My Bike: graphics and some light assembly

This week I wanted to look at the graphic set I bought to feedback to the members of the Honda M Club (UK). I only actually need the side panel set, seat unit and front mudguard as the fuel tank, fairing and belly pan are all NOS and have the factory graphics on them. I also wanted to see the difference in the quality, colours and alignment with the fuel tank and it was also a good opportunity to check the painted panel colour with the NOS tank.

Tip: clean the panel first then wet it with soapy water. Cut out the graphic you need tight to graphic to help with alignment. lay the graphic on the wet surface and adjust for perfect position, tease out all bubbles and creases. Keep working it until you are happy and then carefully remove the decal backing while working on the decal to prevent lifting, then leave to dry.

Decals were via ebay seller Classic Motorcycle Decals

I also fitted the front mudguard and mudguard brace with new stainless steel bolts and also the rear inner mudguard piece that protects the Preo Link assembly.

new tail unit vs old

new LH panel vs old

pair of side panels

front mudguard

alignment and colour check

My Bike: Bodywork, bolts, wheels

Job 1 this week was to re-assemble the tail unit, this evolved re-riveting the internal metal support, re-fitting the seat lock, rubber grommets and re-fitting the indicator blanks.

The second job was the mask the spoke blades on the front wheel and have a go at painting the front hub.

the 3rd job was to install the new taper head races to the frame and fit the triple clamps. I used this Pyramid parts kit bought of ebay. The upper and lower bearings are different with the lower pressing directly on the the steerer, remember to fit the seal on first! Also pay attention to the lower race as it needs tapping inside the frame's head tube all the way to the frame stop, this way the bearing is in the frame and the seal works properly. I actually didn't use the supplied top seal and retained the dust shield of the original MBX headset, firstly it assembles better this way and secondly keeps it looking standard.

lastly I got some more bolts back from zink plating, so the nuts on the suspension linkage now all match!

My bike: Body parts back from painting

This week I have the bodywork back from painting, so apart from this not too much to report. I have painted the fixing screws that hold the rear indicator blanking covers on, these were good condition so I just wanted to blow them over to tidy them up. I have a good tip here, screw them in to a bit of old wood then you can get the heads all done with ease.

The paint is considerably better than standard and although colour matched and a perfect match for the NOS petrol tank the NOS side panel is now looking a little yellow, so that panel will now also be painted to match perfectly.

My Bike: Restoration update, painting prep

This weeks restoration update mainly involves removing stickers in preparation for painting. Fortunately I only need to prep 1 side panel, the rear fairing and front mudguard. Firstly I tried heating the sticker with a hair dryer to see if I could lift the graphic, but this didn't work so I had to use Nitro Mors and elbow grease. With the hard graft now done I can hand on the body work to my brother in law who will finish the pre-paint prep and paint with the correct Honda colour of NH0.

The other job I have been experimenting with is still the hub re-finishing (see last weeks post). I spent a bit of time masking the boomerang spokes with the view of spraying the hub but there is going to be no way to get access to spray paint the hub, to be cont...