast fork tubes +6" over.    L0L.  Except I do.

 I have cut a few sets back to stock length..

  If we lived closer, I'd probably be a pest Frank!

+1 to that!

[Don R]

 So, How's the Sandcast coming along?

[MauiK3]

Any new photos?