Posts
309
Joined
11/22/2010
Location
CA
US
Edited Date/Time
6/13/2015 12:10am
A while back I decided to retire my 93. I saw all the replica bikes and decided I wanted to convert this one back to
showroom condition. Turns out that was a bigger job than I thought. When I first put this bike together in 2010, I
used a lot of aftermarket parts, now all of those parts had to be replaced with OE.
I tore the bike down to the frame and got to work
I media blasted the frame, subframe and a pair of OE handlebars the painted them Shasta White. I had been buying all the
needed parts over the last year and had some good fortune and some not so good. After quite a parts chasing journey, I
pretty much have everything I need now to finish the job. I'm also rebuilding the engine with all OE parts and I even managed
to find a new set of Dunlop K490/695s.
This project is a ways down on my priority list right now, it's more of a tinker with it when I get a chance, so the process will
take a while.
Here are a few pictures so far:
I'll post some more updates as it goes back together.
dogger
showroom condition. Turns out that was a bigger job than I thought. When I first put this bike together in 2010, I
used a lot of aftermarket parts, now all of those parts had to be replaced with OE.
I tore the bike down to the frame and got to work
I media blasted the frame, subframe and a pair of OE handlebars the painted them Shasta White. I had been buying all the
needed parts over the last year and had some good fortune and some not so good. After quite a parts chasing journey, I
pretty much have everything I need now to finish the job. I'm also rebuilding the engine with all OE parts and I even managed
to find a new set of Dunlop K490/695s.
This project is a ways down on my priority list right now, it's more of a tinker with it when I get a chance, so the process will
take a while.
Here are a few pictures so far:
I'll post some more updates as it goes back together.
dogger
Would you happen to have any photos of the bike assembled from your 2010 restoration?
I originally built this bike to race and ride. It was a "scratch build" (all new parts). Since I planned to race it, I went with
the 19" rear (a common mod in 93). Engine work that included a balanced crank, VForce 3, PWK, Pro Circuit pipe and
silencer, Hinson Clutch, and lots of doo dads to make it fit better. I spent two years racing it and had a ball, but every
time something needed replacing, I wasn't sure if that part would still be available. I didn't want the bike to deteriorate
because of this, it's too great of a bike. So I decided to park it and restore it back to showroom condition.
Here are a couple of pictures from the original rollout in 2010:
And here is a picture of my original 93, the bike this one is based on:
dogger
The Shop
Please keep this thread updated, I love these bikes.
PS. F-18s suck ;-)
Your attention to detail in your builds is second to none! Love your work and can't wait to see it finished.
Like I said, the 93 is a "back burner" project and will be slow going. I'll definitely keep this
thread updated with any progress.
Right now, I'm working on a PJ restoration for it. Believe it or not, the lowly 38mm PJ is
NLA. Parts availability for the 92-94s has become a PITB.
I'm spending the bulk of my time on the '09 CR250 hybrid project. Since I opted for a
full cradle replacement (instead of billet or pieced together tubing), it's become pretty
involved. I had the new cradle tubes mandrel bent to match a sample i provided from
a donor 03 CR250. Then I tweaked those tubes with a JD2 tubing bender to fit the 09
CRF 250 "Y" and peg bed. Now I have to bolt up my "jig" engine to locate the new
engine mounts and tack weld everything. Once that's done, I'll remove the jig and
finish the welds with a TIG. Then the frame goes in for annealing to bring it back up
to full strength.
I'll start a separate thread detailing the 09 when i get a chance.
"F-18s suck ;-)"
You got that right, James!
dogger
Ironically enough, in a way for me, too. A former client (the guy was a total jackass) was the program manager for the F/A-18, when I told him that my Pop flew A-4s and I knew a guy who had flown F-14s, I received a lecture on "fighter jocks" and "mud pounders" all being a bunch of knuckle-dragging meatheads. Anyway the guy's company was a decent client until the company got bought out, here endeth the thred hijack, amen. (The Navy still should have kept the F-14Ds and repurposed the super F/A-18 into pure bomb trucks IMHO.)
I know you said it was on the backburner, have you done any more?
Such a nice resto - congratulations!
and I ordered a new OE Honda clutch outer, inner and pressure plate to replace the Hinson set up it had before. I also
freshened up the engine with a new top end. The engine is done now and I'll make some time to put the rest of the bike
together first chance. Here are some pictures of the little progress I've made.
dogger
Pit Row
A-10A warthog for me btw
If I do one bolt, I must do all, no?
Looking at your builds, plating sure looks great.
replace the bolts with new. I always plate the hardware on my vintage projects because 1. Most of the
bolts are NLA and 2. It really makes a difference in how they turn out. For this '93, I sat down and
placed an order for all the OE bolts. Not a whole lot of money and a heck of a lot less work than plating.
As far as having to replace/replate all or nothing, you can always do the work in stages, i.e. engine bolts,
frame bolts, suspension bolts, etc. help spread the work or cost. But I do recommend you do all or none.
A-10 was a great ground support AC - probably the best ever at what it was designed to do. Straight wing
for outstanding maneuverability, Engines above the for better survivability, lots of armor to protect the pilot
and that GAU-8 was/is bad ass.
dogger
I shipped mine off Flat Rate to North Carolina and in just over a week and 100 dollars later I had a box of shiny bolts. When you have one old bolt among newly plated pieces it really stands out
You're probably not going to like the answer to your question. I bought the OE plastic from Honda before it
went obsolete a year or two ago.
If you need plastic for a '93, try UFO. They're the only ones still selling the correct Flourescent Red.
dogger
Nearly everybody jumped on the four stroke bandwagon due to all the hype. I held out until 2004 and stayed with it
until 2006 before switching back. Going back to two strokes was the best move I ever made, riding/racing was fun
again. It's a shame the AMA and the manufacturers made this decision for us.
This '93 was a hoot to ride and race and I hate having to turn it into a dust collector. I wish motorcycle manufacturers
were under the same replacement parts rules as the auto industry.
dogger
Any progress on your beautiful build?
Once that bike is done, I plan to resume work on the '93.
I'll be sure to post progress pictures on both.
dogger
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