2019 Spring Project: 'Layla'

[Track T 2411]

Thank you... my mom is in good spirits, so that's a blessing.

[Liam]

Good to read that your mom is in good spirits.

[Track T 2411]

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Finally, a little working room! Time to 'birth' a fuel tank...

[Track T 2411]

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All ready to go... oops! Forgot the petcock has to come off!

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Time for some deep, deep cleaning. I'm hoping that most of the fuel stains will come off. I'm not going to paint anything at this point; I need to get this lady on the road!

[CrazyJerry]

I think I need to 'commune' more and build a better connection with the bike... I know, I'm kinda weird,

Me thinks there are others who "commune" with their bikes too!
-
~CrazyJerry~

[230Rocket]

It's all looking great, coming together is a slow process but you'll get there and it'll all be so worth it. I particularly love the valve covers with the "made in Japan" script, that's cool.

Cheers
Dean

[Track T 2411]

Motivation seems hard to come by lately... Started cleaning up the fuel tank, and inadvertently spilled some carb cleaner on it that lifted a big spot of the old paint. I hadn't planned on painting it, so there's another added step. I'm running out of things to do in the basement workshop, and the weather certainly hadn't been very cooperative, and there's rain in the forecast for the weekend as well.

[Fred Camper]

One step back and next two forward.

[ritalz]

Painting is a time consuming task but the results can be very satisfying. The last one I painted was not appreciated by the kid and he ruined it. The paint on my 75 has held up pretty good. Can't remember what year it was done. Used Rustoleum cut with thinner in a gravity feed sprayer. Followed by some sparkle and topped with rattle can clear. Worked for me.

[Track T 2411]

I did get a few hours in at the storage unit before the cold and damp got the better of me...

The starting point. I did find a new use for an old timing belt, lol!

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A few of my favorite detailing tools. Note the chopsticks from my last Chinese take-out meal. They're free, sturdy, and you can easily trim them to different shapes to suit your needs. I didn't get a pic of the pile of old socks that I use for rags, but after several years of kids in the house doing their own laundry, I've got quite the bag full of mismatched socks; they're small enough to get around and into the nooks and crannies, and, again, free, lol.

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I've also found that WD-40 works great as a goop and grime cleaner because it (kind of) clings, cuts the grease, and doesn't hurt the paint as long you don't let it sit for long.
The front, bottom, and inside of the rear diff was just caked with greasy grime. A couple of treatments of WD, a good brushing, and wipe with a rag, and presto!

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Just about done with the back half (the easy part!).

[Track T 2411]

Painting is a time consuming task but the results can be very satisfying. The last one I painted was not appreciated by the kid and he ruined it. The paint on my 75 has held up pretty good. Can't remember what year it was done. Used Rustoleum cut with thinner in a gravity feed sprayer. Followed by some sparkle and topped with rattle can clear. Worked for me.

Al, thank goodness I meant the 'real' fuel tank! I'd be more than a little upset if I damaged any of the bodywork. The original paint is probably as good as it can be for a 39 year old bike with 40k+ on the clock. Even the frame paint looks great once it's cleaned up, with only a few of the typical stone chips and rub marks one usually finds on a motorcycle.
Speaking of paint, I brought home the battery box to clean up and shoot, seeing as I'm already painting the tank. It's probably the rustiest piece on the bike.

[ritalz]

Gotcha. A touch up on the tank is a lot less noticeable.

[Track T 2411]

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Shiny! Stripped the rest of the paint with a chemical stripper. I wish the inside looked all good, lol.
Now it's waiting for good weather to be able to treat and coat the inside, then paint the exterior. I did bring home some more assorted pieces for cleaning. If the weather keeps up like this (only nice when I'm working), it won't be long and I'll have everything but the frame and engine sitting in my basement!

[Track T 2411]

Another day of deep cleaning...

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The left side cleaned up much better than the right. I don't know of any way to remove those fuel stains. It is way it is for the time being!

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I suppose I might have a touch of OCD...

[ericheath]

I might have a touch of OCD..... beats hoarding, most of the time. Except that one time you wished you’d saved that part. LOL