1964 CA77 Restoration

Seadog · Post by **Seadog** » Fri Jul 31, 2015 8:33 am

A very elegant solution, G. I can guarantee that mine will not be quite so nice.

This morning, I was able to successfully re-install one of the old bushings using a bolt, washers and a socket. I had the sleeve inside the bushing. The biggest problem was alignment. The bushing started a tiny bit cocked, so there was a little shaving of the outer surface until it progressed a bit. Whatever solution I come up with will have to account for that.

Unfortunately, bronze replacements are not an option for me.

Seadog · Post by **Seadog** » Sat Aug 01, 2015 12:51 pm

I believe I solved the bushing alignment problem with a home made fixture and have installed and removed the bushings successfully quite a few times. Now I just have to wait for the new ones to arrive.

Meanwhile, the new ultrasonic cleaner has arrived, but I'm still waiting for the cleaning fluid to get here.

Seadog · Post by **Seadog** » Fri Aug 07, 2015 7:28 am

The new bushings, sleeves and seals arrived with other parts and were successfully installed. The front shocks are now in the fork. That process was easier this time as I found what I was doing wrong last time. The fork will go on once the top bridge is painted. I don't know how I missed that piece during the painting frenzy.

Still no ultrasonic cleaning solution. Hopefully delivery today.

Seadog · Post by **Seadog** » Fri Aug 07, 2015 4:14 pm

The ultrasonic cleaning solution concentrate I ordered arrived in today's mail. I immediately mixed a 50:1 concentration and powered up the new cleaner. My first test was my cylinder head cover, which I had previously degreased. One 15 minute heated run at 40MHz, then another at 20MHz. I must say that I was not overly impressed with the results. Yes, it's cleaner, but not as clean as I expected and certainly not as clean as it needs to be. Maybe I'm doing something wrong.

If any of you reading this also use an ultrasonic cleaner, I'd like to know how well you do with it, at what point you discard the cleaning solution and if you filter it to extend its life. Also, do you leave the solution in your unit or remove it after each use?

I dropped off some small parts at the painter, including the previously mentioned bridge. The painter is really a classic car restoration company. Going there is always a pleasure as the owner is chatty and always happy to show me the latest projects. It's hard to leave.

In other somewhat related news, I finished wiring a dedicated 20A circuit to my workbench and installing 2 hardwired 20A Plugmold power strips. I went from 1 duplex outlet on a shared 15A circuit to 18 20A outlets on a dedicated circuit. No more extension cords extended to a distant 20A circuit when I want to run a large power tool. I also tore out the old duplex box and installed a new double box with 2 duplex outlets on the old 15A line. I did the work myself, but had a licensed Master Electrician check my work, install a new 20A GFCI circuit breaker and make the final connection. It was worth the $75; I'm crazy, but I'm not stupid.

G-Man · Post by **G-Man** » Mon Aug 17, 2015 5:49 pm

Great progress!

There is a long thread here dealing with zinc plating. Not tried it yet as I have some good professionals nearby who do work for Rolls Royce Aerospace. I do have the materials and power supply ready to try.

Nevertheless there are some bits that I won't entrust to them for fear of losing them.

It will good to see your results.

G

Seadog wrote:
deafanddiabetic wrote:Gonna watch this one, looks fun!

I had to weld my rear fender back on to my CA72, let me tell you, welding isn't my strong suit. My grinder was my best friend after that metal surgery :)

Good work by your buddy, though!
Thanks. Wish I could weld. Still, I'm having fun and gaining ground for now. Soon I'm going to try zinc plating. I learned today that the center stand collar and bolt are zinc plated. They could use a freshening up, as could a few other parts. I need to read up on it though and find some zinc and a power source.

Seadog · Post by **Seadog** » Mon Aug 17, 2015 7:42 pm

Thanks,G. Sometimes progress seems a bit slow to me, but I'm working on it every day. Plating is slowing down a bit as I've re-plated nearly everything in sight - sprockets; nuts, bolts and washers of all sizes; the center stand pivot bolt; the kickstand; front brake stay; rear axle spacer - you name it.

Today I finished preparing the front wheel for mounting. New zirks, new dust seal, new brake shoes, stripped and re-zinked the brake cam and "ring panel". I reused the panel's felt seal ring. I noticed that I'd missed re-plating the pinch bolt on the brake arm. I'll get it tomorrow. A NOS axle bolt is on the way.

Afterward, I got busy with the rear wheel drive flange. The new bearing was already installed, but I added a new seal and put all the other parts into the ultrasonic. I stripped the zinc off of the lock washer strips, annealed them, cleaned and re-zinked them and will finish installation tomorrow, then bag it until I need it.

Still waiting on the painter. Once the bridge gets here, real assembly will be possible.

I've ordered winker parts. A new auxiliary wiring harness will be needed, but I might just strip the main harness, add the wires and make some other needed changes. More on all that later.

The jury is still out on the new ultrasonic cleaner. I see no cavitation in the cleaning process and am thinking that the hot soapy water alone is doing the work - such as it is. It makes a satisfying buzzing noise though.... I hope I didn't waste my $ on it.

More as it happens.

G-Man · Post by **G-Man** » Mon Aug 17, 2015 7:46 pm

Seadog

The results with the US cleaner can be a bit variable. Sometimes the dirt just seems to fall away and sometimes it needs encouragement with wire brush or bead blaster. It's just another one of the many tools at our disposal.

G