Building a 40 year old Motorcycle FROM SCRATCH! Part 1

[@wayneoconnell5531]

Ive literally just binge watched this series, looking forward to the next episode Ash, no need to apologise for your mistakes, you are learning all the time, at least you own up to them! Oh im no expert and not sure if anyone has mentioned it, wouldn't it be best to put a bit of grease on those bolts when you started rebuild? Keep up the good work. Your quite a funny guy 😂

[@AshRowland]

Thank you for the lovely comment mate! I'm glad you're enjoying my content! Since recording the latest GPZ episode, I've actually stripped and rebuilt it again with painted lower links and added more grease to the bearings. I've also acquired a pot of copper grease for the bolts 😊

[@ThatOldHonda]

So satisfying watching this come together

[@AshRowland]

It's even more satisfying for me 😀

[@garryburns6659]

Great job Ash cheers mate 👍🏍🙂

[@AshRowland]

Thanks mate, you're welcome and I'm glad you're enjoying the videos

[@garryburns6659]

Keep up the great work mate the bike will look fantastic when you finish it bro🙂👍🏍

[@PatrickBrown-lv7rv]

A hot tank will remove all rust on a frame internally & eternally, a zinc based primer will prevent any new rust! Good to see that bike being saved.

[@AshRowland]

Thanks mate 👍

[@Preparedprojects]

Hi Ash, just stumbled across your channel and have binge watched all of the GPZ videos yesterday and this morning!..thoroughly enjoyed it mate!..great to see someone taking their time to do things properly and thoroughly, brilliant stuff..ps, you’ve had me scouring Fb marketplace for a 90s Africa Twin or Transalp 😆👍…excellent work Ash, and really brilliantly edited and put together too by the way..rsmf, Mark

[@AshRowland]

Thanks mate! Ooh, if you buy a project then I guess I'm officially an influencer 🤣🤣🤣 a lot of work goes into making and editing these videos so thank you for recognising that 😊👍 plenty more to come

[@timmckinley54]

One of the best so far, really enjoyed it (and yes, some of us are in the US 😉)

[@AshRowland]

Thanks buddy! Nice to see I'm reaching a global audience 😎

[@unclefista]

You've been spoiled by pretty tig welds :). That all looks like effective welding on an production line, penetration looks excellent to me. And after all, it's lasted fine so far :)

[@AshRowland]

Very true, it has definitely stood the test of time!

[@c-31100]

Riktigt snyggt säkert roligt att sätta ihop grejerna efter allt jobb med rost 😊

[@AshRowland]

"Really neat, sure fun to put the stuff together after all the work with rust" Thanks mate, yes, very rusty in some places 🤣

[@tichwykes]

Its all coming together nicely Ash great job, look forward to the next part

[@AshRowland]

Thanks buddy, will probably be a couple of weeks 😊

[@shaunhardie6077]

Nice to see the bike starting to come together Ash. That chain protector on the swinging arm used to be "Unobtanium" good to see you managed to get one OK. Looking forward to the next thrilling instalment. 👍😎😎

[@AshRowland]

Thanks, wasn't too tricky to find, it popped up on eBay and the seller gets stock as I've noticed he's listed another on on there

[@shaunhardie6077]

@@AshRowland nice to know if I ever need one for my GPZ.

[@chrismurphy4724]

Nice when the rebuilding actually starts. Copper-slip and lock-tight (where applicable) are your rebuild friends, just lower the torque setting by a couple of units. Dielectric grease for all wiring loom connections once corrosion has been removed off the terminals. I'd be inclined to drop the frame onto the engine before fitting the wheels - much easier. Carry on the good work Ash

[@AshRowland]

Thanks Chris, I forgot about copper grease to be honest, I'll grad a pot... the engine won't be done for a while so it'll be going on after the forks and wheels I'm afraid, just the unfortunate order I'm going to have to do it in lol 😆

[@Francey4782]

Enjoying this channel. You might want to make mention of any bearings you've swapped out or haven't dude.

[@AshRowland]

Good point! I've kept most of the roller bearings as they felt fine, the wheel and head stock bearings are going to be changed

[@diegomoreno8313]

Good job mate, I really like your work shop, but the Lidl trainers are amazing 🤩

[@AshRowland]

You know what, they're probably the most comfortable trainers I've ever owned 😆

[@robertseychell330]

Doing a great job Ash, can’t wait for the next instalment.

