Author Topic: A sandcast restoration....on a budget ? Ridden for the first time since the 80s (Read 16929 times)

754 · « **Reply #25 on:** October 02, 2011, 01:22:52 am »

try cleaning up the bolts first, maybe they are run-able...

greenjeans · « **Reply #26 on:** October 02, 2011, 02:15:27 pm »

I can use all the bolts as they are. I think what I'm going to do while I make up my mind is - get it running.

As much as I like the patina of an old bike, I was just floored by MarkB's restoration. I've been wanting to do an origianl ever since.

The bike is pretty rusty - it will clean up a bit, but I'm thinking I'd like to do a good quality restoration - like Mark's beautiful job - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=64283.0

I'm not going to rush into anything on this one. Still trying to determine what is best for me.

Honestly, I'm trying to figure out a way that I could restore it and keep it.

Brown Bomber · « **Reply #27 on:** October 02, 2011, 04:59:05 pm »

Subscribed

bjatwood · « **Reply #28 on:** October 02, 2011, 05:35:28 pm »

Go to the bank, show them previous sales of these bikes (sandcasts) ask for 10 to 15K, redo bike, make monthly payments like you just bought a new one, and for all pratical purposes it will be!

bgfootball67 · « **Reply #29 on:** October 02, 2011, 05:45:54 pm »

Can't wait to see what you do with this one...

Free Booter · « **Reply #30 on:** October 02, 2011, 05:55:09 pm »

Wow..amazing find. I gotta say. Texas seems to be the place for good deals these days. Either that or there just seem to be more Texans on this forum looking recently..

754 · « **Reply #31 on:** October 02, 2011, 09:41:55 pm »

I dont think the bank will see it your/our way.... Enjoy it the way it is.. you wont enjoy it ten X as much if you put 5 K into it.............just saying..

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #32 on:** October 02, 2011, 09:44:11 pm »

Quote from: 754 on October 02, 2011, 09:41:55 pm

I dont think the bank will see it your/our way.... Enjoy it the way it is.. you wont enjoy it ten X as much if you put 5 K into it.............just saying..

If it makes it worth more than 10K then i think you would be mistaken....

It will only ever go up in value GJ

CBGhia · « **Reply #33 on:** October 03, 2011, 06:07:07 am »

With Greenjeans doing all of the work himself (and he does some fan-friggin-tastic work), I know he won't have to spend a ton to make it perfect. He will probably have to spend more than the $500 or $1000 that he normally does to create his masterpiece, but I bet he comes out no where near $5000.

greenjeans · « **Reply #34 on:** October 03, 2011, 08:12:19 am »

Well, got the carbs off and halfway cleaned. An incredible amount of crap in the carbs - might have preserved things

The cables are in good shape - will be able to re-use those. They look like Honda used modified bicycle cables....

Points look good - they were actually dusty. Gonna get a file after them and they should be fine to start it up.

Clutch is out - plates were stuck together, but came apart easily and will clean up just fine.

The oil filter bolt came out with a small struggle - dropped the oil pan - good news there - no water in the oil, nothing metal in the pan.
It looks like it has never come off before.

Looks like 1, maybe 2 of my pipes are completely gone. Bummer. I have no doubts this beast is going to fire right up.

Was hoping to get it running by the weekend so I could trailer it over to the Barber vintage festival and put out in my buddie's booth (you know the guy - he cut up the 69 on Cafe Racer) He say's I owe him for making my bike worth more.....

So far, so good. I'll post some pics later today of the carnage.

greenjeans · « **Reply #35 on:** October 04, 2011, 05:24:11 am »

Got the stator cover off as well as the transmission/shift lever cover off. Looks great in there - no rust, looks pristine.
Somehow, even the gaskets came of with no hassle in 1 piece.

Little bit of sludge. Figure I'll get her running, get her warmed up nice and run a bit of seafoam in the oil, run her some more then change the oil again. Got a couple filters ready to go.

Flying J · « **Reply #36 on:** October 04, 2011, 09:32:39 am »

keep the bike away from that guy, no telling what he will do to it while you turn your back to get a beer.

754 · « **Reply #37 on:** October 04, 2011, 09:58:21 am »

Dont throw the pipes out.
The time will come where everything despite great effort , that someone will appreciate an original piece and learn from it, use it as a pattern or repair it.. happens all the time on bikes from the 30s and earlier.
Banks.. they dont like risk..
Collecter vehicles, they used to take chances on, bet they are gunshy now..
I think unless the loans officer is a serious collector, they wont even bother to check if what you say is true.. bet they will likely laugh about it after you leave.
Simply put, they do not think like us..
Myself I would not go in the hole to fix it up.. do it up when you can.. chreish it and enjoy it.. it will have more meaning..

greenjeans · « **Reply #38 on:** October 04, 2011, 12:53:28 pm »

I still have every header pipe I've not been able to save hanging in the shop. I'm not a hoarder...not a hoarder....unless it's motorcycle parts.

