CD200 Benly project thread (Finishing a build?)

[Mac_Black]

For about five months I've been looking for a cheap bike as since August the RVF has been sat in the garage feeling sorry for itself.
My original budget was about £400 and even then I was struggling.
Then I lost my job and sort of gave up, after saving up a bit of ALG and birthday money from last month I've been trying to decide
between a hack, an XBox tresixtay or an Ibanez RGR321..
I only decided to start searching again because BeatNck said that in the time he's known me, I've always seemed happiest when on a bike. Thanks mate.

Well the past few weeks have been funny hunt wise, a friend from college said his uncle was offering an old Br CG125 for £60..
I went and had a look and it needed a bit doing but I would have been happy providing it was ligit.
Unfortunately his uncle works nights so trying to hear anything about it was just a pain in the arse,
didn't even know if it was registered so eventually gave up hope.
I've also watched a few CG's escape my budget on ebay, then a CB450 and a CB500 the day after,
both just under £20 over budget. Things weren't looking up.

We went to the national motorcycle Museum Monday a fortnight ago and the I asked the same mate what was going on with his H100S.
Last Tuesday I went over to see it and it had had a fair bit done..
Needed a bit of work still, not much but with the cost of the bike and the work needed to consider,
as well as the fact it was going to need a replacement V5 just meant too much time and too much money.

The last real hope was an RG125 Gamma, but that found it's way onto ebay so instead, on Saturday me and BeatNck took a trip to Paul Harcher's in Upton on Severn..
Where I was reacquainted with this little beasty.
I had seen it about 4 months ago and both me and Nick were quite surprised it was still there,
it started on the first kick last time and sure enough it did go after a few turns...

A return trip today with Jay81 and a trailer to take it back to home turf, even got a new pair of front brake shoes chucked in.
https://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n243/MacKaliba/Photo004-3.jpg
https://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n243/MacKaliba/Photo005-3.jpg
https://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n243/MacKaliba/Photo006-2.jpg
Off the trailer and then the key/barrel decided to give up so after much messing about finally she roared into life again,
spluttering and popping, generally noise polluting, sounds a beaut.
Obligatory thrash down my road with no front brake of course, wearing nout but a rockers bike jacket, going like a mad man..

I felt very cool, corner into my neighboring road, hard on the brakes and the back and sliding and wailing,
As I exited the turn and got enthusiastically on the throttle, the back started to step out.
Up that road and down again, then a repeat of the same route, this time with the bike actually slipping from underneath me in a very sureal and slow manor..
I corrected before it was too late, dodgy, but yet again very cool.
Well, I suppose that's what's going to happen if you try to ride to fast over Ice but I didn't care, it's been a while and it seems that I've forgotten how to ride accordingly.
https://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n243/MacKaliba/Photo023-2.jpg
It didn't stop there either, blazed right up the path and ended with a fifteen foot slide of doom at my front door.
So to summarise, the bike handles like shit and in 5 minutes of owning the thing I've allready near stacked it 3 times.. Owning this is going to be fun.
https://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n243/MacKaliba/Photo022-1.jpg

Anyway, time to stop being a tool so into the house she goes.
https://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n243/MacKaliba/Photo017-2.jpg
Not a great deal wrong tbf, the more I look at it the less it needs doing. Biggest need is a lock set as the current items are jammed,
the key did work but I'm now using a screw driver because I can't be fucked with it.

[b]Both Cosmetically and internally (It initially seems) the engine is in very good order, runs sweet as a nut and ticks over sound.
Will be getting fresh oil, inspecting of the pump and that's about it.
https://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n243/MacKaliba/Photo007-1.jpg
https://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n243/MacKaliba/Photo008-1.jpg
These crossheads need gone, I'll get stainless cap heads there when the time comes... maybe just some hex heads.
https://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n243/MacKaliba/Photo009.jpg
Header clamps, the only rusty component in sight, will see what I can do there.

