Streetfighter comfort kit Pt 2

Got a little more done on the Handlebar kit, bit of a one step forward and two steps back affair though!

Although the fitting of the kit is going fine when I removed the fuel tank yesterday it was damp underneath and to my dismay it has had a shoddy fibreglass repair!!!! so I need to find another tank, hopefully a nice solid one.

Anyway first thing I have done is bolt the ignition to the yolk with the spacer's I cut to length so that the steering lock would be usable. Then I disconnected the old clutch cable from the lever and fitted the lever and the switch gear to the handlebars, I may have to lengthen the switchgear wiring as I am not wholly convinced it is long enough, It might well be but I need to take the clocks out an see how much cable is behind them and if it can be re-routed.

The next job I tackled was threading the new clutch cable through the frame, top tip here, tape the end of your new cable to your old one and use the old cable to pull the new one through, it saves a lot of time and hassle believe me.

So that's it for now I was losing the light and the tank thing was annoying me so I just called it a day, my next task is to get some brake fluid then I will remove and fit the new longer brake hoses and bleed them and the right hand switchgear.

Streetfighter comfort kit

Just before Christmas I decided to buy a handlebar conversion kit for the Fireblade, after much deliberation I chose the one from 998cc.com, as much on price and after speaking over the phone I liked the cut of his jib and the deal was done.


So here is a few pictures of it going on the blade:

First job was to remove the mirrors and the fairing stay.

Then I removed the bolts securing the handlebars to the top yoke and separated the switch gear from the handlebars. The next job was too separate the the ignition switch from the top yoke, By god the bolts were tight, and I was pleased to get them out without damaging them.

Right off with the old yolk and on with the new! the new yolk was a bit of a tight fit over the steering stem but with a couple of short sharp shocks with a copper 'n' hide it was seated nicely

Now that the new yoke is on I have fitted the Renthal bar's that came with the kit.

That's all for now, next I will cut the spacer's to align the ignition barrel with the lock stops and remove the petrol tank so that I can fit the extended clutch cable.

Before & After

A couple of before an after pictures of the blade now I've fitted the goodies I bought for her Christmas.

Brother Allan's project

This is my Bro Allan's new project that I have nick-named eurostar, do to the fact he bought it home stuck it in the shed, it got covered in condensation and hasn't run since!!!!

I was supposed to nip over and see the beast today but the weather transpired against us so hopefully I will get over on Wednesday for a look-see and give a fuller report on it.

Exhaust,Carbs,Airbox

Modded the fuse box plug this afternoon, if I find a fuse box with the correct plug I will buy it, otherwise I am happy with the job and by modding the fuse box I haven't had to make any cuts or joins in the new loom.

I also fitted the exhaust system, I will confess to not being over enthusiastic about Motad systems and would sooner be fitting a Harris but beggar's can't be chooser's and as this system is nearly brand new it will have to do for the time being. Along with the exhaust I put the air-box in and fitted the carb's

I remember why we used to drop carb rubber's in a bucket of hot water for ten minutes before we fitted them now, they had certainly gone hard but it's not practical for me to transport water to the garage and if it was it would be cold before I got it there, so I persevered and there on but my bloody fingers are sore!

I have also made the decision to dry build it and see what it runs like, that's why I haven't painted the engine casings or spent much time cleaning the carb body's, if it's a good lump then I will run it about for a bit and then tear it down for a repaint, but if it's a pile of shite I shall rip it out and fit a Zephyr 750 motor or GPZ 750 motor, I hope it will be a good un but you just can't tell until you've heard it running, that's the main pitfall of buying blind but I knew that risk from the outset, I am not bothered with originality I just want a decent enough bike to ride in all weather's.

Chin-chin

I Need Help!!!!

I do try an resist the urge to go on Ebay honestly! But it's filled with shiny bit's and I can't help myself.

Maybe someone should set up a self help group for people addicted to the bloody site?

Proper Bike Shop

If like me you remember the days of the "proper" bike shops before fancy showrooms dripping with exotica and expensive tat you neither want nor can afford appeared, then if you happen to be in Ayrshire you could do a lot worse than dropping into J.D Morton & son on the main St in Sorn.

Jimmy does a cracking job supplying spares, servicing,s/h bikes, Mot's you name it an he will probably do it, In fact just recently he spun up his lathe (I bet your local Honda showroom wouldn't be able to do this) and modified some bar end weight's for me!

