IT/YZ 250D pre78 project

[head]

Got a 1977 IT250 quite a while ago, now that season is over I thought I would try and turn it into a competetive pre 78 bike.
The frame was stripped and rear  loop removed along with all other brackets that are not used. As I want it to look like a YZ, a tank was purcased of Iainyz (from the forum), Tank mounts had to be moved back to suit YZ tank and new rear fender brackets welded on. Then a nice coat of 2K black gloss paint applied.
Swing arm was modified to remove snail cam adjusters and a set of adjusters from the MCS catalouge was fitted.
While the paint gun was out the hubs and triples where painted. I have bought a set of 38mm YZ forks and a YZ250D monoshock to add to the transformation.
Wheels have been relaced with re zinced front spokes and a set from Chivo's for the rear with new Torpedo7 rims that cost $118 for the two (bargain)
Just started to learn to Zinc plate using a car battery and have been going off rezincing every thing

Will continue posting further progress.

[Iain Cameron]

Very nice , looking forward to the finished job .

[Paul552]

Wow that looks real nice.

I am interested in the rims from torpedo 7

Were they 21" and 18"

I noticed the yesterday but the website only listed 19" rear.


I need a set of wheels and I think that would be the go.

Are you interested in zinc plating some spokes? They look real nice!!!!

[TT5 Matt]

nice zinc plant! is the green thing between the blue tank and the multimeter a variable resistor and whats its purpose

[head]

Yes it is a wire wound resistor with a adjustable slide. Its purpose is to limit the current to about 1 amp.
Wheels are 18" and 21". I noticed they don't have 18's at the moment.  Torpedo7 is a great site, I buy heaps of there specials.
I am a little to busy to take on any extra work at the moment, not enough hours in the day as it is.

[Cabmkr]

Thats looking great, when I rebuilt my 78 IT400 I put YZ swingarm, forks and shock. 
I have made a homemade plating kit myself, usning an zinc boat anodode but doesnt seam as nice as yours. Could you give the rundown on your process?

Keep up the good work!

Chris

[head]

I bought the chemicals and 2 anodes from Jane plating kits. It cost $75 delivered. The resistor is a 30 ohm with a slide. Negative goes to job and set current to about 1 amp. If to many bubbles come current is to high and leave for about 1/2 hour. Rods that support jobs can be copper or aluminum and use copper wire to suspend items.
How does your IT handle with the YZ suspension?

[head]

Today's progress.
The goal was to get the front forks done. Clean legs up with some emery paper.More Zinc plating
 Modify damping rods to one on the bottomFit all the secret trick internals, new seals and .42 springs.and the finished forks with wheel just sitting in, had to put front plate on.May try to get font wheel sorted tomorrow. Or go wake boarding instead. See what weather turns out like.
 

[Slakewell]

Just one suggestion or advise you may already know with this type of build. Yamaha AG 200 front brake cable will fit perfect and you can still buy from Yamaha dealer NOS IT 465 levers and perches.
The 465 clutch lever has better pull than 250.

[firko]

As with all of your bikes, nice job Neil. I've been wanting to do the zink plating thing ever since I've been restoring/building old bikes. Is there any hidden dramas with the Janes kit? Anything we should know that they don't tell you? Does anyone know how a Jane kit compares to a Caswell kit?

[head]

Thanks for info. I got some cables from DC plastics when i bough the plastic kit. And some $12.95 Ballards levers and perches. But I will keep that in mind, Thanks.

[head]

I only bought the chemicals, but a mate bought the full kit with the power supply. I wish I had done this when I first got into doing bikes up. It has paid for itself already. You just have to be careful with preparation and keep things very clean. I could send you a copy of instructions if you like.

[firko]

Both kits are are around $275 so I wonder if either has any advantage over the other?
http://www.caswellplating.com.au/store/store.php/products/copy-cad-and-zinc-plating-kit
http://www.janekits.com.au/zincplatingkit.php

[Davey Crocket]

One thing to be carefull of if you are doing this in the same shed as all your tools/babies/NOS parts is to make sure it is well ventilated....Ive seen the results in a 12x12 metre shed that was locked up with no ventilation and full of very expensive HK/T/G Monaros and a new boat in there.....the chemical reaction in the air after the plating was done created alot of corrosion on everything in the shed. A mate does it from home and he worked for a place that did zincing and has bought all the commercial gear, he put it in a separate shed 30 meters away from everything. If you look around next time your in a platers, take notice of all the corrosion on everything in the building....you'll shit your pants. The secret to nice plating is in the preparation....the plating is a 5 minute job but if you want it to look good for a long time then take your time getting everything perfect before going into the tank. Tip of the day. Those cheapy garden sheds are ideal.

[Cabmkr]

I bought the chemicals and 2 anodes from Jane plating kits. It cost $75 delivered. The resistor is a 30 ohm with a slide. Negative goes to job and set current to about 1 amp. If to many bubbles come current is to high and leave for about 1/2 hour. Rods that support jobs can be copper or aluminum and use copper wire to suspend items.
How does your IT handle with the YZ suspension?

     Head, I have a 1 amp 6/12V charger I am using, should there be a few bubbles or non at all? IF you could post or e mail your instructions that would be great!
     The IT handles great and works awsome in the bush. Also I did one MX race late in the season and only put a bit more preload into the rear shock. My parts setup is a 78 IT400 frame, 79 YZ250 shock and swingarm, and 82 YZ125 forks and swingarm. I had a set of 81 YZ125 forks that wourked better in the bush (softer sprung) but bent one of the tubes when I flipped it being a retard (thinking i was 20 not 40 and remebering I wasnt on a 4 stroke too late!) 
    I love this part of the build, I am assembleing my motor for my YZ250H today , and for onceahead of the game as we just got our first snow! Its first run may be on the ice with studs!

Cheers, Chris