Wheels, generally good, just surface rust it seems, will shine out I guess but the plan is probably to paint them when time/money allows. Check out the stainless mudguard.
https://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n243/MacKaliba/Photo010.jpg
Forks and shocks quite allright, little bit of corrosion on the shocks but nothing major.
https://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n243/MacKaliba/Photo012.jpg

This spot here is the only spec of rust on the handlebars, they're pretty fresh.
https://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n243/MacKaliba/Photo015.jpg
Headlight rim is not much worse.
https://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n243/MacKaliba/Photo016-1.jpg
The tank is corrosion free I think (on the outside) will clean it up and have it painted in due course however.
https://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n243/MacKaliba/Photo018-2.jpg
Little bit sorrier internally though.
https://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n243/MacKaliba/Photo019-1.jpg

The most attention will need to be paid to the electrics and specifically the wiring, everything works so far bar the indicators, which I'm planning to lose for the MOT anyway.
https://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n243/MacKaliba/Photo011.jpg

I reckon it needs very little for an MOT, just check David Silvers and I reckon it would end up costing me just about £300 to get it mint,
That's replacing any rusty bits that won't polish (not many at all),
pro paint on the tank, panels, wheels and frame etc.. any other odds and sods.
But for the moment I'm just going to get it roadworthy and hack it about. I'll get the seat recovered at some point and the maybe a set of mirrors, though they are gash, and it needs a L/h Panel.
Oh, the rear tyre ain't got a lot left in it, the chain is reported ot be good but very slack.
Thanks for reading this pointlessly lengthy post, there will be a video of it running up later but for now youtube is dicking about with it.

[27cows]

Now, that's a proper commuter bike, is that. Where's G? A Benly is what he needs for getting to work on

[virus]

What year is it? that plate makes me think its pretty old (as in, pre 84, which means you can get away with more stuff on MOT)

Looks pretty tidy to be honest mate, Id get some sandpaper then paint on the spokes on the back wheel though. It doesnt look too bad but they were known for collapsing

Oh if the back wheel does fail then CG back wheels will fit, just need the CG brakes aswell.


I expect to see this thing used and abused mate, Its a honda, it can take it.


Cheers
John
____________________
own: 81 xs1100g...
owned: 85 rat CG (sold), 91 GS500e (stolen), 84 gsx400f (scrapped), 81 z250 (siezed, siezed, scrapped), 83 cb250rs (sold), 84 gpz750r ratfighter (killed) 84gpz400 (sold), '80 cb650 ratfighter (wrote off) 95gsx6/12f ratfighter (killed) 91 xj900 (sold)
stinkwheel Well I just had my hands up a pigs fanny. Which makes your concerns pale into insignificance.

[27cows]

X-reg makes it 81/82. Always liked 200s, not sure why. Had a few - X5, CD, Z, CB and the pretty rare SB. The CD and Z200 were both decent workhorse hacks.

[virus]

The Z200 twin was the 3rd most horrendous machine kawasaki ever produced, only beaten by the z250 in second and the GPZ305 in 1st.

And would you believe it, they all shared the same crankcase setup and terrible oil pickup system?


Cheers
John
____________________
own: 81 xs1100g...
owned: 85 rat CG (sold), 91 GS500e (stolen), 84 gsx400f (scrapped), 81 z250 (siezed, siezed, scrapped), 83 cb250rs (sold), 84 gpz750r ratfighter (killed) 84gpz400 (sold), '80 cb650 ratfighter (wrote off) 95gsx6/12f ratfighter (killed) 91 xj900 (sold)
stinkwheel Well I just had my hands up a pigs fanny. Which makes your concerns pale into insignificance.

[27cows]

The Z200 I had was a single and was tough as old boots.


Agree re the GPz305 - nasty piece of crap, that one.

[UnknownStuntm...]

Nice write up there, but wipe the jizz off the tank before you take her picture again old man.

[The Artist]

[locked]

[Mac_Black]

[lisalin]

thanks for your pic !!!

________________

Both house md dvd and p90x dvd are my fav .

[woodyfjr]

Keep an eye on the crank seal behind the alternator as it can leak.
____________________
If you don't pay your exorcist you can get repossessed.

If you have to rev it! Don't Buy it!

[.Chris.]

I had one of those, a 1980 W-reg in black. Quite slow but a great bike and I really regret getting rid of it.
____________________
Chris
1985 Kawasaki Z550F

[Mac_Black]

Yes Chris I was reading some of your posts on it just last night, no luck finding a downloadable manual... Don't suppose you've had any joy?

[.Chris.]

