first attempt at a restoration
progressSince this persistent economy has a death grip on this starving drywall contractor, I made a command decision to sell my old grey 66 cl77 to finance the much needed progress on the 67.
I was given a quote on powder coat for the frame,center stand and swing arm for $175 plus the cost of sandblasting. The other bike sold and I took the parts to my blast shop and said to go for it. When I picked her up, he only charged me $180 cash for the whole thing. Powder coat and all. WOW, what a deal! So now I have a frame powder coated and ready to start assembly. The next obstacle will be the tank paint. Which reminds me, Davomoto, shoot me your phone # again and we'll talk paint. BTW, Would anyone have a decent set of scrambler bars you'd part with? Mine are a bit rusty. Look for some pics as I start the road to assembly. RW Re: progressBTW, Would anyone have a decent set of scrambler bars you'd part with? Mine are a bit rusty.
Look for some pics as I start the road to assembly. RW[/quote] if your bars are not to badly pitted, have the bars re-chromed. i sent my dream bars in to have it re-chromed and got it back like new anything is possible if you have the drive blood sweat and tears to get it done!
RW, I want to make sure you know what I just learned -
That small brake switch holder on the left NOT ONLY holds the brake switch - it is the only thing that stops the brake pedal and the entire shaft assembly from coming up against 2 springs. It is a terrible design and explains why so many fail. Be sure you have enough metal and don't be affraid to weld a gusset. Mine is overly stout, but had I known that the right footpeg did nothing to stop/hold the brake lever back in the event of a fall and that that little switch was the only stop/adjustment for height, I would have used 1/2 again as much rod. Regards, Gorodn
brake stopGordon,
Thanks for the tip. Unfortunataly a gusset may be out of the question now as I wouldn't want to mess up my powder coat that I spent my life savings on. I will fashion some sort of stop to accomodate the need however. Again,thanks for sharing,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,RW
progress madeWith the frame powder coated there was nothing standing in my way of putting this bike back together. so slowly and carefully I started the assembly process. Many parts till needed to be cleaned and painted. I put her together with the notion that we were not out to win points at shows but have a clean presentable driver to sport the rest of the season on. So this is what I've ended up with so far.
Eng. Used a good clean cylinder block from the parts pile along with two stock pistons in great shape. The micrometer showed all parts within acceptable limits. I did a static fluid test on the valves and found one seep so I touched it up with a bit of lap compound and a donor valve and got four good tight valves. The entire engine was bead blasted and assembled. Trans. Had to replace a couple broken gears and the first gear bushing. The gears were already x'ed so I didn't have to deal with that. Winkers, I was going to piece-meal a period correct assembly together but decided that the ebay kit complete with switch and flasher unit for $60 US would be more cost effective than doing the pieces. I lucked out when I installed another wire harness off a parts 67cl and it had winker wires in it, so I was able to use some of them making assembly even easier. Sure is nice having them rather than the arm. Paint I did use some rattle can paint with clear coat (shame on me I know) but I will replace some of it during the paint learning curve. I now have an HVLP gun and will learn to use it this winter. Is it perfect? Not by a long shot. I still have many little projects to accomplish here. Brake hubs, spokes, seat cover, and paint my year correct tank with a suitable shade of blue. But at least I can ride her for the rest of the season and enjoy the fruits of my labor. A heart felt thank you to Davomoto, GMan, Fast Fred for your contribution of parts and info. BTW,,, When I hooked up the gas line and kicked her over she fired on the second kick, so I warmed her up and rode a bit to seat the rings, then went another twenty miles that day. We've got 140 miles under the seat now and looking forward to doing the oyster run in three weeks. Hope to see you local folks there. RW RW
That's a really nice looking bike. I wish that I'd got one in close to that state. I have several projects all in pieces and really need to get something together so that I can enjoy the ride, like you. That later color scheme works well and I am glad to see that you have ditched that awful muffler. I hope to have something shiny but rideable ready next spring. The summer has almost run out here in the UK. Enjoy that bike! G '60 C77 '60 C72 '62 C72 Dream '63 CL72
'61 CB72 '64 CB77 '65 CB160 '66 Matchless 350 '67 CL77 '67 S90 '77 CB400F
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