My '82BR Restoration slideshow

[Leadfoot71]

Here's my Dad's old 1982 Big Red. He sold it in 1996 for $150 to a neighbor kid when he bought a John Deere Gator 6x4. It didn't even have a tear in the seat at the time it was sold.

My friend Brandon found it and gave it to me last fall. I wanted to have the restoration completed by the 10th anniversary of my Dads passing in June but wasn't able to. It should be done in the next week or so.

I plan on adding pics to the slide show as I go along. Check back to see it completed. http://s589.photobucket.com/albums/s...view=slideshow

Sorry about the crummy pictures. Thanks for all the help!

[motoman1012002]

looking very nice did a sweet job on the tank

[puggerton03]

Nice work!

[MonroeMike]

Great job, so far.

[atc350xer]

Looks awesome man... top notch! I'm sure your dad would be proud...

[coolpool]

Very nice. Did you send the tank to an autobody shop for paint or did you do it yourself?

[thestud25]

Very Nice! Did you get the dent out of the tank? If so how did you do it or have it done? Great thread!

[Mr_RPM]

very nice. i like how the powder coat turned out. gonna do it also

[Thorpe]

Looks absolutely awesome John! Nice work!

[harryredtrike]

very nice job,that kid your dad sold it to really f'ed that up pretty bad.your doing a great job

[Grizzlypeg]

Very nice work. Finished trike is going to look so nice.

[Leadfoot71]

Wow! Thanks for the compliments everyone!

Yes, I had the tank sent out for re-paint/repair. Docs Autobody in Whalen Minnesota (pop. 20) did the work. I also had them paint the '83 e-bay forks and headlight bucket. All of it was done, PERFECTLY, for $370. It wasn't cheap, but it's still cheaper than a NOS tank. Also, I'm glad I saved some of it's 'originality'. I didn't want to throw the whole machine into the junk pile!

I finally got my Wiseco piston today (67mm 10.25CR). The machine shop screwed up the measurements the first time and now I have a spare 66mm cast piston sitting here. Once the jug is bored out, I'll assemble and (hopefully) install the engine tomorrow. By Saturday I should have the NOS rear fenders, exhaust, tank, and wheels on. Sunday is the show...I hope I make it!

UPDATE.

I added pictures of the exhaust to the slideshow. This is the original factory exhaust. I can't weld thin stuff so a shop (Curts Place, Rushford Minnesota) welded a new tail pipe on it for $20. I sandblasted it and had it high temp ceramic coated ($100) at K and A Coatings in Rushford Minn. They also did my powder coating. I could have bought an aftermarket system for a few bucks more but didn't want the extra noise and wanted to keep the originality.

[BIGREDGUY]

Excellent work. I wish my 82' could have a tank that nice.

[honda200x1987]

Nice restoration you are doing there, WHERE on earth did you find a new oem front fender or is it new? I searched all over for years and could not find one for mine when I was doing the resto on my 84 200ES. Anyhow, you are doing a supurb job! I like to see someone do it from the ground up.

[bobotech]

Looks beautiful!!