1 step forward 2 steps back

Today was check the valves and oil the upper valve train in anticipation of seeing the engine turn over via the starter.  After that I had to tear into the headlight area to replace the ignition switch. I didn't have a key.  Pulled the valve covers and everything looked spotless.  The clearances look reasonable so I applied a liberal amount of oil up top.  It  wasn't as dry as I anticipated.

 The fan came right off with the 14mmX1.5 pitch puller bolt... the fan looks pristine.
I'm still going to try to find Will's ST1100 electric fan and see if it will work regardless.
As you can see the mice did chew the wire a bit.

 The carbs installed

The new used ignition switch

So as to not suck a bunch of crap into the engine I installed the new carbs and filters. Turns out to be for naught.  Hooked up the battery box and turned on the key.  Everything lit up like it should.  Hit the starter button.... aaakkk, smoke from the solinoid.  I think the starter is locked up.

Looks as if I'll have to pull the engine and complete the build at least partly before hearing the engine run.
 Update:
Looking at the service manual it looks as if the starter can come out without pulling the engine

Christmas Mice - Day 2

It's nice in the garage... plenty warm.  It's not so nice outside... currently 9F. 

Sure glad my Dad insulated the garage.  I put a register out here in the pipe than runs to the loft.  Works so well it'll melt the snow off the cars.  My poor new car is outside but if I work on the CXFE then I don't watch as much TV. I never watched that much when I was working 'cause I was never home, but I admit, I've enjoyed the football.

Pulled spark plugs and squirted some oil down in the cylinders.     

The discoloration is where the fuel ran down the engine and turned to varnish.  

The bike sat in a barn for years. It doesn't smell like it did but this is after the first two cleaning attempts. It remains to be seen how bad the fuel tank is.

 Removed the access plugs and turned the engine over with a wrench on the end of the crankshaft.

 The engine turned over freely with a wrench... 

that's a relief... 

I'm thinking I can get this thing running.

Inspection whole on the transmission... 

It's used to determine crankshaft position when adjusting the valves.... 

looks nice and clean in there... that's encouraging

 It did, however make an odd sound.  I figured leaves and stuff in the fan shroud maybe.
So, I pulled the Radiator and... Uh, huh.  Some mice had made another nest in there.

Cleaned it out but need to pull it really. 

If nothing else these fans are famous for cracking so I need to inspect  the back side

I need to make a puller... appears to be just a 12mm bolt will work?

This is the new lift... handy

This will go... we don't need no stinkin' speedometer

The indicator lights will be relocated

I may keep the tach... going to try to remove the faceplate for an industial look.

I also want the temp gauge.

Getting to be quite a pile of parts... much of this will not be put back on... the idea is too slim it down about 130lbs... add 20-30 hp and let 'er rip.

An inspirational video from down under

Frozen - I've started - Day 1

It's been bitter cold this winter and it isn't even winter yet.  I hated to park the new car outside but all I have done is fight the ice dams on the roof and watch football.  A couple of days ago I used a Super Coupon and got a new lift.  I put it together and it felt like Christmas!  I've started tearing down the bike.  Found out the Carbs were froze up... the butterflys won't budge..  I hope the engine isn't froze too.

I'll change the oil and top of the coolant then pull the plugs and squirt some oil in the cylinders.  The put the new Munukis on and rig up a fuel supply.  Hopefully it will crank over... if all goes well, I'll see if it will run and with a little luck maybe even the system will charge the battery that is currently not there.

 The new lift

 Sissy bar and tail section off

 Seat and tank off... I'll need to clean the tank

 Old carbs off

 Skid bars off

This is where I got the idea

Purists don't like the shaft drive and the liquid cooled

I.ve never been a big one to care about that

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9-ySL4Lj48

It's like Christmas all up in here

Parts are starting to arrive... it's a shame I still have chores

Murrays Munukis arrived

Tailight brakelight combo... see the Inspiration Post below for the look

they have red LED's all the time that brighten for braking 

and yellow turn signal LED's

GL1100 dual piston brake caliper.... fits the CX500 single piston bracket

this may be the wrong side... It may be...  for sale

Clubman bars and mirrors... I may go with clipons instead

Still waiting on a few things that ain't arrove yet

Front Brake master cylinder

  

Steering dampner

and waiting on the headers below

Inspiration

Emulate this one... Hope mine turns out 1/2 this good 

Some other ideas I like

Duplication is flattering I hope 

I ordered this tailight

and an 82 Gold Wing dual piston caliper

and Murrays headers... I'll wrap them brown

and Murrays Muniki Carbs

Center mount the tach... I want to try to remove the faceplate for a "look"

CXFE plate

 

The plate arrove, now if I get some other unfinished projects done then I can get busy on the CXFE Racer.

I did get a new ignition switch and a brand new front brake rotor.