Before you get too excited I do not intend to do a full thread about the rebuild. But since I always enjoy reading those threads, why not posting a few pictures as I go along. Special thanks for @Bridgland who has has been the trailblazer with refreshing this type of bikes and I am using all the contacts that he kindly shared, and some chemicals as well for plating the bolts, so I can go on my own adventure. Another thank you to @nelly, who many years ago demystified approaching a desmo engine for me. I would never have trusted my competence for this work, but it can be learnt. Also great to know your limits and I will go and visit Nelly for the rebuild. This post is also to encourage others to do the same and keep those fantastic bikes on the road, looking their best. I have had a long pause from biking and the business focus has kept me away from spannering. Finally starting this project has made me realise how much I missed tinkering with the bikes. Try it for yourself, it is very therapeutic. So the story started 3 years ago, collecting a 888 SP4 from Germany. Bike looked in great condition and clearly a meticulous owner, though he rode the bike hard. One owner from new. All original but for a 999 brake master. Oh and the motor was 851 implemented as a temporary replacement due to cracking the cases. Came in the package a set of spare cases and the real engine in bits. And the bike had not run since 2004 - so full reconditioning on the cards!
Earlier this year, I decided to give it a go and it all started. My initial intention was to do a simple swap of engines and freshen up things without going too crazy, as it was a very clean bike. A bit of OCD later and decision is a for clean rebuild: - clean rebuild of the motor with cerakoting of the engine requiring complete stripping and therefore offering the opportunity of replacing all bearings and checking everything - Fresh painting of the frame - Changing of every consumable, bearing, seal - Replating of bolts - Changing anything that is not quite right - Keeping the bike standard as much as possible and saving / refreshing parts (except consumables) as opposed to sourcing new (bar few exceptions)
Even on such a clean bike, you come across some surprises that make me glad to undertake a clean rebuild: - A brake piston was pretty stuck --> does not matter as all calipers and master/slave cylinders to be rebuilt fresh - hairline crack on a weld of the swingarm --> No biggy - bringing it to ExactWeld for repair as I prefer to stick to repair the existing rather than change it. - Bent clip on --> Very small job for Motoliner in Kent! - Spare engine --> needs a refurb but really good inside. No worn rockers, clearances super tight, etc. So, full refresh on the cards
Loving all the 888 threads at the moment. Have you checked the bushes on your adjustable suspension rocker?
I was actually thinking about doing just that. The hoop as well - I intend to get it refurbished so bearings will need to come out.
Careful with those rod-end bearings on the hoop, and try to get them cleaned up and operating smoothly if you can. It's very difficult/near impossible to get replacements - the alternate is to to drill and helicoil the hoop to accept a different thread pitch on the bearing (but I can't recall off the top of my head what the alternate sizing is...) I've had two bikes that have cracked their bushes on the suspension adjuster rocker... which is why I ask..
Thinking more about that suspension rocker - on at least one of those bikes that I had a problem with, I had found that the mount that I've highted in red was slightly bent towards the rocker (overtightening of the bolt?) - almost certainly causing the cracked bushing and making it very,very difficult to get the rocker out of the frame.
Not a problem here. The bushing inside the pivot is all good though I may indeed look to change the needle bearings in there.
I know what you mean, loving this work. And if anybody has a rundown 851 with no engine or blown engine going cheap, I would be interested as I have a good 851 motor and it deserves a better life than being a garage ornament. But one at a time... (and there is the sps at jhp still...)
Everything in boxes. Now going through to order all the new bearings, seals and clean up all bolts, and give a good scrub to the valves.
Sorry for the radio silence. The holidays have sucked all the funds, so I slowed down the build, and now I need to squirrel away for the school fee increases. With business being hard, I expect the build to take some time therefore... Anyway, the parts were all for cerakoting and I have just received them back. Big shout out to Wesley at Hi-Spec Coatings in Horsham. I will take some photos. I am speechless to see how it all came out. Absolutely awesome and way better than factory finish (and more durable too). A very recommended professional indeed! Photos to follow soon. The swingarm has been rewelded all nicely by ExactWeld. Photos to follow too. However, the process means that some anodising has come off and I now need to rebrush the alloy / re-anodise. Anybody would come recommended in the Surrey area? I tried A1 coating but they never responded. Photos to follow soon. In attachment, a work of love and patience. The fins of the rad are all quite bent and I am going through them one by one with some tweezers to straighten the lot. About half way there, but the work is looking pretty good. Once all straight and the dirt cleaned off, I think I will cerakote as well. Till next time!
