Ricks '75 MkIII Roadster resto/furb

Robert_Norton said:
I thought you sold your green VR880 copy months ago. Did you have more than one set of that bodywork?
The buyer commissioned me to install electric start on it. I already had the starter and the bike already had the VR transmission cradle ready to take it. Norvil belt drive basket is being modified to accept the ring gear, and inner primary is being cut open to allow the starter nose to poke in there. This solution is about $500 less expensive than a CNW which he balked at.
 
I had noticed this hairline crack (previously glued) on disassembly, but thought it would be okay. As soon as I started to attach the wire, it cracked open...

Ricks '75 MkIII Roadster resto/furb


Nope. Failed on installation. Over $100 for a new OEM solenoid delivered, but that's what the client wants.

Ricks '75 MkIII Roadster resto/furb


Static timing time...

Ricks '75 MkIII Roadster resto/furb


Confirmation that I had the correct mark; on the MkIII, it has a tell-tale notch that you can use if you have the plug tool.

Ricks '75 MkIII Roadster resto/furb


Lots of little stuff done (no pix), but waiting on a final small batch of parts including a tach drive gasket, new matched set of idiot lights (no way was I going to use 2 old and 2 semi-new), and the starter solenoid. Rear end almost done, just need some detail alignment.

Ricks '75 MkIII Roadster resto/furb
 
Refurbished console with new decal and all new matching idiot lights.

Ricks '75 MkIII Roadster resto/furb


The brand new OEM starter solenoid was inoperative out of the package so I've temporarily installed a generic automotive one (works great). I also installed a heavier supply cable from the battery to the solenoid, to better match the dual cables leading to the starter.

Ricks '75 MkIII Roadster resto/furb
 
A bit of a fuss to start up until I swapped black/yellow and black/white wires at coils. Then, vroom, vroom, great oil return.

Ricks '75 MkIII Roadster resto/furb


Didn't leak a drop after a brief ride, should stay that way.

Ricks '75 MkIII Roadster resto/furb


I need to adjust the grab bar and pop the fork dust boots over their abutments. seat hinge needs to be screwed on. All little stuff.

Ricks '75 MkIII Roadster resto/furb


Nice and tidy. Should be able to have it out for a proper test ride tomorrow. Thankfully, the weather is PERFECT.

Ricks '75 MkIII Roadster resto/furb
 
Danno said:
Looks new!
It's close.

The seat, and the paint have not been touched so far. There are a half-handful of other original parts on it, but they've been totally cleaned up.

The new seat I got is for an Interstate, not Roadster. So, I need to get in a new seat cover pronto!

Paint is to be left as-is, per client specification.
 
Very nice build. It's unbelievable how helpful the pictures are for me in planning my build steps.
 
My builds are generally similar, but it seems each one finds a pause at a different missed part that needs to be ordered!

Still, I've done enough of them to have the basic routine go in the same order. Also, I like to take pix of the bare rolling chassis before anything else goes in it or on it (most of the time).

I did real well not to install the bodywork 'till the last minute this time, I fought the urge more than once...
 
grandpaul said:
Should be able to have it out for a proper test ride tomorrow. Thankfully, the weather is PERFECT.
Piss off. It's shitty here in WNY and I'm going to collect an R100 RT after work. Riding it home like a man in 30 degree weather
 
Cycle Goon said:
grandpaul said:
Should be able to have it out for a proper test ride tomorrow. Thankfully, the weather is PERFECT.
Piss off. It's shitty here in WNY and I'm going to collect an R100 RT after work. Riding it home like a man in 30 degree weather

An ex-girlfriends uncle used to ice race Ducati Diana's up in Ithaca. I tried to get one from him in the late 80s to no avail. You may want to do like he did and screw in some hex tech screws into the tires for traction! :mrgreen:
 
gortnipper said:
Cycle Goon said:
grandpaul said:
Should be able to have it out for a proper test ride tomorrow. Thankfully, the weather is PERFECT.
Piss off. It's shitty here in WNY and I'm going to collect an R100 RT after work. Riding it home like a man in 30 degree weather

An ex-girlfriends uncle used to ice race Ducati Diana's up in Ithaca. I tried to get one from him in the late 80s to no avail. You may want to do like he did and screw in some hex tech screws into the tires for traction! :mrgreen:
It was actually a perfect nice to go collect the bike. Got it home and all cleaned up. Cold, but dry. I actually wanted to take it to work today, but, it's snowing like crazy. I've done some ice racing/winter driving schools in Ithaca NY on frozen lakes in an Audi Quattro-most fun I've had with my pants on
 
Cycle Goon said:
've done some ice racing/winter driving schools in Ithaca NY on frozen lakes in an Audi Quattro-most fun I've had with my pants on

My dad told me stories about how he learned how to drive on ice when he was a kid in MN. They piled three people in the front of a car (bench seats) on a frozen lake - all with no seat belts, their elbows intertwined, doors open with one foot out. I am not sure how smart that one was...

Then again, they used to hold raffles by parking a junker in the middle of Lake Minnetonka and picking the day in spring it would fall through.

\digression
 
Hey guys, not to be overly vociferous, but could you take your off-topic discussion elsewhere?

Thanx.

If one of the mods can delete the above off-topic stuff, I'd appreciate it.
 
This seat has been a nightmare.

Seat pan was quite corroded on the edges, underneath the lip of the seat cover trim

Ricks '75 MkIII Roadster resto/furb


Definitely a problem...

Ricks '75 MkIII Roadster resto/furb


Received the new seat cover over a week ago, seat foam was in great shape.

Ricks '75 MkIII Roadster resto/furb
 
My welder did a great job welding a complete new seat pan rim on the existing base.

Ricks '75 MkIII Roadster resto/furb


That's a whole lot of spot welds!

Ricks '75 MkIII Roadster resto/furb
 
Upholsterer did his usual excellent job; that's over 20 seats he's done for me now.

Ricks '75 MkIII Roadster resto/furb


Logo looks nice

Ricks '75 MkIII Roadster resto/furb


Not perfect, but definitely sturdy.

Ricks '75 MkIII Roadster resto/furb


Now just need to swap out the turn signal flasher, and it'll get delivered this weekend. Fires up at the touch of the starter button, hot or cold; idle is nice and lumpy. I've enjoyed riding it around the neighborhood, might just put my plate on it and take it for a blat out on the loop.
 
Nice job on the seat. I have one in similar, but not quite so bad, condition, for my MKIII rebuild that I was going to just replace, but now I'm inspired to repair it.

Ken
 
It rained early, but the sun came out later so I went out for a quick spin to try the new seat. A few other details done as well (grab rail, fork dust cups).

Ricks '75 MkIII Roadster resto/furb


"Come and take it!"
 
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