Workshop Update for Saturday 16/11/24
Workshop Update for Saturday 16/11/24…
Kawasaki KZ550 Limited
Progress was limited to installing a battery of the correct dimensions to fit in the battery box. The bike’s fuel tank and side panels were away with the club’s resident Kawasaki expert A.J. who in turn had got us a quote to have them professionally resprayed. The quote included hand painting pinstripes on the tank to match those that Kawasaki originally applied to the bike. The incorrectly wired bulb from amongst those in the tachometer still needed to be sorted to prevent the fuze blowing problem. Andy, the club’s resident refinisher, sprayed the components needed to attach the seat to the frame when the time came.
Dnepr 650.
Dave worked diligently to reassemble the top end of the engine, installing second hand replacement cylinders, cylinder heads and pistons to both cylinders. This resulted in strong compression on both cylinders. When the engine was started, the popping and banging from the right hand cylinder had gone and the engine now ticked over reliably and responded well to opening the throttles quickly. A little balancing of throttle slides and air screws was needed to get both cylinders working in unison. It was great to hear the engine idling away all on its own.
Kawasaki Z250
Graham and Steve worked to install a new front brake master cylinder that had been obtained from Z-Power. The master cylinder was marketed as suitable to both single and double front disk set ups. Some pondering was done over the routine of metal braided brake hose which was just a little on the long side. Once it was connected top and bottom Graham did the brake lever pressing whilst Steve twirled the 8mm spanner to open and close the bleed nipple on the brake calliper. The system was quickly bled of air giving a nice solid feel to the front brake lever. After application of the brake the front wheel was a little stiff to turn. Although this could be freed off with a careful tap on the brake caliper, it might have needed the caliper to be disassembled to make sure the piston moves freely. A ride on the road would be the best test of this.
Ducati 250cc racer.
Amind lots of banging and clattering Keiran fashioned brackets to attach the seat to the frame as the bike edged ever closer to completion.
Yamaha YP125 Majesty.
Wade spent his visit to the club painstakingly checking through the bike’s wiring looking for the elusive fault that had so far prevented any form of spark at the spark plug. He concluded that resistance in the trigger coil was a long way outside the correct specification (both the coil installed on the bike and the coil that came with the spare stator). Wade agreed to hunt down a suitable replacement.
Honda Vigor.
Mal worked to rub down the bike’s front fork sliders (AKA stanchions) ready to spray paint them at the following session, so the process of reassembling the front end of the bike could begin.
Motobi Moped.
Jose’s Motobi moped was now back in one piece having been stripped down and cleaned up to improve its looks. At first it started and ran ok and with sufficient enthusiasm that it was able to carry club Mechanic Phil for a short ride to the car park and back. However, it then decided to stop and vehemently refused to start again. The fuel level in the tank was topped up and fuel was running through the fuel tap but the spark plug seemed to remain dry. As the spark was very strong indeed, a blockage in the carburettor was the most likely culprit and this would be looked at during the next session.
Yamaha PW50.
Sam the owner of the bike would be giving it to her 4 year old son Henri as a Christmas present and wanted it to be as close to perfect as possible. Club mechanic Phil helped to make the bike ready to light Henri's eyes up when Christmas came around. The bike was thoroughly checked all over and problems were fixed as they arose. The work included a full service with all the fluids changed. A new airfilter was installed and a broken bolt on the drive shaft was removed and replaced. Both tyres were replaced and an investigation begun into why the two stroke oil pump didn't appear to be pumping oil. The brakes were serviced and all the cables oiled. As part of the clean up process, the exhaust was repainted as were the handle bars and the engine covers. New graphics were fitted and something amazing was done with a heat gun to restore the overall appearance of the bike's plastic panels. Oh and then it was time for a coffee
