- Joined
- Jun 28, 2009
- Messages
- 2,106
After months of 'preparation' I've finally made a start on getting my '74 850 MkIIa Roadster back together. It's going to be a while before its finished, but I'm keen to have a rolling chassis with the engine substantially complete before Christmas.....we'll see!
My intention is to have a reasonably standard-looking bike, but with as many enhancements as possible. I'm trying not to cut corners, and my aspiration is to go for the best available rather than the cheapest solution - I'd much rather spend the money once and get over it!
So far, I've decided on an RGM belt drive with the double-gearbox adjuster, Ikon shocks and progressive fork springs together with the Lansdowne damper mod.
I'm keeping the standard front brake for now, but I've had the master cylinder sleeved down by RGM.
The motor is being rebuilt to standard spec, and I'm going to fit a Trispark ignition.
Although the bike came with a complete balance-piped black-cap exhaust system in great shape, I'm going for straight-through pea-shooters with 750 headers.
This bike is being put together based predominantly on the knowledge gained on this forum, so I'm keen to share my experience with the good folks who have provided such useful advice.
Here are a couple of 'before' photos with a very enthusiastic helper on board. This is the day I collected the bike.
Looks OK from the reverse angle, but the left hand side is more representative of the overall condition of the bike
The wheels had been rebuilt with stainless spokes on the original Jones rims, so they've been left as-is, and the forks had new stanchions fitted.
Otherwise, it was pretty shabby throughout, although I believe the mileage to be genuine, based on subsequent stripping.
It was clear that the bike had suffered an exhaust thread repair failure, which is my guess as to why it was taken off the road - the failed weld is just visible on the left side of this shot.
The head itself is otherwise in very good shape, and the valve guides are still OK. The rocker spindles need replacing however; due to inadequate hardening: This has turned out to be a recurring theme - more later.
Here is a better shot of the loose insert
I'll come back to the engine in a future post.
Anyway, once stripped the frame got blasted and etch-primed...
Followed by a couple of coats of PPG 2-pack black, which (though I say so myself) has come out rather well, and seems to be fairly tough - so far :wink:
Interestingly, the frame is an 'Italian Job', but has imperial tube sizes, which seems to contradict everything I've read on the subject from a variety of sources.
More to follow!
My intention is to have a reasonably standard-looking bike, but with as many enhancements as possible. I'm trying not to cut corners, and my aspiration is to go for the best available rather than the cheapest solution - I'd much rather spend the money once and get over it!
So far, I've decided on an RGM belt drive with the double-gearbox adjuster, Ikon shocks and progressive fork springs together with the Lansdowne damper mod.
I'm keeping the standard front brake for now, but I've had the master cylinder sleeved down by RGM.
The motor is being rebuilt to standard spec, and I'm going to fit a Trispark ignition.
Although the bike came with a complete balance-piped black-cap exhaust system in great shape, I'm going for straight-through pea-shooters with 750 headers.
This bike is being put together based predominantly on the knowledge gained on this forum, so I'm keen to share my experience with the good folks who have provided such useful advice.
Here are a couple of 'before' photos with a very enthusiastic helper on board. This is the day I collected the bike.
Looks OK from the reverse angle, but the left hand side is more representative of the overall condition of the bike
The wheels had been rebuilt with stainless spokes on the original Jones rims, so they've been left as-is, and the forks had new stanchions fitted.
Otherwise, it was pretty shabby throughout, although I believe the mileage to be genuine, based on subsequent stripping.
It was clear that the bike had suffered an exhaust thread repair failure, which is my guess as to why it was taken off the road - the failed weld is just visible on the left side of this shot.
The head itself is otherwise in very good shape, and the valve guides are still OK. The rocker spindles need replacing however; due to inadequate hardening: This has turned out to be a recurring theme - more later.
Here is a better shot of the loose insert
I'll come back to the engine in a future post.
Anyway, once stripped the frame got blasted and etch-primed...
Followed by a couple of coats of PPG 2-pack black, which (though I say so myself) has come out rather well, and seems to be fairly tough - so far :wink:
Interestingly, the frame is an 'Italian Job', but has imperial tube sizes, which seems to contradict everything I've read on the subject from a variety of sources.
More to follow!
