Project: CB250 GOTHIKA

[bikesnstuff69]

I'm getting this thing re-registered (because we NEED a second vehicle) then am going to make it beautiful for She Who Must Be Obeyed who wants a "gothy" looking bike. I have the forks off for new seals, am putting new rubber front and back because it's been sitting for a few years and I need to replace the blinkers due to damage with it being dragged to QLD and back via removalists (Yes, I've been going to fix it up for a while). Anything else I should look at due to it sitting for a while?. Also, I pulled a couple of metal bits off just to run them under the wire wheel for a shiny, but they had surface rust on them a few days later. How to avoid this?

[The Model Citizen]

If the bits you are buffing up (scuffing) are some form of steel they will need some sort of protective coat IMMEDIATELY. A clear coat or some sort of plating. Otherwise, rust.

[bikesnstuff69]

Thanks. Any products you recommend?

[bikesnstuff69]

I meant for a clear coat (sorry, that wasn't clear...). Also, recommendations for polishing products anyone? I have heard about a three step paste thing. Anyone used this? And have I covered bases, safety wise, for getting this thing back on road after a 2 years sit outside in the elements?

[Beast]

depends how polished you want it. honestly it is hard to go past a bench grinder mounted buff for metal polishing

[bubba zanetti]

depends how polished you want it. honestly it is hard to go past a bench grinder mounted buff for metal polishing

Wot he said.

[The Model Citizen]

Generally, for clear coats I stick with the better know automotive brands. K&H, Motorspray, VHT etc. Whichever one you decide on try it on a test piece first to make sure you get the results you're after.

[bikesnstuff69]

Got the fork seals, but can anyone tell me what weight oil to use and how much?

[bikesnstuff69]

Correct answer would be 10W and fill to 129mm from the top.... apparently. Lets see how that goes. Got some new blinkers on it, very pretty. Polished a few more pieces, an ongoing thing. And got a new battery for it. I'm not sure about the protocol for giving kudos businesses who provide great service and or prices but if you're looking for a battery and you live in the Newcastle area, look toward Thornton!!!! Begins with A. Thanks guys!

[bikesnstuff69]

More great prices and service - Got the tyres fitted from a fantastic place in Adamstown. You'd never find it if you didn't know it was there. And the cheapest quote too. Also got some very specific instructions on the forks.
1. Forks out, springs in
2. Put in 100 ml
3. Pump
4. Put in another 50 ml
5. Pump
6. Now fill to within 129mm from the top
7. Pump and fill again
8. Repeat as necessary until it remains at 129mm

I have the theory (story of my life) now lets put it into practice. I'll let you know how it goes

[davamb]

For rust prevention, have you considered setting up your own plating bath Bikesenstuff?
Here's an example, plenty of others on the web
http://www.janekits.com.au/gallery1.php

[bikesnstuff69]

davamb... you just made me a very excited man (not that there's anything wrong with that). Maybe not for this job but the next one is going to be a ground up. I could use something like that

[bikesnstuff69]

So the forks were a success. YAY! I will put them back on this weekend (my weekend - Wednesday & Thursday) and it will look like a complete bike again. I have a mate coming over to help with tappets before we get serious about it going anywhere. Will fire it up and then drain the oil.
I want to get it on road as we are juggling one car between 2 jobs and a 2 year old at daycare 3 days a week. So reregistration will be in original form, then the prettifying can begin.
Plans (very fluid at this stage) are to chop the rear and move the light up under the seat. I polished up the alloy bracket on the left side and the footpegs etc, front and back, attached to it. I really like the steel against the alloy, the contrasts, and the pitting and everything on the steel. Gives it a very mean, used look. I'm thinking of just polishing all the metal and painting the tank and wheels black. The missus is a bit of an artist so another idea for the tank would be for her the make a design and have said design in matte black and the rest of the tank in gloss. Or vice versa. Thoughts?
Anything else I should consider before taking it for a blue slip? Lights and blinkers work, brakes appear good, pads are fine, but will test them once it's all back together. No fluid leaks anywhere. A fair bit if surface rust on various parts but nothing ingrained or terminal. I have a mate that used to do blue slips 10 years ago but I'm sure the regs are a lot stricter these days.
See how it all goes.....

[bikesnstuff69]

Well it's all back together and I haven't blown anything up yet, or forgotten to put some vital ingredient back in.
I fired it up for the first time when I got the forks on and she started and sounded just as sweet as she ever did. Couldn't get the grin of my face..... until....
Had a bitch of a time with the brakes. Someone (possibly me) compressed the brake lever while the wheel was off and the pistons wouldn't go back in. They were a bit grubby so thought I'd pull them out instead for a clean up and then put them back in. One came out easy but the other would not budge. Ended up putting the first back in and trying to push the other out with pressure. But because the first was out there was air in the line. Tried bleeding but nothing, no feeling in the lever. Couldn't get that air down so decided to try up instead. A quick search in the drawers found a syringe and a walk to the hardware got a (free, thanks guys) 10cm piece of tubing. Pumped some fluid into the line back up and got a big bubble. YAY!!! Then bled them back and we had success. Blew the second piston out, cleaned it up, did the same trick, up then down and voila...brakes working. After checking everything over again, lights, blinkers etc, took it for a small run around a couple of blocks. Beautiful!!!
Rang the nearest Blue Slip Inspection place. It's booked for this Wednesday. Wish me luck!

[davamb]

Congrats Bikesenstuff, I know that feeling of getting the bike going - such a buzz. Just for a Vic, what's a Blue Slip? Is it a roadworthy certificate?