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Hi guys,
Well I've been recovering from a rather bad chest infection but have been working on the tank with various grades of wet and dry. I'm now polishing the tank and boy is it hard work. I've had another go at the cylinder head only with paint stripper. It worked to a point but was just weak household stripper. Now I've ordered some industrial strength engine block paint stripper so that should do the trick. I'll upload how I get on and the finished results of the painting shortly. Now as you can see the tank is coming up rather well considering its original condition. I'll post more of the tank when it's completed and fitted with decals.
Stay safe guys.
Gaz
Hi guys, managed to aquire a NOS upper chain roller bolt from Crooks Suzuki. I had to drill the old one out.
Gaz
As you can see the household stripper didn't remove much, even after 2 coats and leaving it overnight. The new stripper I've ordered should take it all off.
Gaz
Hi guys,
For all you old school 80's kids out there, take a trip down memory lane. So I've been moonlighting on a few projects for my 3 grandchildren. I promised them I would build them a BMX each, a 1983 Mk1 Raleigh Burner. I've almost completed No1, 2 more to go lol. Powder coated from the frame up, I painted the bars and forks, restored the stem, all new and recon parts, Skyway mag wheels etc etc. Should have the seat, brake set, reflector, a couple of decals and chain tensioners next week which will finish it off. I'll post again when its all done. Take a look and enjoy! 🙂
Gaz.
The Shop
All strippers should take it all off
The stuff I used wasn't very good on the household paint. It was useless. I'd have to have a look at what it was called but I won't be buying that again. I usually use Nitromors but with never using it on engine paint before I thought best to get one that's made for that. This is what ive just got.
Some prudish states/countries don't allow that!
What's that mate, this paint stripper?
Richard's referring to female or possibly male strippers.
This medication is really messing with my head 😂
The other type of stripper may help with that!
Hi guys,
Well this cylinder head is ready for painting. I used this new paint stripper and even that wouldn't remove it. I've basically had to grind off whatever the hell was baked on there with sandpaper, and wire brushes used for tubes and thread holes. One arm is now bigger than the other. I'm going to rinse all the dust off and paint it tomorrow. I'll update with a few photos.
Stay safe guys.
Gaz
Just had a couple of bespoke chain rollers made by onsengineering2017 on Ebay. Very pleased with those. If you need a precision part made give him a shout.
Gaz
Ordered a Preston Petty front fender.
Gaz
Just landed these guys. Got it from Huggiesspeedshop bike breakers.
Gaz
Hi guys, the cylinder head is now done.
It took far too long. Painted with a good coat of satin black PJ-1.
Gaz
I've decided to restore the swing arm myself. I should have loads of fun doing that.
Gaz
Hi guys,
Well the front fender, chain rollers and tank mounting cushions arrived today. Soaked and scrubbed the rear inner fender that arrived this morning, its not bad really, its come up rather well. Finished the grandkids Raleigh burner so I've started on Raleigh burner No2.
Gaz
Pit Row
Going to start working on the Swing-arm over the next few days. I'll use various grades of paper until I have the finish I want. I've got the Swing-arm 'Full-Floater' decals ready to go on when it's done. I'll also need a bearing kit.
Stay safe guys.
Gaz
Hi guys,
As you can see, the new bespoke chain rollers fit perfectly on their 'upper' bolt.
Gaz
Hi guys,
Well I've got a price for the rear wheel rebuild with stainless spokes. Keeping the original rim. The rim and hub are being powder coated. I'll restore the original sprocket, fit it with new bolts and fit a new tyre and tube while I'm at it.
In 2 weeks the frame, shock spring and a few other parts are off to be powder coated. I'm throwing the kids BMX bikes in with them. May as well get those done at the same time.
Gaz
Hi guys, if you know anyone who has a RM465 frame for sale, please let me know.
Cheers.
Gaz
Hi guys, well I've removed the spring for powder coating. The shock seems to be in really good condition. Absolutely no rust at all although, it needs gas, I can push it down by hand?
