my 1100 rebuild/resto
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- Rednaxs60
- Silver Member
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- Joined: Mon Nov 30, 2015 11:14 pm
- Location: Victoria, BC, Canada
Re: my 1100 rebuild/resto
Very nice!
"When writing the Story of your life, don't let anyone else hold the pen."
Ernest
1985 GL1200 Limited Edition
2014 Can-Am Spyder RT LE
2021 Royal Enfield Himalayan
1995 GL1500 SE CDN Edition (sold)
2012 Suzuki DL1000 VStrom (sold)
Ontario 1985 GL1200 Limited Edition (sold)
2008 GL1800 (sold)
Ernest
1985 GL1200 Limited Edition
2014 Can-Am Spyder RT LE
2021 Royal Enfield Himalayan
1995 GL1500 SE CDN Edition (sold)
2012 Suzuki DL1000 VStrom (sold)
Ontario 1985 GL1200 Limited Edition (sold)
2008 GL1800 (sold)
- Rednaxs60
- Silver Member
- Posts: 974
- Joined: Mon Nov 30, 2015 11:14 pm
- Location: Victoria, BC, Canada
Re: my 1100 rebuild/resto
Just got around to cleaning the intake/exhaust ports. Before: After: Used dremel then followed up with red and grey scrubbies to smooth out the dremel marks. Both heads done. been working mostly on the paint side of the project, get the painting done before the weather turns. Finished up the front wheel, looks good. Before: Finished: Have more ideas on what I am going to use the CERAKOTE on. Supposed to be used within a year. Taking the rear wheel off to tackle it. Will be cleaning up and painting the calipers and other brake parts. Snowball effect. CheersGc33 wrote: ↑Tue Sep 15, 2020 8:17 pm#Rednaxs60 how did you go with your heads? Get them cleaned up?Rednaxs60 wrote: ↑Fri Sep 04, 2020 10:35 am Nice job on the heads. Mine were done as well, checked with a straight edge and all is well. Think I'll do the same to the intake/exhaust ports and clean them up a bit. I went and protected the exterior finish using a CERAKOTE product MC-5100 specifically for aluminum. The prep for the application is to clean and degrease then wash with DAWN dish soap then apply. Puts a good protective coating on the part/piece. Did my engine cases, parts and pieces. Leaves a good finish. Highly recommended especially after you having the vapour blasting done.
"When writing the Story of your life, don't let anyone else hold the pen."
Ernest
1985 GL1200 Limited Edition
2014 Can-Am Spyder RT LE
2021 Royal Enfield Himalayan
1995 GL1500 SE CDN Edition (sold)
2012 Suzuki DL1000 VStrom (sold)
Ontario 1985 GL1200 Limited Edition (sold)
2008 GL1800 (sold)
Ernest
1985 GL1200 Limited Edition
2014 Can-Am Spyder RT LE
2021 Royal Enfield Himalayan
1995 GL1500 SE CDN Edition (sold)
2012 Suzuki DL1000 VStrom (sold)
Ontario 1985 GL1200 Limited Edition (sold)
2008 GL1800 (sold)
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- Chrome Member
- Posts: 181
- Joined: Thu Sep 26, 2019 9:06 am
- Location: Perth Western Australia
Re: my 1100 rebuild/resto
Looking good. For the heads I also used a fine wet and dry sand paper with some wd40 or crc on it and then I used some polishing barrels on my dremel with autosol...
- Rednaxs60
- Silver Member
- Posts: 974
- Joined: Mon Nov 30, 2015 11:14 pm
- Location: Victoria, BC, Canada
Re: my 1100 rebuild/resto
Thanks, may do a bit more on the ports. Right now I'm agonizing over the pinstripe that I need to put back on the body panels. It's a 1/8" wide stripe, then a 1/8" gap, then a final 1/16" stripe - both gloss black. This pic shows what I want:
The panel on the left is original, the panel on the right has had the pinstripe removed for painting. Need to put the pinstripe back on. Have seen videos where the pinstripe is painted on, very steady hands, and one where the pinstripe was put on in paint layers, taped for the desired result, painting finished then tape removed exposing the pinstripe. I have an airbrush that might be good for the pinstripe. Going to put the gold and brown metallic colours on first then decide on the way ahead. Will do the pinstripe before I clear coat."When writing the Story of your life, don't let anyone else hold the pen."
Ernest
1985 GL1200 Limited Edition
2014 Can-Am Spyder RT LE
2021 Royal Enfield Himalayan
1995 GL1500 SE CDN Edition (sold)
2012 Suzuki DL1000 VStrom (sold)
Ontario 1985 GL1200 Limited Edition (sold)
2008 GL1800 (sold)
Ernest
1985 GL1200 Limited Edition
2014 Can-Am Spyder RT LE
2021 Royal Enfield Himalayan
1995 GL1500 SE CDN Edition (sold)
2012 Suzuki DL1000 VStrom (sold)
Ontario 1985 GL1200 Limited Edition (sold)
2008 GL1800 (sold)
- wingrider
- SUPER BIKER!!!!
