'Diamond in the rough'

[bikeymikey748]

Hiya, Mike, Glad you like the 'X'.
DOCC member? Nope, haven't taken that step just yet.
The Duc looks nicely turned out, bet the pipes have a rich bellow to them. Rare bikes those, have you owned it long?
I took jetting advice to heart, and made (hopefully) appropriate mods. I'm tellin' ya, those first few minutes on the first start-up are going to be stressful! Rollie,if you're reading along, ignore that last bit....no stress, only positive waves.

Wait a minute...working on a Yammie for a buddy?
Having seen your own Yamaha beauty i am betting this will be a hot rod as well?

Always complimentary, Steve-O. But, no, nothing all that involved. Just a carb clean, tune-up, and general going over on an older Virago. Not my cup of tea, style-wise, but a nice lump of a motor all the same. I continue to be amazed at what folks are doing, cafe racer-wise, with these machines. Who knew that you could pull that sort of stuff off?
Regarding my SR, it sold a few weeks back. I was on the phone with the ,breathless, new owner last Friday. I was trying to explain things about it to him, but you could just tell from the excitement in his voice, that little of what I was saying was getting through. Sure enough, he worked himself into a proper sweat fighting with the kickstart, and called back for more advice. I'm glad he's as happy with it in person, notwithstanding his acclimation issues, as he seemed to be looking at the photos in the advert.
Man, it was tough to let that bike go. Have you ever had a bike you sold haunt you for years afterward, something you might move Heaven and Earth to replace? That was my SR. Still, it seems to have gone to a great home, and I have 'other fish to fry' at the moment.

[Mike Cecchini]

Hiya, Mike, Glad you like the 'X'.
DOCC member? Nope, haven't taken that step just yet.
The Duc looks nicely turned out, bet the pipes have a rich bellow to them. Rare bikes those, have you owned it long?
I took jetting advice to heart, and made (hopefully) appropriate mods. I'm tellin' ya, those first few minutes on the first start-up are going to be stressful!

The real beauty of DOCC is the track events where you can enjoy your 748 where it's really at home and meant to be ridden. What a HUGE difference it is from street riding..... or like so many do..... parade riding. Also at track events it's much easier to find the real gearheads vs posers. Mosport is incredible, so you really should give it a go.

The 888 ? I've had it since 1995, but my first 4 valver is a 1990 851, which I still have. Some pics of both. One of them at the Toronto show. http://tinyurl.com/7vkbfzk

Here's a 74 750 Roundcase I put together a couple yrs ago. http://tinyurl.com/6sucs2g

Here's something you don't see very often, before Ducati made complete motorcycles, they made clip-on engine kits for bicycles in the 40's, right after WW2 when Italy was flattened from Allied bombings so there were damn few cars, but everyone had a bicycle. This 1950 Coven bicycle with 1946 Ducati Cucciolo (means "Little Pup") 48cc pull rod 4 stroke engine. http://tinyurl.com/bpwolkl

Up to recently I had four CBX's..... 79 *12k miles), two 80's 12k & 19k miles and one virtually brand new 81 with only 900 miles on it. Sold the 79 and the 81...... still have the 80's. One is my rider http://tinyurl.com/cq46uue and the other is a all original and a beauty.

On your carbs, make sure the pilot jets are turned out 1.4 to 2.0 turns and you'll be fine on your start-up. Pilot jets are a wee bit deceiving and need to be quite clean. Not sprayed clean with carb cleaner, but mechanically clean. Best way to do this is to just pull them out and run a #80 (.0135") drill bit through the center to remove any residue which is so easy to over-look. Here's a little article I did for the club that will set you straight. http://tinyurl.com/blovpbv

I'm down in Maryland near DC btw. Sure wish I was closer as I'd love to drop by and see your handiwork in person.

My best....... Mike

[Kool_Biker]

Mike Hi,

Some yummy bikes you've got!!!

Question: Is the 'dip stick' oil temperature gauge, I can just make on your rider black CBX, any good?
They seem to sell these on eBay and wonder ...

Thanks, and keep up the good work

Aris

[bikeymikey748]

