fz989
New Member
Posts: 24
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Post by fz989 on Mar 1, 2016 7:07:05 GMT
Congratulations & well done on the effort and detail you have gone to with the rebuilds. Do you know the history of the motor in the 2MG? Does the engine & frame number match? The only reason I ask is the bosses on the upper case below the cylinder barrels... I have an '88 FZ750 U (2MJ) and don't recall seeing them. Could the motor be from an FZR750? My only feedback would be that I think the motor should be a solid colour (black or silver) all over, or leave as original with gold rocker and crankshaft cover. Prefer matt black on the back of the mudguard too. Bloody good job overall - well done!
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Post by moto1818 on Mar 1, 2016 19:36:53 GMT
Congratulations & well done on the effort and detail you have gone to with the rebuilds. Do you know the history of the motor in the 2MG? Does the engine & frame number match? The only reason I ask is the bosses on the upper case below the cylinder barrels... I have an '88 FZ750 U (2MJ) and don't recall seeing them. Could the motor be from an FZR750? My only feedback would be that I think the motor should be a solid colour (black or silver) all over, or leave as original with gold rocker and crankshaft cover. Prefer matt black on the back of the mudguard too. Bloody good job overall - well done! Thanks very much for the nice comments and feedback, much appreciated. On your solid colour of the motor, I do agree that it would be better and I'd prefer black but I have some issues with that.
1. I've done it before stripping the motor down and painstakingly painting each part/casings and it takes forever.
2. I was never truly happy with the finish I achieved and was always looking at it with a mardy face.
3. I had a fuel leak and it made a pigs ear out of it, stripping and fading some of the casings .
I am in truth not at the level I need to be at to make a 'factory' finish and have 'factory' durability if you know what I mean so I cheat a bit and strip the paint off . The rocker/clutch cover are off and I'm repainting them, I think your bang on with the original colours. I know what you mean about the contrast with the matt finish on the mudguard but I like shiny things....ha. The engine/frame numbers don't match but the engine number starts with 2MG, so I don't know??
Graham I took your advice and tried a gentler grade wet/dry 1500 as opposed to my normal starting 1200 grit, and although it was tougher to bite into the lacquer at the start I definitely shaved a couple of hours off the time it took and I'm really happy with the finish.
A few more pictures.
These panels are not quite finished but I thought I'd post pictures of them now and when they are finished.
Some of the 2MG stuff, progressing slowly but progressing all the same.
Awaiting decals from America at the moment, once they are on then the 6 coats of lacquer.
I always have a list, when you can't be arsed I consult the list, pick a job and make something happen.
What my wife thinks of me with a portrait ! ha.
My dream bike, one day when the kids are off my back I'm having one.
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Post by moto1818 on Mar 1, 2016 19:43:46 GMT
Some pictures of the 2MG engine build.
There is a lot of pain in this picture, I'm a stickler for grinding my valve seats, I do actual tell them to F*** OFF when they won't grind in nicely and steal my time.
Stripping.
Eventually it'll be in the hallway.
I spent ages looking at this bike, beautiful engineering.
The boy in the garage..................as it should be!!!
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Post by Graham on Mar 2, 2016 15:30:15 GMT
That's it, get him addicted to bikes & he will never be able to afford a drug or alcohol habit! lol On the flatting thing, you could use your 1200 then 1500 then 2000 to speed things up a bit. I'm loving your level of dedication & attention to detail with these. I know we don't do it for profit but you can safely say these bikes will only go up in value. Wish I had more time for this type of thing at the moment.
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Post by moto1818 on Mar 2, 2016 19:28:30 GMT
I know what you mean Graham. Its my addiction without a doubt and it looks like my lad is getting that way but its costing me dosh and not him the beggar!! I'm lucky in so far as my work give chunks of time off and it works for me. Just a weekend wouldn't cut it restoration wise.
I know these bikes are not really worth the investment purely in terms of time never mind the money but that is irrelavant to me. I am trying to improve with every rebuild and the satisfaction is immense when it goes well.
