1972 T500 finally finished.......

CaptCatFish · Last edited by CaptCatFish on Mon Mar 07, 2011 8:24 pm; edited 1 time in total

After over one year, the purchase of a second T500 donor bike, countless hours, too much money for parts and a little help from my friends here at VJMOG (especially dorT500), my 1972 Titan is finally finished!

It involved a complete rebuild from the crankshaft up (special thanks to Bill Bune Enterprises) and boring, porting and polishing of the upper end (thanks to Wheeler's Performance). It involved some whining (special thanks to my wife for putting up with it) and a local friend who taught me how to do a quality paint job.

The attachments are not the best pictures I've ever taken but members will get a pretty good idea of the before and after.

Now if the rain would ever stop, I'll get to ride it somewhere other than in my shop...........

CaptCatFish

05c50 · Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2011 7:21 am Post subject:

Capt, I'm not sure if it's just me and my computer, but those pictures are just a little too small for mr to see.

............Paul

CaptCatFish · Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2011 8:43 am Post subject:

You are right. They are too small. Let me try this (posting pics) again. I think I need to take some pictures of it in the sunlight so VJMOG members can really see it.

It's not perfect but I sure am proud of it, especially since I know every bolt, washer and seal that's in it.

CaptCatFish

05c50 · Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2011 8:48 am Post subject:

Thanks, now I can see it. Looks very good, you should be proud.

...............Paul

Swedemoto · Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2011 11:22 am Post subject:

Beauty! Nicely done.

wfrpalm · Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2011 12:32 pm Post subject:

Looks good. Have fun on it.

dorT500

Bikegeezer · Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2011 8:14 pm Post subject:

Lookin' good, Capt. Now you just need to find a pair of the big chrome '72 side cover emblems.

Stu

CaptCatFish · Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2011 2:38 am Post subject:

I've got those big gaudy emblems (for the oil tank) and should have shown a pic of the other side. I'll post some more pics as soon as I can get the thing out into the sun for better light.

DorT500 - I really enjoyed painting it and recommend doing it yourself if you have anyone who'll mentor you. I used a base coat and clear coat combination. I sprayed maybe 3-5 coats of color (green and white) over 2-3 coats of epoxy primer (to minimize fading from the inevitable gasoline exposure). Then I applied 5-6 layers of the clear coating which gives it depth and luster (plus its very durable compared to acrylic paint which scratches and fades too soon).

The two tone aspect was perhaps the most tedious aspect in trying to get the separation as perfect as possible. I used a tiny strip of pin strip tape followed by 3/4 masking tape and paper for one color, then removed and repeated for the other. Total materials for the job cost about $200. Total time spent in preparation and painting about 12 hours.

It really was fun. I've been thinking about buying an air compressor, regulator and quality spray gun since you are the second person who has asked me to paint their bike.........I may not do this any time soon however since I should be having too much fun riding my pretty T500!

CaptCatFish

BenEberle · Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2011 11:31 am Post subject:

This is what it's all about! Wow - wow - wow. You really did it, man. Looks fabulous.
I'm trying not to get to that level of obsessiveness with my T500, but after seeing this, I think it might be worth while!

CaptCatFish · Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2011 4:35 pm Post subject:

I hope I have figured out how to post the latest pics. It really looks good and runs as good as it looks!

Thanks for all the compliments guys. Many of you have ownership in this project since you were so patient with many of my stupid questions..........

Now my biggest problem is keeping the rpms down for the next 500 miles! The thing just begs to rip! (I'm sooooooo glad I had it ported and polished during the top end rebuild. Well worth the extra $100).

CaptCatFish