Never managed to get one I'm afraid. The nearest I could get was a Clymer manual for Honda 200 & 250 twins. Didn't refer specifically to the CD200 as it was more aimed at the CM200 & Rebel 250 but still some useful stuff in there. Bloody expensive though.
____________________
Chris
1985 Kawasaki Z550F

[Mac_Black]

I may have effectively missed winter but I now have a hack that works, I've done quite allot with it the past month and it's probably had about £150 spent on it...
Some mistakes have been made so it's been a little more expensive than perhaps necessary but I've learnt a few things along the way so it's all good.

I have taken a long time to actually get work done on it but as usual this was mostly down to the fact that I was having to wait on tools or parts to arrive.
Over the past few days however I've really cracked on with it... It was a study week so that may have helped,
Also my internet has been suffering allot of downtime recently so with no porn what better was I going to do?

My mother went up to her boyfriend's last weekend and when she got back we had an argument,
Nothing to bad but seeing as she's constantly bitching at me for the bike I thought it only fair to bitch at her for shirking..
Typically she took offence and threatened to leave , so I said "See you in three days then".. It's been a week.
I feel awful.. I've had to do wash cycles and take care of the laundry... Make my own meals, ration what little food I have, today I even had to wear marigolds ffs!

Otherwise it's been nice to have no one in my hair as I'm working on the bike and I really haven't noticed the difference which I'm betting she's hoping I do..
She'll come back expecting the place to look like a bombshell with me lying withering on the floor begging for forgiveness.
In reality she'll come in and the place will be spotless, she won't be able to lecture me about "how hard it to keep up on top of things",
I'll say "see, easy stuff, don't know what the fuss is about... Make me a samich!"

^^What that has to do with the bike I don't know but I fancied a rant of sorts.
(oh yeh if your women, be that mother or spouse gives you a her/bike ultimatum then tell them "get to fuck!").

Anyway back to the project. Basically most of the work I have been doing was to ensure that
the bike will require as little attention as possible and give me many trouble free happy miles.
The first job was to get as much muck and grime off the bike as possible before commencing work..
So I ran it for the last time in a good while, drained the oil and disconnected the battery for charging.
Then when it was all cool I chucked many chemicals onto it then gave it a good splash down with some warm water.

I have replaced the ignition barrel as the old one was completely knackered,
I had a set of keys made up for the helmet and steering lock as the old key wasn't to smart either.
I also had to replace the choke cable as it was badly frayed and I bought a set of spindles of ebay to have some less corroded bits off.
Cost:£38
I got down to halfrauds for some essentials and borrowed some leccy tools from my mate Andy.
Before long I had a *ahem* workbench full of goodness.
https://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n243/MacKaliba/CD200work008.jpg
First job I took care of was replacing the front spindle and fitting the new front shoes.

Gasket set, Satin paint, lacquer, set of used side panels.
Cost:£38
I then stripped most of the bike down and cleaned whatever components were in the biggest state,
I'm still quite impressed with the headlight assembly, no noticeable corrosion on the ring chrome but a bit inside.
Only one small chip on the lens that I think I put there myself.

One of the things I wanted to do before putting it on the road was to inspect and clean the oil pump and filter as I had been advised to do so when I bought it.

Removing the covers had to wait until I got hold of an impact driver, shitty cross heads... who's idea was that?
https://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n243/MacKaliba/CD200work004.jpg
Crankcase cover kit, stainless cap heads..
Cost: £10
Then the clutch cover had a cleanup
https://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n243/MacKaliba/CD200work017.jpg
https://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n243/MacKaliba/CD200work018.jpg
Then it was lightly coated with oil and greased.

I don't remember why but I started to strip down the geny side as well.
https://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n243/MacKaliba/CD200work006.jpg
Sometimes I seem to just get carried away,
I don't think there was a reason but being that I ruined both the old gaskets and didn't have a flywheel puller this created allot of ball ache for me.
Like magic though I managed to replace the guide plate/ crankcase gasket without removing the flywheel... It was fiddly.
https://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n243/MacKaliba/CD200work044.jpg

...and then there was this little son of a bitch.
https://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n243/MacKaliba/CD200work013.jpg
As if I hadn't had enough fun trying to remove the crankcase or starter motor bolts..
The top two weren't exactly a piece of cake but this one just wouldn't budge, I spent literally hours trying to get it!
I then borrowed an extractor set from college and a combi drill from my dads, tried that but my the chuck couldn't grip the extractor.. piece of shit!
Realising that the bolt was now probably weakened I tried again with the impact driver, presto... At 11:30pm I screamed hallelujah!

