The ‘79 California Rebuild Thread

[Nin]

The original bores are chrome, and they all fail by flaking or just wearing through. Get a pair of Gilardoni nicasil barrel & piston kits.

I've seen worse final drives that work without problem. Best to replace of course, but...

Thanks Cookie, time to hit the internet and start on the list.


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[polecat]

I shall enjoy this but to be honest I would not have a clue where to start

 

[walkingpictures]

Good man Nin,subscribed here

Kimbo

 

[Deleted account 210901001]

I’m in awe of people who do these builds. Amazing.

Anyway I’m in Leeds on duty Tuesday and passing Oxon a week later if that’s any use to you ?

Pm me if I can help


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[Oldrat]

New pistons and barrels Nin; and think about a ram deep spline clutch whilst it’s in bits.

Not cheap but well worth considering IF your clutch needs replacing

 

[Nin]

And there I was looking at electronic ignition kits.

I’m up to about £2k already ...


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[ianboydsnr]

Buy the new pistons and barrels, they will be 950cc, be quick, they only make them now and again, so can be a wait if they are out of stock,

Oh and the first one is missing the foot boards and bottom frame, and seat, and brake pedal, and the carbs are wrong,

Ideal cafe racer though.

 

[Nin]

Buy the new pistons and barrels, they will be 950cc, be quick, they only make them now and again, so can be a wait if they are out of stock,

Oh and the first one is missing the foot boards and bottom frame, and seat, and brake pedal, and the carbs are wrong,

Ideal cafe racer though.

Good advice, thanks. Spot on with the wrong ‘un as well.

What’s the cognoscenti’s view on Gilardoni vs Stein-Dinse barrels?


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[MIKA]

I've just started working on a 1984 Kawasaki GPz1100 A2 and got it started the other day after it had been sitting for 20 years.

I bought a bike lift from Machine Mart, not cheap but great for working on the bike, every now and then they do discounts, I got 20%off the price which made it a bit more bearable

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/cml3-hydraulic-motorcylce-lift/

Good luck with the build

 

[Ash]

I've just started working on a 1984 Kawasaki GPz1100 A2 and got it started the other day after it had been sitting for 20 years.

I bought a bike lift from Machine Mart, not cheap but great for working on the bike, every now and then they do discounts, I got 20%off the price which made it a bit more bearable

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/cml3-hydraulic-motorcylce-lift/

Good luck with the build

Worth there weight in Gold..
Couldn't do my jobs without it..

 

[Oldrat]

Nin, if you are short of space, one of these is ideal. I made up a block to fit on the two arms, and the flat sump fits on perfectly.

It now hangs, out of the way, on the garage wall.

 

[ianboydsnr]

Good advice, thanks. Spot on with the wrong ‘un as well.

What’s the cognoscenti’s view on Gilardoni vs Stein-Dinse barrels?


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Err I don’t know, who makes the stein dinse ones?

My convert has cast iron barrels, my lemans 2 has gilardoni ones, as does my cafe V7, but both bought by someone else.

 

[Nin]

Err I don’t know, who makes the stein dinse ones?

My convert has cast iron barrels, my lemans 2 has gilardoni ones, as does my cafe V7, but both bought by someone else.

Stein Dinse pistons are high comp from Italian manufacturer Meteor and piston rings from Italian manufacturer Caber with Nigusil plated cylinder bore which I think they make themselves.

 

[Nin]

I shall enjoy this but to be honest I would not have a clue where to start

Easy peasy. You start by giving up control of your credit card.

The rest is a matter of patience, taking good advice, a decent toolkit and knowing when to stop, and ask for more good advice.

Welcome along for the ride!

 

[cookie]

If you buy 950 barrels, make sure the spigot is the right size for your crankcase. Can't remember if we ever got to the bottom of what motor you had fitted, but be aware that 950 barrel spigots are bigger than 850 parts. Some suppliers turn them down to fit. Some mechanics bore out the case

I've always fitted 850 parts to 850s. I prefer revvy to lumpy on a Le Mans. Might not be a bad idea on a Cali though. Personal preference.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

I’ll be calling Lee Costello on Monday ...


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I couldn’t wait - so just get it sorted

 

[ChasF]

Looks like a great project, I wish you lots of luck with the credit control.

On the subject of height, I’m about the same as you and (in my youth) rode my Le Mans 2 (which I still have) from Paul Ricard to Wokingham non stop, except for the ferry. I’ve done a lot of miles on the Le Mans and at the time was used to having permanently bruised knees but other than that I never found it uncomfortable. Also did many 500 mile + days on my Spada Royal. I really regret selling that bike as it was probably the most comfortable mile eater I’ve ever had.

Shame that the bike that’s near Alencon isn’t a T3 Cali as I’d be sorely tempted.

 

[ianboydsnr]

If you buy 950 barrels, make sure the spigot is the right size for your crankcase. Can't remember if we ever got to the bottom of what motor you had fitted, but be aware that 950 barrel spigots are bigger than 850 parts. Some suppliers turn them down to fit. Some mechanics bore out the case

I've always fitted 850 parts to 850s. I prefer revvy to lumpy on a Le Mans. Might not be a bad idea on a Cali though. Personal preference.

You can buy a 950 barrel with 850 spigots apparently, you just need to know what you have.

 

[Nin]

Engine no is 111364 if anyone can shed any light ...

 

[Nin]

Sitrep. Lee Costello pulls it out of the bag again, delivery planned for Thursday.

Thanks again S92GS Mark for the offer!


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