I thought I would chronicle my engine rebuild project on here. This is my first triple - its an H1F 1975 basket case. I plan on doing a solid rebuild on the engine, and then modifying it to my performance tastes (which seem to be in the stage 2 to stage 3 area).
I tend to approach things analytically so my goal is to model the engine using MOTA software and develop a set of pipes and then fabritcate them. I also intend to look into using reed valves, and re-work the heads to a more suitable combustion chamber profile. For the ignitiion, I think I am interested in the Powerdynamo rotor/stator coupled to a programmable Zeeltronics unit. Has anyone done this? I used programmable ignitions on my racing karts to great advantage.
I started by removing the motor from the bike, and then tearing it down to see what I have to work with.
I used a harbor freight soda blaster to clean up the engine cases and the cylinders. I must say, soda blasting is an impressive process to get things clean! It is gentle on metals, biodegradable, and cleans up with water. Here are some before/after pics of the cylinders:
And the carbs:
That was perhaps 15 minutes of work with the soda blaster to clean everything up. I definately prefer working on a clean engine!
Next, I decided to fabricate a workstand to make it easier to work on and around the engine when measuring port timing, removing/installing components, etc. So I made it from 1x1" square tubing which I TIG brazed together.
Now I can work on a stable, well supported engine.
More later.
-erik