Does this airhead make me an airhead?

Whew doggie, this is turning into quite the build. Your are an inspiration. Thanks for the thread, I have read it completely, and it has helped me in deciding to purchase an '83 R80. After reading, I kind of had a feel for what to look for.

BTW, where did you get head, wheel, swingarm bearings?

cheers, Len S

Get your Bearings Man.

Bearing store. Go to Snowbum's or Anton's website for bearing sizes. They is nothing special about them.

I actually have not replaced mine yet. I probably will just reassemble for the moment and check for danger later.

lonelobo said:

I actually have not replaced mine yet. I probably will just reassemble for the moment and check for danger later.

Click to expand...

Sounds reasonable. Any looseness should be apparent on the build. Can't wait to see Renegade rolling again (even if it's withouth motor)
Cheers, Len S

Just back from the Hillbilly Opium Den

Just got back from rattle cannin PJ-1 Black Gloss Epoxy (approximately 3 coats, give or take a sniff) on frame, rear frame, swing arm, right handlebar switch housing and headlight ears.

So here is cost of admission to the Hillbilly Opium Den.


Forgot to mention that I went after the bad rust with brass and stainless wheels chucked in a drill before the primer. Then sprayed everything down with TSP (got at HOME DEPOT) to remove all wax and grease.

After spraying the gloss black epoxy and waiting 24 hours, I rattle canned a couple of clear coats and ended up with a finish like this....



Holy cra*!!! It's really really shiney. Since I am delegating cosmetics to secondary status over mechanical viability, I didn't strip the frame components down and there are scratches and coarse sanding marks, etc....with a really really shiney coat of paint which really points out that a Hillbilly rattlecanned the frame. Just doesn't look quite right to have a new shine that exaggerates old battlescars. Plus, I don't think the rest of the mechanicals are going to look showroom new when reinstalled leading to another visual dilemma. What's the Michaelangelo of Hillbilly motorcycle frames to do?

I have no idea, but this is what happened next. The little voice in my right ear is saying, "A rich Corinthian Patina is what this little beast needs". The little voice in my left ear is saying, "Shiner Bock". So I reached into the Felix bag of Hillbilly tricks and pulled out a beer and a technique that I learnt in a former life as a vintage woodworking tool dealer when a totally restored tool looked a little TOOO restored. After that technique I went from this: (Gee, I feel like CDD now)


to this:



It's not perfect, but looks a lot more "natural", ie. like a older frames patina otta look. And the secret is:
Wax and steel wool.

Although the photo shows regular steel wool, I switched over almost immediately to superfine synthetic steel wool just because it's a little less aggressive. I still need to go after some of the crevices and welds with a toothbrush and some rubbing compound, but from a few feet away, the effect looks "right". If any of you try something like this, be warned, that you can screw up the overall finish faster than a toad'll pee in your hand.

I had to channel 4 Hillbilly zen bondo masters just to not screw it totally up. Then I ran out of synthetic steel wool....so I have more on order. I buy the Mirlon brand in roll form, 4" x 33' for $23. They make a maroon which is courser than the ultrafine grey. It is different than regular steel wool in that it wears and softens which regular steel wool doesn't do as fast. I use both real and synthetic. Oh yeah, the synthetic doesn't stick you either.

Renegade's Daddy?

Cruising through Ebay looking at bikes, there in the background I find Renegade's Pa! He's a hefty fellow, spent a lot of years haulin' stuff around. Got himself some new bodywork on the back, and he's lookin' to get back with his son!

good to see you're still at it. keep up the good work!

Renegade Cannot Die

Well, it's been a while since I posted. Renegade is still apart, but his cousin damn near took me out last May. Maybe I'll spend a little time fillin you fellers sometime.

lonelobo said:

Maybe I'll spend a little time fillin you fellers sometime.

Click to expand...

Please do!

lonelobo said:

Well, it's been a while since I posted. Renegade is still apart, but his cousin damn near took me out last May. Maybe I'll spend a little time fillin you fellers sometime.

Click to expand...

Update please. Good to see it is not dead after all.

Ok- so what happened?

Part III please !
I laughed my ass off way to much for the final Curtain. That leak down test was priceless.

Just bought my first Airhead and spent the better part of my work day reading through 20 pages of this thread.

I need to know how the story ends!!!