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Offline eprovenzano

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Winter Projects... what ya working on?
« on: November 26, 2019, 07:04:08 AM »
Winter Projects... I get bored during the long winter months...  so I usually will purchase a clapped out POS and will fix and sell it... although I did keep last years 2 stroke quad project. 

I know of a divorce situation where a clapped out 99 yz 125 and an early 90's XR 80 are collecting dust. The owner is gone, and the ex wife has possession of the bikes.

I know the YZ runs, as I helped to replace the top end and water pump 2 years ago.  It hasn't seen much time since then, but... everything else on the bike will require attention...  The bike rarely saw routine / or really any maintenance unless it broke, at which time it was just the minimum to keep it on the track/trail... example.  The top full hole for the tranny... The threads were stripped and he didn't bother to repair it. During a ride I heard a loud screeching sound.  The bike was out of tranny fluid and the clutch plates were not happy.  He dumped in a quart of oil, and put a wooden dowel into the opening, problem solved lets ride.  The suspenders will need to be freshened, tires (front and rear) wheel, swing arm, and linkage bearings will need attention.  Plastics, grips, seat cover, chain / sprockets all need replaced.  Another one that has me laughing is the shifter shaft.  The splines on the shaft are badly worn and the shifter slips.  Had the bolt cranked down so tight I thought it would break.  I know if he had access to a welder, he would have welded the shifter on it...  So yea its a clapped out POS.  The last time I saw the XR running, it smoked quite a bit, so I'm assuming it needs a new piston, rings, valve seals, carb cleaned, plus I'm betting the tires are dry rotted from age.

So If i buy these amazing machines it will be on the cheap, and will be a spring time flip.  I'm going to make an offer to the ex wife... its going to be low and I doubt she'll accept it, but nothing ventured nothing gained. 
Eric Provenzano
2019 KTM 300 XCW TPI
2000 KTM 300 EXC (Son's)
2001 KTM 380 EXC
Sold 1991 KDX 200... fun play bike
Sold 1999 KX250
Sold 1999 YZ125 (son's)
Sold 2001 Yamaha TTL 125 (son's 1st bike)
Sold but never forgotten 1974 Honda Elsinore CR250M
Sold 1974 Honda Elsinore CR125

Offline Nom DeGuerre

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Re: Winter Projects... what ya working on?
« Reply #1 on: November 29, 2019, 01:28:48 PM »
both sound like serious commitment$

Offline eprovenzano

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Re: Winter Projects... what ya working on?
« Reply #2 on: December 02, 2019, 05:24:06 AM »
For me, winter bike projects are more about keeping busy then making money.  If I don't have something to keep myself busy, I'll fall into the trap of getting home from work around 6:00, eat dinner, and then sit in my recliner... where I'll fall asleep by 9:00 (if not earlier)... I'm trying to stay out of that routine and keep myself busy during the cold winter months. I'm sure I'll be able to sell them both for more than I'll have invested... not by a lot, but it will be on the plus side.  Again it's more of a keeping myself busy then making $$$.  although a few extra $$$ that I reinvest into my steed never hurts.   
« Last Edit: December 03, 2019, 06:01:24 AM by eprovenzano »
Eric Provenzano
2019 KTM 300 XCW TPI
2000 KTM 300 EXC (Son's)
2001 KTM 380 EXC
Sold 1991 KDX 200... fun play bike
Sold 1999 KX250
Sold 1999 YZ125 (son's)
Sold 2001 Yamaha TTL 125 (son's 1st bike)
Sold but never forgotten 1974 Honda Elsinore CR250M
Sold 1974 Honda Elsinore CR125

Offline eprovenzano

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Re: Winter Projects... what ya working on?
« Reply #3 on: December 04, 2019, 05:47:09 AM »
I'm also building a bike lift as I want to get the bikes a little higher (safely) to be able to preform maintenance.  I did a lot of research and found one that fits my needs.  When completed I'll post pics of my grand design.   
Eric Provenzano
2019 KTM 300 XCW TPI
2000 KTM 300 EXC (Son's)
2001 KTM 380 EXC
Sold 1991 KDX 200... fun play bike
Sold 1999 KX250
Sold 1999 YZ125 (son's)
Sold 2001 Yamaha TTL 125 (son's 1st bike)
Sold but never forgotten 1974 Honda Elsinore CR250M
Sold 1974 Honda Elsinore CR125

Offline rsmith

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Re: Winter Projects... what ya working on?
« Reply #4 on: December 04, 2019, 05:57:04 PM »
This winter its going to be the "Basket Case" build I started on last year. It got back-burnered for Nanci's 125 project.



