My New (Old) Bike

Post by **500bernie** » Sat Dec 11, 2010 11:56 pm

Hi Guys,

I picked up my first KR1S at the end of October, having not owned or ridden a bike for a considerable period of time.

I could not even think of owning anything but a Kawasaki having been a triple owner since I passed my bike test when I was 17 (a long time ago).

What better bike to consider than the fastest 250 on the planet!
So I picked up a nice bike off the forum (Red & Grey C3).

And I have now started taking it to bits. I was going to have the frame and swinging arm powder coated but I gave the frame a bit of attention with the wet & dry and solvol.....bugger it, I have just made a job for myself...polishing it all

Not finished yet....

The seals for the KIPS valves looked as if they had been leaking a bit so I pulled off the head and had a good look around....got my first surprise

When I checked the bores they were 61mm (60.94mm to be precise) so I have a Stan Stevens 300

Just as well that I did not start buying bits before I looked!

The engine was very fit with no noises before I took it apart (reciepts for over £500 from BDK with the bike).
But I had a closer look at the valves and found the stems were worn where they make contact with the seals, not very happy and will have to sort out replacements.

Thanks to Lee.....problem sorted (top man!!!)

Thanks to Tambo, Pablo, Ludders, Kawasaki Man and Martin for help advice and bits....

Still have not made my mind up how this is going to end up, I would like to have a vgc standard red and grey body and a kawasaki racing green single seat, if I save up all my pocket money I might be able to get both!

Going to make the end of my finger black and very sore (more polishing that is).

Bernie

pablo · Post by **pablo** » Sun Dec 12, 2010 5:35 pm

Bernie,looks to be a very nice KR1s,and all there too

You seem to be doing OK for parts and you're in the right place for help and advice. Just enough to keep you busy over the winter eh

Tambo · Post by **Tambo** » Sun Dec 12, 2010 9:55 pm

Wish I had the patience to polish like that

=D> =D> Looks great !!

Post by **500bernie** » Mon Dec 13, 2010 10:45 am

Thanks for the comments guys.
The polishing is hard (especially on the fingers) but knowing me, if I had the frame powder coated, I would damage the finish during assembly and be gutted

So although keeping it clean is a long term commitment, at least it only costs me my time and a bit of solvol!
(I am pleased that they did not do an alloy tank version).
Cheers
Bernie

Luders · Post by **Luders** » Mon Dec 13, 2010 11:09 am

I do like the polished look and I've never had too much trouble maintaining the shine.

You'll obviously not be running it in bad weather, so the time spent keeping it polished and looking nice, is all part of the fun.

Post by **500bernie** » Mon Dec 13, 2010 12:49 pm

I hate to say this but....It will have more time being polished than being ridden (old age, dodgy back and duff knees)

Bernie

Tambo · Post by **Tambo** » Mon Dec 13, 2010 10:42 pm

500bernie wrote:I hate to say this but....It will have more time being polished than being ridden (old age, dodgy back and duff knees)
Bernie

You could add sore hand, blackened finger tips, and frequent autosol high to that list with polishing like that

barryj · Post by **barryj** » Tue Jan 11, 2011 10:15 pm

Bloody he'll that looked pretty clean and original before it got all polished, sorry

(

Post by **500bernie** » Wed Jan 12, 2011 8:52 am

Yes it looked fantastic from 15m away but sadly close up showed the scars of a hard life and lack of tlc
I know the polished finish is not to everyone's liking but it would be a very boring place if we all liked the same things.

Thanks for looking.

Cheers
Bernie

rockerted · Post by **rockerted** » Wed Jan 12, 2011 9:29 am

bernie, when you finish yours would you mind nipping over to spenny and finish mine?..looks well!!ted

Post by **500bernie** » Wed Jan 12, 2011 12:22 pm

Hi Ted,

Great to hear from another owner in the area (I thought these little buggers were supposed to be scarce!).

It is not as hard as people make out, so long as you have the right gear and some time on your hands.
The large side section of the frame takes an evening to polish by hand, a bit quicker if you have polishing wheels and compounds (I dont, I just use 180 grit, then 240 grit, then 400 grit, fine wire wool and finish with solvol), you can cheat and use the Garryflex abrasive blocks, they work well.
I would be happy to pop over sometime and get you started.

If you started on something small like the clip-on brackets you would soon find out if polishing was for you, it is addictive...not sure if it is the smell of the Solvol or the aluminium dust, or maybe just seeing something cruddy and corroded become clean and mirror finished.

Before and after;

The finished result:

PM me your details.

Cheers,
bernie

Post by **500bernie** » Wed Jan 04, 2012 8:19 pm

Hi Guys n Galls,

Time to start working again, the project stalled towards the end of last year.

Still been polishing bits

can't seem to stop [-o<

Cheers,
Bernie

john-b · Post by **john-b** » Wed Jan 04, 2012 9:08 pm

shiny is the way forward if you ask me

Top-shaggy · Post by **Top-shaggy** » Wed Jan 04, 2012 10:20 pm

Liking this rebuild, very very nice!

Looks like I better start buying Magners to inspire me to start using the Solvol

Post by **500bernie** » Thu Jan 05, 2012 12:59 am

Top-shaggy wrote:Liking this rebuild, very very nice!

Looks like I better start buying Magners to inspire me to start using the Solvol

Just as well I have a few more bottles left over from New Year.......coz I can't belive what I just started polishing

I am blaming the Stella Cidre

I will post some photos at the weekend

Cheers,
Bernie