I only wish we had more of these little gems left, so if you pass by pop in a make a purchase, trust me it will make you feel good.

WTF!

I spent a few hour's fitting the new loom I acquired from E-bay on Sunday, by eck I was impressed until I came to fit the very last item, the fuse box! Why the fuck did Kawasaki change the plug? both are four pins but different sizes, so now I have to either source another fuse box with the correct size plug or cut the plug of one of the two fuse boxes I have and make it fit the new loom, everything else is just the same so did you just alter it too spite me? or is this just an example of sod's law putting in an appearance?
I think one of the fuse box's I have is going to be modified as I am loath to dip my hand in my pocket again just for the sake of a bit of plastic.

Drool!!!

Al sent me this picture, I think he robbed it from the bratstyle web page, so if you want too go a knee cap him for stealing your pic's, no prob's I will send you his address!!!!
But I have got too say I love this bike, I can't stop myself from having a look every time I check my email, it is true unadulterated motorcycle pornography and it needs to be shared with the masses, so I make no apologies for displaying it here.

Goodies

"So ", I hear you say," exactly what have you been doing you lazy b'stard while your wife has been busy increasing the Scottish population?"

Well I have been busy too, on the bay of evil collecting trophy's for when I am allowed time off shitty nappy duty and drag myself back too my den! And I have been having some success, I managed too get a great pair of S/h shocks and a new wiring loom for the wee z. Now i wasn't looking for a wiring loom, but one came up in pristine condition and considering how much the one I repaired had been cut and chopped about i would have been a fool not too buy it, and too make it even better I got it for a snip so I am well chuffed and to fit that is the next job.
I also Bought a new clear rear light lens that will go nicely with my new LED indicators for the Blade, so all in all I'm a happy Bunny

Till next time

Another motor in.....

Now prior to George Kent making an early arrival, Brother Al came over and gave me a hand wrestle the engine back into the "Z", may I just say, what a pig! the bloody thing was not for going back to where it had once rested. I know the CB750 unit was friggin heavy but that was a breeze to put in compared to this bugger, desperate not too damage the powder coat, we twisted turned, lifted and trapped fingers with the odd cuss thrown in for good measure until it was seated in the right position and a bolt was in place, I have too say Cheer's Allan I couldn't have done it with out you.

New arrival

Right had my hand's full the last few weeks and Haven't had time too update my blog until now, and the reason for this major upheaval was that my wife gave birth to a little boy who we have named George.

So welcome to the world George, won't be long before you have your own set of wee overalls and are (ahem) helping yer Dad out in the garage.

Delivery

Just taken delivery of a few nice new stainless nut's an bolts so should be able to carry on a bit further with the cafe build up later this week; a set of bar end mirrors as well.I don't know yet what there going on yet, I bought them for the blade but I'm not totally convinced and until I can find a bolt long enough to mount them properly,so they could end up on the CB750.

Other than that I had to have a massive clear out in the garage, tripping over stuff Starts to lose it's appeal after a while especially when it's someone Else's shite! So now that's done harmony has been restored and my ying an yang have re-aligned to be able to continue with my project's without hindrance (for now anyway).

Have another

More great music from a time before the pox that is known as the x-factor was inflicted on humanity

Not content with

Fitting the CB 750 engine into it's frame, I've only gone an fitted the cam's and timed up the Zed, I don't know where I get all my energy from sometimes!

This was fairly straightforward, I got the timing right first time of asking which doesn't happen very often due to me usually losing count of the cam chain pins, the only hassle I had was the cam chain tensioner had seized up, but lashings of weasel piss soon had it free an ready to do the job that Kawasaki had intended it to do.

Now that is done I am ready to put it back in it's frame but my back or my Bollocks couldn't take fitting another motor today so i shall do that next time.

Toodle pip

Put the engine in, take the engine out

Do the hokey kokey and turn around......

Sorry,got carried away there, or should I have been carried away? hm will leave that there I think.

I have only gone and put the CB motor in its freshly painted frame, now I don't know whether its because I'm getting old or what but by fuck that engine is heavy! I mean lift up, bollocks drop into the top of your sock's heavy, I'm sure when I did this for a living I could pick one up have a slurp of tea, light a fag an then place delicately into the frame, well probably not that easy but you get the drift.

