1979 RM80N Roach

[80-85 husky]

surely (don't call me shirley ) you could get o rings from a bearing shop anywhere??

[alexbrown64]

Its 20 kays to the closest bearing shop and the local Suzuki shop is just up the road.  I usually pop in there for the odd cheap bits or to get something like a rebore or crank done.
Finally found some plastic satin black that i am happy with.  Its VHT bumper and trim paint.  I did a test on my knackered front mudguard and the colour is perfect for number backgrounds.  This will be used on the sideplates as they are curved and the originals were painted as well.

[alexbrown64]

OK, i had a bit of a tinker even though the epoxy paint is still a bit soft.  That will take months to harder properly, but i cant wait and started bolting some bits back on that are ready.  Pics below......









And below are some parts that didnt make it.... just too rusted, bent, twisted, warped and shagged out....



Cheers,
Alex

[oldfart]

Alex..... I know the feeling too well     Its a feel good thing when you can start bolting things back together.
 

[shelpi]

 

[alexbrown64]

OK, everything coming along nicely.  Just finished off the OEM plastics.  They came up OK considering the mess.  I have installed the DG muffler using a bracket i fabricated.  I made sure the pic below included the chain tensioner that i built up from about 4 different places.  CDI was polished up and installed and coil put back making sure i had cleaned some paint off for good contact.
I installed the wheel bearings in the freshly painted hubs and put in all new brake shoes.  Waiting on TC from Thailand to send me the new spoke sets which he said he would have later next week.
Everything else is in the post.... rod, piston, bearings, seals, shocks, pegs, front mudguard, grips, etc..
Cheers,
Alex

[80-85 husky]

3 great lies....
I'm from the government...im here to help you....
course i'll love you in the morning....
the cheques in the mail...

when are those parts supposed to arrive?

[alexbrown64]

Well, speak of the devil... some parts were supposed to arrive friday but got a call from the delivery mob saying it was on the wrong van...so monday.... anyway.. i was sniffing around craigslist and found a nice N for sale for 1200 US.  Here it is on YouTube running...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdCS8AvSisk

[alexbrown64]

Finally got the Betor shocks.  They didnt send them with the reducers that i asked for and the bushes were a bit wide so there was a lot of mucking around using some of the old 10mm bushes, cutting some narrower etc.. got it all to fit nicely in the end.  The Betors are only 15mm longer than the originals and they are virtually a copy of the Suzuki Showa shocks from the original N.  Below is a pick from my manual of the original Showa's.



When i installed the Betors, i added some Showa decals that are replicas of the ones from the N in 1979.  Pic below of them fitted up.



I have also put the pegs perch on and fitted the new pegs.  The pick below shows the bibs and bobs that have been going on including cables, throttle tube and grips, cdi, coil, carby and oem boot with new clamps...



Side covers back on and its all starting to come together and all fitting up well.  The Betor/Showa shocks are very lightly sprung so should be good for my boy as he is only 9 years old....



Hopefully get the spoke sets soon and can then have a rolling chassis.
Cheers,
Alex

[yamaico]

Hi Alex,
Is that the seat cover from Thailand?
Nice job on the bike as well, great attention to detail,
Pete.

[alexbrown64]

Yamaico, the seat cover is from Thailand.  TC at vintage_001 on Ebay makes them for many bikes, and if you have a tatty original that he doesnt have, he will make you a replica for free.  He is currently making up some spoke sets and sending them to me as well.
Cheers,
Alex

[yamaico]

Thanks Alex, it looks like a good job. I work in Thailand regularly, I'll have to look him up.

[80-85 husky]

the springs on those shox look like they are off a totem tennis pole

bike is looking good, just needs a few final details (like a motor)

considering what you started with, its turned out above expectation.....

[alexbrown64]

Spose if the shocks dont work out i can hang a string and tennis ball off em.  I think the 80 was designed for a 50-60 kg kid going at race speed.  My boy is 28kg ringing wet so hopefully the light springs will work a treat.  You can swap em out for heavier ones as they fatten up.  Partzilla just sent the final order on Friday.. full of goodies to finish off the project... except for the spokes... still waiting on those.... oh and the tank.... hmmmm might be ready for Christmas.  Pic below of all the nickers nackers ready to assemble.  Going to buy a cheapo blow torch to heat the cases and get the bearings back in.  Also have a 2.0mm oversize piston coming so that will go with the barrel for a rebore.  OEM rod is on the way and i will hand that in with the crank for a rebuild.  Motor will be so tight you wont be able to get a pin up its arse with a jack hammer.
Cheers,
Alex

[smed]

Looking good Alex, You can also leave the cases in the sun on a warm day for a bit, In the oven on low if the wife ain't home or in a covered barby raised up off the hotplate on low,The Oven/barby will also cure your paint job ,Bearings in the freezer