Kawasaki Triples Club

Apologies for the poor quality photos , I reduced them too much

Goalhanger wrote: ↑Wed Oct 20, 2021 10:51 am Thanks Wolfe, I’ve seen Gary’s name mentioned in the forums a few times

Got me some boxes today to start packing stuff so I have more room on the workbench for the engine.

Still undecided about frame stove enamelling or powder coating. I read up on both and both have their merits.

Powder coating place in Kent not so far away from me in Essex which may swing the vote.

Phil

Spray it with 2pack.

Hi Eric, if I sprayed it myself I’d be worried about getting the frame clean enough without all the facilities the painters will have . I’ve sprayed an Ariel frame before but it wasn’t as rusty as this one.
Phil

Get it sand blasted.

Crank cases split after much swearing etc…
Transmission looks all good but crankshaft is covered in muck . Need to somehow get the pistons out of the barrels now. Maybe I’ll have to chisel them out as someone suggested.
Also had to cut through centre stand pivot to get it off. Now have to find a way to remove it from the inside of the stand itself.

Goalhanger wrote: ↑Wed Oct 20, 2021 1:32 pm Apologies for the poor quality photos , I reduced them too much

About 800x600 is a good size for Forums

It's pretty crusty but I removed these clinically so anything's possible. I think I'd try pressing the pistons out after mounting the top crank case on a hardwood jig, and then remove the barrels with my bespoke stud corrosion hole saws.

I've also had to slit a mainstand in the past to remove the pin and then weld it back up.

Gonna give the pistons another go but unfortunately the exhaust in the centre was off I imagine a fair while so moisture got in and that piston was at the bottom ….
That was extreme with the stand …. I started to try to hacksaw from the inside - may try again tomorrow…
I also have a few screws I had to drill off in the cases so I need to sort getting them out cleanly without ruining the threads …
Keeping me busy that’s for sure.

Hi Phil

I'm definitely no expert, but can say I have had a number of frames and bits cleaned up and done by "Curtis" down at CSP in Borough Green, friendly and informative, and all the threads protected by silicon "cones" too
he is biker friendly I found, and always a pile of bike bits being done

there is a very friendly (but slow) plater along the road from him too, but not related in any way

happy to offer up any of the people and places I found if it helps

and I would highly recommend Gary for the engine - he did mine, completely
Tango for carbs and fuel taps too

good luck

Paul

Thanks for the heads up on CSP , I will look them up. Not too far away.
I’ve been in touch with Gary re the engine . I’m just deciding if I ask him to do the whole engine build or just the crank/pistons etc. I suspect I will go whole engine ….
I just today tried to clean up the engine casings with Gunk. Not going very well so left them to soak for a while.
Thanks
Phil

Phil,

I have used Maldon Shot Blasting & Powder Coating Ltd to do a couple of frames and swing arms along with other brackets and bits, and I was completely satisfied with their work and turnaround time. They are in Heybridge just before Maldon.

Over the years I have tried a number of chrome platers with mixed results !
A few years ago I discovered a brilliant place down in Hampshire, and I wouldn’t go anywhere else now. They are called Silvabronz, and are in Alton.

Bob

So another few hours in the garage getting the engine loosely assembled to take to Gary for reconditioning.
Got the rotor of now just struggling with separating the stator body from the case. I managed to get the points plate off but had to drill off every single screw so just got to make sure I’ve got the holes cleaned for the Accent ignition.
I’ve tried to disassemble the oil pump but without any manual etc I’m struggling. It’s quite stiff to turn over and can’t turn by hand. Where can I find detailed explanation of how to complete stripping it down and replacing seals etc.?
Phil

So I just got an email from HMRC re: my Nova registration and they have corrected their system to show the correct frame number. The US registration document is still wrong so we’ll see what happens when I send the V55 in…
On that note I have a couple of questions for some of you that have registered US bikes.

1/ is my 1973 US Kawasaki exempt from type approval?
If it’s a no , do I have to arrange MVSA test at a test centre ?

2/ I can’t see anywhere to put the NOVA reference on the V55, am I missing it somewhere ?

3/ Do I need a proof of age certificate to get age related license number and also Historic tax class?

Thank you so much guys

Phil

Yes its exempt from Type approval , I just put exempt because over 10 years old.
Do a covering letter and put the Nova number on it.
You would normally use your title and therefore dont need a dating certificate.
You title could open a can of worms if the numbers are mixed up?
Just put your tax class as "Historic"

Thanks, I will put a covering letter in explaining the incorrect frame number and including the NOVA number .

Glad it’s exempt from type approval. I built a bitza bike back in 1973 it had to be checked over before they gave me a modern ‘74 number. I obviously don’t want that this time , want it age related

Thanks for your help

Phil

I would steer well clear of telling DVLA about the wrong frame number . Anything outside of "normal" throws them into a frenzy and is bound to open up a can of worms.

Providing the NOVA registration is correct I would get a dating letter and submit that. Keep the American title somewhere safe.
They automatically look at the NOVA database based on the frame number so it's essential the number is correct on the NOVA, the dating letter and all the other paperwork.
There have been discussion aplenty on this forum regarding the FORMAT of the frame number and that can be a stumbling block, so make sure they are all EXACTLY the same.

For the first time ever, DVLA have said they want to inspect a bike I currently have in the system. Because they have been ffffing around with this for three months I've now sold it and no longer have it.
At first they refused to inspect it at the new owners address but have finally backed down and It's now going through....hopefully.

You will have to submit a MOT exemption form (V112) unless of course you get it MOT'd. Some people think that getting it MOT eases it through the registration process as DVLA then see it has then effectively been "inspected" by a third party.

Search on here for DVLA first registration......you might pick up a few tips.
Good Luck.

Thanks guys.
I will get an age dating letter in lieu of the original title.

All coming along nicely . Just a few things to do before engine goes to Gary and frame and bits for powder coating .
Stator needs to come out of casing and it’s proving stubborn so far. Trying heat on it today.

Then it’s onto wheels, brakes , forks etc and also freeing up the carbs. All 3 have stuck slides …..

Keeping me busy which was the intention

Phil

Thanks for the heads up on Tangoman. I’ve left the carbs soaking in vinegar so I’ll have a go tomorrow.
Generator stator now out of casing . I now need either a replacement or this one re-wound.
When you get them back is the sun loom already on ?
Stator, rotor and contact plate cleaned up.
I imagine the rotor will be ok as it’s just a big magnet ?
Phil