What did surprise me was though that I haven't lost any of the bolt's to mount it, now that has got to be a first, there they all where in the box on the shelf where I put them all them month's ago when I ripped it apart, I nearly fainted I was so proud of myself for not losing them as normal, when I realised that the fairies that come in during the night and shift yer stuff about had stuck and made of with the new bolt's I had bought to replace the front engine mount's where the crap bar's and fairing monstrosity bracket had been. I have hunted high an low for them bloody bolts to no avail so I will have to get some more so I can finish the job, but apart from that the job's a good-un.

Money to spend?

If you want some good quality parts at good prices then give this place a shout!

http://streetfighter-customs.co.uk/default.aspx

Trust me you won't be dissapointed

Now for some Tunes

All work and no play is not good for you!

Z650 Progress

Well Here we go finally some progress to report!, I got busy yesterday and cleaned up the gasket faces on the head and barrel's, then today I threw it together, I don't know why I didn't do it sooner to be honest because I really enjoyed myself apart from a few nervous moments feeding the pistons back into the barrel's, but with a few choice word's and a slow but steady pace it all went together perfectly.
So next job is too drop the cam's in and time them up; then shove the bugger back where it belongs!!!!

R1

A couple of Photos that I took for a college assignment

Got to love them Akra's

Buster rocks

I can't get this tune out my head!!!!!




Wish I still had my Stay press trousers, oh those were the days!!!

Update

Well folks, Blade is all I thought it would be an more, To be honest I have not had as much time to get out an about as I would have liked, but it does really float my boat.
The only problem I have is not really a problem with the bike, more a me problem is that having a bit of a gut it makes it a stretch to the handlebars, so two choices either lose weight or fit higher handlebars; I'm going to do the handlebars, can you blame me? its a much quicker fix plus when you spend as long as I have honing a physique you don't want to spoil it eh!

In other news as regards my two project's, now that I am a full time student I haven't had the time too touch them, no excuses other than that, but i do need too finish or make some headway on one of the bugger's so I am going to get the frame powder coated on the CB 750 as soon as funds allow and push on from there.

I thought about doing the wee Zed as a track bike for quickness but I have been told in no uncertain term's from SHMBO that this will not happen, apparently I am past all that tomfoolery, ( that's not quite the terms she used you but you get the picture) But I do have some other ideas, but again its time more than anything, but then I suppose theirs no great rush but once the Bairn arrives I will have even less of the precious commodity we recognise as hour's, minute's and seconds.

TTFN

Blade pics

Few pic's of the Blade, mostly standard with a Toby steering damper fitted and the front wheel has been converted to 17"

First impression's are the seat is surprisingly comfy, ten times more comfy than the zrx but on the down side it does feel as though I'm gripping the ends of the front wheel spindle instead of a pair of handlebars, but i think it's just a case of getting used to the riding position.

What I need to do though is remember to rev it harder than the zrx, you need to change gear more often an give it more revs, where as you could just surf the big fat torque curve on the kawasaki

Bit Behind

Have got a bit behind with the blog, so here's a quick update.
I went off to get a new paddock stand from Cupar in the sale an ended up buying a 1994 Fireblade! There are piccies to follow but we had a slight setback when i picked it up in that it broke down on the way home, great fun just had to be chucking it down with rain, still that's Scottish summers for you, four seasons in the one day.
It turned out the regulator /rectifier unit had burned out which is a fairly common problem to 90's Honda's and it has been delivered back to me today so hopefully I will get time tomorrow to have a good blast, take some good photo's and get it posted on this blog

New Lid

After spending the last ten years with the same helmet I thought it was time for a new one, so my trusty Arai Giga 2 has been replaced with this lovely shiny new Shoei XR1000.

If I'm honest i had planned to get a new lid this year any how but Cupar motorcycles in Cupar funnily enough are having a massive sale this month and which ever way you cut your cloth a 25% saving is worth having especially when your in the market.

I must say the fit is amazing and hopefully it will be a bit quieter than the old Arai, which was never the quietest of helmets when it was new, but it did fit me as well as it did the day Bought it ten years later, so I hope the Shoei can give me the same service but I don't think i will leave it quite so long before changing next time. Shoei XR1000 Artifact

Green welly take 2

Went for another spin up to the green welly at tynedrum on Sunday, the weather was a bit pish for a while but we did see some nice rides and after a few hours an a bag of chips the sun shone and all was well in the world.