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- Location: Maple Lake, MN USA
Re: my 1100 rebuild/resto
Awesome job rednaxs60!
2002 1800 Wing
2001 Valkyrie Interstate
1978 1200 EFI Wing with Motorvation Coupe Royale sidecar
1977 1200 Wing cafe/bobber project
1974 Suzuki GT550
2001 Valkyrie Interstate
1978 1200 EFI Wing with Motorvation Coupe Royale sidecar
1977 1200 Wing cafe/bobber project
1974 Suzuki GT550
- Rednaxs60
- Silver Member
- Posts: 974
- Joined: Mon Nov 30, 2015 11:14 pm
- Location: Victoria, BC, Canada
Re: my 1100 rebuild/resto
Gc33 - how's your project going. Getting work done on my '85. Doing the painting now. Have the front fender ready for clear coat. Did the gold the other day, the brown and pinstripe today. Taped for the pinstripe and used a Meiji F55 mini spray gun similar to the LPH80. Zero fan and one turn on the product, turned out pretty good:
Need to have less coffee or find a younger person with steadier hands. Cheers"When writing the Story of your life, don't let anyone else hold the pen."
Ernest
1985 GL1200 Limited Edition
2014 Can-Am Spyder RT LE
2021 Royal Enfield Himalayan
1995 GL1500 SE CDN Edition (sold)
2012 Suzuki DL1000 VStrom (sold)
Ontario 1985 GL1200 Limited Edition (sold)
2008 GL1800 (sold)
Ernest
1985 GL1200 Limited Edition
2014 Can-Am Spyder RT LE
2021 Royal Enfield Himalayan
1995 GL1500 SE CDN Edition (sold)
2012 Suzuki DL1000 VStrom (sold)
Ontario 1985 GL1200 Limited Edition (sold)
2008 GL1800 (sold)
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- Chrome Member
- Posts: 181
- Joined: Thu Sep 26, 2019 9:06 am
- Location: Perth Western Australia
Re: my 1100 rebuild/resto
Hey buddy... Yeah you know how I'm goin on progress. Yours is looking good. I'm going to focus on everything else around the bike.. Tank, panels, wheels, fork rebuilds... List goe on. 2 other rolling chassis to get ready... 75 and 83 aspyRednaxs60 wrote: ↑Tue Sep 29, 2020 8:38 pm Gc33 - how's your project going. Getting work done on my '85. Doing the painting now. Have the front fender ready for clear coat. Did the gold the other day, the brown and pinstripe today. Taped for the pinstripe and used a Meiji F55 mini spray gun similar to the LPH80. Zero fan and one turn on the product, turned out pretty good:Pinstripe 2.jpgNeed to have less coffee or find a younger person with steadier hands. Cheers
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- Chrome Member
- Posts: 181
- Joined: Thu Sep 26, 2019 9:06 am
- Location: Perth Western Australia
Re: my 1100 rebuild/resto
For everyone else... I decided to remove the heads from my 81 engine to be met with heartbreak. One of the cylinders (No3) has some corrosion(pitting). This was supposed to be my good engine.
So...what are my options
1. Find a good donor engine..... ... Not here in Australia.. Not a chance. Things are rare enough and the chance of a donor engine is minimal and to find and ship one from overseas... $$$$$ and I could end up with the same problem
2. Find a full set of OS pistons. I found a set at nearly $1000 landed then I have approx $1500 in machining. That's not including bearing shells.... So finan ially not really viable.
3. Have the corroded bores machined and bores re-sleeved and re-machined to suit current pistons.
No 3 I'll explain... When I stripped down the 75 I found the pistons in good condition. No 2 cyl was badly corroded. At 1st I was hunting a 4th oversize set of pistons. But I really am not keen on the cylinder walls thickness afterwards... Making them prone to overheating. I've read a few forms regarding resleeving... Not recommended etc... But considering my options I don't have much choice. It's about reducing the risk and by just doing the affected cylinder it does just that
The 75 engine will be the test subject so if it goes well then I'll repeat the process with the 81 1100..
