Dukedesmo's M900 project - the intro...

Unless the lottery goes my way sometime soon yours will definately be done before mine.

I'm 'almost' tempted to get another engine to use to get mine mobile, but spending £500+ on a random lump is galling as I'd much rather invest that in my own.

Originally Posted by Nottsbiker

Unless the lottery goes my way sometime soon yours will definately be done before mine.

I'm 'almost' tempted to get another engine to use to get mine mobile, but spending £500+ on a random lump is galling as I'd much rather invest that in my own.

Indeed a secondhand engine with all the promises in the world will only cost you more...a lot more than you were expecting to spend. You just need to be prepared to stick your hand in your pocket. Don't ask how I know.

2x on that last comment

Been there done that with motors, it's easier and cheaper to fix what you have, unless it's FUBAR

[Dukedesmo]

Been slow lately but did get the wheels assembled & ready to fit;



Also got the engine cases painted before taking them to a professional to rebuild the bottom end, including crank balance.

Used VHT paint on cases, cylinders, heads & rocker covers and then baked for 1hr at 200 degrees.

Who said a term of 'domestic science' was a waste of time at School?



Fit nicely in the oven, did them late at night so as not to taint the dinner.

Turned out OK;



Picked up bottom end today, couldn't resist a 'test' fit to see how it looks;



Looking to get the heads built up and then put it together, checking squish etc. before starting on actually building the bike.

That engine looks absolutely superb, I'd love to be knowledgable enough to do the same to mine! But the stripping of the engine would lose me!

Superb!

Loving this build, keep up the good work

[Capo]

Quality work

[gary tompkins]

Trouble with rebuilds this good.. it seems a shame to ride them and get it dirty afterwards

[Dukedesmo]

Originally Posted by gary tompkins

Trouble with rebuilds this good.. it seems a shame to ride them and get it dirty afterwards

Well 2 years and counting and I've not ridden it yet, so don't hold your breath.

Anyway, inspired to actually ride it next summer, I've been assembling the heads; new bearings, valve stem seals, fitted/shimmed the rocker shafts & rockers, MBP retainers and valves



Still need to adjust the valve clearances but struggling with that as I've only got a small selection of shims so put them together with what I'd got so that I can claim a small victory.

great thread, your bike is coming on well!

a small question when you painted the engine with vht did you need to etch prime first and then just sprayed with vht paint,as i have used vht paint before and found it was very easy to scrap off,any advised on engine paint would be good ie engine colour and make of vht paint and prep cheers.loving you build looking forward to see you finshed job.

[Dukedesmo]

I did use etch primer on the crankcase halves and then VHT paint over the top but then read (on the can) that the VHT should be straight on the metal? so did the heads & cylinders without primer but blasted to get a good surface.

Also not sure how heat resistant etch primer is but the cases don't get as hot hot as the heads anyway.

I am actually wondering if VHT is too soft and if I should use some kind of clear coat over it?

At the moment I have the case side covers done in etch prime whilst I'm deciding on what colour/finish to do them...

[utopia]

I've also found that vht paint seems a little soft at first, particularly when dry but not cured.
Its harder after heat curing, but I think it carries on getting harder with subsequent heat and time, beyond an hour or so in the oven.

I did my new, bare ally reg/rec in halfords vht recently.
I dunno how hot it actually gets, but better safe than sorry...and no primer needed either.
Obviously, I couldn't cure it in the oven.
I did leave it as close as I dared to the radiator for a day or so, but it was still soft and marked easily when I was fitting it.
I pondered a clear laquer at the time, but it was fitted by then, so I left it.
Since then it seems to have hardened up in use though, and I've noticed no further stone chips etc (its mounted under the headstock, so it does get a bit of a peppering). I haven't exactly scratched at it or anything, so I don't really know, but it still looks fine, after a couple of years in use.
Don't take my word for it, but I think it gets harder.

Incidently, halfords vht range contains (and I used) a rather nice matt charcoal colour (I think they actually call it black), with a tiny metallic sparkle, that looks good if you're after a kind of stealth bling.

thanks guys for that i think ill have to have a go with halford paint and give it some heat thanks again

[Dukedesmo]

So, after a short break (servicing the 916 and the inevitable waiting for parts), I got back on the build today and fitted the pistons, barrels, heads & belts;





Next job is to check/alter the cam timing and then the engine can go into the frame to start building an actual bike, I'm starting to see light at the end of the tunnel now...