Post
by Greener101 » Sat Aug 11, 2012 5:26 pm
I purchased a1962 CA77 about a month ago and tore everything down but the engine.The front and rear fenders were trash,so I bought some reasonably good ones one E-bay.The frame and sheet metal are to be bead blasted next week or the week after.So why this post?I couldn't stand to be be idle on the bike any longer.I have started working on the gas tank.After removing the badges(they are in really good condition),the metal trim(a little rough but doable),I began to refurbish the knee-pads.It was a simple approach,wash with soap and water and remove over-spray from PO's attempt to beatify tank trim.There was a second soap and water with a stiff brush followed by dosing of Tire foam.Repeated Tire foam till the rubber could not soak up any more.Lastly I removed excess Tire foam with a rag.The result......I am doing my happy dance through the house.Some of you might be thinking right about now I am easily pleased by a simple restoration procedure.Well...a month ago I was cutting thumb sized vines entangled in the little Dream while it was propped up against a fence row.The seller said it had been sitting in that same spot for over eighteen years.The pads were covered in a thick oxidation and stiff.I would never have believed the pads would clean up to the point of being usable.Very usable.This is a big deal to me because these pads are hard to find.When found they are expensive.The project has encouraged me to start the tank's d-rusting tomorrow.Did I mention the engine rotated? I just did.I wish I had taken before pictures of the pads.I will post after pictures soon.Also will post before pictures of the tank and it's difficult to separate petcock,followed by after pics.Greener.