In the meantime I've 2 more rolling chassis to get going so plenty of work to do... Forks to rebuild, panels to paint, tanks to paint etc etc
My 75 engine has the same but more severe problem. So I've gone thru a no of emotions.. Sadness frustration,anger...and consumed numerous bottles cold alcoholic beverages with much head scratching... What do I do.... My 1st reaction was... I'M DONE!! (there were certain 4 letter swear words in that as well) ready to throw it all on the trailer and dump it at the tip!So...what are my options
1. Find a good donor engine..... ... Not here in Australia.. Not a chance. Things are rare enough and the chance of a donor engine is minimal and to find and ship one from overseas... $$$$$ and I could end up with the same problem
2. Find a full set of OS pistons. I found a set at nearly $1000 landed then I have approx $1500 in machining. That's not including bearing shells.... So finan ially not really viable.
3. Have the corroded bores machined and bores re-sleeved and re-machined to suit current pistons.
No 3 I'll explain... When I stripped down the 75 I found the pistons in good condition. No 2 cyl was badly corroded. At 1st I was hunting a 4th oversize set of pistons. But I really am not keen on the cylinder walls thickness afterwards... Making them prone to overheating. I've read a few forms regarding resleeving... Not recommended etc... But considering my options I don't have much choice. It's about reducing the risk and by just doing the affected cylinder it does just that
The 75 engine will be the test subject so if it goes well then I'll repeat the process with the 81 1100..
In the meantime I've 2 more rolling chassis to get going so plenty of work to do... Forks to rebuild, panels to paint, tanks to paint etc etc
- Rednaxs60
- Silver Member
- Posts: 974
- Joined: Mon Nov 30, 2015 11:14 pm
- Location: Victoria, BC, Canada
Re: my 1100 rebuild/resto
Still watching and like what I see, unexpected issues and all. These older GWs will assimilate, resistance is futile.
"When writing the Story of your life, don't let anyone else hold the pen."
Ernest
1985 GL1200 Limited Edition
2014 Can-Am Spyder RT LE
2021 Royal Enfield Himalayan
1995 GL1500 SE CDN Edition (sold)
2012 Suzuki DL1000 VStrom (sold)
Ontario 1985 GL1200 Limited Edition (sold)
2008 GL1800 (sold)
Ernest
1985 GL1200 Limited Edition
2014 Can-Am Spyder RT LE
2021 Royal Enfield Himalayan
1995 GL1500 SE CDN Edition (sold)
2012 Suzuki DL1000 VStrom (sold)
Ontario 1985 GL1200 Limited Edition (sold)
2008 GL1800 (sold)
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- Chrome Member
- Posts: 181
- Joined: Thu Sep 26, 2019 9:06 am
- Location: Perth Western Australia
Re: my 1100 rebuild/resto
So... Today... I dismantled the 81 heads. Cleaned them up in the ultrasonic cleaning bath, then a high pressure clean and once dry I've put them in my sandblast cabinet with glass media.
Started cleaning them up... Polishing ports etc. The heads weren't in pristine cond... Definately original gaskets... They were hard to remove. Good ole Honda gaskets.. But I've managed to clean the 1st one up but noticed it has a damaged valve seat from corrosion or something. So I'll get that repaired... Added to the list.
I also assembled the 83 aspy heads... They look sweet. Very happy with them. That engine is the only one so far that the bores are OK... So I'll work on that one for a bit.
One head nearly done...
Started cleaning them up... Polishing ports etc. The heads weren't in pristine cond... Definately original gaskets... They were hard to remove. Good ole Honda gaskets.. But I've managed to clean the 1st one up but noticed it has a damaged valve seat from corrosion or something. So I'll get that repaired... Added to the list.
I also assembled the 83 aspy heads... They look sweet. Very happy with them. That engine is the only one so far that the bores are OK... So I'll work on that one for a bit.
One head nearly done...
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- Chrome Member
- Posts: 181
- Joined: Thu Sep 26, 2019 9:06 am
- Location: Perth Western Australia
Re: my 1100 rebuild/resto
So... I have been busy researching pistons etc.. As we all know and are well aware they are scarse to non-existent.
I have emailed a few companies and am awaiting replies. The one reply I have had is from JE pistons in California. They can produce the pistons but need a sample. They will also cost approx $850US for a set of 4.
Not cheap I know, but considering our options what else can we do..
As I said I'm still awaiting responses from other manufacturers from UK and Europe.
Hopefully this will be of some help to all...
I have emailed a few companies and am awaiting replies. The one reply I have had is from JE pistons in California. They can produce the pistons but need a sample. They will also cost approx $850US for a set of 4.
Not cheap I know, but considering our options what else can we do..
As I said I'm still awaiting responses from other manufacturers from UK and Europe.
Hopefully this will be of some help to all...
- Rednaxs60
- Silver Member
- Posts: 974
- Joined: Mon Nov 30, 2015 11:14 pm
- Location: Victoria, BC, Canada
Re: my 1100 rebuild/resto
I have mentioned on the Classic forum that these older, vintage motorcycles are now part of the "Cuban" connection. Starting to use non-Honda motorcycle parts, and being creative in how we keep these classics operating well past there best before date. Ouch on the cost for a set of four pistons.
