Ownthesky2010

  • Ownthesky2010 replied to the topic Z750B1 1976 in the forum New Projects 5 years, 3 months ago

    I’m trying to keep up the momentum but the season seems to get in the way a bit. Still, I am getting bits and pieces done. I turned my attention to the brake discs and started on the rear one.

    There is a bit of a ridge as expected and I decided to clean it up a bit. If you object to taking a file to a brake disc then look away now. Files may be…[Read more]

  • Ownthesky2010 replied to the topic Z750B1 1976 in the forum New Projects 5 years, 3 months ago

    I kept all the hardware for mounting the sprocket as I planned to re-use it all but once I inspected the nuts and bolts they were clearly not in a good state. The threads were quite damaged. I thought I could at least re-use the locking tabs if I flatten them out again so I started cleaning them but I wasn’t really happy with the result.

    I…[Read more]

  • Ownthesky2010 replied to the topic Z750B1 1976 in the forum New Projects 5 years, 3 months ago

    Next up is the sprocket and carrier.

    The sprocket looked like it would still be ok but would need a lot of cleaning. There was a lot of rock-hard chain lube on everything. This stuff had to be chipped off with a blade.

    Its really thick

    Lots of chipping later and its ready for wire brushing

    I started the wire brushing on the teeth to…[Read more]

  • Ownthesky2010 replied to the topic Z750B1 1976 in the forum New Projects 5 years, 3 months ago

    Next the rear wheel gets the same treatment. I managed to remove almost all the spokes but I still broke 2 of them. I have resigned myself to replacing them all now. The rear rim is also completely shot and will be replaced.

    Once the spokes were removed and the hub could be inspected I found a problem. The sprocket side of the hub is cast…[Read more]

  • Ownthesky2010 replied to the topic Z750B1 1976 in the forum New Projects 5 years, 3 months ago

    Next up I started on the front wheel. As with everything on this bike it was covered in a thick patina. Many of the parts have been preserved by this but unfortunately the wheels both have a lot of corrosion. The rims are probably dead but I might be able to re-use the spokes.

    First off the disc is removed

    Next the tire comes off, an…[Read more]

  • Ownthesky2010 replied to the topic Z750B1 1976 in the forum New Projects 5 years, 3 months ago

    Back again after a bit of a break. Work hasn’t stopped but it has slowed down a bit as other priorities take over. Also, I have been working away for a few weeks which makes it difficult to find the time to work on this. I have managed to get a few bits and pieces done.

    While I had the sprocket cover in my hand I decided to sort a few bits out so…[Read more]

  • Ownthesky2010 replied to the topic Z750B1 1976 in the forum New Projects 5 years, 4 months ago

    Its been a couple of busy weeks and I haven’t had a lot of time for this project but I have decided its time for the rest of the bike to get stripped down.

    I have taken the wiring harness off to repair it and done a few small bits and pieces but I want to try and start the motor before stripping the bike down so I can get some idea of its…[Read more]

  • Ownthesky2010 replied to the topic Z750B1 1976 in the forum New Projects 5 years, 5 months ago

    Next I decided to tackle the rear shocks. These are Marzocchi Strada shocks that were often fitted as standard equipment on Italian bikes of the era. They were sometimes fitted as upgrades so I decided to keep them and do them up. They are rebuildable if the chrome on the shaft is still good but the kit costs £300 and a new set of RFY shocks…[Read more]

  • Ownthesky2010 replied to the topic Z750B1 1976 in the forum New Projects 5 years, 5 months ago

    I decided to finish the brake parts next. I couldn’t get the rear caliper off without forcing the piston back in so I will wait until I take the back wheel off for that but I finished off the other bits of the brakes. First the front splitter

    I bought a scotch brite wheel for my drill and used that after an alkaline soak and this is the…[Read more]

  • Ownthesky2010 replied to the topic Z750B1 1976 in the forum New Projects 5 years, 5 months ago

    The next thing I decided to tackle is my plating kit. I got it off ebay and it works but I have had a few issues with weird rough patches in the zinc plating and yellow chromate that just rubs off.

