05-04-2013, 01:21 PM
Today's project took me damn near 5 minutes. 
I'm starting to bring back to life a 2000 Triumph Sprint RS that's been sitting in my (walk0in) cellar for about 3 years. I'd bought it for $500 when I was "bikeless" to appease a riding friend who had been bugging me to get a new ride. He had got it from his mother-in-law's boyfriend who dumped it on his first ride, two weeks after undoing a kidney transplant.
The guy had dropped it on its left side, and on those bikes the first thing to hit is the left hand side engine case cover. It's a crankcase breather cover over the end of the crank, and has a special seal that has to be gently pressed into the magnesium cover. The cover cost me $82.99, the seal a ridiculous $ $36.75 and the gasket $12.99. That's all I've spent so far.
Here's what the cover looks like on the outside:
![[Image: DSC_0244-r_zpse2791e9e.jpg]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v466/kenm10759/Dads%20shop/DSC_0244-r_zpse2791e9e.jpg)
The tool I made in just a few minutes is 6061 aluminum:
![[Image: DSC_0246-r_zpsf5d0163e.jpg]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v466/kenm10759/Dads%20shop/DSC_0246-r_zpsf5d0163e.jpg)
And the seal, installed. (The seal comes with the green plug installed, only to be removed just as you're ready to install the cover.):
![[Image: DSC_0237-r_zpsb8ab2895.jpg]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v466/kenm10759/Dads%20shop/DSC_0237-r_zpsb8ab2895.jpg)
The gear shift lever arm (on the same side of the bike) was also damaged. The little rod projecting from it at 90º which carries the rubber where your toe lands is missing. The whole arm is also bent.
The shops want $102.50 for a new complete new shifter arm. I didn't want to spend that on an old non-classic bike that has a reconstructed title. Last Thursday I stopped in at the dealer who sold me my new bike to get a replacement rubber for the shifter. I figured I could measure the hole through the rubber and make the new rod, and also heat up and bend the lever back into shape.
He didn't have the new rubber in stock. Instead, he took to his parts room and dug out TWO used shifters. One, the exact assembly I needed, was in perfect condition. He also handed me the "new design" one that eliminated the rods and Heim joints of the original design. He wouldn't take my money!
I've got a lot of "cosmetic" work to do as much of the ABS plastic bodywork on the bike is damaged. The damage ranges from small scratches to broken mount tabs. Again, while I can still get new it's too much $$ for this bike. A fellow in Texas is sending me for under $100 all the rear bodywork that would otherwise cost over $600. I just have to prep and paint it.
While I've tried to get my youngest son Brian to get interested in the bike, he seems to lack motivation. I'll finish it within the next 6 weeks or so and start riding it. If that doesn't spur him into getting his permit and the training I offered to send him to, I will just have to decide if I need a second motorbike or settle for doubling the money I've got into it.
I'm starting to bring back to life a 2000 Triumph Sprint RS that's been sitting in my (walk0in) cellar for about 3 years. I'd bought it for $500 when I was "bikeless" to appease a riding friend who had been bugging me to get a new ride. He had got it from his mother-in-law's boyfriend who dumped it on his first ride, two weeks after undoing a kidney transplant.
The guy had dropped it on its left side, and on those bikes the first thing to hit is the left hand side engine case cover. It's a crankcase breather cover over the end of the crank, and has a special seal that has to be gently pressed into the magnesium cover. The cover cost me $82.99, the seal a ridiculous $ $36.75 and the gasket $12.99. That's all I've spent so far.
Here's what the cover looks like on the outside:
The tool I made in just a few minutes is 6061 aluminum:
And the seal, installed. (The seal comes with the green plug installed, only to be removed just as you're ready to install the cover.):
The gear shift lever arm (on the same side of the bike) was also damaged. The little rod projecting from it at 90º which carries the rubber where your toe lands is missing. The whole arm is also bent.
The shops want $102.50 for a new complete new shifter arm. I didn't want to spend that on an old non-classic bike that has a reconstructed title. Last Thursday I stopped in at the dealer who sold me my new bike to get a replacement rubber for the shifter. I figured I could measure the hole through the rubber and make the new rod, and also heat up and bend the lever back into shape.
He didn't have the new rubber in stock. Instead, he took to his parts room and dug out TWO used shifters. One, the exact assembly I needed, was in perfect condition. He also handed me the "new design" one that eliminated the rods and Heim joints of the original design. He wouldn't take my money!
I've got a lot of "cosmetic" work to do as much of the ABS plastic bodywork on the bike is damaged. The damage ranges from small scratches to broken mount tabs. Again, while I can still get new it's too much $$ for this bike. A fellow in Texas is sending me for under $100 all the rear bodywork that would otherwise cost over $600. I just have to prep and paint it.
While I've tried to get my youngest son Brian to get interested in the bike, he seems to lack motivation. I'll finish it within the next 6 weeks or so and start riding it. If that doesn't spur him into getting his permit and the training I offered to send him to, I will just have to decide if I need a second motorbike or settle for doubling the money I've got into it.