The Hunley

[pidjones]

Over a month now, but finally got around to working on the wiring harness some more. Still need to clean and burnish the female barrel connectors. I'm thinking a gun cleaning brush ought to do. Then it's on to the right and left controls and their connectors (which will need replacement).

It goes slow, but is enjoyable and I'm in no hurry. The head gaskets are in, so the heads come off some time in December/January for valve lapping and seals for the left head.

[pidjones]

Sincerely apologize for not keeping this up. Life happened. This past year I've been finishing up my final year at work, preparing for retirement September 30th (officially a Reduction In Force, but on the date I was planning to retire). The Hunley has been far to the back of interests and priorities until recently. Now that I've taken care of a few things and cleared my slate of most pressing needs, motorcycle rebuilding again holds my interest. The seats in both heads were in need of re-cutting, and the valves needed replaced. Valves are on order ($$$), and the seats were all ground by a local shop for a grand total of $10. The frame still hangs from the ceiling of the garage, but I have begun pulling parts out, inspecting, and deciding if they need just cleaned or repainted (and what color?) I've decided that I will brush paint the engine cases and trany covers with POR-15 MG Maroon, which should complement the planned dark metallic green planed for the shelter, tins, and fenders. Pretty much finished with the wiring harness cleanup and rebuild.

So, back at it again. Will be taking some trips on the 1800 (now with about 110k miles) with the wife over the next few years. Hoping to ride to Florida for a couple weeks to watch a space launch. Other directions as we desire. Wife still has not retired, but expecting it this summer.

[Track T 2411]

Welcome back! I can surely relate to 'life happens!' Looking forward to more updates!

[pidjones]

Heads are now both ready for re-assembly. I've been cleaning the cases in preparation for painting with POR-15 MG Maroon. This girl had about 1/4" of oily crud packed into her bottom fins. I've been working on cleaning for over a week, but getting much closer.

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My left thumb has been causing a lot of pain lately, so I can only put in a couple hours using it per day. But, I don't really use it when buffing on a wheel mounted in my drill press, so I took the T-shaped cover from behind the right head off and polished it (because I like polishing and I may be part squirrel).

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Hope all have a Very Merry Christmas and Safe and Prosperous New Year!

[pidjones]

Heads are now assembled and wiring harness complete (I hope). Engine still in need of more cleaning before paint, but it is too cold in the basement garage to work for me. If I ask for more heat to warm it some the rest of the house gets too hot. Plus, with the solvent vapors I have to open the garage door for about an hour for every 30 minutes of work to let the fumes out.

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[pidjones]

FINALLY finished cleaning the engine block, plus did a little more polishing. Got one side and bottom of the block painted. It will have to cure for a week or two before I can flip it over and paint the other side and top.

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[Sundance]

FINALLY finished cleaning the engine block, plus did a little more polishing. Got one side and bottom of the block painted. It will have to cure for a week or two before I can flip it over and paint the other side and top.
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That is a magnificent color for the engine. It has given me ideas of Ford Red Engine with a Burnt Copper Rustoleum Frame. In the long run....if it ever comes.....

[pidjones]

Full disclosure: she is just mocked up right now. Still, this gives me a spirit boost. Now, on to getting the rear drive ready, then engine to frame and wiring fun. Also a shot of some of the fun she has been so far.
BTW, compression tests Saturday morning were pleasing (though not perfect). The worst cylinder (#1) is now the best at 150 dry, 175 with an oil squirt. The others went from 120 dry to 160 with a squirt of oil. I'll sure live with that and hope it to run in.

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[robin1731]

Tell me you didn't use RTV on the intake to head surface.

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[pidjones]

Tell me you didn't use RTV on the intake to head surface.

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The blue is actually masking tape. The intakes are still taped off because the carbs are just there for the photo - no o-rings.

[robin1731]

Tell me you didn't use RTV on the intake to head surface.

.

The blue is actually masking tape. The intakes are still taped off because the carbs are just there for the photo - no o-rings.

.

[BikeMaine]

I'm loving the details.

Looking forward to more photos and information.

[pidjones]

Quite a mess. Note the type circlip used on the external splines. They also removed the grease seal so the whole swing arm was packed full of grease. Found a used seal on eBay and it's on its way. Now to get this pig cleaned up.

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[pidjones]

Finally got the swing arm cleaned, rear drive cleaned (together it took 2 cans of engine cleaner and a quarter can of Dow Bathroom Cleaner), sanded, bolted them together and painted as a unit (satin black wheel paint). When I pulled the propeller shaft, I discovered also that the u-joit cup was loose in the yoke. Found one on eBay and it is in now, all assembled with proper seals. Oh, and they had left one of the thrust bushes out of one swing arm bearing. Not having any phenolic to make a new one from, and even used non existent on eBay, I spun one out of brass. Should do fine. All assembled with healthy dollops of Honda Pro Moly 60 paste.

On to the wheels!

[pidjones]

Included with this bike was a 78=79 chrome muffler assembly. It is in pretty good shape (no rust-through). I've not bothered to clean it up as I don't plan to use it on this custom build. I'll run it over to Pistol Pete next week to see if he has interest in it, and if not will post it on a couple forums before putting it on eBay. I'd prefer to sell it for local pickup. It will go in the For Sale section if Pete doesn't bite.

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