polecat Posted June 14, 2011 Author Share Posted June 14, 2011 Got to see the Final finish today as I managed to get the tank fuel cover and one side panel finished.Three coats of Honda Nighthawk black and three coats clear laquer.I am happy with the finish and would describe it as a deep mirrorr black with tiny metalic particles of blue which show up only in direct sunlight.This gives a good idea of the overall finish of the bike when completed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Hodgy Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 looking better than new, brilliant finish Remember though, you may drip petrol on the tank when filling up, and this will ruin the finish (don't ask how I know!) Fuel proof laquer can be had from Halfords if you haven't got any Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dom 132 Posted June 15, 2011 Share Posted June 15, 2011 This is great, I wish I had the time/money/patience/bike/space/skill/experience/help to do one....I have a little time (not a great deal) I Don't have a lot of money,fair bit of patience, plenty of bikes on Ebay, very little space (ask the mrs ! ) , My skill level is one below complete novice , and My experience is limited to paint and panel repair (which is limited on a bike ) as for help.....This forum and Utube are all you need Hmm, I'd be tempted to buy a bag of spanners jap 125 use it for my test and what not, and then do this kind of thing before selling it, the only thing is I'm likley just to mess up and de-value it..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polecat Posted June 16, 2011 Author Share Posted June 16, 2011 My parcel of bolts that I ordered did not arrive from Ebay (ordered then to coincide with my days off )So I decided to get on with the cables and wires which looked a bit like spagetti when I started but now order is coming from chaos Did some more painitng on the panels between showers and getting up the courage to top coat the fuel tank !ouuuu ........Look how shiney it is Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polecat Posted June 24, 2011 Author Share Posted June 24, 2011 (edited) Long time since my Last update due to work dragging me away but I have made a little Progress on the painting but it seems to be raining every day since I wanted to do the final coats !this is the fuel tank and rear mudguard ready for top coating Edited June 24, 2011 by polecat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polecat Posted June 24, 2011 Author Share Posted June 24, 2011 Stripped down the seat yesterday ...Its amazing How bad a seat is when you take it apart and I am in two minds wether to restore this or buy another coming up on EBAY tonight ! Depends how much I guess Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Throttled Posted June 24, 2011 Share Posted June 24, 2011 Euuuch! I could not sit on that knowing what it was like. I would have to spray the base and get new foam and a cover. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polecat Posted June 24, 2011 Author Share Posted June 24, 2011 As Promised David Silver sent me a Parcel today, it was well wrapped and exciting to open it and see actual NEW parts that I don't need to scrape and sand and paint !Notice the Mudguard....Although I tried to restore the original it was too far gone to save.Don't look like nearly £300 does it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boothy Posted June 24, 2011 Share Posted June 24, 2011 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polecat Posted June 26, 2011 Author Share Posted June 26, 2011 Busy Day today.... Worked on the seat restoration and it is now ready for a New cover .......first the old Phosphoric acid treatment overnight Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polecat Posted June 26, 2011 Author Share Posted June 26, 2011 Worked on fitting the Carburettors,Controls,pedals and finished the wireing.Painted the rear mudguard In its shiney top coat and fitted the Drive chain First time "OUT OF THE HANGER"....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keith565 Posted June 26, 2011 Share Posted June 26, 2011 Wow, looks amazing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polecat Posted June 27, 2011 Author Share Posted June 27, 2011 Wow, looks amazing. Thanks Finished the seat today,Its not as perfect as I would like but considering the state of it when I started Its maby not so bad.Maby I will get a New one later on if I get a chance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin the Bear Posted June 27, 2011 Share Posted June 27, 2011 Seat looks good. It'll look better when it's been sat on for a few hundred miles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megawatt Posted June 27, 2011 Share Posted June 27, 2011 Doing a great job there PC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polecat Posted June 28, 2011 Author Share Posted June 28, 2011 Seat looks good. It'll look better when it's been sat on for a few hundred miles. True......Didnt think of that Hopeing to wire up the Clutch today and if my Order arrives in the post I will fit the brake, bleed it and leading up to the weekend Fit the exhaust pipes and Paint the fuel tank. I hope to have it finished and fired up at the end of the week and the battery is currently charging up Two things against me at the moment are the weather (cloudy and humid) and the Post delevery ( late and things going missing )I am slightly aprehensive about doing the top coat on the tank because it Has to be pretty much perfect and that is hard to acheive without a Spray booth but apart from the risk of dust My conservetory is nice and warm and breeze free.How she's looking today ..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spafe2302 Posted June 28, 2011 Share Posted June 28, 2011 Congrats polecat, looks like an awesome bike. Must be well proud of it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polecat Posted June 28, 2011 Author Share Posted June 28, 2011 Congrats polecat, looks like an awesome bike. Must be well proud of it Cheers M8 Yeah I am starting to feel pleased but so close to the finish line I am trying not to get my hopes up too much In case something goes bad I Must say it has been quiet an experience doing this that I would reccomend to anybody that knows Nothing about bikes to have a go, because after doing something like this, Any job on your "day" bike will seem a doddle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nogin Posted June 30, 2011 Share Posted June 30, 2011 Am I the only one who reads this thread and then goes straight on to Ebay to find a hack to restore? LOL Brilliant thread Pole Cat, hope you enjoy her when she is finished.I vote this is made sticky so we can all be given the encouragement to get off our arses and do a rebuild. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polecat Posted June 30, 2011 Author Share Posted June 30, 2011 Very busy day today fitting the Motad exhaust (after 3 hours I felt like I ended up making it) ,Spray the fuel tank,Wiring, set up carbs and Finish bits and bobs.All that needs doing now is Fix the horn (which used to work) tighten up all the loose bolts ,finish bleeding the brakes ,bit more cleaning on the engine , Start up said engine and get it MOT'edAnything else can be done when its on the road as I need to get my life back Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polecat Posted June 30, 2011 Author Share Posted June 30, 2011 Thank you to the moderators and owners of this Forum for allowing me to add this thread on TMBF as it really helps keep you motivated when you can blog like this And finaly for them that likes seeing the "after" pics............(click to enlarge) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susieque Posted June 30, 2011 Share Posted June 30, 2011 That is a beautifully restored bike! I trust you're really proud of what you've achieved - you should be!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Throttled Posted June 30, 2011 Share Posted June 30, 2011 Stunning, Polecat, seriously the bike now looks stunning, brilliant job and superb thread Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polecat Posted June 30, 2011 Author Share Posted June 30, 2011 That is a beautifully restored bike! I trust you're really proud of what you've achieved - you should be!! thanks Susie I am way to knackard to feel proud yet I was fighting the bike all the way from 7am to 6 pm today Stunning, Polecat, seriously the bike now looks stunning, brilliant job and superb thread Thanks It is funny cos it was 31 march I bought it and now its last day of june so exactly 3 months start to finish !Was a lot harder than expected and cost more and took more time, but apart from that It was all I imagined it would be Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keith565 Posted June 30, 2011 Share Posted June 30, 2011 OMG, just amazing. got to thank YOU for keeping this diary going through all the trials and tribulations you must have had.the bike is fantastic, a real testament to your hard and unwavering love of labour on this bike.THANK YOU PLEASE END WITH A FLIER OF AN MOT CERT. PLEASE PLEASE. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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