D12, bit of sorting out (cans, engine content)

[Flying Custard]

My engine is out for the dreaded sprag sorting, so I'm taking care of a couple of bits at the same time.

Namely, re-paint engine while there's better access (2k satin).
Strip the headers.
Chop the cans and see what's what.
Sort misc brackets.

Wanted to paint the bodywork too, but it's my daily transport, so I've had to give that a miss for now.

This is what a life by the coast does, lots is like this. Most black flaked off in sheets:



Wire brushed the headers, and blasted certain areas. Haven't got enough air to blast the whole of them, without seriously working the compressor or spending ages. So wire+blast combo works well:


Found a crack, concealed by road gack. No rust as they're stainless it seems, but the crack was a-creeping. Welded that up, sorted.

[Flying Custard]

Stripped the cans; rivets out, leaving the skin (stainless textured), the end caps (stainless, plated), the two rings (shiney), and the inner can and tailpipe (mild, rusting quietly).

Getting the brackets off was a game, two of the rivnuts popped inside...

The inner can rusted, one had holes. Water seeps betwixt skin and can. Cut out a chunk and welded a repair in.

Cans/tailpipe and skins stripped with fibre disc. All will be painted.
I cut the cans open. Sorry, no pics. They are a resonator/chamber system. CBA re-doing as straight through given the time factor and the fact that they'd rusted thin in places. So drilled some holes. We'll see how it goes when back together.
Welded the cans back together.

[Flying Custard]

And last night I sprayed the headers. Pretty chuffed, they look like new. Used wood burner/stove paint, it's metallic black though the pic doesn't show that well.

Hopefully today I'll get the rest of the cans into epoxy and start nailing them back together.

So far it's cost nowt but a chunk of elbow grease, and should make it a bit nicer looking and keep stuff going a decent while yet... fingers x'd.... Was worth starting anyway as the cans and header were knacked.

[Flying Custard]

Engine's back. I farmed out the split/sprag to a chap in NW London I've known for about 15 yrs. My place is too manky with cutting/welding/grit etc to open an engine. The labour charge was low, hauling out the motor saves lots. If anyone needs the svs of a reliable Trumph mech, send a PM.

[pigboy306]

Originally Posted by Flying Custard

My engine is out for the dreaded sprag sorting, so I'm taking care of a couple of bits at the same time.

Namely, re-paint engine while there's better access (2k satin).
Strip the headers.
Chop the cans and see what's what.
Sort misc brackets.

Wanted to paint the bodywork too, but it's my daily transport, so I've had to give that a miss for now.

This is what a life by the coast does, lots is like this. Most black flaked off in sheets:



Wire brushed the headers, and blasted certain areas. Haven't got enough air to blast the whole of them, without seriously working the compressor or spending ages. So wire+blast combo works well:


Found a crack, concealed by road gack. No rust as they're stainless it seems, but the crack was a-creeping. Welded that up, sorted.

I had my hangers like that i polished them up , borrowing the electric polsher of the freindly mechanic around the back of mine.

[Flying Custard]

Hi PB, sounds nice, got any pix?

[Flying Custard]

Delayed due to a bout of flu... back on it today.
Exhaust/footrest hangers got 2k epoxy, 2k hi-build, sanded, epoxy, 2k satin black. Various other brackets blasted epoxied and satin black. Exhaust end caps the same.

[Flying Custard]

Silencer skins epoxied, hi build, and sanded so they're now smooth, lost the textured surface. In readiness for colour later.


Couldn't find any soda in quantity, so I wondered what else might do a similar job. Hm, sugar's cheap, why not... gave it a go. It works, no idea if it's as goos as soda. Considering they were dirty and covered in white fur, and the sugar was dirt cheap, I'm pleased.

[Flying Custard]

Carb caps got the epoxy and satin black treatment.
Engine painted 2k satin, the front was a peeling corroded mess, and the covers and alternator had corrosion/fur.


Hopefully will get the engine in soon, and start on putting the cans back together and painting those, but there's lots of misc little jobs to do.

[pigboy306]

Originally Posted by Flying Custard

Carb caps got the epoxy and satin black treatment.
Engine painted 2k satin, the front was a peeling corroded mess, and the covers and alternator had corrosion/fur.


Hopefully will get the engine in soon, and start on putting the cans back together and painting those, but there's lots of misc little jobs to do.

Looking good....