Ricks '75 MkIII Roadster resto/furb

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...



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



Static timing time...



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.



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.

 
Refurbished console with new decal and all new matching idiot lights.



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.

 
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.



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



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.



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

 
Danno said:
Looks new!
Click to expand...
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.
 
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.
Click to expand...
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.
Click to expand...
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
Click to expand...

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.
Click to expand...
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
Click to expand...

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:
Click to expand...
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
Click to expand...

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



Definitely a problem...



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

 
My welder did a great job welding a complete new seat pan rim on the existing base.



That's a whole lot of spot welds!

 
Upholsterer did his usual excellent job; that's over 20 seats he's done for me now.



Logo looks nice



Not perfect, but definitely sturdy.



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).



"Come and take it!"
 

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