--Ron.

Offline eprovenzano

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Re: Winter Projects... what ya working on?
« Reply #5 on: December 05, 2019, 05:30:09 AM »
WOW!!!  the real question is not how many parts need replaced...  but how many parts are you missing???
Eric Provenzano
2019 KTM 300 XCW TPI
2000 KTM 300 EXC (Son's)
2001 KTM 380 EXC
Sold 1991 KDX 200... fun play bike
Sold 1999 KX250
Sold 1999 YZ125 (son's)
Sold 2001 Yamaha TTL 125 (son's 1st bike)
Sold but never forgotten 1974 Honda Elsinore CR250M
Sold 1974 Honda Elsinore CR125

Offline rsmith

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Re: Winter Projects... what ya working on?
« Reply #6 on: December 08, 2019, 07:11:15 PM »
It is assembled into a roller state at this point only a couple of parts have been missing completely.

The plastic cover for the front brake line and the lower radiator hose.

I'll start on the engine sometime soon.

--Ron.

Offline beaner

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Re: Winter Projects... what ya working on?
« Reply #7 on: December 11, 2019, 08:49:51 AM »
 One of my buddies built a small track for his kids, and it's literally 2 minutes from my place, but too small to have a lot of fun on a full size bike.  So while we were taking a break I mentioned this bike my son bought about 10 years ago. Turns out that my buddy not only knows the history of it but actually convinced the guy I bought it from to buy it for his kids many years ago so I decided that it's exactly what I need to ride on his kids track.

It's a low hour, but rough, 94 YZ80 that's been sitting in a corner of my barn rusting away and I've decided to do a quicky refresh. I've been looking for info, but there's not much out there.  Planning to do crank seals because it's been sitting for about 99% of it's life, and they're probably toast. After that, suspension, and probably change the colours from the original whiite and purple to blue and white

Ontario, Canada

Offline eprovenzano

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Re: Winter Projects... what ya working on?
« Reply #8 on: December 11, 2019, 11:50:56 AM »
Beaner that looks like fun!  8)
Eric Provenzano
2019 KTM 300 XCW TPI
2000 KTM 300 EXC (Son's)
2001 KTM 380 EXC
Sold 1991 KDX 200... fun play bike
Sold 1999 KX250
Sold 1999 YZ125 (son's)
Sold 2001 Yamaha TTL 125 (son's 1st bike)
Sold but never forgotten 1974 Honda Elsinore CR250M
Sold 1974 Honda Elsinore CR125

Offline eprovenzano

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Re: Winter Projects... what ya working on?
« Reply #9 on: December 11, 2019, 12:00:08 PM »
I've always wanted a bike work bench...  the issue is my garage floor space is limited, so I didn't want something when not in use to be taking up valuable space.  But... my garage also has 12ft ceilings.  I started looking for something cheap (yes I'm cheap) that when not in use could be stored near the ceiling via a pulley system.  After searching the interwebs, I found a video of a home made stand, that utilizes a motorcycle jack, and auto jack stands.


