“Garage built, shed built”... stable built!

Replacement parts for rebuilding my forks arrived. It’s so obvious I’m in deep when I’m genuinely excited to open up the package containing them!

It's a disease Daniel, I recognise a fellow sufferer.

On the fork oil, don't feel that you need to pay more and buy Yamaha oil. The grade matters, well it does if you're super-sensitive to a bike's handling. But any quality make of fork oil will be just fine.

Feels good to have it waxed and put to bed for a little while!

Steady . . .
 
It's a disease Daniel, I recognise a fellow sufferer.

On the fork oil, don't feel that you need to pay more and buy Yamaha oil. The grade matters, well it does if you're super-sensitive to a bike's handling. But any quality make of fork oil will be just fine.



Steady . . .

I think I’m going to go with this stuff, it seems often recommended on the UK Yamaha R6 5EB/5MT Facebook group.

https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/mo...MIiKS_yLih6QIVCevtCh1QBwEKEAUYASABEgLXsvD_BwE
 
All done!

Full disclosure, I’m not as happy with the right lower leg (which is the first I worked on), I didn’t spend as much time wet sanding in the early stages and it’s clear to see that up close.

That said I can live with it, especially considering the alternative option of starting again! I’m comfortable with the outlook that it’s a learning curve and this is a marker of that.

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Next job on the list, whilst I’m waiting for my hubs back from glass beading, is polishing my spokes for my wheel build.

They’re stainless steel & brand new. I’m sure I’ve read on here before that stainless is quite quick to polish and holds it’s finish well?

Any tips???
 
Can I have some pointers please Jim? I have 72 to do, I’m a sucker for punishment!
For stainless I just use white rouge on the buffer wheel. Makes pretty quick work of it. Use care you don't let the wheel grab it and bend it. Keep your hands in pretty close to the wheel to support the spoke.
 
For stainless I just use white rouge on the buffer wheel. Makes pretty quick work of it. Use care you don't let the wheel grab it and bend it. Keep your hands in pretty close to the wheel to support the spoke.

I have white compound, on a close stitched wheel?

A light yet firm touch, keeping my hands close to the wheel so as to not exert excess force?
 
Full disclosure, I’m not as happy with the right lower leg (which is the first I worked on), I didn’t spend as much time wet sanding in the early stages and it’s clear to see that up close.

Adjusted my sunglasses and took a second look. Still couldn't see anything I wouldn't be happy with!
 
Adjusted my sunglasses and took a second look. Still couldn't see anything I wouldn't be happy with!

Thank you Raymondo!

There’s still a little of the pitting remaining on the right lower that I didn’t completely remove in the early stages of wet sanding, I think I was a little apprehensive to go in as hard as I needed too?

You live and you learn though and I can live with these!
 
I’ve just had an email from the finishing firm who are glass bead blasting my hubs.

I wanted this done because they claim it can remove machining marks and leave them almost looking like a cast part, I thought this should leave me with a flat, even surface to polish and would make the hubs (once polished) look like a much older part than they are.

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I’m over the moon with the results and can’t wait to get them back and see how they polish!
 
Slowly getting through the tedious process of spoke polishing, 16 down at roughly 5 minutes a spoke. I won’t bore you with photos?

Anyone have any advice as to polishing this? It’s been glass bead blasted like my hubs.

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Ya'll know he'll never ride this thing! I don't think they make clear plastic bubbles for bikes? :umm:
I'll search for bike Hepa-Suit, but I think he's out of luck.

I intend to ride it pretty hard when it’s eventually built, keep toying with the idea of a little track day use.

Just trying to learn new skills and in the process make it as good as it can be & something I can be proud of.

A bike bubble might be nice for our British climate though, cheers for the suggestion Thuban
 
...A bike bubble might be nice for our British climate though,..
I really did think about that! It's bad enough here on the damp and dripping days, even when there under cover and covered up. Can't imagine the British climate on the bikes. I'm fixing to pour a slab for a building to hanger mine in. At least they will be away from the dirt daubers!
Outstanding job, BTM!
 
I like the bead blasted finish, me.

I really do too Raymondo!

I had a rather unsuccessful attempt at starting the polishing process on my top yoke last night. Very strange results actually! I’ll post about it tonight.

A very hazy/cloudy finish in places that seemed to almost stain from touching with bare skin.
 
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