1988 R80RT -> R80 Part 1

daveg · Aug 7, 2015

Hi Folks, thought this might be of interest and also it's a heads up in case I need any advice

I bought a slightly 'used' RT earlier in the year as a bit of a project to keep me sane while I was looking after my wife through her illness.

As it happens it's turned into a complete rebuild and I've dumped the fairing as it was quite tatty......

Gyp · Aug 7, 2015

Looking forward to watching this. I resurrected my RT earlier this year, but all that was needed was a couple of seals, battery and an Italian tune up.

daveg · Aug 7, 2015

..some more pics..

ianboydsnr · Aug 7, 2015

cracking, I have a 80Rt, that I will be doing similar with!

(RIP) Tunneruk · Aug 7, 2015

That's got all the ingredients of a nice looking rebuild!!!!

Phil Reynolds · Aug 7, 2015

Ah, a rebuild thread. I do love a good rebuild thread and this looks to be a good one to follow.

Keep it going, this is looking good.

GSTourer · Aug 7, 2015

Lovely, I'm an armchair mechanic I am.

daveg · Nov 17, 2015

Well, the decks are cleared and I'm ready to start assembling!

Any tips on getting the engine back in the frame...apart from a helper! Is it best to go in from the left or right? Is it necessary to take the starter cover off to manoeuvre it in? When I took it out - on my own - I'd more or less stripped it down.

I'm sure I'll manage but it would be good to avoid lots of paint scratching and swearing so all advice appreciated.

John Armstrong · Nov 17, 2015

daveg said:
Any tips on getting the engine back in the frame...apart from a helper! Is it best to go in from the left or right? Is it necessary to take the starter cover off to manoeuvre it in? When I took it out - on my own - I'd more or less stripped it down.

I've read that it's easier to lift the frame onto the engine, being that it's a bit lighter. Information here:

http://www.bmbikes.org.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=22318

chrisshrops · Nov 17, 2015

Wrap some tape and bubble wrap over the lower frame rails and lift her in ,it's not that hard ,but a bit of help would be good as it's a bit of a lump.
Also check your clutch before you put it in I gave mine a look and thought it would be OK ,I now have too put a new on in ,bugger.
Who did the paint work ?its looking dandy

chrisshrops · Nov 17, 2015

By ekk what a great idea

daveg · Nov 17, 2015

Ah, I like the idea of laying the engine on its side and dropping the bare frame over it. Thanks!

Chris, the clutch is new but good thinking! The frame and bits and pieces were painted by the local shot blaster R D Cox. The tank, mudguard etc. by Revolution Custom Paint.

chrisshrops · Nov 18, 2015

Look Great Dave

daveg · Nov 18, 2015

Well, my son turned up to stay the night and it was a doddle with two pairs of hands. And not a scratch on the paintwork :thumb2

dr nosh · Nov 18, 2015

Looking good :thumb2

Packer · Nov 19, 2015

Paint looks good.

What did you do, if anything, about this bit of what looks like abortionate (did I just invent that word?) butchery.

Beemerboff · Nov 19, 2015

If you havent touched it yet I would just test to see if it holds 23 ft lbs of torque, and if it does just fit a gasket and 3 Bond .
My GS had a couple of loose wire inserts, probably from new, you could wobble the studs, but I just assembled it and they have held for 100,000 km with 9.5 pistons and 60 thou squish.

daveg · Nov 19, 2015

Packer said:
Paint looks good.

What did you do, if anything, about this bit of what looks like abortionate (did I just invent that word?) butchery.

Good word and I think you did invent it!

Once I saw the state of this and one of the other studs (it came out at a wonky angle due to shit heli-coiling) I knew I had to sort it out properly. This wasn't going to be a quick fix :blast

.....luckily I found a nice pristine crankcase for £55!

I had newly vapour blasted barrels, heads and front cover plus shot blasted and painted covers ready to start building. That's when I came up with the cunning plan to drop it off with Steve Scriminger when I was passing on my way up to Scotland on a three week trip and pick it up all nicely buttoned up on my way back. Expensive but nothing like peace of mind knowing it was built by one of the best. Glad I did as it happens as he picked up on a couple of things I may well have missed.

daveg · Nov 19, 2015

Beemerboff said:
If you havent touched it yet I would just test to see if it holds 23 ft lbs of torque, and if it does just fit a gasket and 3 Bond .
My GS had a couple of loose wire inserts, probably from new, you could wobble the studs, but I just assembled it and they have held for 100,000 km with 9.5 pistons and 60 thou squish.

These were butchered and one of the oilways damaged not just loose! Sorted now anyway but thanks for the advice.

fayeslane · Nov 19, 2015

chrisshrops said:
By ekk what a great idea

Not sure how common it is in the UK but 19 or 25mm poly pipe split down one side makes an effective frame protector

1988 R80RT -> R80 Part 1

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