And don't worry, Fuller isn't get close to this one. It's a stocker.

gonzobrian · « **Reply #39 on:** October 05, 2011, 05:03:30 pm »

I was hoping that once you get to the back end you can take a couple pictures of the swing arm, perhaps some measurements? I am also restoring a sandcast, dare I say on a budget, as I don't think this is possible. My bike is missing the chain guard and is missing the rear mounting point for the chain guard. I am hopping I might be able to fabricate and weld on the missing bracket but need some pics.

greenjeans · « **Reply #40 on:** October 11, 2011, 05:32:57 am »

Quote from: gonzobrian on October 05, 2011, 05:03:30 pm

I was hoping that once you get to the back end you can take a couple pictures of the swing arm, perhaps some measurements? I am also restoring a sandcast, dare I say on a budget, as I don't think this is possible. My bike is missing the chain guard and is missing the rear mounting point for the chain guard. I am hopping I might be able to fabricate and weld on the missing bracket but need some pics.

Will do - I have some folks visiting for the next couple of days - but I'll get you some pics and measurements later this week

gonzobrian · « **Reply #41 on:** October 12, 2011, 05:03:56 am »

Quote from: greenjeans on October 11, 2011, 05:32:57 am

Quote from: gonzobrian on October 05, 2011, 05:03:30 pm
I was hoping that once you get to the back end you can take a couple pictures of the swing arm, perhaps some measurements? I am also restoring a sandcast, dare I say on a budget, as I don't think this is possible. My bike is missing the chain guard and is missing the rear mounting point for the chain guard. I am hopping I might be able to fabricate and weld on the missing bracket but need some pics.

Will do - I have some folks visiting for the next couple of days - but I'll get you some pics and measurements later this week

Awesome thanks!!

lucky · « **Reply #42 on:** October 13, 2011, 11:07:16 am »

Quote from: Greggo on October 01, 2011, 09:20:51 am

Quote from: lucky on October 01, 2011, 09:09:40 am
At least those carbs will not be a problem like the modern carbs would.
Those cabs are VERY simple and efficicent. Easy to work on and understand.

I hear it's syncing them that is a problem.

People that have never synched the carbs on a motorcycle say that.
Just like people that have never welded anything say "Isn't stainless hard to weld?"

greenjeans · « **Reply #43 on:** October 23, 2011, 12:50:43 pm »

Finally got a little time to do some nickel & dime stuff. Cleaned & rebuilt the carbs. Needles and jets looked great - maybe this thing really does only have 9k on it.

Took off the oil tank and cleaned it. Also good - no signs of rust or crud.

Oil pan is clean as a whistle now, along with the bolts. New oil filter.

greenjeans · « **Reply #44 on:** October 23, 2011, 12:53:56 pm »

Going to go ahead an pop some new wheel bearings in. Doesn't look like the retainers have ever been removed (that's alwasy a good sign) Hub (2-hole) and rim are correct for the 69.

So far, I'm only missing are the original rearview mirrors. All the bolts that are supposed to be #8's are still there. I haven't run across anything yet that is cause for alarm.

Tews19 · « **Reply #45 on:** October 23, 2011, 01:00:09 pm »

Carbs look damn near new!!! Great job

WhyNot2 · « **Reply #46 on:** October 23, 2011, 01:10:10 pm »

Greggo · « **Reply #47 on:** October 23, 2011, 02:53:35 pm »

Nice work on the carbs...soda blast?

greenjeans · « **Reply #48 on:** October 25, 2011, 09:54:39 am »

Quote from: Greggo on October 23, 2011, 02:53:35 pm

Nice work on the carbs...soda blast?

Yep, home made soda blaster. Can't believe I haven't made one of these before. I just boiled the carbs for 10 minutes in water and a little simple green.
Then I just blew some compressed air on them to dry them off and hit them with the soda blaster. didn't take long at all.

jaguar · « **Reply #49 on:** October 25, 2011, 11:18:27 am »

Yeah its amazing what the soda blasting does.
I use a cheap harbor freight top load gun.

Ive been thinking about picking one of those cheap ultrasonic cleaners too

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Author Topic: A sandcast restoration....on a budget ? Ridden for the first time since the 80s (Read 16929 times)