Gaz
Hi guys, well the shock absorber has cleaned up quite well. I've noticed there's a split in the hose so that will need replacing. I've got a new rubber boot for the adjuster wheel, the upper spring adjuster is rusty so it's either a new one or I'll get this zink plated. I've located a NOS lower spring adjuster. The body of the shock and the reservoir seem to be painted in a sort of gold anodised paint.i can do the cosmetic side of things, but it will need servicing, especially once the hose is replaced. I'll have to look into that.
Stay safe
Gaz
What a cracking thread , i am so glad i didnt see it early, and got to read 7 pages in one go LOL.
As much as the RM work is impressive, the Raleigh Burners are out of this world, your grandkids are lucky kids.
And this thread will be invaluable to me , as i am about to embark on an 81 RM125 build, and loads of the stuff you have found alternatives for will help me no end,
Martin at Crooks Suzuki is a great guy, we were up in the Lakes a few months ago, and i decided to drop in and pay him a visit, drove and hour and a bit to get to his shop, to be greeted with a ' on holiday for 2 weeks ' sign on the door.
Was lucky enough to find a NOS exhaust for mine, but feel i need to get a cone pipe or repro one, and let it go to someone who has to have it, mine will be raced and and it wont look good for long.
Desperate to get an 83 RM500 build or bike , but that will have to wait,
And i love that most of your pics have a bread bin in the background, these US guys have no idea what its like trying to build a bike in the UK, my last 3 builds have been done in my dining room .
Keep at it, look forward to seeing it done.
I bought this in the summer, its already in bits, its a winter project.
I actually cleared the decks today to allow me to pull it out and start looking at it .
Welcome to the thread Phil. This thing is going to take longer to finish than the great pyramid of Giza. Lol@bread-bin. I normally do a bit of work and then take photos of it on my worktop. All the parts I finish or buy are wrapped and boxed up. They're getting out of control. Once the frame is painted it's going to be built up in my hallway and all these boxes will be gone. My bedroom looks like the back of Woolworths. As for the BMX's, the next one is going to be identical only its being done in signal blue, RAL-5005. I think they're either 1982 or 83 frames. I've got 3 to build. As for Martin, I remember he told me he was going away for a bit, and doing a bit if auction work with a friend. I bet that was a pain with the shop closed.
Gaz
Mine will be done hopefully fairly quickly, i plan to race it in pre 83 125 next year, although i am targetting 1 race in particular, and am also hoping to have a 500 ready for end of August for a race in Belgium, but that is a long shot.
I am 10 mins from Huggy's and have had a few bits off him, i can see me buying a second one as a spare, but room is a problem for me too, i have an upstairs room full of parts, this is my sixth project bike, so you amass a few parts along the way .
I got my frame about 5 years ago from Huggys and this engine a few months ago. I'm looking for another 465 frame. I'm acquiring so many extra parts I can start on another bike. Are you buying your 500 as a complete bike or building it? There's quite a few in Germany and France I noticed, including 465's. If you find any 465 parts on your travels let me know. Even 81,2,3 airboxes off 250's fit mine. Are you going to powder coat the frame on your 125?
Whatever comes at ' have to buy it ' money.
Yes, will get that off this week once i have looked over it , have a mate 2 street away that has all the blasting equipment to do the ally bits, will get him to do the cases, and go the PJ1 paint route like you did for the cases, and cylinder.
My bike will be a '15 footer'.. as long as it looks good from 15ft, i am happy, the time and cost associated with it being as good as yours, is something that being a racebike doesnt justify, at least to me, and more importantly, my bank balance.
I have some good contacts in Germany, but my searches lately havent pulled up a lot , but i have been mega-busy for the last 3 months.
Mine was missing and airbox, but i found one in good nick, at a decent price, need some unmolested covers, but the were hard to come by in 1981, it wont be any easier now,
Have you looked on here Phil?
They sell parts but I don't speak German and it won't translate for some reason.
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