Shiny Cylinders -- (Again)
Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2012 8:37 am
(The Internet seems to have swallowed up my previous thread, so I figure I'll post this again)
For my '71 T500R project, my goal for this year is to get the engine 100% done, so through next winter I can put it on the shelf, and work on the remaining items for the restoration. The plan includes a crank rebuild by Bill Bune, the 1400cc oil modification, a top end rebuild, and making the engine look pretty.
There's been a few setbacks. The engine that come with the bike had a crankshaft that was complete junk. Also had a mismatched set of pistons - one stock, one aftermarket +1 over. But a lucky find on Craigslist was a '73 motor from a motorcycle shop that had a top end rebuild, which the owner never paid for. Picked up for a good price, and a quick check of the top end looked good. Even better, the crank looked more than serviceable, and I also have some spare parts I can use if needed.
The CL MC shop attic find: Like most 40+ year old blocks of aluminum, oxidation has taken place. The covers have taken a bit of sanding and buffing, and are starting to shine. The engine case itself looks pretty respectable, especially after I tore the engine down, and gave it a good scrubbing and degreasing. But what could I do to the cylinders and heads? They are a very prominent feature on a bike that already has a lot of shiny bits.
I had been researching what others have done, and came across some threads on vapor blasting. It is glass beading with water and a little detergent added. There are several folks in the UK who offer this, but I've only found two in the USA. One business does scooter restoration, the other is Jeff in Oregon, who is into restoring old British iron. He runs a business called Bikesalot.
So I packed up my cylinders and heads, and shipped them across the country (*WARNING --This may cost more than the actual work itself!). The results are pretty amazing: I'm waiting on what my final cost is going to be, as the jugs aren't getting shipped out until tomorrow. The fee he charges for the work is $35 USD for large parts, $10 USD for small parts (not sure where a T500 head falls). But the shipping, for me, was about $100 each way (70+ lbs!), so it may be cost prohibitive for many. But the look is worth it for me.
For my '71 T500R project, my goal for this year is to get the engine 100% done, so through next winter I can put it on the shelf, and work on the remaining items for the restoration. The plan includes a crank rebuild by Bill Bune, the 1400cc oil modification, a top end rebuild, and making the engine look pretty.
There's been a few setbacks. The engine that come with the bike had a crankshaft that was complete junk. Also had a mismatched set of pistons - one stock, one aftermarket +1 over. But a lucky find on Craigslist was a '73 motor from a motorcycle shop that had a top end rebuild, which the owner never paid for. Picked up for a good price, and a quick check of the top end looked good. Even better, the crank looked more than serviceable, and I also have some spare parts I can use if needed.
The CL MC shop attic find: Like most 40+ year old blocks of aluminum, oxidation has taken place. The covers have taken a bit of sanding and buffing, and are starting to shine. The engine case itself looks pretty respectable, especially after I tore the engine down, and gave it a good scrubbing and degreasing. But what could I do to the cylinders and heads? They are a very prominent feature on a bike that already has a lot of shiny bits.
I had been researching what others have done, and came across some threads on vapor blasting. It is glass beading with water and a little detergent added. There are several folks in the UK who offer this, but I've only found two in the USA. One business does scooter restoration, the other is Jeff in Oregon, who is into restoring old British iron. He runs a business called Bikesalot.
So I packed up my cylinders and heads, and shipped them across the country (*WARNING --This may cost more than the actual work itself!). The results are pretty amazing: I'm waiting on what my final cost is going to be, as the jugs aren't getting shipped out until tomorrow. The fee he charges for the work is $35 USD for large parts, $10 USD for small parts (not sure where a T500 head falls). But the shipping, for me, was about $100 each way (70+ lbs!), so it may be cost prohibitive for many. But the look is worth it for me.
