My 1974 R90/6 never-ending project, with plenty of pics.

[orbitangel]

Steering Damper Knob?

Life is busy during the semester. I don't really get to wrench much, but thank God this thing is ride-able, so I can at least enjoy the fruits of my labor so far.

Came back to town for the weekend, so I had some fun in the snow today. Almost wiped out 5 times. Hahaha..

Hopefully tomorrow I can work on a few things.

So what became of the KNOB, the knob, the knob, the knob...?

 

[NEALART]

You just need a longer screw on that knob.

 

[crazydrummerdude]

So what became of the KNOB, the knob, the knob, the knob...?

It's waiting for me to sort it out.

 

[HankPfister]

rusty handlebars...

Nate, good work on that old barn queen! If you need a set of handlebars, I can make you a good deal on a pretty good US bar. I've got a couple US bars in my barn, that I don't anticipate using. I swapped to Euro bars for my Queen. It's US bars were worse than yours. Let me know if you are interested.

 

[crazydrummerdude]

Honestly, I've got a really good set of Clubmans that I'm thinking about putting on. They're 7/8". Some people say they'll fit, no problem, some people say they won't. There's only one way to find out..

If they work, I'm going to slap on the Clubmans, get some generic grips (so I don't have to butcher my originals), and put on some Napoleon mirrors. Sounds good on paper. I might have to check to see how it actually looks, if anyones ever done that out here in internet-land.

If they don't work, I'm going to go for Euro bars. I don't really like the look of the US bars, even though both my BMW's have 'em.

 

[crazydrummerdude]

I might have to check to see how it actually looks, if anyones ever done that out here in internet-land.

Wow, this guy's got the low bars, Napoleons, and the Gunfighter.. pretty close to the look I was considering (eventually).. except I don't like that naked rear end.

 

[AnnapolisAirhead]

Nathan, the bike is looking soooooo good. Nice job.

I've been meaning to look into the horn situation. It doesn't work. Any place(s) I should check first, before getting frustrated?

First, I'd pull the horn off and test it on a battery directly. It's probably NOT the horn, but that would eliminate that possibility before you start to diagnose the wiring.

On the horn, I believe that up until 1977 the switch goes on the ground side, not the positive side. Maybe the PO re-wired it, not sure. It'd pretty straightforward wiring. Just check all the connectors and I'd recommend di-electic grease on them especially since they are exposed to the elements. Sand, then grease (but you knew that) and spray the horn switch with electrical cleaner. Taking it apart isn't hard, getting it back together can be a PITA though--so I'd spray it liberally first.

Might wanna pull the connections off the horn, cut the wire back a 1/4" or so and crimp a new one on to the wire. The exposed part gets crusty.

Cheers.

 

[AnnapolisAirhead]

Took it for a few laps around the field today. Still gotta adjust that front brake. Maybe I'll bleed it again, too.

Nah, you just need those outrigger/skis. Your snow brakes are prolly working just fine...hehe.

 

[moose738]

"Honestly, I've got a really good set of Clubmans that I'm thinking about putting on. They're 7/8". Some people say they'll fit, no problem, some people say they won't. There's only one way to find out.."


FYI, I tried out some 7/8" bars on my '78 /7. The bars fit fine in the handlebar clamps, but the clutch and throttle controls would not slide fully onto the bar ends.

 

[crazydrummerdude]

So, I'm thinking of throwing some Napoleons on it. I don't really want to cut up my original grips, so does anyone have any decent replacement ideas?

Also, I'm about to order some Metzeler's for it. The 88/880's have been nice on my R75.

Can't wait til next weekend so I can work on it again.

 

[AnnapolisAirhead]

So, I'm thinking of throwing some Napoleons on it. I don't really want to cut up my original grips, so does anyone have any decent replacement ideas?

Also, I'm about to order some Metzeler's for it. The 88/880's have been nice on my R75.

Can't wait til next weekend so I can work on it again.

I use Grans Torismo grips, seem to fit my hands and wallet just right. $12.95 at Bob's BMW. For tires, I bought Metzler Lasertec for the rear and an ME880 for the front ($$$ was the motivating factor). I got them at BikeBandit.com last July, $126 rear, $102 front. They've been great so far. I don't race like a madman, so suits me fine.

There was recently a recall on ME880's had to do with the wrong load numbers stamps on the side or something. Posted on the /5 site (5united.com).

Good to hear you are still excited about your amazing project! I'm still plodding along wiht my Toaster, but work has consumed much of my time. I did finally break down and buy a lift from Harborfrightning. Wonder why I waited so long...

