It's that Bandit time again

[Mr Hammers]

https://i.imgur.com/KvgZcsN.jpeg

After it was written off in the big crash of 2015, i've been looking out for another Bandit ever since. A year or so ago, going through autotrader, i came across a Bandit for sale at a bargain £500. The guy was selling it cheap as four exhaust bolts were stuck in the head and he wasn't confident he could get them out, so it sat in the garage until he decided it was finally time to sell.

https://i.imgur.com/LoxSlC3.jpeg

https://i.imgur.com/W69VBkx.jpeg

So i came along and bought it. It was sitting in the back garden under a tarp for nearly a year until i had time to work on it and get it back on the road again.

Didn't need too much work tbh, the main things being the exhaust bolts, then replace the frame rail as the old one had rusted through - the guy also kindly supplied the replacement, and both tyre valves were both knackered and needed replacing. Also, the rear brake had locked solid and needed freeing up and lubing.

The exhaust bolts weren't too bad...three came out with a combination of heat, penetrating fluid, easyouts, and lots of swearing. The fourth one though was a bastard. First i broke a 2.5mm drill bit in it...despite trying to be really careful not to, and then i broke a 4mm drill bit in it trying to get the 2.5mm out, then i ruined a 5mm, 6mm, and 8mm drill bit trying to get the whole mess out. I'd bought another head just in case i couldn't fix this one, but eventually i got it all out, leaving a bit of a crater.

https://i.imgur.com/8vXa15A.jpeg

I did consider tigging up the cavity, but wasn't sure it'd actually work...what with the welder firing out a stream of compressed air it was just as likely to make the cavity even bigger. So, as it's not exactly structural as such, i risked filling it with JB Weld, then drilled and tapped it. It's still holding strong so it was worth the gamble i think.

With all that done, it was time to try and start it. It would start using Easystart, but wouldn't stay running, which i put down to the carbs needing a damn good clean. Some jets were completely blocked...i assume where the fuel had turned into varnish, and needed heat to unblock them. That got it all running, but it's still a little lumpy, so could probably do with an even deeper clean at some point. Gave it a good service, new battery, new plugs, oil, oil and air filter.

https://i.imgur.com/RHStkCn.mp4

Sailed through the MOT, the only advisory being the rear tyre close to limit, but everything else was fine.

Still a few things to do, but now it's looking good and riding very nicely indeed.

https://i.imgur.com/SQzHJHX.jpeg

The Triple is on the naughty step in the garden atm, as it's not charging for some reason (always the fucking electrics on that thing), but now the Bandit is roadworthy, i can use it to commute while i sort out the Triple at my leisure.
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