More cleaning goodness.
https://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n243/MacKaliba/CD200work015.jpg
What had amassed on the filter screen:
https://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n243/MacKaliba/CD200work012.jpg
Shiny (almost).
https://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n243/MacKaliba/CD200work031.jpg

I removed the shocks and replaced the washers and collets as it was a bit of a bodge affair, some essential ones even missing.
I thought I had best take care of this to please the MOT man. I removed the choke cable bottom bracket to give it a lick of paint.
Somehow though I lost the clamp bit so had to make one out of a mild steel, I do like to whore so here we are... Sheet to component in about 1 hour.
https://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n243/MacKaliba/CD200work002.jpg
Shaped and painted.
https://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n243/MacKaliba/CD200work039.jpg
https://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n243/MacKaliba/CD200work036.jpg
https://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n243/MacKaliba/CD200work041.jpg

I also took the tank, badges and side panels into college to respray.
This was the panels before they were stripped...
https://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n243/MacKaliba/CD200work019.jpg
...That was the last anybody saw of them, they're probably on a landfill site now looking like Jacko's face.
I used paint stripper on them which was fine until a tutor asked me to do his sprocket cover "Yeh just leave it on there for about ten minutes".
I know, why don't I do that with my panels to get rid of what ever crap is left on there...
Cue me returning to a pair of panels that will not break no matter how I twisted them.
Replacement for the replacement panels.
Cost: £20

The tank went allot smoother... up until day three anyhow.
I stripped it with ease and even started to polish it just out of curiosity, opinion was divided but a few thought I should keep it bare.
I looked into getting it lacquered bare but apparently it's a no no by and large which is a shame.

Badges after sandblasting.
https://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n243/MacKaliba/CD200work020.jpg
The plan was to paint the tank badges red and then remove the paint on top of the lettering, and use wet and dry to polish them up.
The side panel badges were plastic so I'm going to go for the same effect, just with chrome paint instead.

So after much keying, primering and painting of the badges:
https://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n243/MacKaliba/CD200work021.jpg
https://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n243/MacKaliba/CD200work011.jpg
https://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n243/MacKaliba/CD200work023.jpg
https://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n243/MacKaliba/CD200work009.jpg
I applied about 3 good layers of primer, I think this may have been too much.

After wet and drying and much more preparation between coats I had started to build up an even base.
https://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n243/MacKaliba/CD200work022.jpg
https://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n243/MacKaliba/CD200work025.jpg
Disastrously I ran out of paint, I couldn't get across town to halfrauds so reluctantly took up the a tutors offer of soem 'painters touch' glossy stuff.
At the end of day three I had a finish that I and the tutors were very impressed with... Not bad for a rattle can.
https://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n243/MacKaliba/CD200work026.jpg
https://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n243/MacKaliba/CD200work007.jpg

With hindsight, and I was told so.. This should have been the point at which I lacquered it..
With compounding still to come though I wasn't to confident as I felt the paint was too thin in areas.
I ran out of the gloss so I had to switch back to the satin stuff.
Cost £12
Day 4 of painting turned into a disaster.
Reaction!
https://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n243/MacKaliba/CD200work027.jpg
https://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n243/MacKaliba/CD200work029.jpg
https://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n243/MacKaliba/CD200work003.jpg
I was pissed off, all of the hard work and effort I had put in was put to waste,
I knew I didn't have a chance of getting a nice finish now unless I stripped it back to bare again.
I was pretty gutted but I knew that wasn't an option, I'd run out of money and I was already taking time out of study to get this done.
I carried on, I'll have to put that down as a learning experience.
In reality I'm less concerned about the finish as I am the meticulous effort that I put into it, it was all going really well,
It's a kick in the teeth not least because I could have got the same results I now have for about £8 and 1/4 the time.

There were all sorts of ideas to be had about why the paint reacted,
A cellulose reaction was ruled out because if it was going to happen I'd of banked on it happening on the first coat of gloss.
Otherwise I was very conscious of what I was doing and using, Making sure that the conditions I were working in were as clean as possible.
I stopped using gloves when handling the tank because so that there was no risk of the powder contaminating it,
I even hoovered the spray booth beforehand..