[@AshRowland]

Thank you, comments like this simply make my day 😊

[@darrenstreettriple3827]

Looking really good ash 👍

[@AshRowland]

Thanks mate!

[@marc-dinomeermann7557]

I am always looking forward to the next episode. Great job. Love it.

[@AshRowland]

Thank you 😊 I'm glad you're enjoying them

[@Jay-Ninja]

Looking good Ash. I recently found a great tip for treating rusted parts. Citric acid. Mix a solution and leave parts in for 24 hrs and they come out clean. Might do a video on it actually!

[@AshRowland]

Does citric flash rust afterwards like vinegar does? Would love to see a video on that mate

[@thomaswright7580]

Hi, well done for taking on a restoration, looking good so far. I got almost same bike, its the 1985 Gpz900R. Doing mine slightly different to make it a sporty tourer. I got all new electrics; ZX10 front forks; ZX9 rear end; remodelled fairing and seat and other modern (ish) odds and sods to fit on. Slow going tho, might not finish till about 2030 lol.

[@AshRowland]

Sounds great! I'm going for mostly original, but I completely get why you'd want to modernise it. After all, it's 40 years old... good luck with it 👍

[@Busaboy1300]

Done an awesome job on them parts ash..looking good mate.

[@AshRowland]

Thanks buddy, I'm really happy with how it's turning out so far

[@cabbage64]

Nice one ash, paint job looks pretty good!

[@AshRowland]

Thanks, I'm really happy with it

[@steelhorseangel6901]

Hi Ash Greetings from bike builders in Lancashire. Really enjoyed watching your restoration. Q) On the rebuild why did you not paint all the exposed metal parts?, that rust worm will love that bare metal! Best Hog Q) Why did you not apply greases to the moving parts? Also Delboy Garage advised use bolt heads as large Allan keys, cheap and available. Just bend at a right angle! Just helping you buddy! Looking forward to seeing your videos. I always remember my first bike restoration. A big learning curve. The next one you do will be easier!

[@AshRowland]

Hey! Thanks for the tips... I did grease the moving parts, I just didn't record it as my hands were covered in grease 🤣 I never even thought of that with bolt heads, if only I hadn't been to Halfords since recording this video and bought a new set 😀 I'd love to have space to do more than one at a time, maybe next year

[@sgtfroman]

First bike I ever bought was this bike. I loved it and still wish I had it today. Love you videos!!

[@AshRowland]

Thanks buddy... treat yourself and get another one... you won't regret it!

[@ianreid5789]

Ash she’s looking really well love that 2 pack paint in a can came out really well better than powder coat I would suggest marking each bolt with colour when torqued so u no it’s done great job Ash

[@AshRowland]

Thank you mate, good idea with marking the bolts... yea, the pain looks a lot better than I thought it would, I'm so happy with the swing arm! I'm going to do the drop links as well before I torque them up... I've actually just found all the torque values in the service manual 😀

[@Northfox46]

Looking good 👍 I would recommend putting the engine in before you fit the wheels, it’s much easier 😉

[@AshRowland]

A few have suggested this, and I'm not sure what I'm going to do yet as the engine wont be ready before the wheels

[@JeffPutchinski]

Looking good Dude!!! All down hill from here......

[@AshRowland]

There are still many many parts to clean 😟

[@robertmaitland09]

Good work Ash.

[@AshRowland]

Thanks mate

[@Paul_D_117]

Grab some hammerite direct to rust paint and go over the rear shock with a paint brush where it's rusted, it'll kill the rust and make the shock body look fresher. Keep it up Ash! 👍

[@AshRowland]

That's a great idea, cheers

[@Paul_D_117]

@AshRowland Grab a pack of brass brushes from halfords too so you clean the rust from that awkward fitting

[@stephenlatchford9850]

I’m very impressed, that 2k paint is superb stuff, I have used it myself on restoration projects, it gives parts a proffesional appearance but also a tough durable finish. I’m really enjoying your videos so keep em coming.

