Restoration..Where To Start???

About to start resurrection of my beloved 83 Seca Turbo, she's been sitting for approximately 15 years, I've already changed the oil and filter, checked compression (3 cylinders are great, one is a little lower but well within specs) and actually had her idling on her own with a fuel line stuck in a gas can (gas tank is rusty) so I know the fuel pump is working, but the carbs have to be nastied up as she'll die as soon as you touch the throttle.

Where to go from here? Where to start? Plastics removed and stored safely...

As she sits now..


82 Parts donor bike..

 

You just mentioned it......carbs are next......the whole nine yards plus breaking the rack & changing throttle shaft seals & fuel rail O-rings......you are on the right track......keep us posted on your progress....

 

Clean/rebuild carbs (bench sync, wet set, than mount), get the valve clearance in spec, you already did compression so you're starting off right. Once valves in spec do a vac sync. Basically get the engine up and running so you know she's a keeper.

Once all that's done check your rear brakes for delamination, check the date codes on those tires, replace if old! Get the brakes tip top and then go for the cosmetics. I'm sure theres a few things in between (front forks, rear shocks) but one step at a time! Most of all enjoy! Wrenching on the bike is half the fun.

 

Thanks guys, she's definitely a keeper, even if I had to rebuild the motor, it was my first street bike many moons ago, I gave her to my best friend in the late 90's when I bought a new bike and he kept her, albeit sitting outside untouched for too many years....Sentimental value and all

Ryan

 

The first step I always like to do is give it a good washing. I use a bucket of warm water with simple green concentrate and a nylon brush. Scrub everything down, engine, wheels and all. Psychologically, I just feel better starting on everything else once I do this. Looking forward to seeing your progress.

 

That's actually what I'm doing in about an hour! I just have to plug the open fuel lines...

Ryan

 

Also decide if you are actually doing a restoration or just a decent resurrection.

 

I would say the goal is a really good resurrection, I still plan to ride it, to me an actual "restoration" would be to nice to ride I suppose?

Ryan

 

yea wash it good, maybe take the plastic off first, Gunk it all up and hose it off
after it's good and dry, Kroil every nut and bolt you can see