This Z1000 was just awsome, had a chat with the owner

top bloke

Thruxton 900 at Inverary

Tasty triumph chop




El Tigre and the Rex at Inverary

I wouldn't say no!

New Commando 961SE

Grand day out

Well Thursday was put aside for a trip out with Al, and after the weather forced us to cancel our ride out the previous week I just hoped it behave it self this week, so I was pleasantly surprised to find glorious sunshine on the Thursday morning an after a quick breakie I was bound for Kilmarnock to meet up with Allan for a trip out to the lead hills, this is where the day started to go a bit pear shape.
After crossing the Forth road bridge stand still was at a standstill, tosspot here forgot it was the Royal highland show so I had to slowly filter all the way to the M8 still with that behind me good progress was made to Al's awaiting kettle for a much needed brew.

Now a few years ago I had an op on me lower back that left me with a scar on me coccyx which tends to start smarting after about an hour on the bike, so I wear cycling shorts under my kit to give me a bit of relief which usually makes the day bearable with plenty of stops but for some reason on Thursday my arse felt like a Tory mp's after a good Saturday night out, My God was it sore, so we decided that a long journey in the saddle would not be the best idea and we would visit a few bike shops instead.

Starting off with a ride over to JTS in Hamilton with a look over the bike kit to see if there was any bargains to be had, had a good ride over, I think its called Eaglesham moor, past the massive wind farm up there, good place for a wind farm coz by fuck it was windy lol!, JTS was a nice enough shop and I haven't seen such a good variety of clothing in anyone shop for many a year but nothing tempted me to get my wallet out although Allan found a nice jacket, it wasn't that nice that he was going to part with any wedge for it!, so then I sat astride the spanking machine, sorry ZRX and we rode over to Renfrew to MCS Triumph, now there are some fucking idiots in cars but fuck me brake testing someone on a motorbike at 70mph on the motorway is deplorable if Allan hadn't had his wits about him he would have gone right through the back of the twat!
Still on arriving unscathed in Renfrew fat boy here could smell the calling of the local chippy and its wicked aroma soon had us kicking the door down after some of its fine culinary pleasures and by fuck the steak an kidney pie an chips was devoured at an unearthly rate of knots, ( an if the wife reads this I only had it Coz Allan felt guilty eating alone).

After dinner we had a mooch round Mcs, please Santa bring me a thruxton 900, ooh they are a lovely bike, how much do kidneys fetch on the black market again? Ive got a couple of kids here I'm sure they could spare one,I Wonder if it's worth running that passed the missus?, probably best not eh!

So after a drool over the Triumphs an Kwacker's last stop of the day was West coast Harley's, I love that place, the bikes are groovy, some of the dudes that ride them are a bit prissy but after having owned two Harley's I am very fond of them ( when they are on the road not broke down costing me a fortune!) but it don't cost anything to look and I even came away with a new tea mug courtesy of brother Allan who decided that we needed a couple of proper mugs to drinktea from, ( I think he said something about sending his missus of to night school to learn how to make it, but don't quote me on that).

After West coast we split up an i returned home to sit on a packet of frozen peas while the fire went out on my arse and reflect on what had been a good day out even though a sore one, but I think I have a more permanent solution to my pain in the rear and have ordered a Airhawk seat www.airhawk.co.uk not cheap I know but I can't keep riding around in agony like I had to endure today so watch this space I will let you know how it performs.

Honda frame

Got the grinder out today an removed the centre stand brackets, I also removed a few other odds an sods that I am not going to need anymore plus i welded up the two hacksaw cuts in the engine cradle, still have no idea what or why they were there.
Anyway its a step in the right direction at least.

Tomorrow I am taking the cylinder head and the barrels off the Z650 to a pals garage and I am going to be giving them a good clean up in his parts washer ready to reassemble the engine ( I can't cope with all this sudden progress, I will need a lie down at this rate!)

Not a big post but I Have a fourteen year old who is completely pissing me off at the moment so I am struggling to concentrate but I thought I better keep the blog up to date or I would probably forget.

No stopping me now!

