So I have a bike in boxes...need some help

[Mikochondria]

I bought a 78 in boxes from a guy at work and I have no idea how to out it back together. I have a shop manual but wanted to see if there is another/better source of info out there. I've never messed with a motorcycle before, I've done some trucks and cars but no bikes so I'm lost. Is there a website or a thread on here that helps people through completely rebuilding, I've searched on here but couldn't find anything. Any help would be great, thanks guys.

[TOOLS1]

Putting a basket case back together is like eating an elephant. You do it one bite at a time. First, how far down has the bike been striped? Is the engine still together? Are the wheels and brakes still together? Are the carbs in pieces......
TOOLS

[Mikochondria]

The engine and carbs are together and 1/2 way on the frame, I found out while putting it in I am missing the mounting plates. I put the rear wheel and everything on with that and the front fork with tire is attached to the frame, no wires or cables are hooked up to anything yet. When I got it the frame was bare, engine, and front form put together. I think I'm missing the engine mounting plates, cam chain tensioner, headlight bracket, and possibly other little things.

[TOOLS1]

Sounds like you have it going in the right direction, but I am baffled with the engine mounting plates. Do you have a custom frame? How about some pictures, so we can see what you have gong on, and then we can start addressing items one at a time.
TOOLS

[shinyribs]

Tools, when he first mentioned engine mounting plates my brain went straight to bobber/chopper mode, which is probably what yours did,too.  But I betcha he's just talking about the stock plates to mount the engine.

I may have some of those. Probably off a 'matic. I think they will work,but Tools will have to verify that for me. He's the brains around these here parts.

Anyway, welcome to the forum. Good luck on your project. Ask for anything you might need or need to know. Lots of good guys around here to help ya out.


Oh, and we do reeally like pictures.  Start yourself a build thread!

[Mikochondria]

I maybe referring to the stock plates, I don't know honestly. All I know, is that the motor isn't bolted up all the way because the bolts have nothing to go into.  Or am I doing this all wrong? I will try to get some better pictures tomorrow.  

[Burro]

My eyes. Have been known to decieve me. Did they hard tail that frame? And still leave the rear shocks?

[shinyribs]

It's the rear hoops for the passenger pegs. You're eyes are lying again.

[Burro]

I roll an f. Eyes easily decieved! :-;

[Mikochondria]

Took some better pictures.  These are from the right side of the bike, the left side seem to be lined up fine.

[Mikochondria]

Apparently you have to tilt your head too, it came out sideways for some reason.

[Mikochondria]

Finally what is this? It came in a box of hardware, does it have something to do with the chain?

[kandrtech]

The last post goes onto the swingarm.  The center hole is for the axle, and the adjuster straddles this part and the swingarm.

I suggest you get a service manual (available for download for free) and look through the parts fiches.

[TOOLS1]

There are two bolt on pieces missing from your bike. You can see them in the fisch that K&R Tec posted, and Shiny mentioned that he has a set if you need them. Also that little part goes on the end of the swingarm, and the chain adjuster bolt pushes against it.
TOOLS

[Mikochondria]

You guys are amazing. I am talking to this guy that has a parts bike he weilling to sell me what I need for cheap. I'll post more up when I have more.

[shinyribs]

If the parts bike has the engine mounting bolts that'll save you some trouble. Those bolts aren't something you can buy at your local hardware store. They are loooonggg!

I'm digging the red frame btw. Very cool!

[Ba5sKing]

Welcome to the forum man,

I have to agree with shiny! I love the frame's paint job, thats so unique. Good luck with rebuilding her!

~Ba5sking

[Mikochondria]

Alright, I recieved all the parts from that guy but there is a problem, I don't think the rear engine plate is the correct one. In the fischs that were shown they display two rear engine plates one that is a flat triangle plate that I think is mounted on the inside of the frame and the other has a bend to it and looks like it's mounted on the outside of the frame the flat one is shown in the top picture and bent on the bottom picture. . I think I need the flat one, I have the bent one though. The reason I think I need the flat one is because the holes on the frame is threaded but they are threaded on the outermost part of the hole instead of being threaded all the way through. To me, that is indicating the bolt should be started on the inside of the frame and be pointing outward.
This may be confusing but I don't know how else to explain it.
Also, the headlight bucket I have has a horrible paint job on it, what would be the best way to get the paint off? I'm afraid if I use a word brush it would scratch the plastic and stripped would possibly ruin the plastic, any ideas to repaint it?

[TOOLS1]

The rear plate mounts with bolts threaded into the frame, and the front/triangle shaped plate mounts with through bolts, and nuts. As for painting the headlight, just sand the paint off.
TOOLS

[Re-run]

Well actually, I got a long threaded rod from a hardware store and cut it to length and put a nut and lockwasher on each side. Not elegant but not noticeable unless a person looks for it!