I bought a 1993 900 SS in bits at the start of November 2012. I've never built a bike before so it's going to be a learning curve, but I'm hoping the end result will be worth the effort. This thread will document the trials and tribulations. Photo's to follow:
So whats with the electrolysis then? Is it cleaning it? My sps motor wasnt as bad as that so going to be interested to see how youget it shiney...
Haha thanks - work will happen in dribs and drabs in between planning a wedding and studying a distance learning degree! If I could have it on the road in 2014 I would be a happy man, there's no real rush and the work (when going well) seems to be quite therapeutic. My shed is my temple . . . The electrolysis shenanigans came about from watching a youtube vid of a guy de-rusting his tank using the same method, I thought I'd give it a bash and the results were well above my expectations! Still a little weary of how the metal will fare when wet after the process, but time will tell. In a nutshell the process takes rust off the part you have connected to the negative and transfers it to the 'sacrificial annodes' that are connected to the positive. Witch craft!! Oh, and I thought I was being clever by adding salt to my washing powder and water to make it more conductive and I'm pretty sure I ended up producing Hydrogen Chloride! Also, would anyone have any tips on how to keep a continuous stream of photo's going on a thread without going over quotas etc.?? Or will it just be new threads with chunks of updates? Cheers
Use a photobucket account and link the pictures there to your thread. Also, what are the holes in the top yoke for? Bar risers?? I've not seen them before?
Good luck with the build.You will have to get a bit of a move on tho .because I cant wait until 2014!
Thanks guys, will aim to get an account set up for future updates. The holes in the yoke seem to have been used to route cables and have been (shoddily) drilled by a previous owner. The reason for needing them seems to be that an electronic speedo/rev counter (KOSO brand I believe) was used, and the tank vent went through one hole and the speedo cable went through the other.
Don't forget to change the barrel/head studs whilst it's apart. Consider the re-enforcing plates at the headset tubes too.
Wow Stew, never built a bike? you do seem te be getting on very well though .. R E S P E C T . keep up the good work!
The frame doesn't look like any '93 900SS I've ever seen, did you modify it or did it come to you like that? What's with the rear subframe thingy? Darren
Looks like there has been a lot of alteration at the rear....look at the diagonal downtube which is now bent and the bit near the bottom of it. AL
Yeah, the frame was modified and powder coated by the previous owner. The original seat still fits on it. I'm hoping to make a fiber glass seat/rear . . . . . eventually . . .
Thats a brave build Stew,but good work.That engine looks like its been on a sea bed for several years,reckon You might need new belts,maybe see my photo album for some bodywork inspiration
Cheers Paul, yeah the belts are long gone!! I know, how it got into such a state is beyond me, seems to be cleaning up OK though (so far). I'm hoping to achieve a clean build at the end of it, nothing meticulous or awe inspiring, just raw and solid! I checked out your photos, I've seen the MIM stuff before - very nice! The seat units you guys make are superb, love the shape.