Why do I always regret buying a Yamaha...?

So far , I managed to salvage the rear brake and I'm still trying to bleed the front ones. It took me 2 whole days to do this. Pump the pistons out, clean all the rust and rubish , put everything back together and finally assemble it.

 Anyway I've got the engine out , and this was a lot easier than the rear disc.


















It took me 4 hours to snap all the 6 bolts holding the rear disc, cutting bigger holes, re-tap it and get it back
 together.
I cant promise the front brake will work, but I can promise the pictures from now on will be of greater quality, not due to me improving my photografer skills but because I NOW HAVE A DECENT CAMERA!!!

Today started dark grey and rainy. Really horrible "lets stay in" kind of day and at this time of year, by 4pm it's considered night time again. I made my way to the workshop quite early to face the challenge of breaking into the engine and figure out what's wrong with it. I was there by 9am although I didnt feel like doing much.

By 12h30 I knew what I wanted to know... I'm fucked.  The damage is quite big and lots of bits have to be replaced.

The engine has been run with no oil, and then some more. The guy who owned it probably heard a funny noise in the engine and decided to rev it a bit more , just to see if it would go away.

 The crankshaft has to be replaced or machined and the same goes for the conrod. The top end doesnt seem to be too bad, pistons are ok with no damage or signs of excessive wear. Anyway, it will run again.

NEC Classic Motorcycle Show

I named this pic "Fuck, I wish I had a decent camera"

Morgan

XL1000...?

Original Freddie Spencer 500

Honda CL350

10hp/kg...?

As suspected

As I assumed in the very same moment Gary ( the guy who forced me to buy it from him) told me it had a knock in the engine, it's got a worn crankshaft shell. Meaning I'll have to crack open the engine and replace it.

I got the sump out today and managed to reach the  con-rods big ends only to verify that there's play in the left one. Hopefuly there will be no damage to the crankshaft itself , it will be just a change of shells.

Now what?

I got the starter relay at the beggining of the week and yesterday managed to find time to start the bike up. Ok, it runs. The pressure comming form the exhausts seems to be ok, but...it's got a very loud noise inside the engine. I was told that this might happen by the guy who sold it to me, so nothing's new.





I thought to myself I would start by taking the sump out and checking the con rods from the bottom. If I dont find anything there, I'll take the top cover out and check everything there.

To get to the sump I need to get the exhaust pipes out of the way and that's what I did for almost 3 hours after work. Four f"#&%g bolts that would not move no matter what I did to them. Acetilene gas, tig , chisel, hammer, everything. I finally managed to cut the studs right where they come out of the engine, and that's going to be a job to take them out.

Anyway, I'll keep you posted with whatever I find in the near future.

We dont do "easy"

  These came out in 96 or 97 just when I started to work with bikes professionally at a Yamaha dealership. These were beautiful , light and non-selling bikes. I never understood why someone would prefer the Thundercats or the Thunderaces. I have never ridden one, but always wanted to.

This bike has been left out in the rain for some time , and according to the person who sold it to me, it's got an engine knock. I havent started it yet, due to electrical problems , but will do soon.

So far I've found a non-cooperating starter relay (wating for the new part to come in), completely seized brake calipers, very  rusty carbs (on the outside) and very rusty petrol tank (on the inside)

After its been washed and scrubbed 3 times in the same day.

Something to do in the winter time.

National Motor Museum - Beaulieu

On a very cold  Sunday, the CestosTeam drove down to Southampton to visit the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu. 100 miles later, there we were, buying the tickets.

Top Gear's wrecks. The Nissan that crossed the English Channel and the Toyota Hilux that got demolished. Both still run.

1969 CB750 Four K0 (yuuummmmy)

The Museum is located in the New Forest National Park and the place is absolutely wonderful. A nice day out, although the car/bike collection (in my opinion) is not as good as the Transport Museum in Coventry. Anyway, the weather helped and it it's worth the trip.

The Palace House visit is also included in the Museum tour.

1000kms

Mileage in 25-05-2010  

Mileage today

I'm very happy to say that the engine on this bike is officially tested and passed.  I took it yesterday to Earls Court in London for a bicycle show and noticed this morning that it has done more than  600 miles since I rebuilt it.  Minor problems have been solved along these first miles after the re-born process and everything seems to be ok now.  I'm a happy man but a bit unsure of what to do with it...