Author Topic: Putting my bike back together (Read 2027 times)

Triple Bob · « **on:** September 27, 2021, 09:34:18 am »

I'm mechanically challenged. So I managed to take my RC51 apart a little for painting, but now I have to put it back together. And I don't know why I've been procrastinating for so long, well I do, I'm worried I'm going to screw it up. I can change oil etc, but don't have basic mechanical knowledge that you guys do, so could do with a little help getting it back on the road.

K, part one, fuel tank and lines. (pics will come)

I needed to get a new gasket for the fuel pump as the old one was coming up on 20 years. So I have the tank, gasket and pump. Do I just bolt everything together dry, or is it best to put something like a small amount of silicone grease on the gasket to help with the seal?

This is the reason I am asking basic questions. I don't want to put everything together and have someone say, "oh, you didn't lube the flange? It's gonna burst into flames!"

ktm525 · « **Reply #1 on:** September 27, 2021, 10:04:46 am »

Do you have a service/shop manual?

Triple Bob · « **Reply #2 on:** September 27, 2021, 10:14:53 am »

Yeah but it's not very clear or detailed.

It just says to install, doesn't say anything else. Was wondering if there were any tips for this stuff not in the shop manual.

bridgecity · « **Reply #3 on:** September 27, 2021, 10:37:25 am »

Shop manuals will normally have a symbol if lubricant or sealant or whatever is to be applied.

Normally seals/gaskets don't need anything applied. If its an o-ring, they often should be lightly oiled.

PJungnitsch · « **Reply #4 on:** September 27, 2021, 10:42:23 am »

I've always used a bit of the regular brown gasket goo, Loctite #2 or somesuch if needed. Gasket alone was probably how it came stock, may be fine, but 20 year old surfaces are not usually perfect

Regular silicone sealant gets eaten by gas, and silicone grease won't seal anything, that's more of a lube for brakes or a anti corrosion coating for electrical connectors

Jaeger · « **Reply #5 on:** September 27, 2021, 04:46:31 pm »

I'd help if I could, but I'm just a spectator for this one.

Triple Bob · « **Reply #6 on:** October 17, 2021, 09:35:40 am »

Finally got the fuel pump back in, holy moley that was difficult, it really doesn't want to fit. I don't know how it was designed that way.

Nearly there:

Old vs new gasket:

Looks much better now:

New torque wrench arrives today, should be able to continue.

ktm525 · « **Reply #7 on:** October 17, 2021, 12:19:51 pm »

I have a shorty 4lb sledge hammer nicknamed the "motivator" for such a job.

Good work.

rrocket · « **Reply #8 on:** October 17, 2021, 01:06:53 pm »

One of those fussy, tedious jobs.

Nice work.

Arthur Dent · « **Reply #9 on:** October 17, 2021, 04:29:58 pm »

And smelly with fuel involved as an extra bonus.

Triple Bob · « **Reply #10 on:** October 18, 2021, 11:23:13 am »

Suspension all redone with new oil and seals, new brake lines too, hopefully will get this bike running in the next few days.

Jaeger · « **Reply #11 on:** October 18, 2021, 12:42:42 pm »

Looking good!

Great_Big_Abyss · « **Reply #12 on:** October 18, 2021, 12:45:04 pm »

Bikes can really be works of art.

rrocket · « **Reply #13 on:** October 18, 2021, 12:45:19 pm »

Can't wait!

Been waiting a long while to see this project.

One of my favorite bikes.

Even bought some RC-51 artwork and had it signed by the greatest Canadian motorcycle and AMA racers ever!

Triple Bob · « **Reply #14 on:** October 22, 2021, 10:32:55 am »

After a huge amount of searching around, I finally figured out what I needed to put the tank back on, how the previous tech left everything didn't help. I had to order a couple of parts (hoses) from the Honda garage, just waiting on those now, might be a month or two.

Guy · « **Reply #15 on:** October 22, 2021, 10:40:27 am »

Quote from: rrocket on October 18, 2021, 12:45:19 pm

Can't wait!

Been waiting a long while to see this project.

One of my favorite bikes.

Even bought some RC-51 artwork and had it signed by the greatest Canadian motorcycle and AMA racers ever!

Yes Miguel Duhamel. His father Yvon was a great racer too, racing on Kawasaki triples in the days.

http://kawasaki.co.za/2015/09/25/team-green-and-the-famous-flying-frog-yvon-duhamel/

Jaeger · « **Reply #16 on:** October 22, 2021, 10:41:06 am »

Quote from: Triple Bob on October 22, 2021, 10:32:55 am

After a huge amount of searching around, I finally figured out what I needed to put the tank back on, how the previous tech left everything didn't help. I had to order a couple of parts (hoses) from the Honda garage, just waiting on those now, might be a month or two.

Going to be a killer reveal in the spring - looking forward to it.

rrocket · « **Reply #17 on:** October 22, 2021, 12:37:11 pm »

Quote from: Guy on October 22, 2021, 10:40:27 am

Quote from: rrocket on October 18, 2021, 12:45:19 pm
Can't wait!

Been waiting a long while to see this project.

One of my favorite bikes.

Even bought some RC-51 artwork and had it signed by the greatest Canadian motorcycle and AMA racers ever!

Yes Miguel Duhamel. His father Yvon was a great racer too, racing on Kawasaki triples in the days.

http://kawasaki.co.za/2015/09/25/team-green-and-the-famous-flying-frog-yvon-duhamel/

His dad died last month.

https://www.superbikeplanet.com/rip-the-great-yvon-duhamel/

I took a great picture of Miguel, his wife Linea and his dad Yvon are Mid-Ohio. I wished Miguel "Happy Birthday" in French and that's all it took for them to come over and chat with us for long while.

Super, super nice people.

Guy · « **Reply #18 on:** October 22, 2021, 01:10:44 pm »

Triple Bob · « **Reply #19 on:** October 22, 2021, 02:00:57 pm »

Quote from: Jaeger on October 22, 2021, 10:41:06 am

Quote from: Triple Bob on October 22, 2021, 10:32:55 am
After a huge amount of searching around, I finally figured out what I needed to put the tank back on, how the previous tech left everything didn't help. I had to order a couple of parts (hoses) from the Honda garage, just waiting on those now, might be a month or two.

Going to be a killer reveal in the spring - looking forward to it.

Thanks. Will hopefully get it running ASAP, I'll keep posting pics.