Barn find R90S

[ChasF]

You have to wonder how something like this finds itself in this state. An acquaintance was telling me the other day that, when he was working offshore he bought a new Sierra Cosworth, drove it around a bit, left it with his brother parked up behind his house - it’s still there 30 years on with a tree growing up through it!

All the same I’d love to take that R90s on just to save it but would probably run out of money half way through.

 

[lewisjohn]

I’m currently restoring a 1975 R90/6, found in a shed after 20 years. It’ll be nice to have a R90S to go along side it.

 

[Bubb]

Having seen the previous work of the OP on here, I’m sure that this r90s will be rebuilt to a wonderful standard…..and I cannot wait for the “build thred” on here.

Good for you LewisJohn. I hope it all goes well and it’s all good under the rot.

 

[lewisjohn]

I picked up the R90S today, pleasantly surprised to be honest, it’s a matching numbers bike, same owner for forty years, it was sorned in 2005, the frame looks good, no rot I can see. The tank is holed where it touches the seat. I took the carbs off and have them soaking in ACF50 to try and neutralise the corrosion,hopefully I can save them.
The sidecar came off easily and is being donated to a good friend to fit on his 1955 Panther 650.

 

[lewisjohn]

It looks like I’ve been lucky, the frame looks good, fork stanchions are shot, fork sliders look ok as do the calipers, I took one of the rocker covers off, everything looked pristine inside, acorns under the starter motor cover, so probably used as a squirrel food store ,but no rot, engine oil is clean, gearbox oil is clean so doesn’t look as if there’s any water in there.

 

[DrFarkoff]

Is One allowed to "Gloat" over the Nay Sayers Yet??

Oh and Sorry Not Sorry "I told ya so!" I think that is a cracker project

IN fact before doing Much more?? I would lash a decent spray of ACF over the Block and Engine and only look after a day or two

Drop me a PM with a price for the wee spotlights if you are scrapping them

 

[Gelandestrasse]

I'm sure I'm not alone in thinking that the bike is the most 'far gone' bike for restoration that I have seen. Save an Ian Clarke restoration of an R90S back in the day. John you are a very brave man!

 

[DrFarkoff]

I'm sure I'm not alone in thinking that the bike is the most 'far gone' bike for restoration that I have seen. Save an Ian Clarke restoration of an R90S back in the day. John you are a very brave man!

If it was a Japanese pile of Poop then Absolutely

But these machines were made of real metal and so much of it is still available

And with a minimum of bodgery many bits can be fixed and if not fixed there are enough bits out there that they can be replaced

Even it gets to be a Bobber or a scramber it is still one that is still about

But I very much suspect @lewisjohn has much more of a plan than any of those options But I think that it may be a little beyond an "oily rag resto" Who knows what the maestro can pull out of his hat

 

[peepingtom]

very good luck to you, reminds me of my old one

 

[lewisjohn]

Is One allowed to "Gloat" over the Nay Sayers Yet??

Oh and Sorry Not Sorry "I told ya so!" I think that is a cracker project

IN fact before doing Much more?? I would lash a decent spray of ACF over the Block and Engine and only look after a day or two

Drop me a PM with a price for the wee spotlights if you are scrapping them

Sorry,but the spot lamps are rotten, shame really as they are Cibies.

 

[lewisjohn]

Bit more progress, exhaust silencers and downpipes removed, excellent condition under the dirt, exhaust nuts both great condition, I freed the rear brake, the bevel box is really smooth, gearbox removed, beautifully smooth and goes through the gears. I firmly believe I have the ultimate barn find rescued for scrap value..
I was concerned the frame would be rusted under the sidecar mounts, but all looks good.

 

[Stirlingmoz]

Awesome project.

Have you got a plan in mind, how to clean the alloy engine cases etc ?

Vapour blasting ?

I usually end up using WD40 and a wire brush but it’s messy and time consuming.

 

[lewisjohn]

Awesome project.

Have you got a plan in mind, how to clean the alloy engine cases etc ?

Vapour blasting ?

I usually end up using WD40 and a wire brush but it’s messy and time consuming.

It’s going to be restored to original, hopefully Daytona Orange. I’ve found a company in Taunton that does vapour blasting at very reasonable prices, they also do dry ice blasting so I’m going to drop off the Dellorto carbs as the dry ice is a gentler way of cleaning. I already have a genuine R90S fairing, new under tank master cylinder and various bits and pieces I’ve collected over the years.

 

[ChasF]

I assume that you’ll have to clean the worst of the crud off before they’ll put it any where near their vapour blaster. Are the bores on this vintage of bike Nikasil or just straight iron liners?

 

[lewisjohn]

I assume that you’ll have to clean the worst of the crud off before they’ll put it any where near their vapour blaster. Are the bores on this vintage of bike Nikasil or just straight iron liners?

Yes ,it’ll be degreased and jet washed. Nikasil bores were used from around 1981 onwards.

 

[barny]

Looks like a extra large Tin of "T-Cut" then.

 

[lewisjohn]

I stripped the gearbox today, oil was a bit black, no water ingress anywhere, goes through the gears easily, end cover came off easily with the hot air gun, all the bearings are super smooth, however i’m going to give it a complete overhaul, new bearings seals etc. Dry ice or vapour blast the case etc.

 

[lewisjohn]

I got one of the heads off today, I think I’ve got o lot of work ahead of me .

 

[mikeyboy]

I’m sure you’ve had a hunt around,
Meyer bikes do some forged oversized pistons up to iirc 1 mm over.
Pricey but ……
Shout up if you need the rebores doing,
My chap is old school and he’s being doing stuff for me for 40 years.
I’d not let anyone else do my barrels.

 

[mikeyboy]

I think I’ve got a couple of carb stubs as well .