Topic: Greetings! New member; new project!

[Zaipai]

Baby steps captin baby steps... Gives you things to do this winter and keeps you out of trouble. 

[Captainkirk]

Well, that's the idea, anyway.
Plus, it slows me down from reading Craigslist 15 times a day.

[Zaipai]

Yes as does my project keep me from doing the same!

[Captainkirk]

More baby steps

[Zaipai]

Looking good Captin.. keep those baby steps coming.. It will be done in no time.

[Captainkirk]

Have I given up?
Oh, HELL no! Just been distracted throughout the holidays by work and, ummm....health issues.....that seem to be under control.
I probably won't get a whole heckuvalot done over the winter, even tho this is deemed a "winter" project. Winter pretty much shuts down All Things Motorcycle for a few desperate, agonizing months here. Tonight it is 11 degrees out in the Starship Enterprise (my garage/motorcycle shop/alterworld) and even if I had heat out there, I couldn't afford to use it in this economy. I still have a bank of carbs to finish, a tank to boil out and flush, and tank/covers to paint in the relative warmth of my shop at work. Plus, taking a few months off from eating/breathing motorcycles every evening helps renew things a bit. So, don't give up on me. I haven't given up on my new project. I'll have more to report very soon!

[joec3613]

Looks good. I'm a lucky one. Down in FL it doesn't get too cold, although the last week has been chilly. I was out in the garage this morning (before everyone else got up) and was cleaning my valve covers getting them ready for paint. Can't imagine doing that in -5 Deg!

[traveler]

Yeah, working in the cold takes a higher level of dedication, that's for sure.

Keep up the good work....Steady progress is the key.  If you get tired/flustered...then STOP, clean up, and come back later.

Otherwise you just get pissed and burned out.

~Joe

[Zaipai]

I hear you captin.. I have heat and it still makes it hard to get any thing done. While I am making progress its about 1/4 what I had hoped and about 1/2 what I would get done in the warmer months. The Holidays slowed me down, funny cause I thought with all the extra time off I would find time to get out there.. but no.. The family had other plans for me..

We will be watching..

TTYS,
.: Scott :.

[Captainkirk]

Thanks for your continued support...I'll keep you in the loop!

[Captainkirk]

Well, I guess I should brief you all on the latest;
I further complicated myself by buying a VF750 Interceptor project a few weeks ago. It's in sad shape, but I spent a few days monkeying with it before coming to my senses and realizing the CB550 is much closer to being completed, so back on it....
I did another carb...two down, two to go. I bought a NOS key off eBay that works like a charm!
I painted the fork stanchions and bought and installed new fork gaiters. The front fender and brakes are off, front disc off and painted, etc. I'll try to shoot some pics and give more details over the weekend. Progress marches forth...

[Zaipai]

Yeah!! I was just thinking where were you the other night. Glad to see your still on it..

TTYS,
.: Scott :.

[Captainkirk]

Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water....
...or, just when I was getting into my project; one of my steady customers decides he needs some service. No big deal; an oil change, tire change, thermostat replacement and carb cleaning. Shouldn't take but a couple evenings. But, it means I have to clear off the lift. And so I had to reassemble the 550, lickety-split, and get it mobile, which I did, this evening. I got a chance to see how the front end looks all together. It looks pretty good, if I do say so myself! The new fork gaiters (boots) I picked up look really sweet next to the fresh paint on the fork stanchions, along with the freshly painted disc center and newly polished front wheel. I can see, immediately, that the front caliper needs painting. Not sure if I'll stick with black or get creative.....
At any rate, it gets me pumped. Makes me want to paint, polish and shine every nut, bolt, and piece of metal on the bike. What can I say...it's an illness. But, I know when it's done it will be one fine machine. And I guess that's what makes it worth it.

[Zaipai]

Yea, it is an illness I know because I have been bitten.. In fact I just spent 2 hours sanding the 30+ years of grime off my front hub so I can polish it and put it on my rim with my new spokes.. So I know exactly what you mean and yes it should look outstanding.

.: Scott :.

[Captainkirk]

Yea, it is an illness I know because I have been bitten.. In fact I just spent 2 hours sanding the 30+ years of grime off my front hub so I can polish it and put it on my rim with my new spokes.. So I know exactly what you mean and yes it should look outstanding.

.: Scott :.

I'll show you mine if you'll show me yours...
No, wait. That's just Wrong!
What I mean is....I'll post some pix if you will...

[Zaipai]

Well here is the rear hub..

.: Scott :.

[greasy j]

nice score! you came to the right place and it looks like you ARE the guy! be watchin...

[Captainkirk]

Well here is the rear hub..

.: Scott :.

Very nice! Your attention to detail is catchy...

[Captainkirk]

nice score! you came to the right place and it looks like you ARE the guy! be watchin...

Thanks. I'll get some pix of the progress tomorrow....

[Captainkirk]

So, what I did so far:
1) Pulled the front wheel assembly, removed brake disc, cleaned and polished disc and repainted disc carrier with Hi-temp ceramic paint.
2) Pulled both fork tubes. Cleaned and treated rust on tubes inside headlight "ears" area
3) Cleaned and painted lower fork stanchions with Rust-Oleum hammered-finish silver...wasn't sure if I was gonna like it. But I do, so it stays!
4) Installed new fork gaiters (boots)
5) Cleaned and polished entire front wheel assembly including brake, speedo carrier, bolts, fender, brake pivot assembly. Inspected brake linings for wear (good to go!)
Slapped the whole thing back together to roll it off the lift. I'll be installing a new front tire before completion, and I still need to paint the front brake inner/outer calipers.


OK; you saw what the forks looked like before. Here's after..

[Zaipai]

3) Cleaned and painted lower fork stanchions with Rust-Oleum hammered-finish silver...wasn't sure if I was gonna like it. But I do, so it stays!

I agree looks fantastic.. Looks great against the gators...

.: Scott :.

[theofam]

Captain, just read your build thread.  It's cleaning up very nicely.  The front end looks great!  Keep chuggin'.

[Captainkirk]

Thanks, all for the encouragement. Gives me hope that it's all worthwhile!

[Captainkirk]

More carb work (#3) today. Now that I got it off the lift and have my customer's bike up there where the 550 belongs, I'm getting antsy and chafing at the bit to get the 550 back up there and rip back into it.....patience, son, patience. "Customers" help finance your "expeditions", remember?
(grumblegrumble) Yeah, yeah, I know. Don't patronize me.
Just sayin'....
On a side note, got customer's carbs off, cleaned and back on again. Oh, and his starter's fried. (No wonder it wouldn't start. Hurry up and get me the parts, dude....I got a 550 that needs back up on the lift!

[Zaipai]

Sounds like you have some inner conflicts to solve, however that will have to wait you have a 550 to work on man!!!



.: Scott :.