Harley Davidson MT350 Restoration

Wiring loom stuff

2010-02-17T23:06:00.000Z

Right - I've got a quality connector supplier - Deutsch DT connectors from here

http://www.mobilecentre.co.uk/deutsch-m-13.html

I'm going to use more of the micro relays I've used on my other bike - http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.eu/VWP-onlinestore/relays/relays.php#micro and possibly a Centec fuse panel

It'll be fun once I've decided on a speedo. Tempted by one of these http://www.acewell-meter.com/c0_1.php?pid=12&bid=11, but I suspect it's going to cost £££.

Still, I got an Acerbis Cyclops headlight unit cheap on *that* auction site.

2010-02-14T22:30:00.001Z

Well I've gone and done it now - it's kinda too late to go back! My Mrs went up for her afternoon snooze (she has MS so gets tired easily) and I couldn't resist nipping out to the garage for a swift bit of spannering!The swing arm took a fair amount of persuading to come out (you need to loosten the bar between the footpegs) and one or two other nuts/bolts were so corroded I had to come up with a plan'B'. The worst one was one of the bolts holding the bottom of the battery box. the screw top was so corroded I ended up chieseling out the plastic surround and taking a chunk out of a chisel :-(

Just the engine to remove now - I'm going to ask if there's any 'gotcha's' as there's only me and I'm 10 stone wet!

TEA time and well deserved it is, in my own humble opinion! I do like the Hogsback Brewery - the do good tours!

I know others know this, but I've a surprisingly small amount of bits. I'm going to do and inventory of what stainless bits I need. I'll also replace all the brake bolts, but I'm reluctant to go stainless, so will do with decent high tensile steel bolts.

My biggest worry is remaking the wiring loom - I've never done an auto loom before. The existing loom has bits of connector taped up and some sections are worn. Given most of the connectors are showing large amounts of corrosion I think it's time I plunged head first into new loom construction. There's a good wiring diagram available, so with the old one as a template regards to lengths, I think I'll be ok.

2010-02-14T22:12:00.001Z

I guess getting the exhaust headers out can sometimes produce enedpected results! I could see the stud turning with the not and thought 'Oh Oh! - it's going to shear the stud and it's going to be expensive!' But the nut and the stud kept turning and I got the lot out!

I now don't know whether to try and remove the studs on the other sideand use stainless mushroom bolts or to go with a brass nut/bar arrangement and stay with steel studs. It's be silly to have one system on one header and something else of the other. Mmm more decisions.

2010-02-12T23:04:00.002Z

Mmm. Oil drain time. Looking at the frame sump plug it needed it.

Just changing the oil and filter requires the removal of 2 sump plugs and a cover for the filter.

In true form, I managed to position one of the new bike lift trolley's arms right under the bottom sump plug. So a bit of delicate balancing was required while I was maneouvering the trolley while holding the bike in one hand. Nothing's ever easy is it?

And yes, Bunker was right in saying the oil from the frame plug hole comes out at a rate of knots. The garage floor wil be cleaner than the kitchen floor at this rate!

2010-02-07T20:25:00.000Z

Well, here it is up. It was real Laurel and Hardy putting it up - well, Laurel, as I had to do it alone.

Loads of storage for all the bits.

I got the bike started, once I'd been reminded about the reserve setting on the fuel tap - doh!

It runs nicely and warms up much faster than I'd been led to believe. Well, it sounds like the crank case has a bag of spanners in it, but I suspect they all sound like that.

Here's April, all washed and ready for bed.

I 'gunked' the engine but it's left a fine sheen of 'dust' on the engine, so I think I'll call the soda blasting people and ask how much an engine clean would be. That or a steam cleaners.

And I landed on my feet and got a cheap bike lift, so I'm hoping the bike comes to bits easily and quickly - the plan is to get it all to the shotblasters next weekend!

I had a go at the exhaust header studs and 3 cracked off and I think I'll get them off ok once I find a small wire brush. The 4th (left hand inner one) wouldn't budge at all, so more penetrating oil's going on tonight - fingers crossed! it's new exhaust and carb time - spend, spend, spend!

Right - it's beer o'clock and Jack's saving the world in 10 mins - well ok , in 24 hours. It's totally implausable, but totally watchable :-)

2010-02-07T10:40:00.000Z

Mmm - piss poor planning prevents poor performance, as management consultants say (like they'd know, having never done an honest days work in their life, IMO).

So, it's garage tidy up time - I got some dexian type shelving from my brother in law. Having just sold some stuff on e-bay it's easier to just take everything to the dump. Sad but true.

2010-02-06T21:38:00.000Z

I got a pile of penetrating oil on the exhaust header nuts and am investigating brake rebuild kits and braided lines (I don't stint on safety) I'm hoping I don't shear the studs, but the prospect of a stainless exhaust is too tempting.

Someone 'in the know' advised to get the KL stainless exhaust headers and Y piece and his back piece so I can get a (cheap?) CCM end can. Just gotta put the orders in tomorrow and figure out which end can will fit. The thing is will a 'better' exhaust throw the carb tuning out? Should I just buy a new carb(Delorto or Mikuni, or do the 'carb mod'? Decisions, decisions.

Moving the bike around was interesting. I'd like a bike lift, but then who wouldn't? More money. £125 on flea bay(+postage) Mmm - when's my birthday?

Another early start tomorrow, methinks. I may even venture out before midday.

And Liverpool won - top day!

2010-02-06T07:12:00.000Z

I can't believe I got up at 7am on a Saturday to drive for 3 hours to pick up a bike that's in need of some TLC. I just don't do mornings.

Well, here it is. My wife wasn't keen on puting in the back of her car, so I hired a van for £30. It only needed the front wheel taking off and the forks dropping through the yokes. We spent more time chatting and drinking tea than doing any work. I wish all deals went like that.

As per usual, I put too much diesel in , so the hire company had a quarter tank on me. When I rule the world all hire companies will provide vehicles on a full to full basis.

.

1 Day to go

2010-02-05T15:09:00.000Z

Well, I pick up the MT350 tomorrow. I couldn't be doing with the hassle of the Withams tender process and bid for one of the bikes, not knowing if I'd get one or not. So I lurked around the MT Riders Club Forum and bagged a nicely tatty one. I've never done up a bike before (restored is too strong a word, as I don't have high expectations). Still, so long as it's reliable I'll be happy.

Now why April? Well, 'cos that's the target date I've set myself to get it up to the Classic Bike Show at Stafford on 24 April. With camping gear. If Austin Vince can go around the world twice in a Dr350, then why not me on something that's essentially Squaddie proof? A brief history and some sage advice on Harley Davidson MT350's(well, not that sage, 'cos I bought mine unseen, almost entirely based on what I saw in a few pics) here. Did I say Harley Davidson? Hell yes. It's made by Harley, but there's not an ounce of chrome in sight. Although it does have a 2 tone paint scheme - green and rust. But I have a cunning plan.

Right - off to collect a van to pick it up with, as they're ex-army bikes and have no registration, V5, MOT etc etc so that's a load more things to get done. And something else I know nothing about.

They say men with suffering from a severe middle ages crisis buy a Harley. Think Wild Hogs. I suspect mine includes a trip on acid and a large dose of speed on top.