Oh no what have I done?

2713 Views 28 Replies 7 Participants Last post by 762fmj, Oct 17, 2013

762fmj

Discussion Starter · Oct 9, 2013

Yo guys .... you don't know me .... yet.
S'gonna change ....

Just took delivery of a right ol' shi**er! Apparently:confused

Seriously I decided that I wanted a bike to refurbish and make my very own. A TL came into my strike zone and I went for it. It's a dark (Prime?) green 97 R plate beast. I'm definitely going to need your collective help.

It has Harris cans, Harris screen stay, Ohlins steering damper and a KIT parts upper yoke, set of fairing lowers. No idea what else has been done but that's a part of the gamble. It hasn't been ridden for the past seven years.

I'm away on business at the moment so haven't seen it .... got sent some pics and I did look at it about a month ago.

When I get home sometime on Friday afternoon I need to deep clean it and find out precisely what lurks beneath.

The forks seals are shot so that's first on the list. Whilst they're apart I'll install uprated springs - Any views on best options appreciated.
Brakes need an overhaul. Will attach new HEL lines.

Water pump cover is corroded and minging. New one required.

Oil cooler looks poor .... an after market puppy would be a nice addition ... ideas for that would be good.

Wheels .... need powdercoating so new bearings will go in.

Bodywork .... bin it all and replace with CF ...maybe.

I'll prolly do my normal trick and spend way too much money at Pro Bolt and give the fasteners some true bling.

Motor is apparently good and strong .... just shy of 30K miles.

You get the flavour of this .... I've just got to get stuck in ... no real rush as I have other machines to play with. I'll show you those in due course. Like your site and hope that I can blend in ith you all. I'll need plenty of encouragement and ideas from y'all ... can't wait.
I'll post some pics when I get the opportunity.
Cheers for now.

See less See more

1 - 20 of 29 Posts

gaztl1000r

· #2 · Oct 9, 2013

If you're changing water pump cover for a new one. Get the later one and do the thermostat mod.

It's in frequent mods section.

Oh.
Welcome. You've no idea what you've done.
Lol

Reactions: 1

762fmj

Discussion Starter · #3 · Oct 10, 2013

Cheers for the tip. That's why these forums are so good. I'll read up on that later .... I had wondered what the difference between the pump covers was all about. They seemed to suggest on the Robinsons Foundary site that one had been superceded. I'll read the threads and see which one I need.
I love bikes from this era .... this already reminds me of my Firestorm.

Moyston

· #4 · Oct 10, 2013

it cant be a 97 R..they didn't make them until 98
must be an S

gaztl1000r

· #5 · Oct 10, 2013

R is a registration letter it ran from the first of august 1997- 31st July 1998

Moyston

· #6 · Oct 10, 2013

silly poms...

stu_m

· #7 · Oct 10, 2013

welcome to the forum......get a new credit card with a big limit :laugh

first things first is to read as much info as you can on here and it will give you some idea of what you need to do and what to look for

The Goose

· #8 · Oct 10, 2013

:eatcorn

gaztl1000r

· #9 · Oct 11, 2013

Well that's the first mistake of tl ownership.
It may be a 1000cc v twin like a firestorm (super hawk)
But that's all it's got in common.

You'll understand once you ride it.

All the firestorm I've ridden match how you expect a big twin to feel.
The tl is actually quite smooth at lower revs and speed.
But twist the throttle. And it revs up like an inline4 in comparison.
It's a real giggle

762fmj

Discussion Starter · #10 · Oct 15, 2013

Well this truly is the rattiest bike I've ever bought.
Every component that I've removed is compromised .... this could yet be a total scrapper.
I think that to cut my loses I may have to create a café racer/streetfightery type thing.
The normal array of mullered threads .... just found my first broken bolt .... N/S radiator mount to the frame.
I knew I had to do the fork seals but it looks like I need an upper outer and the top bolt as a clown has put vice grips/stilsons to it.
I gonna go spend some more hours deep cleaning and pulling here down.
:banghead

tlsgazza

· #11 · Oct 15, 2013

Keep at it. You'll get there, it's going to be a long winter,

Dougie

· #12 · Oct 15, 2013

Sounds like a fork conversion is easier. An opportunity to upgrade I always think.

Before you go to far (if it is an S) check out the Frame around the Headstock and the Swinging arm where the shock mounts are.

These can crack which will be important to find out now. Others can advise exact locations to check better than me.

gaztl1000r

· #13 · Oct 15, 2013

http://wotid.com/tls/component/option,com_wrapper/Itemid,50/

762fmj

Discussion Starter · #14 · Oct 15, 2013

Moral support is exactly what I need right now. Can't see tha link for the cracks ... will have to trawl around later. Released a few more corroded bolts ..... thrown away yet more busted tat. I might have a look at the undertray now and see just what this guy has down. I reckon he used a felling axe or a chain saw to remove the rear fender ... it's butchered. :laugh

762fmj

Discussion Starter · #15 · Oct 15, 2013

Whoa ... highs and lows.

Just got the broken bolt out .... happy days .... then I noticed that the radiator moved strangely as I was replacing the bolt ..... Damn bottom lug on the radiator has broken off! Probably fatigued as a result of the broken bolt above. So that'll be a new rad then! Feck when does the bad news stop.:bawling

stu_m

· #16 · Oct 15, 2013

ouch!! doesnt sound like a good start!

when do we see some pics then?

762fmj

Discussion Starter · #17 · Oct 15, 2013

stu_m said:
.... when do we see some pics then? ....

Do you know what ... I'm almost too embarrassed to post any up :blush

I'll try later.

gaztl1000r

· #18 · Oct 15, 2013

Nothing to be ashamed of on here, lol
sounds like years of neglect, but uou know what?
theyre actually worth sending time on, therell never be anything else built like it

Reactions: 1

tlsgazza

· #19 · Oct 15, 2013

762fmj said:
Whoa ... highs and lows.

Just got the broken bolt out .... happy days .... then I noticed that the radiator moved strangely as I was replacing the bolt ..... Damn bottom lug on the radiator has broken off! Probably fatigued as a result of the broken bolt above. So that'll be a new rad then! Feck when does the bad news stop.:bawling

The bottom mount has been broken on mine since I crashed at cadwell back in 2007, don't get a new radiator just because of that, I didn't. If its not too bent or leaking its still a good radiator. :lol

762fmj

Discussion Starter · #20 · Oct 15, 2013 (Edited)

2

Land vehicle Vehicle Motorcycle Motor vehicle Car

Land vehicle Vehicle Motorcycle Motor vehicle Automotive tire

A couple of pics of the beast.

Oh I can't put any more on ...... must read up on pics.

See less See more

1 - 20 of 29 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.