so, what's it like?

To finally be able to tear into your first project, and start taking things apart to restore an old bike that currently doesn't run?

The very first thing that I am going to do, will be to pull the engine off, take it apart, then lube up various internals, install new gaskets, put new piston rings on, and reassemble the engine. Then, I'm going to weld the bottom of the factory tank onto the bottom of a sportster style peanut tank after I've got all the rust off of, and out of it. Then, I begin working on the carbs. Once I've got the carbs ready to go, its on to wiring and a new battery. This will include adding lights/turn signals etc... Finally, it will be on to adding oil and fuel and test starting.

 

I'm sure you know, but would be remiss if I don't say it; use great care cutting and welding gas tanks.
Lingering vapors = boom

 

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm almost as good as when it fires up for the first time.
then the problems start needing another to fix and fire up then another.............fix

 

My tanks have both been dry for a very long time. They got rust and spiderwebs.

 

Easiest way to do it, though---- fire up the welder, touch the tank, have the top of it turn to shrapnel, tack the new one in place ( when ( or if ) you get home from the hospital

 

Wouldn't be the first time someone got an unexpected surprise

 

Vapors still after YEARS of sitting dry? The factory tank is already cut up... Just the peanut tank is whole.

 

Take tons of pictures of everything from every angle imaginable. Tag and bag everything. Go through everything, don't pitch anything - wait until you work on it (never know when that broken looking thingamabob is actually not broken). Carefully box everything.

I'm speaking from experience. Try to avoid spending an afternoon searching for some special bolt that you just threw in a pile.

MOST IMPORTANTLY - BE FLEXIBLE WITH YOUR PLAN. IE. I don't know what model bike you have, but for example xj700 airhead piston rings are UNOBTAINIUM. Don't tear into anything until you know if it can be serviced AND parts are available

 

its an xj650 maxim

 

Why ? does it actually need it?

 

I can appreciate the enthusiasm, but start with the simple stuff especially if its your first project. You can get buried pretty quickly. Don't expect things to happen overnight and this is the best place to get your answers. The search function will find almost any answer you need, a lot has been discussed on this forum.

#1 - Do you have a shop manual?

Don't forget brakes! Stopping and having control is way more important that going. Old hoses, old tires, delaminated rear brakes all equal disaster.

Are you restoring or bobbing? I've seen both in your replies. Both have different methods for approaching the project.

I would be checking compression etc. before pulling that motor apart. Aside from a few items like the starter clutch and chain guides, these engines are relatively bulletproof. I've seen many projects that people strip down with good intentions and abandon once they find out the full cost, most of the time they didn't need to tear it down.

I wouldn't pull or diassemble the motor until you do a compression check, clean up the carbs, get it running and then decide what needs attention or rebuilt. Gaskets etc. add up very quickly.

 

Man am I rude, I forgot to answer your original question

Yeah it's awesome to start a new project and pretty damn great to finish one. I'm about 1.5 years into mine and getting close to riding it.

 

To add to what @jayrodoh said... There have been many good motors abandoned because over-enthusiastic owners went further than they needed to. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Make sure the motor is good - including carbs, synch, electric issues, etc. before doing a full teardown. Nothing like opening your bottom end to find out you can't get the parts, seals, etc needed.

 

I got a free gasket kit with it. And the gaskets that I can already see crumble and disentigrate upon touch. So yeah, I'm definitely going to replace all of the gaskets and while I have it stripped down that far, I can go ahead and relube all the internals that will call for being lubed.

 

+1000
make sure your motor will actually run before you blow anything on it

 

Have you ever torn-down an engine before?

Rule #1: if it isn't leaking, turns freely, isn't making funny noises, and has compression, just leave it alone and run the thing.

There is nothing in the engine that doesn't get lubricated automatically by the oil pump.

Just because the portions of the gaskets that are exposed to sunlight are crumbling does not indicate that the portion of the gaskets that are actually sealing the engine are crumbly. I've got engines that were built in the 1960's that have never been torn down, and are running beautifully without leaks.

 

Yeah, I just rode my 1981 XJ750 Seca around my house for the first time in a year last weekend... it definitely makes the blood, sweat and tears (and money ) worth it!

If you are gonna tear it down, invest in a couple different sizes of plastic totes and a box of small and large ziploc type bags and a marker, and try to put distinct assemblies together, hardware in baggies, mark them with a marker, because several months to a year or more down the road, it will be having all the little bits and fasteners at your fingertips that will keep you from going postal

 

I would have already been working on my bike, but instead, I decided to catch a nasty little cold that is giving me shit... Still going to work every day... Thank god today is my Friday. I need to relaxed and beat this bitch.

 

However, sick or not, my bike is getting towed to my storage unit and I will begin working on putting her back together tomorrow.

 

It's the like very first snow of the season. So pretty until it turns into a mess and becomes a pita.

But as skiprrdog said, once you ride it the very first time, every pain will be forgotten and you will have this huge feeling of accomplishment.
Just be patient (bike projects are a great exercise for that), ask the guys on the forum and listen to them. Don't skip a step and try to take short cuts. Because in the end, you still have to do it and it will be much more difficult.
Take a lot of pictures and label stuff. that helps with assembly later on.

 

HCP5581SET4 OEM complete PISTON RING SETS, for all XJ650 engines, standard size, 4 complete sets:
$ 269.95

What did the bike cost you ? Still want to replace those rings ?

 

Not sure why you keep saying "lube up the internals of the engine"... and +5 along with everyone else that has said to not tear the motor apart unless you really need to.

Projects like these are hard to stay focused on when they are down for a long time. It is important to be able to sit on them, start them up/wheel them around occasionally to remind yourself why you are working on it. I have a project car that I have been working on for around 5 years- and I took that advice from a buddy back when I got it. Keep it running and moving, and just work on it a piece at a time- if you take it all apart, it becomes all too easy to lose hope and motivation, to forget why you're doing it.

 

My engine sounded bad when I started the bike for the first time and I really thought about engine rebuild. But with the help of the guys here it turned out that small adjustments here and there were enough to make it purr.

 

I have changed how my approach to how this bike will be handled. I'm going to just start with getting her put back together (get the tank put on, get a battery and get her valve cover thrown back on)... Then I will try to get her started...

 

Nice

 

This is how those "needs a little work" postings on CL happen. People expend all their piss and vinegar on pulling things apart, and then sell the bike in 5 plastic tubs.

I actually have a bike like that I got for free.

Good plan. Lots better than the original.

However, that part about cleaning the carbs made sense. Most likely they are dirty. I'd say clean them before trying to start it.

That's an interesting plan.

Personally, I don't really get the peanut tank thing. It's a smaller tank, which reduces the utility of the bike, and every other "custom build" out there has a Sportster tank on it. But that's your decision.

 

@JPaganel so much wisdom in your post.