Restore questions

[saturnthegiant]

ok, those of you i've talked with so far know i'm currently just trying to get my Big Red up and running and figure out the wiring/electrical stuff, right now i just want it to play on for a while and use during hunting season, but i started looking at some of the restores some of you have done and it got me to thinking about what i might do in the future, like totally restoring my trike. So i have a few general questions:

What's the best way to tear the trike down, do you start with the engine and go from there?

What type of paint are you guys using for the frame? Are you having it professionally done?

Do most of you go with stock parts or performance stuff?

What's the best way to clean metal parts, how do you get them to shine so well?

Those are a few that i can think of right off. I'm not trying to get ahead of myself, just trying to think ahead a little!

[hublake]

I started my BR restoration by completely disassembling my BR. Took everything apart that would come apart except the motor as there was nothing wrong with it. Any thing metal that was black got sandblasted and then powdercoated.. I was able to find all NOS OEM plastic except the rear trunk lid. It, the gas tank and the tripple tree were painted. Other parts that could be sandblasted were done and then I painted them with a spray can. Motor was sandblasted and painted a high temp paint. Here is a couple of pics.

[SeaBass8]

Looking good! That gonna be one sweet BR.

[Taiser]

WOW, that thing is going to be so nice I'd be afraid to ride and scratch it! :eek: THAT is sweet. I just got my hands on a MINT 85 BR and it makes me nervous just to see a branch hit it! :D

As for rebuilds, I usually start with taking the engine out, then striping it down to the frame. I use little blue bins that are mounted on my wall and mark all the parts that came out. I usually get a bolt kit on e-bay (dude on there sells every bolt for certain bikes for about 100 bucks) and replace them all. Get a manual. They are available on this site from a member for download for nearly all trikes including your BR.

I clean all my parts in a cleaning bin. Polishing is another matter, I don't have the patience or time for it, better off just repainting them. I keep my stuff as stock as possible except for my current 86 250r which is getting a monster carb, but that's just a preference. I say just take it apart as you feel like, you won't hurt anything. Best way to learn is just dive in! :D

[hublake]

Its been done for about a year now but has not had any real riding done with yet. It is going to get a good workout this coming weekend. Taking it to Sandpuppies Ride in Rose City. Will be going on about a 60 mile round trip. I have had it since new.

[saturnthegiant]

Awesome job, hublake!