What started as a clutch cover gasket replacement has now turned into a full fledged restoration project. Whilst tearing the bike down to pull the engine, I found too many things in need of desperate attention. My conscience was ransacked with regret, shame and self disappointment from allowing my baby to get to such a state. She has been nearly trouble free for me since I first got her in 1996 and I let her bolts rattle loose, her gaskets leak, her sprockets shark fin and her plastics fade.
This lead me on a trip to Auto Zone for chemicals, O'reilly for a tool, Partzilla and RM ATV/MC for a few final parts I needed and lastly to Harbor Freight for a blasting cabinet, glass media and a new air compressor. I have been planning this complete restore for 3 years. Compiling parts, researching mods, planning, etc. I guess it's destined to start ahead of schedule.
The engine is fresh (maybe 15 hours), so no need to do anything there. But I still want to blast and polish it. That can wait. I have already finished blasting the axle, jam nut, all 4 hubs, a bit of the hardware and am in the middle of the swing arm. Some genius Krylon canned it red...then blue some time later. Best (worst) part is, they didn't even prep it. Just painted straight over the factory gold, then right over the red. It was atrocious. It brushed right off with a touch of brake cleaner. Then with the axle, I rode it through the water in Pismo Beach when I was like 17 without rinsing it afterwards. It looked as bad as you would expect.
The only mods left on my list are wider foot pegs, Magura hydraulic clutch conversion, stainless brake lines and Race Tech re-spring with gold valves all around. I've already replaced the twist throttle, bars, light/run controls, clutch plates/basket, water pump, pipe and silencer. I have a new front wheel and tire, fork boots, all bearings and seals front and rear, new swing arm bolt and nut, chain rollers, chain slider, sprockets...you get the idea. Enough parts to cover my dining room table. Hopefully updates to come regularly.