Mechanical/restoration supervision sought

**Dodgyiti** · 26th May 2007, 08:29

Originally Posted by psyguy

???

Meaning the seat tail section, I forgot how wide it is because it was 18 odd years ago since I used to jump on one from time to time. Just me being a smart arse

. I do remember the seat and riding position was very comfortable, but what the foam is like after all that time may not be as good.

If you get that bike going in a month, plus everything else you have going on at the moment, your a human dynamo!

And I will be very jealous as I have to wait 3-4 weeks just for my mufflers from Italy and the rear shocks from Sweden. And I sold that Triumph on Thursday so I am without a running bike and getting itchy already. Yes, it was only 2 days ago. The thought of a month to 6 weeks for me is devastating. I might tidy up that black bike I have in the meantime just to get back on the road.

**psyguy** · 26th May 2007, 22:11

Originally Posted by Dodgyiti

... The thought of a month to 6 weeks for me is devastating. I might tidy up that black bike I have in the meantime just to get back on the road.

Mate i really know what you mean, doing a bike up without having another one to ride really sucks, it adds to the impatience about the project bike, to say the least!

**Conquiztador** · 27th May 2007, 01:49

Like the support you are getting here.

I did notice that you had some of the bits re-chromed. There is something in the chroming process that makes the steel weaker. Not sure what. But know this from years of doing spoked wheels. The secret is to heat treat the steel after the croming. All that means is that you put the parts in your owen on 200 degree's for 1/2 hour and the bits are as strong as before. When you bend a spoke that has been chromed, but not heated, it breaks after two bendings, but if you have had it in the owen it takes six or more bends before it snaps.

I have done the same experiment with other bits that have been chromed and same applies.

So if you chrome brackets and stuff that are under pressure it pays to heat them.

Apart from that there is not much I can add here to help.

**Eurodave** · 27th May 2007, 08:47

Originally Posted by Conquiztador

There is something in the chroming process that makes the steel weaker. Not sure what.

That would be something called 'hydrogen embrittlement' & yes heat treatment is the cure

**pete376403** · 27th May 2007, 22:57

Originally Posted by Dodgyiti

It was on USA Ebay listed as a 1982 GS850Z which made me think that parts would be interchangable as to their frame mountings etc. I realise the Japs changed their bikes pretty much every model designation and sometimes inbetween.
It even says it on the sidecover in the picture GS850Z, but it is a USA model, probably never made it here anyway. The rake on the front looks a little more than 'I's bike, otherwise I guestimate the tank to be pretty much the same, but it was the front and rear guards I liked.

Psyguy's bikes got a fat arse

You're correct - I didn't look close enough. Giveaway is shaft drive and (this is the biggie) 850 badge on the sde cover!. I know for a fact the 1000L tank was small cos we went on tour with one of them (the one I later bought, crashed) and we had to stop every 150kms or so for a fillup. Amusing at first, but a right PITA as it went on.

**pete376403** · 27th May 2007, 23:03

Originally Posted by psyguy

hi pete, have you got just the mufflers, or the whole set maybe?

as for the head bolts, as i posted earlier, i bought some new flange bolts so i'm fine for now. however, the originals look better so i'll talk to you when i get the specs/measurements. thanks

I've got the mufflers and (I think) the outside pipes. The two inner pipes were squashed flat between the front wheel and the engine. The pipes had a two-into-one junction under engine just in front of where they attached to the muffler. If that sounds any use you can have them, as I'll never use them.

**psyguy** · 30th May 2007, 21:06

Originally Posted by Conquiztador

The secret is to heat treat the steel after the croming. All that means is that you put the parts in your owen on 200 degree's for 1/2 hour and the bits are as strong as before.

hi conquiztador
thanks for the interesting tip!
right on time, too - baked the hose clamps today

(just got them back from the platers)
cheers

**psyguy** · 30th May 2007, 21:07

Originally Posted by pete376403

I've got the mufflers and (I think) the outside pipes. The two inner pipes were squashed flat between the front wheel and the engine. The pipes had a two-into-one junction under engine just in front of where they attached to the muffler. If that sounds any use you can have them, as I'll never use them.

thanks pete, sounds good
i'm quite busy at the moment so i'll pm you for the details in due course
cheers

**psyguy** · 4th June 2007, 21:27

it seems i'm getting there ...

the engine is now complete, turns smoothly (by hand)
all electrics reconnected
carbs and airbox fitted - someone called this task a wrestle - and that's exactly what it was! one of the more difficult things on this project, really! i was clever to use some silicone spray to assist fitting and aligning of all the rubber boots onto the carbs and that helped a lot , however i forgot to wipe it off on the outside so all the boot clamps kept sliding away from the position ... you win some you lose some ...
the throtle cable and the choke cable connected - a bit of a problem here - the choke (when open) doesn't stay in place but gets pulled back (sort of half way) by the return spring at the carbs. not really sure if this is normal or not. before i started the project, the choke could stay fully open and the only thing i did was to lubricate the cable and clean and lubricate that return spring at the carbs. any thoughts?

still to do:

fit the clutch cover (i put a new oil level window on it so it's all nice and clear now )
connect the clutch cable
fit the exhaust
charge the battery (buy the charger first)
pray to god that it all works

**jimbo** · 10th June 2007, 19:27

Been following your thread with interest.Makes me wish I had swapped the lawn mower for that F2 750 a couple of years back.(TRUE)

Any how...very inspiring.Looking forward to the next instalment

Oh yeah.Dodgi iti,Brett is loving the Griso

**psyguy** · 11th June 2007, 18:25

Originally Posted by jimbo

Been following your thread with interest.Makes me wish I had swapped the lawn mower for that F2 750 a couple of years back.(TRUE)

Any how...very inspiring.Looking forward to the next instalment

thanks jimbo
yeah, f2 is one of the few bikes i'd be interested in restoring. they come up on trademe every so often, but not for a price of lawn mower