Topic: Rebuilding the K8 again

[boatsdickson]

This was my 78 836k8 as it was a few seasons ago. I took these pics a few days before I learned what energy a balled up rag between the drive sprocket and the case truly has.




Having just spent the money a few years back for an upper end build, I wasnt ready to lay down the dollars again.... And besides, Ive always wanted to teach myself how to rebuild one of these motors anyway. How hard can it be? I remember asking nearly the same question years back while I was considering buying this bike. I thought small motor so cheap parts and easy fixins. Man, this has been a challenge. For myself with the information saturation and the wifey with all my spare time spent in the shop with the 'mistress'.

But first, since this is my first top to bottom self taught rebuild, and this is my first and only motorcycle, Im going to go back and show whats been done over the years.

[boatsdickson]

This is how it came to me about 15 years ago. A stock 750 with wonderful maintenance, 25,000 miles, and rattle can hunter green.

Being young and full of quervo, I had the idea of stripping it down one weekend and putting some color to the frame. Being once again unemployed I thought I would have it all back together in no more than 6 weeks.




What I wound up with was the motor sitting on the keg in the living room and a frame on the coffee table for a few years.

[boatsdickson]

First things first, and the only thing I could get done without costing me was the frame.

Credit goes to an old biker, druggie, buddy of mine of those dark times in my life.

Rest in peace Toad. You ended up screwing everyone of us before you killed yourself. But I screwed what was yours for years after you were gone.

---Smoke break---

[boatsdickson]

A few years go by, a few addictions are tamed, and a fiance is added
Had to farm out a gasket job on the750.

The station wagon was my only 'truck' back then.

What started as a motor freshinin ended up as an 836 wiseco set up with a used non-stock cam of unremembered origins.

[boatsdickson]

Now having a few of these motors tore apart my favorite method to work those cases apart is gravity. Have the engine stand bolted to a heavy sheet of lumber but not the table. Strap anything you want to come off the motor to the rafters above, and let the unboltin begin. Its funny what back issues will make a person create to do the lifting for ya.


I spent about a year after this just to find another k8 block in this area and the one I found had been in a flood. Nasty ol #$%* was filled with creek water and sand that sat around hardening for a few years.


#$%* was like concrete inside the chambers.

So there was obvious damage to the internals gettin this thing apart - But I won

[boatsdickson]

Sent the cases to a machine tank to have them cleaned up for paint. Went with the spray can method



Set up the bench grinder for a little touch up buffing



And Started putting it together

[boatsdickson]

I read a topic one time on this site about hanging the bike and raising the motor to its mate, so I gave it a try


Layed the motor on its side on the jack, rolled it under the frame, and raised it painless and slow. Whew, sure beats all the times heaving that thing in and out by hand

[boatsdickson]

Spending some time with various sets of carbs to get the newest and the cleanest, I set aside what I wanted then retouched the buffing - again. You will always see something that could have been done better.




It all looks pretty good once its all together. Good enough that Ill cry first mud puddle I slam


I kept an old home made shock mount I built a few years back. As much time it took to make it, I aint throwing it away

[boatsdickson]

Set about gettin it all dialed in


It did well enough to drive itself out of the shop and into the back yard for photo day. Heres what we came out with. Enjoy.





Thanks to everyone whos gotten me this far, and Ive got so much left to do so Ill see ya around.

[Steve_K]

Nice looking bike!   Cool blue paint and I dig the tail light. too.
I have moved a 750 engine and needed help and a six pack for my friends.  It's darn heavy.  good idea with the hoist,
Steve

[andy750]

Very impressive! And good write up! Your carbs look pretty amazing!

Good luck riding it
cheers
Andy

[HedNut]

Great job on the bike!!!  Excellent work...love the finish!!

[boatsdickson]

Thanx guys, just waiting on more parts to come in and Ill be hitting the distances I used to. Something about gettin my hands into every little part on this thing have made my rides a few miles here and a few miles here. Kinda of a ride just to see what should be done next.

The biggest thing I learned from doing all this myself? It wont be perfect, but it will be improved. I had to remind myself that over and over and over...