A few questions from a first time Rebuilder

the length is my major problem finding

 

taking apart my forks last night.. one of the spring caps won't budge.. i layered on some liquid wrench and let it sit over night.. still not a budge.. any ideas?

 

Spray with Kroil or PB Blaster. Give the plug a good rap with a hammer and dowel. Repeat daily until it frees up. Liquid wrench is a fine light machine and cutting oil, but it's not going to penetrate much.

 

nvm i got it.. elbow grease

 

ohh thanks!

 

Question of the day... I'm wanting to paint my engine mostly black with some olive drab accents.. I found this

http://www.ebay.com/itm/181739152144?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

Though it is marine engine enamel, will it do the job for a motorcycle? i've looked around the webernet for info on the product but can't seem to find any.

 

I used engine enamel for cars on all but the head. It worked. Look at Eastwood.com
The head gets kind of hot, remember cars and boats are water cooled.

 

Yup, i just found some info saying it was rated to 200 degrees.. something like the VHT brand engine enamel rated to 550 degrees would be good for any engine part including head right? I don't see it getting near that hot

 

nvm.. just saw it says in description, will not stand up to cylinder head temperatures... what wold be the best choice for cylinder head paint then?

 

Would the VHT flame proof paint work? i see it used on exhaust manifolds, but not the actual head in any of the pictures or descriptions i am seeing.

 

I think 550 would be good on a head.
Pipes get the hottest more than 550

 

I have made some super progress.. i'll share it with ya'll when i have time to sit down and go through pictures, but right meow.. I'm having an issue...

I am installing the cylinder head and camshafts following the clymer manual..

i have the crank position at #1TDC as specified..
I also have the camshafts lined up correctly in the head with the bearing caps torqued to spec in proper positions

my next step is to install a sprocket bolt in each sprocket, however, these caps are in the way.


These caps that are in the way look like they aren't actually contacting the camshafts, so i was wondering if my best course of action would be to remove them, insert a sprocket bolt, and then reinstall them, but I'm not sure if that would have an effect on anything else in the valve train..

any suggestions? it's an 81 550 maxim

 

Yes, but don't install them until both bolts are in.

It won't. Hope this helps.

Gary H.

 

it does... thank you so so much
back to it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

here's a glimpse of the progress...


i have new rear shocks, which are mostly black, i just haven't assembled them yet.. threw the tank, seat, and old shocks on just to get an idea of if my color scheme was working.. i think it is!

anyone know which sizes fork boots work the best on these forks? all the pairs i've found are just a little off from my measurements, or the kind that have like 100 accordion folds.. i'm looking for the kind that have like 5-6 folds.. like so


also, anyone know the cable routing for the 81 550 maxim? i lost my notes from tear-down..

 

Noice! You switched the back tire and fender for a pair of legs and a tail! Very unique!

 

You noticed... it's the AllBalls Boxer/Lab kit!

 

another glimpse of progress...

 

More progress...


So close.. drain plug stripped out, new(used) one on the way. Then I can fill er up and put the exhaust on.. starting carbs tomorrow.. tank cleaning and sealing also..

My last (hopefully) mechanical issue, is that I am missing my drive sprocket collar.. the sprocket has quite a bit of rattle without it and I can't find one anywhere.. I am hoping someone that reads this either knows where one can be located, or has the dimensions/can measure one for me so I can make one..

Was also wondering if someone could give me a diagram, however crude, of the throttle and clutch cable routing..

I don't think I would be this close to done without you guys and my appreciation cannot be described in any written language..