The best possible explanation was offered by one of my tutors, the same one who advise me to lacquer it at the end of day 3.
Too much paint, the under layers were unable to cure properly and the top layer has 'shrink rapped' because of it.
Well I was looking forward to coming on here and wowing you all with my epic skillxorz but I guess this has become a 'how not to' instead.
All I can really say is I admire people who do this professionally for their patience, I was quoted £120-£200 for the painting of the tank and panels pre stripped,
which I thought was dear but now I can understand why.

Pump refitted.
https://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n243/MacKaliba/CD200work042.jpg
Ok it's way past my bedtime now so I'll update this thread later tomorow, still to come: Rear brake, wiring tales, rebuild, plans for after it's on the road.

[Frost]

I agree with the description you were given for the laquer going horrible, i've had it happen myself. The only way i've found to get it to work is to do all your fine sanding before one final layer of paint that you do not touch in any way. Give this half an hour to an hour to dry depending on how thin the coat was then laquer the whole thing. Give it a thin all over coat, just enough to be a liquid layer rather than a mist. Respray every 20 minutes until you have 2-3 layers.

Your tank can be salvaged by carefully taking it back to just the coloured paint with some sand paper. Reflat the newly reveled paint and spray a new layer of colour on and doing what i said above.

Engine looks alot like the one in my old cb125. Maybe your is just an older design bottom end and bigger barrels?

[Carl_steveo]

Awesome write up mate and great pics aswell. It's looking good.
____________________
Current: Honda Nsr 125
Live: Sunderland
Luke "cant be arsed to read your post, but suck my balls anyway."

[Mark65]

Nice , Dont give up on the tank.

Mark
____________________
07 Yamaha YBR125, 07 Honda CG125 , 15 CBR300R (Chocolate Crank, Deaded), 16 CB500FA, 19 Honda Forza 300, 70 Suzuki SV650

[rob_scott92]

Looking good dude, I shall be keeping an eye on this thread.
I was suprised at how clean the engine looks! Seems like a decent little project.

Good luck!
Rob

[pepperami]

really good more please !!

more pictures and lots more detail
____________________
I am the sum total of my own existence, what went before makes me who I am now!

[BenR]

The reason why the paint on the tank has crazed looks to me like it was lacquered without giving enough time for the top coat to dry, either that or you sprayed it in an environment that was too cold. All is not lost though rub it down with some 1200grit wet & dry until it's smooth then just re-lacquer it provided you don't go through the paint underneath.
____________________
Current bikes: suzuki RG125UN wolf. Yamaha MT-07

[ms51ves3]

[Mac_Black]

Part II (update):

The brakes have been reluctant to stay in one piece so far,
I bought the bike without a front brake so got a new pair of shoes chucked in...
Of course sans springs so I had to return to Upton a while later to retrieve them.
I then lost/misplaced the front operating arm /adjustment cylinder...

Then bought another one for a quid, I lost that the same day,
Would you believe it I kept that and a handful of other little parts in a resealable baggy, which split when it was inside my rucksack.
The cylinder must have fallen out of a tiny hole in the bottom of the rucksack,
How that did and non of the split pins, washers, nuts or bolts I had didn't I'll never know.

Then I chawed one off a discarded bike at college to use as a template to make some more, but before too long I realised that was too small in diameter.
Needless to say I acquired one in the end, the front brake is now fitted so it's there to stay.

Then there's the rear brake;
I removed the rear wheel to change and grease the spindle, only to find very worn asbestos lined shoes in there.. That was fun!
The adjustment rod was seized so badly that I had to snap it off to salvage the operating arm/adjustment cylinder.
Replacement shoes, rod, spring and adjuster nut.
Cost: 18

Here was the rear brake rejuvenated and ready to go.
https://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n243/MacKaliba/CD200work043.jpg
I can't see anything wrong there, but it was too wide to fit in the drum,
being me I forced it in there anyway but I couldn't turn it without the aid of a rubber mallet.

I was properly bemused, I called David Silvers and compared them to other parts in stock and it turned out they were as specified...
I reffited the shoes tonight and gave them a go.
https://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n243/MacKaliba/CD200work2001.jpg
This time it seems to be working,
I'm not sure if the build up of glaze that I neglected to remove from the pads was enough to stop them from moving, but alas it appears to be kosha now.

Other than that really a large part of the tidy up has been the wiring, which as I stated was probably the bikes weakest point.
The old rear light wiring was fucked so I started by making a new mini loom at college.
(Just realised I don't have a picture of it which is a shame because it was bang tidy). I like wiring, it's easy, it's therapeutic even.
I decided seeing as I didn't have a full set of working indicators that I'd do away with them all together so firstly I removed the switch,
Then I whipped out the relay and started hacking at the entire loom...

