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Hi guys, my crank was rephrased by a local (at the time) moto engineer a couple of years ago. I asked him to do a right side advance same as most people seem to do. He was going to do a matching cam for me but ended up saying (after having the cam and crank a year) that he was unfortunately too...

Hi fellas, quick question. Cleaning up my various parts ready to put back together. I wondered about my gasket surfaces. I've not got any big issues, nothing stuck on etc. But I've seen some photos of builds and the surfaces look incredibly clean, very fresh. I just wondered what people...

Hi there. I'm going to mount a universal rear mudguard (aka Fender, I'm British ;) ). I can get them in Alloy or Stainless Steel but wondered what advantages / disadvantages there were for each option? I've spent some time googling but not really found much opinion on it. Thoughts guys?

Getting ready to reassemble my engine (including the crankcases) and I'm a bit confused because I've had some conflicting advice. Should I or shouldn't I use threadlock / locktite on any of the bolts and screws? If so which ones do you use them on? If not should I use anti seize on...

Hi guys, hope you can clarify for me. I'm rebuilding the BS34 carbs on my XS and reading the tech section came across a few mentions of missing rubber washers on the air mix screws. I hit the shed and looked at mine, followed my Haynes manual which seems to call the 'air mixture screw' the...

hi people. I'm rebuilding my engine and commonly come across the need to blow through parts / dry / clean things ideally with compressed air. I don't have a compressor and only a small garage and wondered what I could use for such tasks. Can anyone recommend a small compressor for such tasks? I...

hi. I'm gradually getting parts together to rebuild my engine. I'm rebuilding the top and bottom end. Whats the best way to clean the insides of the cases and the transmission etc before I put it all back together? What sort of cleaning stuff should I use? I'm putting in a 5th gear over...

Hi guys. I'm going to clean up the header pipes on my 78SE. They're very tatty and have deep pitted rust. I may end up painting them black or covering with wrap but gonna try and see if I can get a nice satin metal finish first. I've just experimented in my shed with various drill bit...

Hi. Most of my engine nuts and bolts seem in pretty good condition but have dirty rusty heads and nuts. Would it be a mistake to clean them up on my bench grinder with a wire brush wheel / abrasive pad or would that be okay? I was just wondering about their protective coatings. Cheers

Hi. I have a 78 SE with mags. It had a twin disk set up but I've replaced it with a single Brembo conversion (on the left). Removing the righthand disk has left some of the hub area exposed around the bolts that held the disk on. I hear that bikes with single disk set ups have some sort of...

Hi there. I'd like to clean up the threads on my engine before I rebuild it. So I'm looking to get a tap and die set. I wondered what I should look for in a kit. What are the essential items I'll be needing? Also I've seen alot of cheap sets but I'm guessing they're a risk (particularly the...

Hi, I have a 78SE with dual disks and calipers. They are dragging somewhat (not fully releasing) so I was going to do an overhaul with new seals etc. I also need new lines and a new master cylinder (mine works but looks like the nylon reservoir has seen better days). So I was wondering if I'm...

so I'm in the middle of a top end rebuild and cleaning things up ready for reassembly. I was planning on scuff polishing (satin not mirror) the side covers so it doesnt look too shiny, just aged and clean. My question is what to do with the cases, barrel, head & cover? I had assumed once...

Hi there. I've a 78SE and I'm in need of a rebore. Its already 1st oversize so I'm looking for 2nd oversize pistons. Its a 477 crank btw. I'm struggling to find anywhere in the UK or Europe selling them. Can anyone point me to any sources I dont know about please? I've tried Yambits, they...

Hello all, I want to make my own simple custom wiring harness for my 78SE. I've seen lots of great info about wiring diagrams etc but I've not found a guide / how to thread which really covers the physical creation of such a beast. I'd like to know what tools, what type of wiring, heat...

Hi guys, just bled my front brakes (dual disks on a 78 special) after reassembling my wheels. Its been off the road for a couple of years. The brakes seem to work fine except that they're dragging a little. Taking my rear brake as an example, I can spin the wheel (totally free of drag) brake...

Hi there, my 78SE appears to have Mikuni 34's (AMEND) on it when it would originally have had 38's (AMEND. I'm in the process of getting it running after about a year and a half. Basically I wondered if its worth me sticking with the 38's and getting them sorted and tuned or whether I'd be...

Hi, the ignition switch for my 78SE has a cracked (badly) housing, so I'm looking for a replacement (unless you guys think epoxy glue or something would be a good fix?) I was wondering about buying an aftermarket replacement and what the implications might be? I'm relocating the switch...

Hi guys. My 78se has a regulator / rectifier fitted part no. sh650c-11. Is that standard or has someone added it at some point? Is it the same as the solid state r/r I see people swapping to when simplifying their system? Will it work with electronic ignition like Boyer / pamco or do I need...

Hi guys. I just wondered what the best way is for testing / checking the condition of the front suspension / forks? Is there a good way of getting an idea if they're doing the job they're supposed to? I'm going to strip and service mine before it goes on the road but I have no idea how to...