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melloyellow to live again!

Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2011 5:44 pm
by polkadot
Well guys, I'm back. You may remember my resto thread for the 77 I inherited from my cousin. I love that bike, but now its basically done! I ride it and my Valkyrie when I can, but that leaves lots of other spare time. So I have been looking for another project. I promised my wife that this one was just for fun and then to be sold. I had a tech post prior to my purchase which ended like this . . . so now, the rest of the story. . . . . . I took a look at the bikes this evening. I first looked at the 76. It was indeed a 76, however there were some issues with the title. I was pretty sure that I could legally get the title in my name but at that point I was negotiating on a "parts" bike. The bike was mostly complete but some of the missing items are the expensive ones. The seat is in good condition but is not an original. It is also missing the grab bar. Kick starter is missing too. Paint is good but not pristine. It started for a minute, all the electrical seemed to work, carbs were original and looked to bein good shape, muffler is good, tires look to be fairly new, battery is new and there appears to be little rust anywhere (except in the gas tank!). Then I looked at the 77. I could tell from the faux tank and rear signal that it was in fact a 79. Sure enough, the vin number showed it to be a 79 but his title said 77. I told him I was not interested in that bike. He also had many boxes of spare parts which I could tell came off a 77. They probably were left over from his titled vehicle. Some were in really good shape. They included a gas tank, gauges, carbs with a non randak rebuild kit, front forks, main wiring harness, muffler and lots of other stuff I just threw in the truck. Long story short I got the 76 and all the spare parts for $300. First thing is to get the title in my name. Once I get that done, I'll inventory everything and begin the resto. I really enjoyed restoring my 77! Hopefully I can sell some of the spare parts to pay for the parts I need. If I can't get the title straightened out, I'll be selling a bunch of 76 and 77 parts! Thanks for your help and I'll hopefully start a resto thread soon. . . . . so now begins my thread. I got the title in my name! My game plan is to once again put the bike back to as close to original condition without getting crazy! I love saving little bits of history ie cars, boats and now bikes. Anyway, here is what she looked like just off the trailer.
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I started taking her apart this morning. Before I pull the motor and electrical stuff, I am going to try to do a compression check. I was also wondering if there is any way that I can tell if the stator is working without the engine running? I would like to know if I need to replace or not. I also have a bunch of questions as to what was stock on a 76, but will save them for later. Thanks for all your help ahead of time and lets enjoy the ride together! Ernie

Re: melloyellow to live again!

Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2011 5:50 pm
by STREETWING78
Ernie was that the bike on C/L in town a cpl months ago?
With or on the trailer? geez I new i shoulda looked at that....

Re: melloyellow to live again!

Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2011 5:59 pm
by polkadot
No. I saw that ad too, but never got around to looking at it. Checked again later and it was gone. This one just went up on CL in Dayton. I did not waste any time and ran down there with a trailer the next day. Going on the statewide CL gets me in a lot of trouble! I'm looking forward to this project. You have a 76 ltd, right? I may be leaning on you.

Re: melloyellow to live again!

Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2011 6:05 pm
by STREETWING78
Call anytime,always in the mancave after 3.
I'll pm ya from the house puter soon.
Just got back from a river ride.

Re: melloyellow to live again!

Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2011 10:54 pm
by Sandy
polkadot77 wrote: I also have a bunch of questions as to what was stock on a 76, but will save them for later.
Ernie:
My Flickr site has lots of pictures of my "76" restore.
It is stock except for the Lester wheels.

Re: melloyellow to live again!

Posted: Sat Mar 05, 2011 3:43 pm
by polkadot
I did some dismantling and got organized this morning. It is amazing how much less intimidating this project is the second time around. Here is where I stand now.
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Re: melloyellow to live again!

Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2011 7:24 pm
by polkadot
I have some 1976 specific questions. 1. Is the triangular engine mount supposed to be chrome or black or was that an option? 2. How much flair was there on the bottom of the front fender as compared with the 77? They did get wider in 77 didn't they? 3. How do I tell the difference in handlebars from 76 to 77? I am beginning to think my handle bars are from a 77. 4. Did the air box have one wing nut or two to secure it? 5. Were the chrome header covers an option on the standard 76 or only available on the LTD? Are there any other changes from 76 to 77 that I have not addressed (I know about the change of the faces on the gauges)? Thanks for your expertise and info! ernie

Re: melloyellow to live again!

Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2011 7:53 pm
by Sandy
As far as I know and as per my 76/77.....
1. My original triangle was/is black.
2. They seem to have the same flair at 8.25" measured on the outside of the fender.
3. Handle bars 76 approx 7" rise, 77 approx 9" rise.
4. Air filter bax 76 one wing nut, 77 two wing nuts.
5. My 76 sulpher yellow did not have chrome header covers so I guess they were an accessory.

Re: melloyellow to live again!

Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2011 8:43 pm
by gregforesi
I promised my wife that this one was just for fun and then to be sold.
Oh man, I'm laughing and it's hard to type.

Let me guess...she's a blonde.

Re: melloyellow to live again!

Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2011 8:51 pm
by STREETWING78
Ernie
I have 2 76's ,both really original.
the ltd and once was yellow(think a dealer repaint black)
Come and chk em out...

Re: melloyellow to live again!

Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2011 10:46 pm
by polkadot
Greg, I am lucky to have the understanding wife that I have. She knows me by now, and seems to go along with all my crazy escapades. As the dentist in the Hangover said " I told her we were going to Napa Valley and she bought it!". So whether she bought it or is just going along, there is peace in the household now and that's all that matters. I'm having a ball with this project already!

Tom, When the weather gets better, I'd love to stop over to take a look at your bikes. Maybe even share a beverage or two.

Re: melloyellow to live again!

Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2011 4:38 pm
by polkadot
More progress dismantling. I believe that my handle bars are indeed 77 as they are about 9 inches. In the process I noticed these "extensions".
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The PO must not have liked the stock bars. Now I have to decide if I use the 77 bars (they are in good shape) or find some 75/76 bars. Here is where I stand after my "before work" session.
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I definitely get more sleep when I don't have a project going!

Re: melloyellow to live again!

Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2011 5:33 pm
by Sandy
Remember, your brake lines will have to match the length of the bars.
Each year brake lines are different lengths.

Re: melloyellow to live again!

Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2011 6:53 pm
by polkadot
Bottom two lines would be the same right? PO must have had longer line on the bike because he had 77 bars and the extension.

Re: melloyellow to live again!

Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2011 8:25 pm
by Sandy
polkadot77 wrote:Bottom two lines would be the same right? PO must have had longer line on the bike because he had 77 bars and the extension.
The bottom 2 lines are longer on the 77 than on the 76.
I'm not sure why but I ordered all three lines and recieved 77's instead of 76's.
All 3 lines were longer.