[@AshRowland]

Thanks mate, I'm really impressed with the stuff to be honest, fantastic finish and applied nicely

[@paultownsend6085]

Good job ash looking good already mate

[@AshRowland]

Thanks mate, I think it's a good start

[@matmiller5256]

Nice one AR !

[@AshRowland]

Thanks mate 👍

[@andrewashman3333]

Great stuff ! Very inspiring.

[@AshRowland]

Thanks mate... inspiring you to do the same thing?

[@andrewashman3333]

@@AshRowland I love the 9's - might try the same as you - am not as capable, but have some time off. Unfortunately I'm a creature of impulse (rash purchases.....).

[@AshRowland]

@@andrewashman3333 how do you think I ended up with the GPZ? 🤣

[@chollythecrazycorgihesinsa6505]

Getting closer!

[@AshRowland]

Yup 😀

[@Sulfur-of-steel-coffin]

hey, love the build but i caught something that i want to give advice about. you shouldn't tighten your suspension bolts until the vehicle is on the ground with a decent bit of weight (mainly having the drivetrain assembled), the ride will feel weird for a little until the bushings set if you tighten them down straight away

[@AshRowland]

Ah OK, as there's only a few, I'll re-torque them when the engine's back in

[@JamesMcCreadie71]

You can use a bolt with the right size head and bend it to make an allen key. It works, I've done it.

[@AshRowland]

Someone else suggested this, great idea, if only I had a bolt the right size 🤣

[@bmw540ise]

Loving this series It makes me want to attempt doing it 😂

[@AshRowland]

Do it!

[@essexhognose1808]

Why didn't you paint the shock linkages after doing thr frame and swing arm?

[@AshRowland]

I was going to but forgot to get them vapor-blasted... I might pop them back off and do them so they match the rest of it 🤔

[@essexhognose1808]

@@AshRowland it'd be a shame to not have them match and easy enough as only just put on 😂

[@jacklifeonwheels]

Learnt about etc primer and 2k pain

[@AshRowland]

Probably the best spray paint I've used

[@petestokes6548]

I had to subscribe Ash i will be watching your progress with interest good luck mate

[@AshRowland]

Thank you very much, I'm glad you're enjoying it 😊 check out the first start video on my channel if you haven't seen it already

[@JoeBlack666]

This is quality mate

[@AshRowland]

Thank you, hopefully it'll turn out as good as I hope it does

[@allanstribs]

Not sure if covered in previous comments, not going to read them all! A couple tips at this stage 1) rear shock also has oil, so worth changing if 30 years old. 2) if you have sprayed the circular holes where the eccentric chain adjusters fit, then unspray and clean out, otherwise adjusters are tight and just mash up the paint.

[@AshRowland]

Thanks mate, neither of those things have been mentioned... I'll see about the oil in the rear shock, not sure if it's serviceable or not, and I'll have a look at the chain adjuster holes 👍👌

[@Oysterseagull]

Don’t forget to grease everything and a bit of copper grease on every thread/nut!

[@AshRowland]

I've got a pot of copper grease now lol, I didn't even think about that!

[@ruivaleriano9273]

Now, You are much better!

[@AshRowland]

Thanks 👍

[@richardwhelan8060]

Where did you get the 2 k paint from Ash, that is proper 2 k better than powder coat. Glad to see you have an impact gun btw

[@AshRowland]

eBay... took me a while to find a seller I was confident in, and I decided on APS Auto Paint Supplies

[@richardwhelan8060]

@@AshRowland Thanks Ash, saves messing around with the spray gun. I'll keep them in mind

[@The9meister]

Hi, I would clean electrical connectors and coat with dielectric grease to avoid gremlins, looks like a lot of corrosion. Otherwise all looks good, have fun 👍

[@AshRowland]

Will do, I haven't even looked at the wiring loom yet 🤣

[@p.scha7476]

Very nice Series,love those GPZs. But,please(!) replace all Bearings in Swingarm and Levers! You didn‘t feel if they are damaged with the fingers. But you feel it in high speed while driving and it can be live dangerous!! It happend to me,i got a 98 GPZ. After tire change,i removed the swingarm for fresh grease. Then i putted all together and the first highspeed drive, the rearend wobbled by 200km/h! Horrible! I put the bike in my Garage,build new bearings in and all is good!

