A '75 followed me home today

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roncar
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Re: A '75 followed me home today

#46

Post by roncar »

evilratwing wrote:... but if I found one with 5,500 miles on it... I'd be obliged to return it to as-new condition.
As I pointed out in another thread, the time, money, love that you put in does not usually equal an exponential profit when reselling. NOS parts are no longer NOS once installed. And unless you plan to keep it parked, 5500 miles won't be it's mileage for long. There is also no guarantee that's the original speedometer nor that the mileage isn't 105,500.
wog wrote:My plans for this bike is to make it a rider. I want to keep it with the stock look, with probably the current engine guards and maybe the rear rack as those are what the original owner had mounted, I guessing when new....

I've never wanted a "museum piece" kind of a bike but if you guys feel I shouldn't change out the frame with another, I'd definitely consider keeping it untitled with the current everything...

As for the personalizing of bikes, one of my '79's came to me with a single carb conversion. I haven't started on it yet, but my plans are to make it my "wild child".
If you want to make it a rider, you have to be able to legally put it on the road. While titling the original frame may be possible through title agencies, the process is, IMHO, expensive. I don't have the money for that and really suspect any 'value' to be gained, will not be seen due to the cost. Besides, it's not like your frame is a low serial number or has any specific significance or value.

I figured out long after I got my '76 (and after a frame swap and joining NGW,) that it has a '77 engine. I don't have the original frame, but in reflection suspect it was was also a '77 due to the steering neck diameter difference compared to my current '76 frame. Mixing and matching of parts is, a lot of the time, undetectable to the untrained eye. Still makes a nice looking vintage bike without breaking the bank.

Bottom line, IMO, an untitled bike is a parts bike, at least in Florida.
"I periodically misspell words just to annoy the word police."

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wog
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Re: A '75 followed me home today

#47

Post by wog »

Starting back on this project. :IDTS:

I've picked up the replacement frame from Roncar. He also was kind enough to work his magic on getting the original key to fit in another ignition switch.
Before I send the frame to the blasters to be stripped, I'm going to remove the frame side bar and any other items that will be powder coated. I need to do a little welding to fix the centerstand mount on the replacement frame, but I'll wait until it's blasted to see if any other holes show up for the party.

So nice to see a bike this old with only 5500 miles, as all the wiring, etc is original. No splices for the Christmas lights that were so often added. (Yes I did it too back in the '80s). :oops:
Even the fusible link is in good condition.

Question for you guys with spoke wheels...
There is an oval sticker on both wheels that has the rim size and "D. I. D"
No mention of "Honda" on it. I'm guessing they're original.
Attachments
75 teardown 001.jpg
75 teardown 001.jpg (131.14 KiB) Viewed 312 times
75 teardown 002.jpg
75 teardown 002.jpg (126.63 KiB) Viewed 312 times
75 teardown 003.jpg
75 teardown 003.jpg (123.16 KiB) Viewed 312 times
Great to keep these old 'Wings flying on down the road.
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Easter
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Re: A '75 followed me home today

#48

Post by Easter »

D.I.D. was/is a regular supplier to Honda (had them on several bikes) so I am pretty sure those are original.
Bikes at present:

83 XL 600r with a 2004 XR650L engine
And a slightly worse for the wear BMW GS adventure bike awaiting repair
83 GL in process :IDTS:
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polkadot
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Re: A '75 followed me home today

#49

Post by polkadot »

Original, so keep them if you can. I think I remember that Placer had some duplicates made if you need one. I could be wrong though.
Hope for the best, expect the worst and take what comes!

1977 Candy Sirus Blue Wing (gone but not forgotten!): Ernie's 77 Resto
1998 Yellow/Creme Valkyrie (sold): Valk Redo
1976 Sulfur Yellow Wing (sold): Melloyellow to live again
1976 LTD #1353 (sold): And away we go . . . . LTD style
1970 CT90 (sold): Had too much time on my hands so . . .
1/4 of 1975 Wing #898 (Sold): Team 898 - raised from the ashes
70ish Benelli Dynamo Scrambler (sold): Erector Set/Treasure Hunt aka Benelli Dynamo
1/6 of 1976 LTD #993 (Sold): LTD 993 . . . and so it begins
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wog
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Re: A '75 followed me home today

#50

Post by wog »

thanks guys.
Will definitely keep them as they're in great shape.
Great to keep these old 'Wings flying on down the road.
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wog
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Re: A '75 followed me home today

#51

Post by wog »

