The ‘79 California Rebuild Thread

[Nin]

The next steps beckon and I start to hand most of the bike over to others to do their specialist things.

I’ve just booked the tank and side panels in to the sprayer, they’ll be going off to him tomorrow or Friday.

A short “essential journey” north to Mikeyboy tomorrow morning will empty the contents of my garage onto his workshop floor - all the alloy casings and parts for blasting, the wheels for blast, polish and rebuild with stainless spokes, and the FD for a refurb.

It looks like Nick at All Bike Engineering can supply some replacement discs.

And I’ve had a couple of recommendations for re-chroming services so I’ll be talking to them next week.

More pictures coming I promise!



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[walkingpictures]

Good progress Nin,how's the wallet doing?

Kimbo

 

[Nin]

Good progress Nin,how's the wallet doing?

Kimbo

Don’t ask.


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[Nin]

The postie dropped in with a couple of parcels, including the LED headlight, which for £29 is a surprisingly well made piece of kit.

Offering it up to the Guzzi headlight cowl, it’s clear there’s a little adjustment required, but this is definitely going to work, I like it. I’m sure some bearded aficionados will cream their crackers mind you.

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[Deleted account 211025001]

The postie dropped in with a couple of parcels, including the LED headlight, which for £29 is a surprisingly well made piece of kit.

..............

I really do like that and very happy for you to be the guinea pig It does, though, look reasonably straightforward

Andres

 

[Nin]

The trouble with Guinea pigs ....

It clicks into the chrome ring but not quite symmetrically, so will need a little adjustment. Then an arrangement to hold it there firmly. Then a means to adjust the throw and alignment.

I’ll have a play at the weekend, won’t have much else to do as everything will be out getting fettled.


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[Nin]

Quick update, I got a spare hour out of work today as none of the WiFi or mobile data was working.

So did a quick job on the bike lift, fitted the HD casters

And added the plywood top (actually some waste wood from the crate it came in)

Now we’re good to start bolting things on!




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[Deleted account 240831001]

I’ve been using some fairly strong alloy wheel cleaner mixed about 5 times stronger than they recommend to clean Laverda parts this week and it’s far better than any of the stuff sold as being specifically for use in ultrasonic cleaners. It lifted carbon deposits off exhaust valves in about 20 minutes and after that I just used a bit of Scotchbrite to finish them off before new guides go in and the valves are lapped.

You’ve obviously got all your brake parts but if you suddenly find you need more and are struggling to get them I’d suggest giving Ducati Paddy a call because his prices aren’t bad and he’s got a lot of reconditioned items as well as replicas where Brembo no longer make the parts.

http://www.ducatipaddy.com/

He also has a very good stock of parts for Dellorto carbs if you’re stuck on them.

 

[Nin]

Cheers Andy B

I used Virosol as the degreaser in the ultrasound cleaner, it’s water based and very effective.

Good shout on Ducatipaddy, thanks.


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[Oldrat]

I’ve got some spare headlamp mounts that might work, they’ll go with that new fangled light a treat. Depends on what you want the finished product to look like though.

I bought them for my cafe but never used them as I thought them too modern for what I wanted. They should fit your fork stanchions

PM me if your interested

 

[Ash]

Quick update, I got a spare hour out of work today as none of the WiFi or mobile data was working.

So did a quick job on the bike lift, fitted the HD casters

And added the plywood top (actually some waste wood from the crate it came in)

View attachment 451518

Now we’re good to start bolting things on!

View attachment 451519


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I've been meaning to but swivel wheels on my Clarke lift for ages.
Would make it much easier..

Great idea with the plywood on the lift..
I've got mine covered in newspaper, but it needs, renewing regularly.
So not ideal..

Were did yee get the wheels from Nin.?

 

[Nin]

Hi Ash

Wheels came from Amazon - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01N6F7CTX/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_T9AXEbSP8R5XZ

They’re rated up to 700kg so should be fine.






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[Nin]

I’ve got some spare headlamp mounts that might work, they’ll go with that new fangled light a treat. Depends on what you want the finished product to look like though.

I bought them for my cafe but never used them as I thought them too modern for what I wanted. They should fit your fork stanchions

PM me if your interested

Cheers Oldrat, they do look funky! I’ve found a place to rechrome a load of the old parts so I’ll try and make the original brackets work. If they don’t I’ll be in touch.


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[Oldrat]

Okey dokey.

 

[Ash]

Hi Ash

Wheels came from Amazon - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01N6F7CTX/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_T9AXEbSP8R5XZ

They’re rated up to 700kg so should be fine.






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Fanks daarling...

 

[Nin]

Off to see uncle Mike ...

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[Nin]

Tonight’s task, set about the starter motor.

Full of 40 years of gack, with a shit paint job (why do people do that?).

So it’s reduced to constituent parts, everything checked out ok fortunately.

Strip off the crap paint, etch prime and off we go.

It’s still drying so pics of assembly tomorrow.


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[Nin]

That’s better.



Now to find a way to fit the LED headlight into the cowl.


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[walkingpictures]

Looks a quality job Nin

 

[Nin]

Cheers WP.

Well I ran all the gear up to see Mike, who had a good look over the heads. Bottom line is I need new valve guides, and he can cut in the new valves, so basically a brand new top end, to go with new barrels and pistons.

I’ll also have new front and rear suspension, new discs and pads, a new FD (internally any way), clutch is new, all the brake components will be new, wheels will be completely refurbished, and so much more.

No family holiday this year though. Or food. Or clothes.




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