[@AshRowland]

Thanks 👍 I'll be putting it through and MOT and if they have any doubt then I'll change them 😊

[@coppermine64]

Good video. But seeing as you are doing a thorough renovation, you must do the swing arm bearings. Silly not to as it's a complete strip down. I'm doing virtually the same project, but on my '95 Fj1200. 👌

[@AshRowland]

I've thoroughly re-greased them, I didn't feel the need to change them as they didn't feel worn at all

[@stuwhite1969]

nice

[@AshRowland]

👌

[@steelhorseangel6901]

Hi Ash Have a look at this guy’s restorations, very knowledgable and his attention to detail is amazing. His videos are long, with cheesy music, Xmas tunes in June 2024. All his videos are really interesting and will help you and others doing restorations. Best regards Hog

[@AshRowland]

Thanks Hog... which guy are you talking about?

[@steelhorseangel6901]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/imOQc6OaqNusaZIsi=dbJyybZTWLQlR6w-

[@peterhoulis1184]

Im actually building from scratch a 1977 z1000a and all i started with was a rolling bare frame 3/4 of the way there .

[@AshRowland]

Amazing! Yea, I guess I started with a complete bike 🤣

[@michaelwenn5467]

Did you degrease the bearings in the relay arm, before you reattached it?? Great videos. Keep them coming

[@AshRowland]

Don't worry, I did it but forgot to put the clip in the finished video 😃

[@paulbutler8361]

Had one of them in the eighties loved it a rocket ship compared to my old honda 750

[@AshRowland]

I'm looking forward to riding it, eventually lol

[@Valeman7689]

You'll ruin the paving slabs by spray painting outside. Wouldn'.t it be more comfortable doing it in the front room or even the kitchen? Still loving your videos. Thanks

[@AshRowland]

Why didn't I think of that?! 🤣🤣🤣

[@andymoorhouse8820]

Is anti dive working

[@AshRowland]

It will be after I've stripped and rebuilt it, it wasn't when I got the bike as there was no fluid in the front brake system

[@uhtred7860]

Using JIS screwdrivers is something I can’t recommend enough, It saves a ton of arse ache. I’ve lost count how many bikes I’ve worked on that have had the fasteners ruined by guys using phillips screwdrivers on them.

[@AshRowland]

Absolutely! I love them!

[@uhtred7860]

@ Yeah they work so much better than phillips on Japanese vehicles.

[@jasonoconnor9412]

Great video , that 2k paint looks really good ,did you put a coat or 2 of lacquer over the black or is it just the black on its own?not judging just wondering, looking forward to the next video .👍

[@AshRowland]

Thanks mate! Because the 2k black paint gave me a nice and glossy finish, I didn't lacquer over it, I gave it 2 coats of the black and its 2k anyway so nice and hard wearing plus resistant to chemicals.... I did however 2k lacquer over the silver parts now including the bits I didn't do in the video) as the silver paint was just cheap halfords standard paint.

[@jasonoconnor9412]

Thanks for the reply 👍

[@Oysterseagull]

2k paint can enter the body via skin and eyes. Hence pro painters use an air fed mask, full suit and a spray booth with extraction…if spraying outside make sure you are upwind!

[@AshRowland]

Thanks, yea, nasty stuff

[@antbailey2648]

i was waiting for you to throw that spray can and dive for cover

[@AshRowland]

🤣

[@niged]

Would have been better getting the frame professionally powder coated.

[@AshRowland]

I thought about it, but I was concerned about the thickness around the frame number. Plus I enjoyed painting it

[@marc-dinomeermann7557]

From my experience. Paint is better. Touch up possible and the finish looks way better. I have rims in both technologies. Paint wins.

[@Oysterseagull]

Paint over powder coat evwrytime 👍

[@vlratcliffe1]

There's a place not far from you that powerd coat this 1st diped in acid to clean it new then powered coated guess less than £100

[@The9meister]

When I sand to bare metal, to give me a few days with out flash rust, I wash metal with a rust converter, then neutralise with a alkaline, seal in 2k epoxy primer, then paint in epoxy black paint, takes a bit longer to cure, but lasts better , grind the weld splatter off, leave welds, won't see them when bikes frame is black.

