Steeven First Bike Build. I call it the Black Bike

[Steevensi]

Throttle cables are done!
It would be a relatively easy job if it wasn't for working behind the carbs...It took me several minutes (more than an hour...)to reinstall both cables in the bracket.

The to do list is getting shorter!

[Easter]

It is a little late now but for future reference, if you connect the cables before you slide the carb rack all the way on, it is easy to get to the brackets. When you need to take the carbs off, leave the cables attached until the carbs are loose and slide them half way out, then disconnect the cables.

[BikeMaine]

Compressing the brake caliper pistons is made fairly easy by using a C-clamp.

[Steevensi]

Well a lot has happened in the past week.

The engine did not run. I had mounted one timing belt 100% wrong...
No harm to the valves, but I think I hurt the crank a bit. It runs ok, but there is a knock...
I was advise to go with heavier oil (5w20) to help it a bit. Mind you I only started it twice since then and I haven't rode it.

New oil and seals in the front forks.
New coolant.
New gas filter.
I got myself a bracket for the rear flashers, brake light and license plate.

I installed my new grips and new mirrors.

I had painted the side cover with black plasti dip but I decided to remove it. I'll go with the original colors for a while and think about what I want to do.

I should be able to ride it Friday afternoon if all goes well.

Some things were not completed in the picture below. I'll some good ones in the near future.

[Steevensi]

I would like to say a big thank you to everybody you give me advises during this built. I had a lot of good comments from peoples who saw the bike.
Can't wait to enjoy it now!

[Hanslehoff]

Bike turned out really good, I like how the new seat flows with the tank and frame shape.

[Steevensi]

Thanks Hanslehoff.
That was the idea. I would have like to do a brat style seat, but it did not work well with the frame. So I went with something that flows.

Cheers

[Easter]

Hope your engine is not hurt. 5-20 oil is not thicker or stiffer. It will be as thin as 5 weight. (we use it in a loader for brake fluid) Straight 30 weight is probably as heavy as you want to go. In the old days used car salesmen used to put 90 weight in car engines to disguise the knock. I once bought one that had sawdust in it!! needless to say any of these options will probably be a short term fix if the rod(s) or crank bearings are damaged.

[toolbox]

Hope your engine is not hurt. 5-20 oil is not thicker or stiffer. It will be as thin as 5 weight. (we use it in a loader for brake fluid) Straight 30 weight is probably as heavy as you want to go. In the old days used car salesmen used to put 90 weight in car engines to disguise the knock. I once bought one that had sawdust in it!! needless to say any of these options will probably be a short term fix if the rod(s) or crank bearings are damaged.

I remember an old guy who used to work as a mechanic telling me that he'd heard of people packing old manual gearboxes with sawdust to quiet them down for a quick sale.

I'd be surprised if the noise is the crank or a bearing...you hear about valve stems bending in these things all the time when the piston makes contact (happened on my own actually), but I don't think I've ever heard of it damaging the crank or rod bearings...but there's a first time for anything. Hopefully it's something else, the bike looks great! Should be a lot of fun

[Easter]

There is often some clatter from the primary chain (or the starter chain ?) until the engine gets loosened up after sitting for years. Out of sync carbs will cause a bit of back-lash too.

[Steevensi]

I was also told by the guy whop double checked what I did that it might be clutch chatter

[Steevensi]

i will try to upload a short sound clip

[BikeMaine]

Once upon a time (about 1984)I owned a Chevy Vega with a V8 in it. But had the stock 4 banger rear end....... I was only 19 years old at the time. Well, you can imagine what I did with that car and how I treated it. It would get sideways shifting into third gear and then smoke the tires in 4th.

I digress, after putting new gears into the rear end about the 5th time, those gears whined horribly at high way speeds. My brother in law had a trick that stopped the noise. We took the cover off the differential and we stuffed a half dozen bananas in there. Peels and all. Then topped it off with 90 weight.
Those gears never whined again.

[Airshow]

...and there the term "grease monkey" was coined.

[Steevensi]

Once upon a time (about 1984)I owned a Chevy Vega with a V8 in it. But had the stock 4 banger rear end....... I was only 19 years old at the time. Well, you can imagine what I did with that car and how I treated it. It would get sideways shifting into third gear and then smoke the tires in 4th.

I digress, after putting new gears into the rear end about the 5th time, those gears whined horribly at high way speeds. My brother in law had a trick that stopped the noise. We took the cover off the differential and we stuffed a half dozen bananas in there. Peels and all. Then topped it off with 90 weight.
Those gears never whined again.

...l'm not even sure if you're joking...