I just got back from Nakusp, where Wolfgang and Mike C, helped me get my resting RGS back on the road. After taking a look at the internals, it seems it has had a pretty easy life. The pistons and bores looked fantastic. The bores still had the cross hatching. I replaced two exhaust valves and the intake seals, new gaskets etc. I never liked the thought of pulling the studs to get the top end off, but it worked very well, no problems encountered. When it was all back together it fired up like it was run yesterday.
40 Year Refurb
- Thread starter MotoV
- Start date
When you know of the number of stud threads letting go in the top crankcase, you avoid unscrewing and bending studs from the top. A lot of mechanics will use inserts on those studs as a matter of course.
Paul
I have owned the RGS since new, how many others out there? It still makes me smile as I walk by and after a five year nap I am excited to get it out. Today a new battery should arrive, but being in Oregon the weather will determine my next ride - yeah I'm a dry weather rider 
There is a lot of cleaning to do so I'll stay busy for a bit...One of the reasons for the refurb was that I was having significant oil leaks in addition to the power loss. The head and cylinders cleaned up really well while up at Wolfgangs, but the rest of the motor still has oil to clean up. It's not a black caked on mess so it should be an easy clean. I make have an opportunity to get it ice blasted now that it's running. Any thoughts on that process?
There is a lot of cleaning to do so I'll stay busy for a bit...One of the reasons for the refurb was that I was having significant oil leaks in addition to the power loss. The head and cylinders cleaned up really well while up at Wolfgangs, but the rest of the motor still has oil to clean up. It's not a black caked on mess so it should be an easy clean. I make have an opportunity to get it ice blasted now that it's running. Any thoughts on that process?
The Sock
Hero member
- Location
- London, England
I'd like to see before and after photos, please
piranha-bro2
Hero member
- Location
- Melbourne
I gather cleaning ... and then new gaskets or seals as required???
This picture would be before, both in terms of work done and cleaning. The head and cylinders were degreased as part of the refurb. The header pipes have been ceramic coated and the road grime cleaned up nicely. I'm working on cleaning up the cases and will update.
It's time for a fork repaint...I will need to see about getting the original stickers...I never removed any of the stickers that came on the bike - note the one behind the windscreen. A bit of a nut case, as it seems that removing stickers was the first thing everyone else (?) did .
Laverda service with the dealer stopped after the 600 mile check. My first venture into maintenance, due to a 2 hour distance to the dealer, found that they had put a oversized Ducati shim in. Later down the road that particular bucket failed...taking a cam with it.
Overall the bike looks good, for a rider, the usual road wear etc but after seeing the bores and pistons the regular oil changes (500-1000mi) etc have kept the internals looking good. The number 1 exhaust valve was over heated and the root cause may be due to two issues found; a kinked fuel hose and the float on the #1 carb was too low possible causing a lean condition. An inspection of the carb internals showed that all items were as new, including the rubber on the float valves. The carbs had been rebuilt prior to the 5 year "rest".
One item to note is that I have always used the factory torque specs and have had several crushed cam blocks. Wolfgang provided an update torque spec sheet that is significant lower...
It's time for a fork repaint...I will need to see about getting the original stickers...I never removed any of the stickers that came on the bike - note the one behind the windscreen. A bit of a nut case, as it seems that removing stickers was the first thing everyone else (?) did .
Laverda service with the dealer stopped after the 600 mile check. My first venture into maintenance, due to a 2 hour distance to the dealer, found that they had put a oversized Ducati shim in. Later down the road that particular bucket failed...taking a cam with it.
Overall the bike looks good, for a rider, the usual road wear etc but after seeing the bores and pistons the regular oil changes (500-1000mi) etc have kept the internals looking good. The number 1 exhaust valve was over heated and the root cause may be due to two issues found; a kinked fuel hose and the float on the #1 carb was too low possible causing a lean condition. An inspection of the carb internals showed that all items were as new, including the rubber on the float valves. The carbs had been rebuilt prior to the 5 year "rest".
One item to note is that I have always used the factory torque specs and have had several crushed cam blocks. Wolfgang provided an update torque spec sheet that is significant lower...
When tying the bike down for the return trip, the forks may have leaked, so a fork maintenance will be done. New seals and oil. I will have to decide if paint, powder coat or other for recoating the forks is best. Other seals may be addressed as needed if there is evidence of leaking...there may be some 40 yo seals in there but not many.
I'm also at the point when forty years of ownership may be enough....the thought of a MUCH lighter bike has an appeal as I get too old to push it around...9-)
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henrywillms
Hero member
- Location
- Canada
The weight, the narrow bars and the self retracting side stand don't work in favor of old guys with various ailments dismounting an RGS.
martymoose
Hero member
- Location
- Sydney, Australia
Self retracting side stand is easily modified, making sure you have retracted it before riding off, that's a real 'old guy' issue. Took off from lunch in Lancefield thinking what's that noise? Hmmmm.
Tippie
Hero member
- Location
- Dr?bak, Norway
People have been killed by forgetting to flip up their side stands.
Alzero
Hero member
- Location
- DaNang Vietnam
The first thing the locals seem to do on a new scooter is remove the safety interlock on the side stand. At least once a week, and often several times a week, I see them blithely riding along with them down.
chrisk
Hero member
- Location
- Brisbane, Australia
Not killed, but guilty, sent me and bike flying into a lady’s front yard.