Guess I have a little engine work ahead! :IDTS:
Attachments
If only this.....
If only this.....
75 teardown 027.jpg (127.82 KiB) Viewed 285 times
and this.....
and this.....
75 teardown 028.jpg (134.03 KiB) Viewed 285 times
looked like this.
looked like this.
75 teardown 029.jpg (134.04 KiB) Viewed 285 times
Great to keep these old 'Wings flying on down the road.
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El_Taco
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Re: A '75 followed me home today

#52

Post by El_Taco »

Oooh, crustiness... I assume you've turned the motor over already. I've found some really pretty bikes locked solid. Either way, great find. That's going to make for one nice daily driver.
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wog
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Re: A '75 followed me home today

#53

Post by wog »

It's locked solid.
But will be on the road. :crosso
Great to keep these old 'Wings flying on down the road.
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Fred Camper
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Re: A '75 followed me home today

#54

Post by Fred Camper »

Looks to be worth the effort. Keep at her.
Proud member of the NGW Cartel (Rochester MI)
1977 GL1000 BADDOG (April 2012 BOTM)
1976 LTD - '993 LTD...and so it begins'

You should remember that it's peace of mind you're after and not just fixing the machine. R.Pirsig
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wog
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Re: A '75 followed me home today

#55

Post by wog »

Today I used a spray on paint stripper for the replacement frame before sand blasting it. Worked great. Just hosed it off with a pressure washer and there was little paint left for blasting.

The removable frame section from my bike is in great shape. Solid as can be.

No other rust holes showed up on the replacement after blasting, just the two areas I knew about.
I'll fill the one on the top and maybe add a small gusset for support.
The center stand mount is very thin at the cross section. Haven't decided if I'll just reinforce it, cut out that section and replace with the original's, or just remove the whole stand mount and replace with my original.
I'll add two zerk grease fittings.

There was a very rusty area in the front lower corner, but no through holes. I tapped the craters with a punch and it seemed solid. I might add some filler metal over the surface and grind it down.

Next week... to the powder coaters action1
Attachments
Frame after paint stipper
Frame after paint stipper
75 frame 002.jpg (132.86 KiB) Viewed 236 times
75 frame 004.jpg
75 frame 004.jpg (125.07 KiB) Viewed 236 times
75 frame 005.jpg
75 frame 005.jpg (120.91 KiB) Viewed 236 times
75 frame.jpg
75 frame.jpg (119.15 KiB) Viewed 236 times
Great to keep these old 'Wings flying on down the road.
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Fred Camper
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Re: A '75 followed me home today

#56

Post by Fred Camper »

Good progress. I like the concept to reinforce those thin spots.
Proud member of the NGW Cartel (Rochester MI)
1977 GL1000 BADDOG (April 2012 BOTM)
1976 LTD - '993 LTD...and so it begins'

You should remember that it's peace of mind you're after and not just fixing the machine. R.Pirsig
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klux182
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Re: A '75 followed me home today

#57

Post by klux182 »

..Looks like you found a great one too. Mine wasn't locked-up. Sorry yours was.
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wog
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Re: A '75 followed me home today

#58

Post by wog »

I was hoping the frame would be back from the coaters today but no luck.

I was excited about getting into the "virgin" set of carbs, but now not so much. Here's the worst smelling, darkest orange gas I've ever removed from a bike! :shock:
Attachments
75 gas.jpg
75 gas.jpg (122 KiB) Viewed 211 times
cap after 3 days in vinegar
cap after 3 days in vinegar
75 frame 006.jpg (127.6 KiB) Viewed 211 times
Great to keep these old 'Wings flying on down the road.
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wog
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Re: A '75 followed me home today

#59

Post by wog »

Here's some of the welding done...

Decided to try just welding the cracks/gaps in the center stand mount.
Had a couple of blow-throughs in the first stage, but it worked out and sanded down fine.
Plenty of metal there now.
Attachments
first weld with blow-throughs
first weld with blow-throughs
75 frame 007.jpg (123.97 KiB) Viewed 211 times
fill blow-throughs
fill blow-throughs
75 frame 012.jpg (121.21 KiB) Viewed 211 times
center stand mount done
center stand mount done
75 frame 013.jpg (129.74 KiB) Viewed 211 times
Great to keep these old 'Wings flying on down the road.
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wog
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Re: A '75 followed me home today

#60

Post by wog »

Lower front corner...
Attachments
ground down
ground down
75 frame 008.jpg (120.54 KiB) Viewed 211 times
blow-through
blow-through
75 frame 011.jpg (129.26 KiB) Viewed 211 times
finished
finished
75 frame 014.jpg (123.88 KiB) Viewed 211 times
Great to keep these old 'Wings flying on down the road.
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