Need to have a family member with a wrecking yard full of early model imports so you can do some comparison shopping, never know what gems are out there that might work.
Need to have a family member with a wrecking yard full of early model imports so you can do some comparison shopping, never know what gems are out there that might work.
"When writing the Story of your life, don't let anyone else hold the pen."
Ernest
1985 GL1200 Limited Edition
2014 Can-Am Spyder RT LE
2021 Royal Enfield Himalayan
1995 GL1500 SE CDN Edition (sold)
2012 Suzuki DL1000 VStrom (sold)
Ontario 1985 GL1200 Limited Edition (sold)
2008 GL1800 (sold)
Ernest
1985 GL1200 Limited Edition
2014 Can-Am Spyder RT LE
2021 Royal Enfield Himalayan
1995 GL1500 SE CDN Edition (sold)
2012 Suzuki DL1000 VStrom (sold)
Ontario 1985 GL1200 Limited Edition (sold)
2008 GL1800 (sold)
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- Chrome Member
- Posts: 181
- Joined: Thu Sep 26, 2019 9:06 am
- Location: Perth Western Australia
Re: my 1100 rebuild/resto
Yes mate... I have spotted another brand out of Germany. Bit better in pricing after currency conversion and shipping... I forgot to add our gst on to it so there's another $100 the theiving pricks...Rednaxs60 wrote: ↑Fri Feb 19, 2021 11:15 pm I have mentioned on the Classic forum that these older, vintage motorcycles are now part of the "Cuban" connection. Starting to use non-Honda motorcycle parts, and being creative in how we keep these classics operating well past there best before date. Ouch on the cost for a set of four pistons.
Need to have a family member with a wrecking yard full of early model imports so you can do some comparison shopping, never know what gems are out there that might work.
Ive even gone down the road of finding engine casings but ya just don't know what ya goin to get...
Im now experimenting with bearing shells... There has to be some that wl fit our bearing shells.
Pedrotq and I were even discussing having shells re-coated... Dunno what they coat them with... But it's a thought... Having bearing shells reconditioned?
When our parts are so hard to get ya tend to think of and try anything...
- Rednaxs60
- Silver Member
- Posts: 974
- Joined: Mon Nov 30, 2015 11:14 pm
- Location: Victoria, BC, Canada
Re: my 1100 rebuild/resto
I tripped across a forum thread about an engine rebuild and the person was using aftermarket car bearings that fit. Will do some looking to try and find the thread. Did read on a Honda Civic/Prelude forum (?) that you could go up or down one bearing size without having an issue. I contacted a company here on the island to determine if I could get the 1200 bearings coated/lined, something like having larger bearings get new babbit lining. I was told that my bearings were too small for the company. Cheers
"When writing the Story of your life, don't let anyone else hold the pen."
Ernest
1985 GL1200 Limited Edition
2014 Can-Am Spyder RT LE
2021 Royal Enfield Himalayan
1995 GL1500 SE CDN Edition (sold)
2012 Suzuki DL1000 VStrom (sold)
Ontario 1985 GL1200 Limited Edition (sold)
2008 GL1800 (sold)
Ernest
1985 GL1200 Limited Edition
2014 Can-Am Spyder RT LE
2021 Royal Enfield Himalayan
1995 GL1500 SE CDN Edition (sold)
2012 Suzuki DL1000 VStrom (sold)
Ontario 1985 GL1200 Limited Edition (sold)
2008 GL1800 (sold)
- Rednaxs60
- Silver Member
- Posts: 974
- Joined: Mon Nov 30, 2015 11:14 pm
- Location: Victoria, BC, Canada
Re: my 1100 rebuild/resto
G'day mate - keeping up with your threads. Milestone day today, no more parts to go on at this time. It's no longer a garage queen:
Had to put it in gear and ride it back in. Cheers"When writing the Story of your life, don't let anyone else hold the pen."
Ernest
1985 GL1200 Limited Edition
2014 Can-Am Spyder RT LE
2021 Royal Enfield Himalayan
1995 GL1500 SE CDN Edition (sold)
2012 Suzuki DL1000 VStrom (sold)
Ontario 1985 GL1200 Limited Edition (sold)
2008 GL1800 (sold)
Ernest
1985 GL1200 Limited Edition
2014 Can-Am Spyder RT LE
2021 Royal Enfield Himalayan
1995 GL1500 SE CDN Edition (sold)
2012 Suzuki DL1000 VStrom (sold)
Ontario 1985 GL1200 Limited Edition (sold)
2008 GL1800 (sold)
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