Logically starting from the ends of the indicators, the relay end and the controls end,
of course the wires didn't match up which took me by surprise as I was on auto pilot so I wrecklessly just turned up everything that was orange or blue etc..
I did a good check over before making the final cuts and perhaps luckily I had done it all fine, didn't even consult the Haynes .
The aftermath:
https://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n243/MacKaliba/CD200work005.jpg

I also bought a set of Motrax hootaz, Cost: £10 Now I'm not usually keen on cheap stuff and I really want a Steble Nautilus on most of bikes.
But after my dad installed a set of these on his Sprint ST I was really impressed, they're loud mothers,
I think something like a claimed 60db, dual tone and quite sturdy so you can't go wrong really.

I was eager to try these out, I decided they weren't going to sit on the horn mount bar so did away with that and decided to give the bike a bit of character...
https://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n243/MacKaliba/CD200work033.jpg
I mounted them where the indicators used to screw into the light mounting arms.. The same thread there as on the horns, WIN!
As that photo illustrated though they were way wonky,
with almost 90 degrees between them...
Ok having the horns like this might be a bit goofy as it is but I'm not after oddball looks...
Maybe we can incorporate the mounting brackets some how?
https://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n243/MacKaliba/CD200work034.jpg
Pukks, that will straighten them out, I just need to cut them down into little squares now, makes a perfect set of washers
Next I made an attempt to adapt the old wiring to take two horns... It didn't work, for it was too short
https://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n243/MacKaliba/CD200work001.jpg

Well on Saturday I commenced the tidying of the stripped loom.
I started bounding the loom in insulation tape from the rear, I find cable ties always help to keep a check on what's going with what.
Also you can use them to hold the cables together snuggly and just push them along the length when you need to bound further up.
https://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n243/MacKaliba/CD200work010.jpg
Now knowing how my horns were going to sit I measured out my lengths of cable and had another go at that mini loom.
https://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n243/MacKaliba/CD200work016.jpg
By the end of Saturday afternoon I had re insulated the entire loom.
https://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n243/MacKaliba/CD200work032.jpg
Horn loom V2 joined and insulated.
https://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n243/MacKaliba/CD200work038.jpg
Cable joining skillxorz!
https://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n243/MacKaliba/CD200work037.jpg
I then bundled everything up into the headlight shell and reconnected it all for the last time complete with new bulbs.
Cost: £8
Ofcourse I then got to test the horns, they're great!
https://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n243/MacKaliba/CD200work035.jpg

So it's about 99% there now...
https://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n243/MacKaliba/CD200work2002.jpg
https://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n243/MacKaliba/CD200work2003.jpg
As you can see it's not all there yet, I need to refit the zorsts after torquing everything under the covers that needs doing so..
Then she needs a fresh fill of oil, torque everything else up and check it over I suppose.
I still need to paint my replacement replacement panels when they arrive and then whack them on and fit the new starter motor bolts
(Stainless cap head again, for the tart in me:P) when they arrive.

Of course there's probably a wealth of stiff I've missed, Obvious boring stuff like the cleaning/
oiling/ copper slipping/ siliconing/ air filter oiling (nasty stuff ) and general shit...

So over the next few days I'll take care of most of what needs doing and hopefully get a bit of petrol in it for a hoon up the road.
Otherwise it's just going to be sitting about now until I can afford to tax and MOT it,
Won't be more than a few weeks but can't say if it will be sooner.

Future plans really are just ride the fucking thing to death, it's essentially become a RAT already by definition.
There are a few idea's in the pipeline though,
It might manifest into a flat tracker or even a hard tailed bobber styled badboy in the future, we'll have to see.

For a long while I've been wanting a bike that I could just practice my mechanical skills on when not at college.
That wish was answered and of course even if I do get it wrong then it won't be a bank breaker.
In fact I've just worked it out and bar postage and oils etc I've spent £155, so I was smack on the money lmao.
Including tax and MOT it will have taken me £400 on the dot to get this beast on the road. Reasonable.

Thank you all for your continued interest,
I never got around to starting my RVF thread but I've always wanted to do a project thread, it's quite enjoyable.
It's going to be really good to get back on the road.

[Mac_Black]