76 gets undressed in Wisconsin

[jake2012]

Just wondering , was this a sidecar bike? That rear tire sure looks flat across its tread. Or am I seeing things?

[Butsam]

Jake2012,

No history of sidecar and no evidence either.
Tire looks normal in real life

[Butsam]

I have made some pregress lately but I have a problem. I am planning on powder coating the timing covers. Today I applied some powder and had severe orange peel
I stripped them and I back to bare metal. I am using the powder coating system from HF, good quality powder. I have read the online trouble shooting tips on orange peel and will try again.

Has anyone successfully powder coated the alluminum timing covers? Ant tips?

[cbghia]

Just wondering , was this a sidecar bike? That rear tire sure looks flat across its tread. Or am I seeing things?

You should see the one currently on my 550. A few road trips on these flat Texas roads and it is square as a car tire now.

[cbghia]

I have made some pregress lately but I have a problem. I am planning on powder coating the timing covers. Today I applied some powder and had severe orange peel
I stripped them and I back to bare metal. I am using the powder coating system from HF, good quality powder. I have read the online trouble shooting tips on orange peel and will try again.

Has anyone successfully powder coated the alluminum timing covers? Ant tips?

I wish I had some tips for you. I have been thinking of picking up one of those, but I don't have the room for an oven.

[confish86]

Instead of powder coating the aluminum valve & timming covers + intake pieces , why not send them to Sunnbob for the best quality polishing you will ever see. (he`ll also do the carb tops) http://www.ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=29127 check out these puppy`s http://www.ngwclub.com/gallery/v/wingma ... s.jpg.html

[Butsam]

Advice needed
I am replacing the ball bearing steering bearings with bearings from All Balls
I read the tutorials on the this forum and decided to use the small spacer at the bottom of the stack as suggested
However with the spacer in place and the bottom bearing firmly seated I could not thread the top nut on to the stem!
Pics will help

[Butsam]

Oops premature posting

The above picture shows the spacer, the seal and the bearing on the stem,

In this picture you can see the stem coming through the top bearing and you can not see much of the threads.

IMG_1684.JPG

It does look like the top bearing is not seated deep enough but there is a shlf that prevents it from going further in!

So it seems that I dont need the spacer.
But now how do I get the bottom bearing off?
I have given up on salvaging the new bottom bearing and have ordered a replacement but how do you get it off?
I have tried prying it off, banging it off, and other methods. I dont have a puller that would fit. Do I cut it off with a dremel?

[ole496]

I just suffered through this, it's not too bad once you know the secret....

http://ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=41831

[Butsam]

I have been doing lots of other projects this fall but I have made some progress.

Frame powder coated
Engine painted and reinstalled
Timing belts replaced as well as pulleys
Dyna ignition
Wiring harness cleaned and in place
Lots of powder coated little parts
Radiator painted including fan motor and housing
Randakk's front break master cylinder purchased and installed
Swing arm and final drive painted and in place
Gas tank painted
Break calipers powder coated and rebuilt
Just now starting on carb rebuild using Randakk kit and video

I do have one question. When would you put in the gas tank? What should I do first? What is really hard to do with gas tank in place? Or what could I do wrong that I would have to re-do to put the tank in place?

Some recent photos:

IMG_1839.JPG

IMG_1840.JPG

IMG_1841.JPG

[Roady]

That's some really nice work.

The tank should go in after wiring and before shocks and rear wheel. By the looks of the last pic, now would be a good time.

[robin1731]

It is easier to put the carbs on without the tank in place. But now would work too.

[Fred Camper]

I would get the tank on now also. Just take your time with the carbs and you will get them in.

[Butsam]

Problem With Carb Rebuild

I have started the carb rebuild this weekend. I am using Randakk's kit and video. Things were going well until I took the choke connector off and the little spring went flying. I could not find it anywhere! Swept the entire shop ( also used as woodworking shop so lots of dust) and ran a big magnet through the pile of dirt and dust and did not find the little bugger.
So I need to find another little spring, not a big problem.
Then I turned my attention to separating the air chamber halves and one of the 5 screws snapped off!
So no problem I bought a screw extractor and it broke of in the screw hole! See picture below.
I could drill out the hole and use a heli coil but I hate the thought of it and may not be able to appropriately tighten the air chambers together and get a good seal so I found an airbox on ebay and it is now on the way.

IMG_1850.JPG

Close up

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[Rat]

Easy outs are NOT !

Gord (1 for 4) Jones