I have another FZ frame and am collecting other stuff for what I suggested one of these bikes would be, a Lawson rep. I have an EXUP back end, a ZX10R front end with radial brakes etc, I'm not sure of the motor, whether to tune a 750 or a 1000. I am considering putting a VTR1000 twin engine in it, I know that sounds daft but I like twins and I have an engine so why not? I'm spending a lot of time measuring and making sure that all my plans work before I go for it.
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Post by Graham on Mar 2, 2016 22:56:02 GMT
I will be amazed if you get a VTR engine to fit & work in an FZ!!! ?
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Post by moto1818 on Mar 3, 2016 0:01:57 GMT
Its not that hard, I have done a few strange things!! I'll dig some piccys out. The fact that it's a steel frame with removable cradle makes for a easier build. The only thing I'm wondering is how to configure the swingarm. The VTR's swingarm hangs off the motor so do I modify the frame/swingarm to suit the motor or the motor to suit the frame/swingarm?? It may be easier to fit a standard or bigger Yamaha engine but easier never really interests me. I've made some real pieces of shit out of good bikes but I think I've learnt my lesson over the years. It would be interesting and different though wouldn't it? It doesn't make sense in a lot of ways but again I don't care because it's a learning and interesting. I get inspiration from some of the bikes I see at classis bike races/meets, some of the stuff made by them boys is incredible and some of the best is basic engineering and smart use of parts. I always think of an old fella I spoke to at Cadwell years ago and he was talking about doing this, doing that, moving this and that, I asked him why he didn't just buy a more competitive bike? he stopped and said to me " Son what's interesting about that, what will I learn" I'll never forget that.
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Post by moto1818 on Mar 16, 2016 20:03:45 GMT
Not a lot done due to other commitments but some work done.
I have been slowly progressing the 2MG bodywork and I thought I post some pictures of it, the tank exterior was a mess but I'm pleased with how it's turning out.
Firstly I thoroughly inspect the inside of the tank, if that's bad, the whole jobs bad regardless of how shiny it looks. I was pleased with the inside of this one but I still spent a couple of hours doing my 'washer swill' on it, basically get a couple of hundred small washers in there along with some kerosene and swish it about until all the rust is agitated off the tank walls, I only put half a litre of Kero in at a time and keep draining it off till it runs clear, I then get a telescopic magnet in a retrieve my washers.
After stripping all paint off and all dings and dents are marked up I set to work.
If you can try to push out any dents as to minimise the filler you have to use.
This is the worst part of the tank, dented right on the crease.
I always try to minimise the sanding time by using a Stanley blade to knock the tops of these sorts of bits, saves ages and sandpaper (I'm tight).
The worst bit done.
I have tried a rubber based coating on the underside for durability, really pleased with it.
Tank in base and lining up for colour.
Tank top in red and the silver stripe.
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fz989
New Member
Posts: 24
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Post by fz989 on Mar 17, 2016 9:18:43 GMT
Looking good! Can't wait to see it finished. I'm still intrigued by that motor though... Differences I've noticed from your pics are: Water cooled oil filter / coolant plumbing, A bolt hole boss cast in the upper crankcase just above the crankshaft, Pistons have small circular "domes" in each valve relief on the top of the piston (have you measured the pistons? FZ's are 68.0mm, YZF's 72.0mm) Engine is silver, not black.
I reckon you have a YZF750 motor there.
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Post by moto1818 on Mar 17, 2016 19:27:24 GMT
You have stirred my interest in finding out!! I have a YZF750 and the motor is identical to look at. When I had the motor apart I wasn't the first person in there so something might be going on. I have kept all my measurements etc so I'll have a look and come back to you. The carbs are definite FZ items and all I noticed in them is that the main jets where slightly richer than standard, I assumed that was for pipe jetting? I never paid much attention to the needles or profiles but now I wonder if I ought to have a proper look?? Interesting, isn't it amazing what a different pair of eyes picks up? I've been staring at these bloody engines for months and never noticed what you've pointed out!
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Post by moto1818 on Mar 25, 2016 22:07:28 GMT
Few more pictures, 2MG ready for clear coat after decals applied. I have took the front brake calipers and a few other bits off both bikes because I'm not happy with them, I'm having a low spot in the project at the minute and small stuff is getting on my nerves with them. This is normal I guess and I'm just toughing it out at the minute.
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