Mike, thanks for the input & ,excellent , photos. That bevel is a stunner! I could pull up a lawn chair in front of one of those and just sit and stare, with suitable 'refreshment' breaks, all day long.
No worries about the idle jets. They were cleaned properly. Like yourself, I don't trust to just giving them a spray/soak either.
I'm thinking ,maybe, its a good thing there's a bit of distance between us. I mean, after looking at your work, mine just sort of pales.
Still, you just never know when you might get the oppurtunity to cross paths with folks, do you?
How'd you get your bikes in the Toronto show, and when was that? I used to head down there for the show in early January, it was GIANT. They changed the format a few years back, and I haven't felt the need to pass through since.
A bunch of my buddies do the track day thing.
I resist.
Part of it has to do with my over-competative nature and, easily bruised, ego. Part has to do with self-preservation, physical and financial. Besides, the roads I ride in NY, VT, NH are amazing!. Light traffic, twisty, hilly, scenic. Nice locals too. A favorite ride is to leave here, Montreal, travel the secondaries through VT and NH into ME for a bag of fried clams and a Coke in Wells ME. The best part is when the locals ask where you're spending the night , after hearing where you left from in the morning, and you get to tell them, "Montreal". Then its a phonecall to the missus, and let her hear the ocean, follow MORE secondaries back and slide into the driveway just after the dinner hour. Roughly 1,200km. You can't beat it for clearing your mind. Looking forward to teaching the CBX the way there this summer.
Not much done on the 'X' tonight.I was in the midst of placing my oil cooler lines when a friend dropped off his 1974 Honda 90. A beaut! I hadn't intended to do too much on it straight away, but it was just so much fun to work on, the time slipped past unnoticed. Still, garage time is garage time, any way you slice it.

[bikeymikey748]

Well, the weather is pretty crappy outside today, which means I begged off the cars I had lined up to do work on, but was able to get the '74 ST90 done and get some stuff done on the 'X'.
Which brings us to today's McGyver moment and a salute to clutch cables!
The ,original, CBX cable was in good nick, but the digital dash and clip-ons I'm using conspired against it. I couldn't get the,required acute, bend I need in it. It was fouling on the instrument pod, and bending/rerouting it ( the cable) wasn't feasable.
Sooooo, time to mod the bad-boy. First, I checked that it fit/functioned in the Suzuki lever and that the length was ok. All good. Next, I took note of the extended length of cable showing when pulled,completely to the extreme (note: Its important to keep in mind that some cables, like those on the 'X', have a small rubber dust boot at the end that will influence this measurement. My boot was cracked, with age. I removed it & took the measurement;




Next step, melt the end off the inner cable,at the lever side, using our,trusty, propane plumber's torch. The clutch arm fitting is harder to duplicate, so the one at the lever had to go. I took measurements of how long I needed the ,outer,cable to be. It is being routed between the LH fork leg & the frame, the stock routing is between the RH leg. I figured out how much the tubed,metal, section had to be, and stripped the secondary covering off the cable to expose the sheath. I bought a short (3 ft.) section of 5/16 transmission tubing , at the local auto parts store. I slipped the required length over the original cable, now cut down to proper length (something like 30mm. were removed), and put the bends I needed in this. Afterward, I slipped a thin-walled rubber hose over the tube, to finish it off. Here's a shot of the tubing and the finished outer cable;



Moving on to the inner cable, I marked its length, and 'tinned' the fitting's area thoroughly. I then cut a small piece of,metal, tubing that fit the recess in the lever. This was cut slightly longer than the thickness of the lever, the area of the recess above center-line is a fixed value, below that I like to leave it a bit longer ( for greater support when soldered), and angle my inner cable in that direction.The small piece of tubing is also tinned thoroughly on it's inside.;



Once the inner cable is fed up through the outer sheath,it is pulled/pushed through the small tubing item ( just before doing this is a great time to lube the inner cable. I use bearing grease, along it's length.Lasts a long time and covers well). Actually I pull it a bit past its resting measurement, and fray the inner cable ( to expose as many, individual, strands to the solder as is possible). I try to doulble-back some of the strands, for added strength. The items are brought back into position. Solder is, liberally, applied. The ends are ground smooth & the whole plot is ready to be installed;



In place, ready for business;





I've some commitments in the AM tomorrow, after that, I just might be able to sign off on the mechanical aspects of the build. Then its on to the eletricals

[NobleHops]

Fantastic stuff. Very inventive.



N.

[bikeymikey748]

Well, a couple of details to finish yet, on the whole, this pretty much concludes the mechanical aspect of the build. Electricals to kick off tomorrow.

[NobleHops]

Awe.

[Mike Cecchini]

Mike Hi,

Some yummy bikes you've got!!!

Question: Is the 'dip stick' oil temperature gauge, I can just make on your rider black CBX, any good?
They seem to sell these on eBay and wonder ...

Thanks, and keep up the good work

Aris

For me the dipstick temp gauge is a bit of gearhead info I like to see. It works fine.

[Mike Cecchini]

Mike, thanks for the input & ,excellent , photos. That bevel is a stunner! I could pull up a lawn chair in front of one of those and just sit and stare, with suitable 'refreshment' breaks, all day long.

I'm thinking ,maybe, its a good thing there's a bit of distance between us. I mean, after looking at your work, mine just sort of pales.
Still, you just never know when you might get the opportunity to cross paths with folks, do you?
How'd you get your bikes in the Toronto show, and when was that? I used to head down there for the show in early January, it was GIANT. They changed the format a few years back, and I haven't felt the need to pass through since.
A bunch of my buddies do the track day thing. I resist.