    I resolved the chromate issue as it turned out I’m dipping it for too long so I just dip for 3 seconds now and repeat for a darker yellow if…[Read more]

  • Ownthesky2010 replied to the topic Z750B1 1976 in the forum New Projects 5 years, 5 months ago

    Thanks Tango

    I haven’t worked on a bike for many years so please feel free to tell me when I’m doing something stupid 🙂

    I’m pretty much making this up as I go along

  • Ownthesky2010 replied to the topic Z750B1 1976 in the forum New Projects 5 years, 5 months ago

    Clocks next. This is as they came off. Quite rusty but definitely usable. They can be tricky to get apart and a lot of patience is required. They cant really be repainted while they are still together.

    The rev counter in all its bits. It was seized solid so I had to tear it right down.

    Rusted solid but with a bit of wd40 and a lot of…[Read more]

  • Ownthesky2010 replied to the topic Z750B1 1976 in the forum New Projects 5 years, 5 months ago

    On to the rear MS next. I really struggled to get the reservoir off and in the end I carefully levered it off using brute force and a kitchen knife. It turns out it just screws off. Luckily the threads are still usable.

    I didn’t like the state of the clevis bolt so I decided to repair it

    I machined the rusted area down

    Turned a sleeve…[Read more]

  • Ownthesky2010 replied to the topic Z750B1 1976 in the forum New Projects 5 years, 5 months ago

    Front caliper next. It looks worse than it actually is. They can be difficult to get apart so its best to loosen all the nuts and bolts while its still on the bike. The bleed nipple was very difficult but a lot of patience paid off.

     

    I used compressed air to get the piston out and the front is very rusty but the rest is ok so I can probably…[Read more]

  • Ownthesky2010 replied to the topic Z750B1 1976 in the forum New Projects 5 years, 5 months ago

    Front Brakes stripped off and ready for refurb. I think I will replace the hoses as the chromed fittings are rusty. First need to do something about the master cylinder. These are usually anodized rather than painted. Its easy to tell as the top half is sun-bleached and the bottom is still black. Easy to remove with a strong alkaline but it will…[Read more]

  • Ownthesky2010 replied to the topic Z750B1 1976 in the forum New Projects 5 years, 5 months ago

    More progress

    I sorted out the airbox and painted the lid but in order to clean it properly I had to get the air filter shelf out which required drilling one of the bolts. All sorted now and nice and clean inside.

    I just need to clean the outside now. I ordered an air filter that turned out to be too short so I’m waiting for the new one to…[Read more]

  • Ownthesky2010 replied to the topic Z750B1 1976 in the forum New Projects 5 years, 5 months ago

    Hi KaptainKwak

    I am fortunate to have worked as a machinist and engineer for a while and I have a machine shop at home so I make all sorts of bits for bikes as well as other things including a couple of model engines of my own design.

    If I can find any photos I might post some of my GS550 project that will be very custom.

    I will definitely…[Read more]

  • Ownthesky2010 replied to the topic Z750B1 1976 in the forum New Projects 5 years, 6 months ago

    This is the state of the airbox. I was glad it was included and I want to use it. I was also very relieved to find the rubbers inside. There was quite a lot of overspray on it but it will clean up ok I think.

    I was relieved to find the rubbers still soft.

    I drilled out the rivets on the metal top as it was very rusty and I wanted to respray…[Read more]

  • Ownthesky2010 replied to the topic Z750B1 1976 in the forum New Projects 5 years, 6 months ago

    While I was busy with the carbs I also had the headlight shell off the bike to sort out. It was pretty rusty.

    It got the paint stripper treatment and then a wire brushing and a bit of hammering to get rid of a few dents. I filled a couple of spots too but left the spot welds as they were.

    Then time for paint. I like the Aldi metal spray…[Read more]

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