The Wenga Postie Bike Project -> Updates
I've done a lot of wiring over the last week. I started by not bothering trying to route the wires properly, but I decided to do it properly. The chrome handlebars are now getting there!
Work has got in the way of the project, but there was also a fundamental issue. One engine is entirely rebuilt. I went to fill it with oil, and, the bloody drain plug threads in the case are stripped. I'll have to do a thread repair on them. I haven't done it on the proper motor yet, but I experimented today on doing it on a different case.
Did a bit more. For the most part, it was just trying to get bolts and seals. Managed to get a kick stand seal, and new bolts for most of the engine. Even managed to get some nice countersunk screws for the clutch outer plate, but with an allen-key head. Should make it a bit easier by the time it comes to service the bike. For those that don't realise, as these bikes don't have external oil filters, you service them by taking off the clutch cover from the motor, removing the oil screen and cleaning out the oil return line which runs through the centre of the clutch. Every time you do this you have to take off the outer plate from the clutch. Not something I managed particularly successfully.
Clutch side of the best motor is now assembled. Cylinder is off being 0.25 mm overbored too.
Having been away (both in Australia and overseas) for a fair while, not much has happened. I spent today cleaning up the engine cases. The cleaner of the two cases is done, finito, looks fantastic and is ready to be reassambled. The second, and dirtiest, case has been sort-of cleaned. Pop over to the engine page to check out the work!
Treated myself to some new parts for the cases:
The old parts weren't happy about being discarded for the new shiny stuff:
Engine #1 and engine #2 are now stripped down to their cases.
I also started on doing some electrical work.
I started work on pulling apart one engine.
I also got to make sparks.
I did a bit more today. Finally sussed out the wheel bearings, changed the head stem bearings, reassembled the front end, and chucked in the rear end. Hit a snag with the centre-stand mounting bolt, which I'll have to modify in due course to really fix it up. I also put in the Keyster carb kit into the best carbie, so we now have a rebuilt carby. No pics of that last job, it was too fiddly to stop halfway through and grab pics, and I was too lazy to get my macro lens out which is what you'd need for getting shots of the tiny little carby parts.
I'll leave this update with a picture
It has been a while between drinks for the postie bikes, but, I have progressed. Today I worked on putting the rear wheel bearings in (no photos and no updates for that page yet), and I rebuilt the front forks with new fork oil (the old stuff was manky) and new fork seals (the old ones, well, didn't). I also tried to get the front wheel bearings out (but failed), and started to punch out the headstem bearing races before I figured it was already 10:30PM and I'm sure the neighbours didn't need to hear the old 5 lb mallet smacking the steel drift I was using to get the races out. Should have the head stem back on the bike tomorrow.
Not too much going on right now. Re-boxed everything in preparation for the arrival of the base of my toolbox, cause adding that means removing one set of shelves - the ones which hold all the parts. I'm also going to search for a set of micrometers (both internal and external, probably need 0-25, 25-50 and 50-75mm ones), because I'm going to start dismantling the motors to make a bit more room.
Discovered a new part number: 52000-459-000, which is the swingarm for 1980+ CT110s. Not going to buy one, hell, I have three of them, but interesting to note. Knowing that part number should make it easier to buy bushes for the swingarms that I do have.
Still waiting on a bloke to pay for the front drum brake I sold. Another couple of days and I'll have to report him to fleabay for non-paying. 2 weeks after the auction is by far and away too long to take to pay for something...
Added a bit more content to the wheels and tyres, frame and controls, and brake sections. I also spent the day finding the best of the parts to work out what things we're missing.
A collection of parts ready for the rebuild.
It's been nice to find things like the frame plastic cover which are in fantastic condition. You wouldn't necessarily have expected that you'd find some real jems of parts based on the condition they were in two years ago. Cleaning up has really picked out the best parts from the average.
In the above photo, note that there are a couple of rear sprockets cause I want to select the best carrier. Chrome bars are also coming along nicely in their cleanup.
I've created this site to collate all the information I've posted in various areas, and to add a lot more stuff. Currently working on getting some extra parts and just generally cleaning up parts.
I clean up parts for many reasons. Firstly, it's easier to see things that are wrong with any particular part. If it's not up to scratch, then I can trash the part or if it's okay but not the best example of a part then I can sell it on ebay. Secondly, it's nice to have everything somewhat ready to rebuild once all the parts are there. I don't need to bother cleaning as I rebuild. Finally, it just makes it easier to see that this whole project is going to work out.