[@AshRowland]

Thanks, I quite like the weld spatter, feels like an ode to the workers of the mid 80s 🤣 I cleaned the frame with IPA after removing the primer and it stayed rust free for the 3 weeks I left it there for 😊

[@julianpritchard2558]

Washer bottle?

[@AshRowland]

Yea! Doesn't every bike have one? 🤣

[@johncorlett3699]

suspension arms not painted! 😮

[@AshRowland]

Don't worry, watch part 2, I painted them 🤣

[@ZRXRICK]

11.22 appears to show a hole rusted through the frame

[@AshRowland]

Nah, it's all good, just a bad camera angle 😊

[@Cheekymonkey1]

Good night ash and Kate where us she I love you and your building up from scratch your motor bike I love watching your videos of you and you doing up your fame of your motor bike pleae can you say hi to your wife I hope you are all well please keep up the good work up on your videos on your you tube channel please keep safe and warm

[@AshRowland]

Thank you! It's coming along nicely now 👌

[@adeypop1]

Washer bottle???

[@AshRowland]

Yea, that's the one 🤣

[@ekspatriat]

A bike that old = replace ALL swingarm/linkage/steering/shock/wheels bearings and seals. Also don't re-use nuts/bolts/washers/screws they look awful especially if you've gone and freshly painted stuff. A full set of stainless fixings doesn't cost much if you use the parts fiche and make an excel list.

[@AshRowland]

Thank you for the advice, it's appreciated. I'm changing all the bearings except for some of the roller bearings as they don't have any play in them and feel super smooth so I cleaned them out and re-greased them with Moly grease. I'm replacing all the wheel and steering bearings for new, with new dust/shaft seals. Check out part 3 of my carburettor refurbishment videos on my channel, all nice shiny new screws there 😃 There's some fixings that I don't feel its too necessary to replace, such as the lower link bolts, as you don't see them and they'll be unnecessarily expensive... if I was to replace every bolt like that it would cost way too much I reckon. The big nuts and bolts are easy enough to clean up

[@mickusable]

Would have painted the 1st parts you put back on the swing arm

[@AshRowland]

Due to the popularity of this, I will be doing it 😀

[@chrismurphy4724]

@@AshRowland they are alloy so the should come up ok with a wire brush followed by a coat of lacquer

[@user-yammy-oap-67]

It only takes 3 hours for rust to start growing again on bare metal ! You didn't grease any of the suspension linkage pin's 🤯

[@AshRowland]

I did, but I didn't show all of them in the video 👍

[@bryansuperduke1290r]

Get frames media blasted not Aquablasted, only Aquablast Ally parts.

[@AshRowland]

Is this to prevent them from flash rusting?

[@bryansuperduke1290r]

@@AshRowlandYes, it’s a dry process.

[@vlratcliffe1]

As for the welding you know it was the worlds fastest mass production superbike why the welding is crap as it was done fast .

[@AshRowland]

🤣 makes sense!

[@TheMinnell]

Be super careful with the 2k paint i have always been led to believe its not nice stuff so keep off your skin and wear an air fed mask.

[@AshRowland]

You're right, it's not good stuff, I'll see if I can get a proper respirator for next time

[@hamkimj65]

Not sure that this is a washer bottle...

[@AshRowland]

Yea it is! 🤣

[@philld2576]

Why didn't you get it powder coated? As you find the rust will come cheapskate 😂

[@AshRowland]

It shouldn't rust up again, not with the primer and paint I've used. I prefer paint over power coat, better finish.

[@rustyblade5845]

The Devil is in the detail, ( or the number plate ).

[@AshRowland]

Great number plate, right?

[@melderosa656]

When you said ipa I thought you meant Indian pale ale

[@AshRowland]

🤣

[@therealslimshady4555]

Thought ya had threw the head up ash😂 looking good 👍

[@AshRowland]

Nah, I'm still here, just takes a while at this stage 😊

[@chefmamoto]

Do you have wife??😅

[@AshRowland]

🤣 haha yes, she's very patient, but also a biker too, so understands 🤣

[@chefmamoto]

@AshRowland ohh she is also a biker, that explains everything ...