Topic: My K8 re-conditioning

[denward17]

My, but that's a good-looking bike!

Thanks

[denward17]

Installed new (used) front and rear fenders today.

Mine had rust pits all over them, and looked ok from about 6-8 feet,  the new ones are better, but not perfect.  I got a reasonably decent deal on both from the same person.


Gathering supplies to paint the Franken side covers I picked up from Stu.  Ordered 3Q2 Toyota paint to be mixed in an aerosol can from O'Reillys Auto Parts.

Hope to get started painting next week.

[BenelliSEI]

Good luck with the paint. Do you have the correct decals for the side covers? AFE Graphics does excellent versions. You won’t see any Honda kits there, because Honda chases them (even though they do not supply these bits). Just enquire.

[denward17]

Not really fond of the gold side cover decals, so will leave those off.  I did order some new badges from Franken-store.

Also thinking about the Honda badges on the gas tank.  I may take those off and repaint, they look pretty bad.

I did send an email to inquire about the graphics though.

[BenelliSEI]

Not really fond of the gold side cover decals, so will leave those off.  I did order some new badges from Franken-store.

Also thinking about the Honda badges on the gas tank.  I may take those off and repaint, they look pretty bad.

I did send an email to inquire about the graphics though.

Mark Olan (AFE Graphics) is just up the road from me! He makes perfect repro decals. Highly recommend his products.

[denward17]

^Thanks for the tip, I emailed AFE graphics and got a link to the parts, they look good.
I may order some down the road...

[denward17]

Painted Honda fuel tank badges today........

Primed the Franken side covers, hopefully shoot base/clear coat tomorrow afternoon.

[grcamna2]

The tank badges look great 

[RAFster122s]

You painted the black background on badges, right? Looks good.

[denward17]

You painted the black background on badges, right? Looks good.

Yes, sprayed the whole badge with VHT epoxy paint, and wiped off the letters carefully with acetone.

[BenelliSEI]

Looking better and better! Good luck with the side covers.

[denward17]

Looking better and better! Good luck with the side covers.

No luck on the side covers, color is darker than what I thought (or mixed incorrectly), and the aerosol spray can nozzle had leaks, drips.

Had a couple of drips on the top of cover, not good.  Also discovered my sanding sucks, saw a few sanding defects.

Will re-sand in a few days and start over.

[Mark1976]

   That's called "the learning curve." Painting is very detail oriented. Unfortunately it's become a very pricey process to learn these days. In '74 or '75 you could literally paint a car on the cheap for under $30. A gallon of lacquer might have cost $15. Last gallon of lacquer I bought about 10 years ago cost over $300, and then I still had to buy the clear. My cost to do a quality paint job was over $1200. So yeah, take your time, it'll come out right.

[denward17]

~130 miles since top end rebuild.

Happy to report it runs pretty good, good idle, no smoke, no oil leaks as of yet.  No WOT yet, but have pushed it a little up to about 6500 RPM, riding on a few hills so I can engine brake to help seal the rings.

Probably will do another 100 miles before I change oil/oil filter and check carb sync again.

Seems I do have have some clutch basket noise, as the noise disappears when I pull the clutch in.  As far as I know the original clutch is in it, doesn't slip.

[grcamna2]

Excellent   
 
I seat piston rings under acceleration;when backing-off the throttle,the piston skirts are 'in play' then,not so much the rings..
I give it a few short blasts by upshifting about 1/2 throttle through the gears which forces the rings against the freshly honed cylinder walls,then slowing-down/downshifting easily;then accelerating through the gears again.
I usually take about a 30 mile ride w/o traffic  on some back roads,doing this when it's possible to get plenty of airflow.
I then park the bike until the engine is stone cold(even the crankshaft,which seems to take about 2-3hrs..)and then do this again;keep checking your oil level  .
This is 'Heat Cycling' which works to seat the rings for me.

[BenelliSEI]

I’ll bet the clutch noise lessens when you complete the final carb sync. Because these engines are “dry sump”, they will always make some extra noises at idle. If the clutch feels right, disengages fully and does not slip when released, leave it alone and enjoy your lovely ride!

[Stev-o]

Probably will do another 100 miles before I change oil/oil filter and check carb sync again.

Can never change the oil too early but most recommend the oil changed at around 500 miles and then let that motor sing!  Great job.

[grcamna2]

Might help to pull the plugs at some point to see what color they are. Did Mike port your cylinder head?
I only mention it because it helps to see how your carb. jetting looks.

[newday777]

Nice job Dennis

[denward17]

Might help to pull the plugs at some point to see what color they are. Did Mike port your cylinder head?
I only mention it because it helps to see how your carb. jetting looks.

Yes, Mike did some porting on the intake side.  I pulled the plugs at about 25 miles or so, they looked pretty even, but probably need to check them again after the next ride.  I have a habit of turning the fuel petcock off about .25 miles before I get home to drain the bowls a little.

[denward17]

Nice job Dennis

Thanks Stu, and Thanks for the tips guys.

[grcamna2]

Might help to pull the plugs at some point to see what color they are. Did Mike port your cylinder head?
I only mention it because it helps to see how your carb. jetting looks.

Yes, Mike did some porting on the intake side.  I pulled the plugs at about 25 miles or so, they looked pretty even, but probably need to check them again after the next ride.  I have a habit of turning the fuel petcock off about .25 miles before I get home to drain the bowls a little.

I do the same thing with the fuel valve,lol.

[Stev-o]

Might help to pull the plugs at some point to see what color they are. Did Mike port your cylinder head?
I only mention it because it helps to see how your carb. jetting looks.

Yes, Mike did some porting on the intake side.  I pulled the plugs at about 25 miles or so, they looked pretty even, but probably need to check them again after the next ride.  I have a habit of turning the fuel petcock off about .25 miles before I get home to drain the bowls a little.

I do the same thing with the fuel valve,lol.

+1

[MauiK3]

+1 for me too, I don’t leave it on even though I run ethanol free.

[denward17]

Over the last few days trying to decide which direction to go, I stripped the paint/primer off the Franken side covers and re-sanded.

Today I primed them with the first 2 coats, and will re-sand tomorrow.

I decided to order a can of aerosol spray from automotivetouchup, in 3Q2, hopefully this will work.  Have to wait about a week for it to show up.

Dang bugs, they got in the primer, so will probably have to re-prime them after sanding.

I did order one of those small tabletop paint tents/booth, waiting for it to get here.  Hopefully that will help with debris, as I have to paint either outside or in the garage, which I don't like doing.

2nd attempt....