Big deal around here when it's 36 degrees and more for 3 or 4 days, but I got some garage time in on my 1980 Special anyway.
I found it orphaned and alone, sans motor, in Scarborough but even after some time outside, it was otherwise remarkably complete, wiring and so on. I have been working on it in fits and starts since I installed the motor from my even further away from completion brat project and got it started using a set of BS38 carbs I had handy. Since this is for sale as soon as done to thin the herd, and to forstall any questions from a prospect who might wonder why the 80 had 77 carbs on it, I installed a set of BS 34's that I had cleaned earlier. Then I dismantled the rear caliper and cleaned it up, bled the system and presto, rear brakes.
Today I got the top motor mounts tightened up, installed the exhaust system I got in Bracebridge, rolled it outside under the blue spruce and hooked the test tank on it. Fuel T was leaking bad on one side, but I got the carbs filled up and it started after a few tries. No typical gear howl from the starter, I like that, and once off the choke (at 100 degress, come on!) and once it burned off the wake up lube I had squirted into it, it idled nicely and sounded right.
Next is to reseal that fuel T meaning the carbs have to come off again.
I am going to switch out the forks for a better set I have and then redo the front brake system and the instruments. Headlight already works so I am hoping that I will have limited work to do inside the bucket. It came to me with a way odd looking front master cylinder, has to be a later install by a PO as it is neither from a Standard nor a Special. Build date is 12/79, though so who knows. I will probably fit a Special master on it though and maybe change the bars.
More to come. Three pictures:
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