Here's a link to the video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jz8oFhyBrhk.  I took his idea and made a few changes and built the following work table.  It's made from 2x10 lumber with a 3/4 plywood top.  The cutout is designed so the bike lift will fit under the stand, as this is how you lift and move the stand. I also had to build and figure out a way to mount a ramp.  Most of the material used I had lying around, including the front wheel stop. I used a door hinge so it can fold down when not being used.   
Pic 1 - shows the 1st time I lifted the stand and dropped in onto the jack stands.  I was surprised as to how stable it was.
Pic 3 - I bent a small piece of steel and attached to the plywood ramp, with a bolt going through the plywood to keep it from falling. Yes there's a support under the plywood ramp for stability.
Pic 4 - the 1st trial on putting my bike onto the table... this was just prior lifting it with the jack
Pic 7 - loaded and lifted to it lowest height.  I can go higher, just need to lift and adjust the jack stands.

So far so good...  I really haven't used it much yet, as I just completed it... but with the bike loaded and sitting on the jack, its surprisingly easy to move  around the garage.  The next test will be to load the street bike...  That will happen this weekend.  And finally the test of the pulleys to lift it up to the ceiling. 
« Last Edit: December 11, 2019, 12:23:32 PM by eprovenzano »
Eric Provenzano
2019 KTM 300 XCW TPI
2000 KTM 300 EXC (Son's)
2001 KTM 380 EXC
Sold 1991 KDX 200... fun play bike
Sold 1999 KX250
Sold 1999 YZ125 (son's)
Sold 2001 Yamaha TTL 125 (son's 1st bike)
Sold but never forgotten 1974 Honda Elsinore CR250M
Sold 1974 Honda Elsinore CR125

Offline Nom DeGuerre

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Re: Winter Projects... what ya working on?
« Reply #10 on: December 14, 2019, 02:29:30 PM »
looks pretty well thought out to me^^^ nice! make sure you document the projects, could be a fun thread. Like Beaner, thinking about picking up a mini...sure would be fun!

Offline eprovenzano

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Re: Winter Projects... what ya working on?
« Reply #11 on: December 23, 2019, 08:40:42 AM »
As usual, I can't just leave anything plain....  So I took some leftover paint and stain to the bike bench.  Also as you can see, it works fine for larger bikes too...  Can ya tell I ride orange...   :o

This issue is, when you get the cruiser that high, you can really see just how dirty it is... looks like I'm going to be busy polishing lots of chrome and paint...  also I realized just how little tread was left on the rear tire...  :-\  One thing I did try while the KTM was on the lift, was to use a small auto scissor jack to lift the rear of the bike.  This would allow me (when needed) to remove pull the rear tire.  It worked great, next will be to try it on the cruiser as well.  I don't see any reason why it wouldn't work. 

I did try to use the pulley system I had rigged up to pull and store the stand up next to the ceiling of my garage.... FAIL!!  it's heavier than I thought...  need to go to plan B, as soon as I figure out what that is... 
« Last Edit: December 23, 2019, 08:51:16 AM by eprovenzano »
Eric Provenzano
2019 KTM 300 XCW TPI
2000 KTM 300 EXC (Son's)
2001 KTM 380 EXC
Sold 1991 KDX 200... fun play bike
Sold 1999 KX250
Sold 1999 YZ125 (son's)
Sold 2001 Yamaha TTL 125 (son's 1st bike)
Sold but never forgotten 1974 Honda Elsinore CR250M
Sold 1974 Honda Elsinore CR125

Offline eprovenzano

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Re: Winter Projects... what ya working on?
« Reply #12 on: January 08, 2020, 07:12:59 AM »
Well, I offered $500 for both the YX 125 and XR 80... I've not heard a word as a response...  I'm assuming they think it's worth more than I'm willing to pay...  so the search continues... 
Eric Provenzano
2019 KTM 300 XCW TPI
2000 KTM 300 EXC (Son's)
2001 KTM 380 EXC
Sold 1991 KDX 200... fun play bike
Sold 1999 KX250
Sold 1999 YZ125 (son's)
Sold 2001 Yamaha TTL 125 (son's 1st bike)
Sold but never forgotten 1974 Honda Elsinore CR250M
Sold 1974 Honda Elsinore CR125

Offline rsmith

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Re: Winter Projects... what ya working on?
« Reply #13 on: January 26, 2020, 12:42:36 PM »
Here is the latest on the Basket Case build.

It's a roller!



Engine assembly begins today.

--Ron.