Evening all.
I have decided my Bertha needs some TLC. Tank is scratched and dented, frame is rusting, so needs a total strip down.
So I thought I would start this post. Thought it may be of interest and I can ask questions as I go.
Looking for some advice as to what to do with the rear shocks.
Asked 2 suspension refurb companies and neither will touch them.
So think I will just blast and powercoat the springs and clean up.
Looking forward to this. Always great to see a 14 being rejuvenated.
As to the shocks, I got some YSS RG342. Quite pleased with them. Based on the recommendation of a former race mechanic for Honda and Suzuki. Ample spareparts for them and a very helpful technical support in their european center in the Netherlands, that answered detailed questions pertaining how to rebuild them. And these shocks were just a bit more € than what I paid to get the oem done at a suspension shop.
Pretty safe to assume that yours need a rebuild or a replacement.
Someone here might chime in with a suspension shop recommendation that still does them.
@Idh Have you tried Maxton's for rebuilding your suspension - they used to do a lot of rebuilds others would not touch a few years ago
https://www.maxtonsuspension.co.uk/
Thanks Barmy, just mailed them
Ian
Quote from: Andre on Tuesday, 16 April 2024, 07:41 AMLooking forward to this. Always great to see a 14 being rejuvenated.
As to the shocks, I got some YSS RG342. Quite pleased with them. Based on the recommendation of a former race mechanic for Honda and Suzuki. Ample spareparts for them and a very helpful technical support in their european center in the Netherlands, that answered detailed questions pertaining how to rebuild them. And these shocks were just a bit more € than what I paid to get the oem done at a suspension shop.
Pretty safe to assume that yours need a rebuild or a replacement.
Someone here might chime in with a suspension shop recommendation that still does them.
Thanks mate, will look at costs!
I think the problem with shock rebuilds is there's a custom sized O-ring they can't get anymore. I'm sure someone once posted on here about that when they were told why the places couldn't fix their shocks.
Quote from: Hooli on Tuesday, 16 April 2024, 09:48 PMI think the problem with shock rebuilds is there's a custom sized O-ring they can't get anymore. I'm sure someone once posted on here about that when they were told why the places couldn't fix their shocks.
Thanks mate.
Just taken the springs off and given the shocks a clean. There is no sign of leakage. None of the adjusters will move, but I haven't moved them in the 13 years I gave had her, so decided to blast and powdercoat the springs, tidy the paint and leave as is. Can always get new ones later.
And the fun begins!
Frame freshly coated.
Quote from: gsxbarmy on Tuesday, 16 April 2024, 08:08 AM@Idh Have you tried Maxton's for rebuilding your suspension - they used to do a lot of rebuilds others would not touch a few years ago
https://www.maxtonsuspension.co.uk/
Just for info, they no longer do them as they can't get the parts.
Quote from: Hooli on Tuesday, 16 April 2024, 09:48 PMI think the problem with shock rebuilds is there's a custom sized O-ring they can't get anymore. I'm sure someone once posted on here about that when they were told why the places couldn't fix their shocks.
Yes, that's what they are all saying.
Respect , big project. :worshippy:
Quote from: BbigMmac on Friday, 19 April 2024, 04:14 AMRespect , big project. :worshippy:
Thanks.
Just got to be careful on the budget. Not trying to make her mint, just loved.
So trying to clean and refurb rather than replace.
Having done a full strip and rebuild on mine a few years ago, here's one little tip for you when you build her back up...
Loom into frame first, then airbox and then motor. If you fit the airbox and motor before you try to get the loom in it doesn't work. I learned the hard way :onya:
I found it easier to lie the motor on it's side on a cushion and lower the frame over it and then get it upright. I just fitted the front end and centre stand so that you could sit it up once the motor was in.
Also remember to reconnect the fuel tank feed pipe union before you try and start it. If you forget as I did it sprays a very large quantity of petrol everywhere, and makes a right old mess :rofl2:
(https://i.postimg.cc/DzZ91XNq/Day-1-16.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/R0Djd0r2/Day-1-18.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/ZYdhf65H/Day-1-20.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/3JQQzWyT/Day-1-23.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/HnXDV1hR/Day-1-27.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/sXtCjgw5/Day-2-1.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/wj68TPc4/Day-3-1.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Quote from: froudy on Saturday, 20 April 2024, 05:01 PMHaving done a full strip and rebuild on mine a few years ago, here's one little tip for you when you build her back up...
Loom into frame first, then airbox and then motor. If you fit the airbox and motor before you try to get the loom in it doesn't work. I learned the hard way :onya:
I found it easier to lie the motor on it's side on a cushion and lower the frame over it and then get it upright. I just fitted the front end and centre stand so that you could sit it up once the motor was in.
Also remember to reconnect the fuel tank feed pipe union before you try and start it. If you forget as I did it sprays a very large quantity of petrol everywhere, and makes a right old mess :rofl2:
(https://i.postimg.cc/DzZ91XNq/Day-1-16.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/R0Djd0r2/Day-1-18.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/ZYdhf65H/Day-1-20.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/3JQQzWyT/Day-1-23.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/HnXDV1hR/Day-1-27.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/sXtCjgw5/Day-2-1.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/wj68TPc4/Day-3-1.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Interesting thank you. I took it out with an engine hoist, but good idea laying it down.
Quote from: froudy on Saturday, 20 April 2024, 05:01 PMIf you fit the airbox and motor before you try to get the loom in it doesn't work
Well, for me it worked when replacing the loom. Needed to take just one connector off.
I took half the loom out of a 14 years ago after a bike shop had fitted it all wrong so nothing connected properly. The engine didn't come out for that either. Oddly enough after routing it properly the wires were all long enough to reach the connectors they attach too...
Having said that, I do believe the order specified in the manual is loom, airbox & then engine. So it's probably easier that way.
When the engine and airbox are already out, it is no no-brainer to put the loom in before the former. Just mentioned that it is possible to get the loom in whith engine in place, so some poor soul doesn't take engine out to change the loom ;)
Just an update. Unfortunately I am away to sea in Angola for a few weeks oh joy! , so no progress for a while.
Lots of parts cleaned and painted. Waiting on tank from paint and forks for referb and paint.
Hopefully back on the road end of May.
Progress! My painter just sent me these photos.
Forks still to do.
They look good - nice bit of paint laid down there
@Idh !
Too many photos to reduce size just now,but,my beautiful girl I think looks a bit more loved...
ldh, huge job youre doing. :hat: :hat:
MOT passed!!
Just done 100 mile easy run, then been round and checked my torque settings.
Happy boy.
Wales tour starts tomorrow
Thanks for all the help and positive comments
Ian
Well done! Hope you have a great time exploring Wales. Notty's in there somewhere . . .
Quote from: KiwiCol on Monday, 17 June 2024, 02:20 PMWell done! Hope you have a great time exploring Wales. Notty's in there somewhere . . .
Remember the speed limit on 50% of Welsh Roads is 20 MPH and speed camera vans everywhere ! :bugga: :bugga: :bugga: :bugga: :bugga: :bugga: