Ricks '75 MkIII Roadster resto/furb

grandpaul · Jan 24, 2017

Robert_Norton said:
I thought you sold your green VR880 copy months ago. Did you have more than one set of that bodywork?

The buyer commissioned me to install electric start on it. I already had the starter and the bike already had the VR transmission cradle ready to take it. Norvil belt drive basket is being modified to accept the ring gear, and inner primary is being cut open to allow the starter nose to poke in there. This solution is about $500 less expensive than a CNW which he balked at.

grandpaul · Jan 27, 2017

I had noticed this hairline crack (previously glued) on disassembly, but thought it would be okay. As soon as I started to attach the wire, it cracked open...

Nope. Failed on installation. Over $100 for a new OEM solenoid delivered, but that's what the client wants.

Static timing time...

Confirmation that I had the correct mark; on the MkIII, it has a tell-tale notch that you can use if you have the plug tool.

Lots of little stuff done (no pix), but waiting on a final small batch of parts including a tach drive gasket, new matched set of idiot lights (no way was I going to use 2 old and 2 semi-new), and the starter solenoid. Rear end almost done, just need some detail alignment.

grandpaul · Feb 3, 2017

Refurbished console with new decal and all new matching idiot lights.

The brand new OEM starter solenoid was inoperative out of the package so I've temporarily installed a generic automotive one (works great). I also installed a heavier supply cable from the battery to the solenoid, to better match the dual cables leading to the starter.

grandpaul · Feb 7, 2017

A bit of a fuss to start up until I swapped black/yellow and black/white wires at coils. Then, vroom, vroom, great oil return.

Didn't leak a drop after a brief ride, should stay that way.

I need to adjust the grab bar and pop the fork dust boots over their abutments. seat hinge needs to be screwed on. All little stuff.

Nice and tidy. Should be able to have it out for a proper test ride tomorrow. Thankfully, the weather is PERFECT.

Danno · Feb 7, 2017

Looks new!

grandpaul · Feb 7, 2017

Danno said:
Looks new!

It's close.

The seat, and the paint have not been touched so far. There are a half-handful of other original parts on it, but they've been totally cleaned up.

The new seat I got is for an Interstate, not Roadster. So, I need to get in a new seat cover pronto!

Paint is to be left as-is, per client specification.

Scout63 · Feb 12, 2017

Very nice build. It's unbelievable how helpful the pictures are for me in planning my build steps.

grandpaul · Feb 12, 2017

My builds are generally similar, but it seems each one finds a pause at a different missed part that needs to be ordered!

Still, I've done enough of them to have the basic routine go in the same order. Also, I like to take pix of the bare rolling chassis before anything else goes in it or on it (most of the time).

I did real well not to install the bodywork 'till the last minute this time, I fought the urge more than once...

Cycle Goon · Feb 13, 2017

grandpaul said:
Should be able to have it out for a proper test ride tomorrow. Thankfully, the weather is PERFECT.

Piss off. It's shitty here in WNY and I'm going to collect an R100 RT after work. Riding it home like a man in 30 degree weather

gortnipper · Feb 13, 2017

Cycle Goon said:
grandpaul said:

Should be able to have it out for a proper test ride tomorrow. Thankfully, the weather is PERFECT.

Click to expand...

Piss off. It's shitty here in WNY and I'm going to collect an R100 RT after work. Riding it home like a man in 30 degree weather

An ex-girlfriends uncle used to ice race Ducati Diana's up in Ithaca. I tried to get one from him in the late 80s to no avail. You may want to do like he did and screw in some hex tech screws into the tires for traction! :mrgreen:

Cycle Goon · Feb 15, 2017

gortnipper said:
Cycle Goon said:

grandpaul said:

Should be able to have it out for a proper test ride tomorrow. Thankfully, the weather is PERFECT.

Click to expand...

Piss off. It's shitty here in WNY and I'm going to collect an R100 RT after work. Riding it home like a man in 30 degree weather

Click to expand...

An ex-girlfriends uncle used to ice race Ducati Diana's up in Ithaca. I tried to get one from him in the late 80s to no avail. You may want to do like he did and screw in some hex tech screws into the tires for traction! :mrgreen:

It was actually a perfect nice to go collect the bike. Got it home and all cleaned up. Cold, but dry. I actually wanted to take it to work today, but, it's snowing like crazy. I've done some ice racing/winter driving schools in Ithaca NY on frozen lakes in an Audi Quattro-most fun I've had with my pants on

gortnipper · Feb 15, 2017

Cycle Goon said:
've done some ice racing/winter driving schools in Ithaca NY on frozen lakes in an Audi Quattro-most fun I've had with my pants on

My dad told me stories about how he learned how to drive on ice when he was a kid in MN. They piled three people in the front of a car (bench seats) on a frozen lake - all with no seat belts, their elbows intertwined, doors open with one foot out. I am not sure how smart that one was...

Then again, they used to hold raffles by parking a junker in the middle of Lake Minnetonka and picking the day in spring it would fall through.

\digression

grandpaul · Feb 15, 2017

Hey guys, not to be overly vociferous, but could you take your off-topic discussion elsewhere?

Thanx.

If one of the mods can delete the above off-topic stuff, I'd appreciate it.

grandpaul · Mar 6, 2017

This seat has been a nightmare.

Seat pan was quite corroded on the edges, underneath the lip of the seat cover trim

Definitely a problem...

Received the new seat cover over a week ago, seat foam was in great shape.

grandpaul · Mar 6, 2017

My welder did a great job welding a complete new seat pan rim on the existing base.

That's a whole lot of spot welds!

grandpaul · Mar 6, 2017

Upholsterer did his usual excellent job; that's over 20 seats he's done for me now.

Logo looks nice

Not perfect, but definitely sturdy.

Now just need to swap out the turn signal flasher, and it'll get delivered this weekend. Fires up at the touch of the starter button, hot or cold; idle is nice and lumpy. I've enjoyed riding it around the neighborhood, might just put my plate on it and take it for a blat out on the loop.

Scout63 · Mar 6, 2017

Starter button. I remember those from motorcycles when I was young.

Cycle Goon · Mar 9, 2017

Lets see a shot of it now as it sits.

lcrken · Mar 9, 2017

Nice job on the seat. I have one in similar, but not quite so bad, condition, for my MKIII rebuild that I was going to just replace, but now I'm inspired to repair it.

Ken

grandpaul · Mar 9, 2017

It rained early, but the sun came out later so I went out for a quick spin to try the new seat. A few other details done as well (grab rail, fork dust cups).

"Come and take it!"