Fuck I'm on a roll! two days on the trot I've been in the garage, working me fingers to the bone.
Today's task was to degrease the 750 frame and get it ready for painting which is no mean feet seeing that modern day degreasers are about as strong as gnats piss!( what ever happened to proper chemicals eh?), but still with a lot of perseverance scotch brites and various cloths and brushes I have managed to remove 28 years of chain lube and the remnants of carious oil leaks and sand the frame down to give me a good key for the repaint.
Curiously I have discovered the frame has two hacksaw marks in it exactly opposite each other on the engine cradle so I will need to weld these up while I am removing a few unwanted brackets from the frame before I paint it.

I read yesterday that eighteen people had complained to the television watchdog about that advert with Duffy in riding a bicycle, now my first thoughts were maybe there is a little nipple slip somewhere an I've missed the bugger or some such treat, but no after reading the article a little further I find out its because she has no light's on her bike and is not wearing any safety equipment!!!! God give me strength where do these fucking geeks hang out? somebody needs to slap them hard about the head an face until they recognize the concept of common sense.
It does truly worry me that, first of eighteen sad gits went to the trouble of complaining about sweet fa, and secondly this kind of thinking is becoming normal, we need help to ditch this nanny state were are digging ourselves into not make it worse, so please Gordon re-open the mental hospitals and lock these fuckers up before we all end up living in one big padded cell!

At Last!

Well four weeks after ordering the cam chain tensioner and the piston circlips I finally have them in my grubby mitts, not the dealer's fault but the tosser who worked in parts who decided to quit and not give any notice or let the dealer know who ordered what.
So there I was passing by and thought i would pop in an see when my bits where going to arrive, I know I said no hurry and was told that he would ring me upon there arrival but this was starting to take the piss when low and behold they where there all along and had been for a fortnight!
Now that I have them I have no excuses now for not rebuilding the lump, well me backs been giving me a bit of gip but I am going to have to suck it up and get on with it.

Not really been out a lot on the rex, had a short ride the last couple of Saturdays and that's been about it, was supposed to be going for a run over to Killie today but as usual its pissing down so decided to give that a wide berth, I shall have to go an raid Ginger's biscuit tin another day.
But on a positive note I have repaired my garage roof and made the base up for my polishing machine, so will be busy polishing my alloy bits in the near future.

Quick update

Not a lot been happening just lately on the bike front, went out for a ride a couple of weeks ago to track down a couple of fishery's i am interested in fishing.
When i set out the weather was lovely and sunny, crossed the forth road bridge and it was just like somebody had flicked a switch, the heavens opened the wind ripped up and it turned into a thouroughly miserable affair! worse was to come upon my return though, as i was cleaning the bike i spun the rear wheel and the edge of the balance weight almost sliced the top of my index finger off! Talk about blood everywhere, still a bit of gaffer tape and the job was sorted till i could finish cleaning the bike and get it looked at properly.
I Have been stocking up on parts though, the gasket set is here for the Kwack and now i m just waiting for the front camchain tensioner blade to arrive and i can rebuild the engine and the frame paint is here for the Honda so i can begin that job when time allows.
Anyway enough waffle for now Barrie.

Easter Sunday

With having a bit of time away from the bike a good trip was needed to get back into the swing of thing's so before I departed for Englandshire for the week me and brother Allan decided a nice run to the Green welly would be in order upon my return.

I have to be honest after just driving the best part of 1000miles returning on the Saturday the thought of spending all day Sunday in the saddle an suffering from man flu didn't exactly fill me with joy.

Anyway I awoke Sunday morning to pleasant sunshine and hardly any wind which bode well for a good day's riding, after a quick breakfast it was off to meet Al at the services at Kincardine and then off on our merry way to Tyndrum.

After leaving the motorway, the best part of any journey in my mind we settled into a good rhythm with not too much traffic on the road to spoil the journey although one lorry decided to come round a bend half on the wrong side of the road which put the heart in the mouth for a moment.

One of the biggest problems when you head up north is the stunning scenery! it is a real distraction, it consumes you and there is never enough time to stop everywhere and soak it all in, it is a tough life living in a picture post card, take it from me lol.

Anyway we arrived at the Green welly at Tyndrum at roughly 11.30, a popular destination for bikers to stop fill up with petrol and enjoy a natter over a cup of coffee, suitably refreshed by a cheese an onion pasty which was delicious and a cup of coffee which shall we say was not we ventured into the car park for a wander an got chatting to a bloke who's name escapes me (sorry mate) who had the most amazing tattoo of the bone structure of his hand on his hand if you know what i mean, fantastic and bloody pain full too i bet.

