I did an awful lot of research into all the paint codes, unfortunately the supplier was struggling a bit, and in the end I used RAL 1035 (OEM is DUC 35 Bronzo Opaco metallic) It actually comes out quite champagne in colour and has a rather nice glow to it...but this is before mat lacquer. (which I did apply too)
On a scientific note ...... it is only gases that can be compressed . If anyone doesn't believe me ? Fill the fork tubes to the brim , then see how the bike drives . @The Royal Maharaja , I'm really enjoying your posts ! ...... and I'm certainly not trying to nit-pick ......
Installing the swing arm, turns out some of the shims were missing. I'm not fully satisfied with the swingarm, but it turns out the aluminium is brushed then clear anodised, and while you can anodise at home I couldn't see a way to get an OEM finish, I did a few tests, and in the end a clean up is all I could do...with a new chain tension sticker! I'll see how it looks on build completion.
Then the rather challenging head bearings... @tboooe The OEM fiche for this model has sealed ball bearing races, but replacements are conic bearings...without a seal! I got the replacement bearings and a seal (Tapered roller bearing 26x52x15 mm & Seal) off Pyramid parts (on Ebay). However the seal appears to be for a larger diameter internal shaft. (Pyramid said they had nothing else, likewise Stein) The bearing sits on this washer.. But if there is no seal the grease can escape and water can enter, here you can see the gap between the conic race part that sits on the washer and the receiving conic ring pressed into the frame.. the top bearing has a washer with a lip that covers this gap so it shouldn't be an issue. The solution was to purchase an extra bottom washer... and then reduce the OD so it fits perfectly in the seal... this then holds everything central...and the rubber lip seals on the headstock bottom surface on the frame.
Other Oddjobs... I decided to try out plastic whitening with Hydrogen Peroxide on the front mudguard supports: you basically submerge and add UV light...I used a shallow tray in the sunlight. It works very well:
...and to another big part of the build... I did think about hiding this part till the end so as to have a "final reveal" ... I do hope it "makes" the build as it is the one part that you will easily see is not stock, but I just want to get the damn thing finished, it seems close... Actually to keep motivation high, I have decided to assemble everything, with original (poor) bodywork, then fettle everything, then take it apart again for final painting. The weather here is not for painting in, and won't be for a good few months... The Wheels...the most important part of most car and bike builds! As said ages ago in the build an igniting moment was getting hold of a pair of Marchesinis from the later model years.. in this case a Senna.
I'd stashed a large can of Pro paint stripper (Paramose) a couple of years back in preparation, as the Nitromors formula is utterly useless now. But still, bloody hell, the OEM lacquer and paint was super resistant... It took days to remove...both chemically and using a nylon wheel on a drilling machine...
...WHAT...A...TART....! It's remarkably difficult to choose metallic gold paint as you have to choose highlight and lowlight colour, I spent ages looking at paint charts. This is before lacquer which also modifies the look....but..but...sexy aye??!!!! Ps: Earplugs make great threaded hole bungs!
New bearings in the freezer to help with installation... It's worth noting that I tried generic bearings to begin with, but there was a definite graunch on installation, they were smooth before being installed, and then again after removal. I ended up binning them and repurchased SKF ones...perfect.
I managed to find a pair of front NG discs.. but the gold was going to clash with the wheels.. so redid them in metallic silver.
I avoided finishing the wheels for a while as I was sure I would damage the paint on tyre fitment...but as it turns out I found a really simple way to fit them using zip ties and window cleaner. You basically "close" the tyre with 8 zip ties, a quick spray of cleaner to lubricate and the tire just slips on... no levering or tyre irons at all...and then carefully remove the zip ties
and then all of a sudden the big pile of junk started to look like a motorcycle again! I really like the look of that, even though it isn't possible to have a motorcycle like this, I think the raw simplicity of wheels, frame and engine has an attractiveness that becomes spoilt by brake lines, cabling, bodywork...etc.