Cheers.

 

[kstoo]

Oooo!! Gran Tourismo's with Napoleon bar-ends! My favorite.
I have been using Gran Tourismo grips since ... um ... uh , about the time cdd's bikes were being built??
In order to use the two together, I made up punches to punch out the end of the grips neatly. A utility knife will only butcher.


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/24593939@N06/3313443265/" title="2009-02-27 004 by kstoo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3552/3313443265_955b1bbae1.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="2009-02-27 004" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/24593939@N06/3313442295/" title="2009-02-27 002 by kstoo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3466/3313442295_3def205f75_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="2009-02-27 002" /></a>

 

[crazydrummerdude]

Thanks for the info.

 

[crazydrummerdude]

So, not to spark a tube/etc debate on this thread, but I'm not near my bike and was wondering..

Are the Lesters the same size (19 front / 18 rear) as the spokes? Are they supposed to run tubes? Is there anything I should know about size-wise?

I am thinking of getting:
Front:
ME880 Marathon 100/90 19 and
Rear:
ME88 Marathon 120/90 18

They're what I'm running on my spoked R75, so they'll work on the Lesters, too, right?

 

[kstoo]

So, not to spark a tube/etc debate on this thread, but I'm not near my bike and was wondering..

Are the Lesters the same size (19 front / 18 rear) as the spokes? Are they supposed to run tubes? Is there anything I should know about size-wise?

I am thinking of getting:
Front:
ME880 Marathon 100/90 19 and
Rear:
ME88 Marathon 120/90 18

They're what I'm running on my spoked R75, so they'll work on the Lesters, too, right?

Yes the Lesters are the same as the spoked wheels in rim size.
Yes they are supposed to run with tubes. I don't think that tubeless tires were invented yet when Lester start casting this design!!
Yes those Marathons are what is wrapped around my Lesters, they work great.

 

[rbleau]

Lesters

My Lesters came with valve stems for tubeless tires, however I elected to run tubes. Just my preference. / RB

 

[keelerb]

For grips, I'd urge checking out that Gold Wing guy, "randakk," he has some that are the best I've found and I think I've tried ALMOST as many grips as H4 bulbs.

I'm guessing if you google "Randakk gold wing" you'll find him instantly, but let me know if you don't, I'm sure his website is one of my Windows "favorites," just not sure where I've filed it.

Edit: yeah, that search found it: http://www.randakks.com/links.htm

 

[crazydrummerdude]

Yes the Lesters are the same as the spoked wheels in rim size.
Yes they are supposed to run with tubes. I don't think that tubeless tires were invented yet when Lester start casting this design!!
Yes those Marathons are what is wrapped around my Lesters, they work great.

Sweet.

They should be waiting for me when I go back "home" this weekend.

 

[AnnapolisAirhead]

Gold wing guys grips: http://www.randakks.com/Grips.htm

 

[crazydrummerdude]

Yesterday was a pretty decent day.

I decided to go back "home" after school since it had been a few weeks, and I was hoping my tires would have arrived. On the way, I stopped by the "local" airhead shop and picked up some parts; the right side bolt/washer for the headlight on my R75, and the small black instrument bulb holder for my R90's high beam indicator (I've misplaced the original one, I know it's around somewhere). He didn't ask for any money for the parts. Cool.

Then, I was asking about tips on how to mount/balance street tires since I've only had experience with dirtbike tires. By the end of the conversation, he said I could come by his shop and he could show me how to do it properly on his equipment. Very cool.

So, I went to my shop. I aired up the tires again and rode the R90 around the field a bit like usual. I was just pressing the horn button a bunch, making the sound in my head, when all of the sudden; "Beep Beep Beep." Hey! My horn just started working! No electrical diagnosis required! I guess it was just dirty connections. Maybe I'm imagining it, but it seems a little louder than my R75, too. So, I decided to install the high beam indicator bulb and socket.. and now everything works properly.. blinkers/headlight/instrument lights/etc. Excellent.

I figured that my tires would arrive soon, since I ordered them Monday. So, I took off my wheels and put them in the back of my truck, hoping that in the morning I could just find my package on my doorstep and head out to the shop.

But, as of this morning, bikebandit says my package(s) are still in California. Oh well... I have half of next week off from school, and will hopefully get them then.

So, basically, it'll already pass inspection. After the tires are installed, it'll be ready to ride safely. If I can get a decent multi-bike discount, I'll insure and license it, too. If not, I'll wait a little longer 'til funds free up.