78 Blue Baron

[CFD132]

I bought this in the summer of 1992. My wife and I rode this for five years before I parked it in a barn for a Honda Valkyrie Interstate. In September of last year, I decided to dig it out and get the ole girl going again. I was planning on selling it, then I got into the project and looks like I have changed my mind. Little did I know of the project it has become! I am posting a few photos to where I am now. With things warming up, and the cash flow a little better now, it is time to get this project completed. My goal is July 1st. We shall see!

My wife has asked that I let everyone know that the bike is the ole girl and not her...

[CFD132]

I have pulled the engine, and I have completed the frame repair. I pulled the center stand mount back to center and welded the frame back together. I then added a gusset to each side and welded it up tight. Once that was done, I ground the metal back down smooth for paint.

[sunnbobb]

Nice work

[CFD132]

Frame is repaired, and the engine has been pulled... Guess I might as well take it all the way now! Time to pull the tank, rear drive, forks, and triple tree. Going all the way down to the frame and building her back. This project has gone from a quick fix and flip to a family keeper. My son is 10 and has taken some interest in the build. He has already asked if I am going to keep it or sell it. Then he followed that with he would like to ride it someday. I guess I am a sucker for my kids. I am going to build it for the long haul and I am going to seek his creative input on the build for color and final look. Lets see where a 10 year old will take us.

Engine is being prepped for paint and I am about to start on the frame breakdown for paint. Or should I powder coat? That is a question. Any thoughts?

[CFD132]

I got out in the shop today and worked on the ole girl some more. I took the lights of the rear fender, cleaned, and filled the holes. I primed it black to stop any rust until I am ready for paint. I also cleaned the front wheel some. Does anyone know where I can get some bars to replace the stock ones? I am also looking for exhaust options. Any input would greatly be appreciated.

[CFD132]

I am sorry. I meant to post all of these with the last posting. I am still learning how to navigate these waters.

[CFD132]

When I finished up today, I needed to get some cleaning done. It was quite a task getting things put away.

[Easter]

Already starting to look a whole lot better. You can get anything you want at Alice's Restaurant or ebay! (sorry, these old bikes just send me back to the seventies!)

[Roady]

That's coming along nicely. Lots of bar options, most styles of 7/8" will work. And on pipes any 1-3/4" will strap on. Take offs are usually pretty cheap.

[polkadot]

I had the frame of my LTD powder-coated and Love it. Only thing I would do different would be to take all the black metal parts in and have them all done at the same time. Its only about $50 more to do them all! My $.02

[sgwilly]

If you're ready to spend the money on powdercoating then do it. It will save you from a number of paint chips when you put it back together.

[CFD132]

Today was an absolutely beautiful day here in Apex, NC! Clear skies and temps in the mid 60's. It gave me the fever to ride today, but I fought that off and choose to work on the wing instead. So today I put the frame back up on the lift and started to strip it down. After a couple of hours I am there! Everything is labeled and put away for safe keeping. I am looking for some feed back as I get ready to send the frame off for powder coating.

1. Do you know of someone to apply powder coat in the area you would recommend?
2. Besides the frame and battery box, what else should I consider coating? The gas tank?
3. While the engine is out and easy to work on, any recommendations for things to replace or check before I start putting this thing back together?

[polkadot]

I'd PC every piece of black metal. Gas tank, frame, battery box, foot pegs, center stand, kick stand, etc.

[wingrider]

For a powder coater in your area, do a search online, or check a phone book. If it is anything like up here in MN, you will find places that will only do large batch pc'ing, and won't do odd jobs for someone stopping by. I lucked out and found a person that specializes in odd pc'ing jobs for anyone that wants to come in.

Most of my small things I sent to a member on here, tomk1960, who does great work. He is up in Massachusetts, so not local to you either.

As far as what to have coated, if it is metal and is painted, it can be coated. . For instance, your brake calipers are a fine example of a part that does well to be coated. Your pegs, fenders, swing arm, stands, and any other part can be done up to look good as new.

You are certainly in a club of naked wings...mine is even a touch further than yours at the moment. I cut my center stand off, and pushed out the swing arm bushings.

On a side note, what model JD is in the background? 3020?

[ericheath]

For engine checks while it's out, it is probably worth pulling the lower hose cover off and giving the water pump the wiggle test. Roady has a good tutorial in Shoptalk. If you're ambitious you could pull the back cover to check clutch thickness and clean the stator and starter clutch dogs. You would need a rear cover gasket which can be made on your own. Check to see if the cover for turning the motor over on the rear of the stator is free. Seems a lot of them get bound up and then rounded off. Clean the oil screen. Check or replace neutral switch.