We continued our journey along the A85 stopping at Kilchurn Castle for a photo opportunity of the bikes on the banks of Loch Awe with snow capped peaks in the distance when a bus full of Japanese and i think Italian tourists pulled up and completely swamped the place! they don't do peace an tranquility do they? Anyway we progress along the A819 and I am suffering from Bikers bum big time now and can't wait till we pull up in Inveraray on the banks of Loch Fyne for a cup of tea and a chocolate eclair whilst overdosing on yet more stunning views and snatching a quick look at the Vital Spark moored up in the town, If you want too know why the Vital Spark is infamous Google it!

Now Inverary is a lovely place, quaint, friendly and there was lots of other like minded folk both bikers an none bikers enjoying the lovely Easter weather so why are your towns public toilet's such a disgrace? If you are expected to pay 20p to use them which i don't mind, I would not expect to have to paddle through piss to overflowing urinals which look like someone has shaved there pubes off in with a stench which can be fair to say was making breathing difficult, SHAME ON YOU!!!!!!!!

So time to go again and we find ourselves following the banks of Fyne to the tip of Loch Long where we stop for a quick saddle break, and then follow the shoreline of Loch Lomond until we get to Stirling where we stop at the services for petrol and a much deserved break, it is at this point where me and Al go our separate ways for the last piece of the journey where we both encountered a brief shower of rain.

I got home at about five just in time for tea, full of snot, absolutely cream cracker ed overdosing on scenery and a bent politician would pay a lot of money to have had a backside as sore as mine!, I knew I was going to pay for it the next day but i didn't give a jot because I would drop everything and do it all again the following Sunday.

Amen

Largs

With there being a bit of a spell of good weather I thought it would be wise to make good use of it, so a plot was hatched to go for a tea an a cake at Largs with brother Allan.

Originally we was going to go Tuesday but with me needing a tooth ripping out we had to delay a day and so we went on Wednesday, the plan was i was to ride up to Kilmarnock meet up with Allan and then onto Largs.

The weather was dry with a bit of spring sunshine and hardly any wind which makes a refreshing change, we arrived at Largs about 12 and went to the Nardini cafe as pictured above for a tea and a danish which although was very nice I would not score it highly for value for money, if you took a family in there it would be a dear do!

Then it was off too the chippy as i was buggered if i was paying £4.50 for a cheese sandwich lol, which turned out to be one of the best bags of chips I've had in year's, lovely and crisp not soft and dripping with fat as seams to be the norm nowadays.

After dinner a nice slow ride back ensured a fitting end to a good day with a quick cuppa at Allan's before heading home, all in all very impressed with the Rex only had one slight hiccup when i nearly ran out of petrol but that's my fault an not the bikes.

Aurevoir El Tigre, Bonjour Kawasaki.

I had my first ride of the year on Wednesday, taking El Tigre for her mot and then handing her over to her new owner and collecting my Kwacker.
I have to say that she rode brilliantly over to Killie and then over to Sorn, the handling had been transformed by the new rubber and the engine and drive train where a lot smoother due to the service and new c+s kit that I had fitted over the winter.
She passed the mot with no advises, so it was with a bit of a heavy heart that i parted company with the old girl but a new adventure beckoned and after riding back the ZRX I was well pleased with my decision to change, for a start I can get my leg over a lot easier now lol....
The only thing that marred my return journey was the wind!, it was neither a true head or side blow but was strong enough to distort my helmet for a good part of the journey which meant my glasses where squint which I found bloody uncomfortable.
Still first impressions of the ZRX are it's very smooth, build quality is a lot better than the ZR7-S that I had before El Tigre, it's very stable and holds a good line even in extremely windy conditions and it's very bloody quick!!!!
It's also nice to buy a bike that has just had two brand new tyres fitted, which makes a nice change and it also gives me true indication of how it handles as well as giving my pocket a hard earned rest.
Ive spent a few hours today cleaning it mainly the wheels and the swing arm and hopefully tomorrow I will finish the job and she will be ready for action, although I am not planning to leave her standard for to long, ideas are in motion and the creative gears are grinding, all I can say for now is watch this space...........

