Re: nc31 project
Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2018 5:36 pm
Update September 2018:
Outdoor bike:
A couple of months ago this went through an MOT with a single advisory of cracked tyre valves, there's a plan for this. It has received new grips that fit properly this time and a re-finished headlight:
The bowl is a Honda original that I had re-chromed, the light unit and surround are brand new decent after-market copies. While there I changed the front indicators for new as the originals were both damaged from previous spills and had the headlight brackets powdered silver, really lifting the look of the front of the bike.
I also fitted the expensively re-furbished shocks:
The rusty exhaust pictured a few pages back returned from the polishers and is awaiting fitting, along with a set of stainless studs and nuts:
I have re-finished a spare radiator assembly and will fit this when the exhaust goes on. This only really leaves the rusty fork stanchions to be done to this bike and it's all looking pretty damn smart now. A kind of sneaky rolling restoration one might say....
Restoration bike:
I have changed all the bodywork that I painted for the set that returned from the professional painters. The plastics I painted I have as spares, the tank I have given to be blasted, after that it will be re-painted. Why? I don't know, it's not needed I would rather see it good than not prefect for some reason.
I have tackled the list above:
- can't find neutral. new clutch cable. No, re-fitted linkage right way up this time!
- front right indicator lit with headlight - change the wires I've obviously connected it wrongly! Fixed, fitted four replacement matching indicators
- one rear light bulb inoperative - change both bulbs, may as well while in there. Bought decent Osram bulbs and fitted them.
- exhaust blowing from cylinder head join - fit new copper gaskets, they have arrived already. Fitted new gaskets and exhaust now factory quiet.
- won't idle without choke - strip and clean carb needles and float bowls, probably gummed up. Carbs ultra-sonically cleaned and re-fitted, now runs adequately.
- speedo needle doesn't work - find replacement clocks (?) Ended up buying two sets of clocks and making a good set from the three.
- front brakes spongy - try another master cylinder repair kit. Brakes are improving with use, just needed bedding in.
The bike now starts and runs on the button and yesterday I took it for a run at my local airfield. (I know a man that let me in!) Everything works well and it rides very nicely indeed. There's a new list however:
- doesn't idle perfectly or purr quite like a Honda should.
- gear lever is too long and a bit bent. OK changing down, awkward up. Genuine lever ordered.
- rear shocks too hard for my liking, pre-load needs backing off.
- slight play in head bearings, need tightening.
- rear tyre loses pressure slowly, long valves need changing to short so tyre will be re-seated and checked.
- headlight not aligned for road use.
With this list in mind it's booked into my local bike shop for MOT, carb balancing etc. next week. This is how it looked after yesterday's run:
I am quite happy to sell this bike, contact me if interested.
Outdoor bike:
A couple of months ago this went through an MOT with a single advisory of cracked tyre valves, there's a plan for this. It has received new grips that fit properly this time and a re-finished headlight:
The bowl is a Honda original that I had re-chromed, the light unit and surround are brand new decent after-market copies. While there I changed the front indicators for new as the originals were both damaged from previous spills and had the headlight brackets powdered silver, really lifting the look of the front of the bike.
I also fitted the expensively re-furbished shocks:
The rusty exhaust pictured a few pages back returned from the polishers and is awaiting fitting, along with a set of stainless studs and nuts:
I have re-finished a spare radiator assembly and will fit this when the exhaust goes on. This only really leaves the rusty fork stanchions to be done to this bike and it's all looking pretty damn smart now. A kind of sneaky rolling restoration one might say....
Restoration bike:
I have changed all the bodywork that I painted for the set that returned from the professional painters. The plastics I painted I have as spares, the tank I have given to be blasted, after that it will be re-painted. Why? I don't know, it's not needed I would rather see it good than not prefect for some reason.
I have tackled the list above:
- can't find neutral. new clutch cable. No, re-fitted linkage right way up this time!
- front right indicator lit with headlight - change the wires I've obviously connected it wrongly! Fixed, fitted four replacement matching indicators
- one rear light bulb inoperative - change both bulbs, may as well while in there. Bought decent Osram bulbs and fitted them.
- exhaust blowing from cylinder head join - fit new copper gaskets, they have arrived already. Fitted new gaskets and exhaust now factory quiet.
- won't idle without choke - strip and clean carb needles and float bowls, probably gummed up. Carbs ultra-sonically cleaned and re-fitted, now runs adequately.
- speedo needle doesn't work - find replacement clocks (?) Ended up buying two sets of clocks and making a good set from the three.
- front brakes spongy - try another master cylinder repair kit. Brakes are improving with use, just needed bedding in.
The bike now starts and runs on the button and yesterday I took it for a run at my local airfield. (I know a man that let me in!) Everything works well and it rides very nicely indeed. There's a new list however:
- doesn't idle perfectly or purr quite like a Honda should.
- gear lever is too long and a bit bent. OK changing down, awkward up. Genuine lever ordered.
- rear shocks too hard for my liking, pre-load needs backing off.
- slight play in head bearings, need tightening.
- rear tyre loses pressure slowly, long valves need changing to short so tyre will be re-seated and checked.
- headlight not aligned for road use.
With this list in mind it's booked into my local bike shop for MOT, carb balancing etc. next week. This is how it looked after yesterday's run:
I am quite happy to sell this bike, contact me if interested.