Me No Ticky-Tocky either . . . . . . .

Steve T

Well-Known Member
. . .Lots of photos of progress, please.
Apologies Lutin - I started the strip down and inspection weekend before last - the day before I headed south for a week for yet another family farewell - and I got stuck in without thought for taking photo's.

All panels execpt for the nose cone removed, choke cables and carbs checked over - all good. Having drained the tank and given the inside a check over as best I could, I popped fresh fuel and loads of Redex into the tank in an attempt to de-gunge the carbs (if they need it - the bike runs fine). Cleaned out the airbox before re-assembling - new air filter on order :thumbsup:

New plugs fitted - the removed plugs looked like the originals - Denso's!

With the tank off, all accesable connectors opened up and given a light coating of corrosion inhibiting grease, even though no corrosion has been found as yet :D.

Rear brake caliper cleaned and checked over - in excellent condition, as are the original pads amazingly! Have ordered replacement brake lines. Once they arrive it'll be off with the old and on with the new.

Rear wheel bearings checked & given some new grease. The old tyre will be removed sometime soon to allow me to check out the rim conditon on the inside o_O

Next up is the removal of the swingarm, for bearing inspection - all seems fine before strip down, so hopefully no suprises waiting for me there. The swing arm itself doesn't look like it needs painting, so thats a bonus :D. The exhaust will be coming off before the swingarm - it does need some work on its paint.

Maybe get the camera out for the back end strip down, just to add some colour to this write up :rolleyes:

Steve T

:cool:
 
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Lutin

Administrator
Staff member
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Looks like you bagged a good 'un Steve.

Just a note about the swingarm. I removed mine when I changed the shock (a good while back now) and found the roller bearing as rusty as feck. Since I'm the second owner and I got the bike at about two years old, I was surprised that the bearing was as bad as it was. On further inspection, one of the seals was damaged - which must have happened when the bike was built. Still it was an easy fix - but I'm glad that I took the opportunity to check.
 

Philwhiskeydrinker

Well-Known Member
Every 650 swingarm that I've removed the swingarm on, has had a rusty (unsealed) bearing best replace with a proper sealed version, it never seems to make a difference to the bike mind. Fortunately the needle bearing doesn't suffer the same fate.
The 600 has a slightly different set up with loose seal caps that fall off as you try to locate the swingarm as I recall....but they seem to do a better job at keeping moisture out.

Keep up the good work Steve

Sent from my SM-A320FL using Tapatalk
 

Lutin

Administrator
Staff member
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Every 650 swingarm that I've removed the swingarm on, has had a rusty (unsealed) bearing best replace with a proper sealed version, it never seems to make a difference to the bike mind. Fortunately the needle bearing doesn't suffer the same fate.
The 600 has a slightly different set up with loose seal caps that fall off as you try to locate the swingarm as I recall....but they seem to do a better job at keeping moisture out.

Keep up the good work Steve

I should have been clearer - I found the two ball bearings to be fine but it was the needle roller bearing that was shot. Maybe mine was a one off?
 

Steve T

Well-Known Member
Here are a couple of photos from the garage

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10k miles of crud over 20 years!!!!!:eek:

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Nice clean inside of the rear rim = BONUS
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Chain cleaned of umpteen years of sticky chain lube. At least the stuff kept most of the rust at bay :D

Steve T

:cool:
 

Steve T

Well-Known Member
Swing arm bearings checked over - all good :thumbsup:.
Back end re-assembled and replacement brake pipes fitted and system bled :thumbsup:
Moved onto the front end and have now started putting it back together, but not before fitting some essential protection :)

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Fresh and slightly heavier oil filling the front suspension, with the lower sections getting a much needed coat of paint.
Front rim is, like the rear rim, in really good condition. Now coated in ACF50 and wearing replacement rubber.
All front end bearing checked over and re-lubed.
Brake calipers cleaned and checked Satis, so new brake pipes fitted and system bled.
All electrical connectors opened up, checked and given a coating of corrosion inhibitor before re-connection. Even managed to un-stick the sticking main beam switch :thumbsupanim:

A few bits to whittle out of alloy, to keep the new brake pipes safe and sound, then maybe have a go at an alloy sump guard, if I can find the template I made for my first 600 Alps alloy sump guard.

Then I've just gotta get out there and ride it :thumbsupanim: :thumbsupanim: :thumbsupanim:

TTFN,

Steve T

:cool:
 

Lutin

Administrator
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Excellent. Really looks like you've got a bit of a cracker there, Steve. :thumbsup:
 

Steve T

Well-Known Member
Tis indeed a cracker Tony. It's nice when these things wander into your garage, instead of the "well used & abused" versions. Not that my last 600 Alp was in anyway a shonker!

As for how long? At this moment in time, this machine feels a lot like my last @ was when I got that (not that that one needed anything doing to it), in that it feels like a keeper.

I do seem to have a yerning for another set of bodywork for it though. Done the WW1 Dazzle paint scheme on my last 600 Alp, so I thought I'd maybe go for an upto date digital camo scheme that i've just seen on a Ukranian SU22 bomber :rolleyes:

Best I start scouring fleabay :D

Steve T

:cool:
 

Paul-S

Active Member
Forum Supporter
That Flanker was at RIAT this year and last year too. Fantastic colours. It'll be nice to see the Alp in that
 

Steve T

Well-Known Member
Not started an e-bay search yet Paul. Would be nice to make this machine even more MINE ;)

Carbs really did need balancing - the bike now idles Soooo much smoother :D

Couple of alloy bits bent and filed into suitable brackets for the new brake lines.

Running out of things to fettle on this machine - guess I'll just have to start riding it :thumbsupanim:

Steve T

:cool:
 

Lowflyer

Well-Known Member
Looking good Steven, she's scrubbed up well :thumbsup:

And the owner ?
Know the old saying, once a bike tart, always a bike tart :p
Well done :clapping:
 

Steve T

Well-Known Member
So, it being a significant burfday recently :respect13: :happybirthday:, I purchased some Givi pannier frames for meself . . .
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I now have a variety of luggage options for the old girl, from these 'ickle E21's, through some throw-overs, to some adapted Pelicases that I still have knocking about :clapping:

And I've now, finally, finished the bike, cos I've done the DIY sump gurad as well . . .
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So thats the Alp ready for some salt free roads. Now to get youngest sons Wee Strom stripped down for a clean up and service :rolleyes:

Steve T

:cool:
 

Steve T

Well-Known Member
And its on the road . . .

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Put the bike on the road on Monday, using it for my daily commute, and have checked to see if owt fell off after each ride- Nowt has = :respect13:

The old girl even survived trial be downpour & deluge today with no problem.

Happy Me :clapping:

Steve T

:cool:
 
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