October 2005

I need space and maybe found it.

Looks like I might have found a buyer for my A1s. It is both good and bad as it spells the ends of my A1R project.

Silvio from The Swiss Kawasaki Triple Club will take at least the 70 A1A in part exchange for a repainted S1 72 set... suits me fine! But the other bike a 1966 A1 is still waiting for parts and might have a problem with the motor... as the 2 motors I've got are modified for racing... Plus the extra 66 frame was meant for Noellia, the A1R... what to do...

T250 restauration / refurb Saga

Started on it yesterday and pulled the motor to bits... JEeez it's full of little springloaded parts in there!. It seems somebody already dismantled it a few years ago, all bolts were greased up with anti seize... Lovely!

I'm also missing a few bearing locating pins, I'll check my spare motor for them.

Need to check if my spare crank is true buy the seals and away we go.

The dreaded expertise.

Went today with the naked RDLC to the "Expertise", the local MOT, happens evey second year for a bike that age...
And failed! The rules have changed once again and they didn't have the limit values for the dics... How smart.

To top that, the rear caliper seized and that's a no-no. So a new date has been set in two weeks time. Another 50$ down the drain. What's more, you are now not allowed to do the work yourself and sign for it, neither can a mechanic inspect the work and sign it for you (that was handy when you have mate and do the job yourself)... I really can't picture myself going to a shop that has never seen me and aske them friendly service info...

With some 20 bikes, I have to do the stuff myself otherwise I'd be totally broke. The web is really closing on self-mechanics and enthousisasts...

Piston reference

Pistons for the A series, as well as ring sets, are fairly difficult to come by.
Apart from using early TZ pistons and reshaping the heads (mucho$$), it's best to look for them on eBay. The good point is that early F series pistons ARE absolutely the same, and command lower prices...

First look at the future problems

I had 2 69 T250 to choose from,and the Orange bike seems the best, all electrics work, apart from the headlamp. Shouldn't be too much of a problem. Sorted out the crankshat, it looks allright but still needs new outside seals. THe Hunt s on for new 64mm pistons. Got any? just drop me an email.

I'm trying to avoid a repaint to keep cost down, so might have to use the Lime Green bodywork, the orange one is just too faded. Interestingly the Lime Green bike has had a Halogen headlight conversion... and it works!

Crank progress

Just received the crank from SirYamaha from eBAy and it looks just like what he described! A nice change from the usual bullshit you usually get from eBay resellers. Check him out, he often has complete, rebored top ends for the RDs. It could be the ticket for half dismantled basket cases. So waiting for Pistons, still need to order the rest ie gaskets, seals, air filter etc.

Some work done

Received the front brake system from the States, and of course the guy dismantled it rather hamfistedly. The only thing useable is the master cyclinder... After assembly, everything seems to work, but the pads are dragging quite a bit. I might have to really disassemble the whole thing inc. caliper if the dragging doesn't disappear after a bit of wear.