Yes...... lots of thought, time, experience, $$$$$ went into the bevel. It took 5th in the National Ducati Concorso and first in class (bevel specials) & Judges Choice back in 07 when it was just barely done. Ducati flew me and the bike along the other 9 finalists to Laguna Seca for MotoGP weekend. They dropped a bundle on us for 5 days at the five start Monterey Plaza.

Don't be putting down your work Mikey...... it's beautiful stuff you do.

How'd I get the 851 & 888 in the Toronto Show ? Easy, I know the guy who runs it all...... Bar Hodgson. He's in the DOCC and we've run Mosport many times together. Him on his 996 and me on the 888. We have way too much fun together.

I understand what you mean by track riding vs out in the country riding...... I do both. Lots of riding in W. Va during the week and damn few cages on the roads..... including cops......incredible. Best kept secret in NA.

My best.......... Mike

[bikeymikey748]

'Evening, Mike. Good on you, knowing Bar H. He's a pretty popular man up this way. By all accounts, a collector of some repute too. Birds of a feather? What an honor to get treated to a Laguna experience at Ducati's expense.
In other news, rewiring was, temporarily, suspended this evening. Seems I had a 'bug in my ear' regarding some fasteners. You can either file this under, 'Mike gets a bit (more) anal', or....'Its the little things;Part 5'
Either way, I just thought tonight's McGyver session turned out pretty ok, & thought I'de share.
I wasn't happy that all the engine fasteners are now SS allen-head bolts, with two exceptions. The two fasteners for the countershaft sprocket cover just looked out of place. They are specialized bolts from Honda. Their, weathered, hex-heads weren't winning me over....what to do?
In the photo below, from the top;The original Honda three-piece bit (bolt, rubber grommet & washer).
Below that, the modified Honda part. I cut a section out of it, and threaded it to accept an adaptor ( the brass bit beside it) ....and allow an allen-head to bolt into that.The washer was cut out of alloy plate with a hole saw.
The brass item on the bottom is what I started out with for the adaptor. I salvaged it from an old stereo. It was a stand-off bolt between two circuit boards, looked like something I might be able to use one day, so I put it in with all my other spare bits.;




Here the pieces are assembled in place ( the brass adaptor was secured onto the modded Honda bit with Loctite red);





Ah, that's more like it . Bonus; the cover fit right up with no mods, even with the offset sprocket in place).



I dunno, stuff like this drives me crazy. I figure that if you don't sweat the small stuff you're 'done'. It just seems the first things that grab your attention, when looking over someone's work, are details like these. If you can't get the little items right, what might you have done to the bigger stuff? I'm not saying I'll get it all right, but...its not for lack of trying
Oh, and holding on to that thought; Looking at the clamp I'm using on the oil line ( at the bottom left, in the last shot), has anyone had any experience with these? I don't know that I feel all that confidant about them. The line was cut back to expose the rubber, inner tubing, that the hose clamp is holding in place, on the original Honda adaptor. The braid is, securely, butted into the alloy section, just up to where the clamp is. I've made these ( hoses) up myself, and have seen similar items for sale ready-made..
Still, I'd feel better knowing someone has run these with good results.

[Mike Cecchini]

You're right Mikey....... it's all about the small stuff.
So you have a lathe in your shop ?
Kinda handy....... A ??

Well done.

[SteveG]

.....Still, I'd feel better knowing someone has run these with good results.

I have used the worm-gear hose clamps on replacement steel braided oil lines on my 900F (now 985F) for 2 years now. Not anywhere near the slightest bit of seepage or leakage at any of the fittings. I am not worried at all.

If worm-gear hose clamps are good enough for OEM use on radiator hoses that experience roughly the same temperatures and more pressure than these low pressure oil cooler lines, then I don't see a problem.

Steve

PS - Love watching your CBX come together.

[Rick Pope]

If worm gear hose clamps make you uneasy, there are "high-torque" clamps, and there are T-bolt clamps, both available in full stainless. A little hard to find, and maybe special order. I bought 20 High-torque in 2.5" last week and they were $6.40 each. The t-bolt versions are roughly double that.

[bikeymikey748]

So you have a lathe in your shop ?

A lathe? I wish !
Sadly, no...but I do have a great drill press ( recently treated myself to a new one), a large selection of hand files, dogged determination, and the fact that I'm a cheap sonofabitch who hates sending stuff out to have someone else do it, working in my favor.

Steve, thanks for the input ,regarding the clamps. Good to know that you've had success with them, gives me some peace of mind. I'm already using more substantial clamps than those, cheezy, ones that were supplied with the fittings. Seeing as they're of a small diameter, it doesn't appear that there are a lot of choices available. I put in the strongest looking ones I could find. I figure I'll safety wire their heads and keep a close watch on them. BTW, were your hoses/clamps ready-made, or did you do them up yourself? I was wondering about how you might have prepped the stainless hoses to be fitted with the clamp.