Basket Case

[notfarnow]

Originally Posted by legion

I'm not doing all of the work either and I'm not doing it alone. The owner, her husband, and some other friends are pitching in as well. I'm just hosting the project as I have the most garage space. (The 951 opened up a lot of space. )

Sounds like fun to me! I often have "Happy Hour" in my garage on Fridays... we get into all kinds of fun and fiascos.

A project like that could be a great way to spend a few weekends over the winter. Some music, pizza, a few tasty beverages, you're all set!

[legion]

So I pointed my friend to this thread and this is what she said:

My mission is to learn how to fix a motorcycle, not to get a cheap bike. I fully realize that I may spend more in parts than I would on a similar bike in running condition.

Besides, if we get it running, I can have it painted purple.

[berettafan]

Oh the Prince reference!!! You go girl!



PURRRRPLE RAIN, PUUUUURRPLE RAIIIIIIN..............

[Tim Hancock]

Legion,

FWIW, I always hated those LTD's, but that looks like a fun project so long as the engine does not need any internal work. If it does need engine work, I personally would not go any further.

1st order of business if I were doing it, would be to empty a can of Gunk engine degreaser on it then powerwash it. Next, see if it will run after doing the following:

Remove the carbs... pull the float bowls... clean the jets. Clean the gas tank/petcock... install fresh gas. Put a new battery in it. Carefully dis-assemble/clean any electric switches that no longer work. Try to start it and see if it runs OK... if so, on to the fun part...

Clean/detail it to make it look as good as possible without spending much money. Polish the chrome bits with the wd40/steel wool. Hit the tank and other painted parts that are supposed to be shiny with some buffing compound. Hit any black plastic parts with Mother's "Back to Black". Spray any black parts with some semi gloss spray paint (you can touch up small scratches with a black Sharpy). Put some new tires on it (clean the wheels while the tires are off).

[berettafan]

tim you got any tips for cleaning spokes?

(sorry to hijack legion)

[legion]

We're going to pull the engine on Monday and have a look inside. This will determine if we move forward.

I managed to unlock the front wheel today. The front brake was locked. I bled it a little and compressed the piston and it moved again. I don't think brake fluid is supposed to be milky white.

[Tim Hancock]

Originally Posted by legion

We're going to pull the engine on Monday and have a look inside. This will determine if we move forward.

I managed to unlock the front wheel today. The front brake was locked. I bled it a little and compressed the piston and it moved again. I don't think brake fluid is supposed to be milky white.

FWIW, I would not pull the engine. Just clean the carbs, get some fresh gas in it, then see if it runs.

[legion]

I got the front wheel unstuck last night.

It was a seized front caliper locking down on the rotor that was preventing the wheel from spinning. I just bled the front brake a little and used a spreader to compress the brake piston and open up the caliper. I've never seen it milky greenish-white brake fluid before.

[Tim Hancock]

Originally Posted by berettafan

tim you got any tips for cleaning spokes?

(sorry to hijack legion)

Never Dull or fine steel wool/WD40. Kind of tedious, but it will help. I think most guys who are doing "full" restorations, simply buy and install new spokes and nipples.

[slakjaw]

Dude sweet

[MichiganMat]

2 wheels + motor = worthy project

Id like to see a huge fairing on the front though: Purple Rain.. purple raaaain!

[304065]

[kmhemi]

I also would not pull the engine. As long as it turns over free and doesnt bind up or isnt locked up I bet it will run. Like the other guys said. clean the carbs up get fresh gas, new battery and spark plugs...it would be a good idea to change the oil while youre there....if it does run it will probably smoke for a while and hopefully clear up after a little while. those were good engines..If I remember right I had to replace the carb to manifold rubber boots on mine at one point

[legion]

Another message from the owner:

hey Chris. tell the guys on pelican that the purple rain bike was a 1981 hondamatic 400. not a 1985 Kawasaki 454 ltd.

[911Rob]

I think it's a great looking bike!

[lendaddy]

[legion]

We're going to try t start it on Monday.

I've rigged up a temporary gas tank:





I was at Farm & Fleet on Friday buying a new parts washer (20 gal. this time) and the funnel caught my eye. It has a lid and a shut off valve. I got some PEX fitting to reduce the diameter from 1/2" tube that the funnel has to the 1/4" that the fuel line is.

Of course we will check for leaks before starting the bike.

[911Rob]

Don't you need that beer funnel for your Stupidbowl party?

[kmhemi]

Make sure you let us know if it runs or not. Since its been sitting so long it might take starting fluid to get it going the first time. if you go that route be extremely careful. Its some evil stuff. On gas alone it might just foul the plugs out a time or two before you get it going. I hope she runs good luck and be careful.... most important have fun.

[Evans, Marv]

Are you going to put a little bit of Marvel Oil in the cylinders to maybe free up the rings a bit. I might think of doing that & let if soak for awhile if it hasn't been started in a really long time.