Fresh start....

Well it's been a while since my last post, but tbh not a lot has happened since my last blog, I took the Tiger out for a quick pre mot spin and to get the fuel injection light knocked out which has been on since I fitted the new battery.

On the Z650 front I have got a trick solo seat and tail piece of the bay of e which I will post a photo of later in the week.

And finally me and my bro have done a deal on the bikes and he is going to have my Tiger and I will be taking Delivery of his ZRX1200, I hadn't planned to change just yet but it's a good deal for both of us and I think he really regrets selling me the Tiger in the first place!, so I know it's going to a good home and he will look after the old girl especially with all the work I have put in over the winter on her and I get to ride a big Kwacker again which is how it all started for me 20 years ago.

El Tigre

Today started off badly But I have managed to get the Tiger finished and ready for its mot, I fitted the new chain, changed the oil an filter put the new battery on and refitted the remaining body work.
It would have gone a bit better if I hadn't had to go home twice because, I forgot the keys and then I forgot the chain link but it's not the bikes fault that I was poorly organised.

I also found the time to take the pistons off the Z650 and i have now been able to pinpoint the starter motor as being the reason why I couldn't turn the engine over backwards god it is tight and squeal's like a greased pig if you put some current too it.

Bits an bob's

Not done much last couple of day's in the garage, been collecting part's like a demented magpie an waiting for them to be delivered or picking them up in person.
I got a couple of back light assembly's including a real nice one for the CB 750, a Lucas copy with built in number plate bracket which I payed top whack for but it really is a quality part not like the cheap shit which seems to be everywhere these days!
Also got one for the Z plus a clutch cable an a genuine workshop manual so I can work out what the crack is with the cam chain tensioner's as the haynes one doesn't show the arrangement for the later models, and as I thought the front blade was fitted wrongly when the head was refitted so that was money well spent.
I went to the local dealer yesterday to get oil an filter for El Tigre and the parts dude (let's name him Dick) produced the wrong filter, told him it was the wrong un but know Mr Dick had the book an this was the right filter and under no circumstances was he supplying me with the wrong one!
Now I haven't looked all that closely for a while but Do have a reputation for having a poor memory so I conceded defeat under the provision that if its wrong I can bring it back but no Dick is adamant that his book is spot on so off I go clutching oil an filter back to the garage and guess what? yep you've got it, its the wrong bloody filter! So I phoned Dick an explained to him that it was the wrong filter and your never going to guess what his reply was, still not got it? Well according to Dick there is now two types of filter but he hadn't got the other one in stock so the one he sold me must be the right one!, not if it's a paper element Dick an not a cartridge one like I said it was.
So Dick I award you with the cock of the week award for being a complete cock!!!!!

Z650 stripdown

The best way to get this cack cleaned off was to strip the head and barrels off, the head has been of and de-coked but i didn't like the fact it wasn't cleaned up at all so it suggested to me it was a bit off a rush job and I figure that i would sooner strip it down now and check it out than when the bike is built.

When I got the barrels off I turned the engine over keeping the cam chain taught both backwards and forwards, when you turn the engine anti-clockwise it makes a strange noise like something is catching in the bottom end, but clockwise it's fine, but better to be safe than sorry I am going to split the crankcases and check the bottom end out.

Carb's

Stripped the carbs down today off the CB, not in too bad a state overall but the main jets and the needles were full of a browny gingery cack which took a bit of cleaning, living the living room stinking off carb cleaner an petrol!, lets say I wasn't flavour of the day when swmbo walked through the door.

This is off number 2, I don't know if you can see the sludge in the bottom of the float bowl but all four cylinder's where roughly the same.

So that's another job crossed off the list an I am pretty sure this is the cause of the lack of top end, when I refit them on the bike I will put an in line fuel filter between them and the tank just in case there is sediment in the tank.

A few more pic's

A few pic's I took today of the "Z", I think it's going to be quite a bit of fun building this one up, but the wiring does look er how shall we say interesting to put it kindly.
Have started to make a wish list and from what i can tell most of it is there, so that makes the job a bit easier.
I will probably start with the loom, see if I can sort it out or if not there is a spare that came with the bike, not 100% sure it's for this model but I think I can make a good one out the two, failing that I will shell out an pick another s/h one up.