1989 rebuild update

[oldman]

Wheels back from Central with stainless spokes (0.5mm thicker) and black satin hubs, look fantastic. My pals putting the tyres on etc, chainset arrived as well so nearly there, will post pics of wheels later this week hopefully, just as well as the spare rear wheel I have on at the moment stinking my garage out. Don't know what it is but wheels sprayed with something smelly! Imageworks sorting decals , new owner picked 1990 model year.
Ended up stripping fuel tap as leaking when I put fuel in, ultrasonic clean, new o ring and all done.
Also fitted new radiator hoses that arrived saturday.
Replacement front brake hose also arrived, HEL kit line was too short when fitted so ordered another 100mm longer and that's fine, anyone else had that problem?

[Calum]

@oldman No, but I asked for a few extra mm's when I had mine made up.

[oldman]

The R&G ones on the 88 were fine, just the front out of the HEL kit. Thought it might be the Renthals but not that much different, will know for next time though, 1.4m perfect fit, kit one 1.3m. Sure I will find a use for it somewhere.

[declan]

@oldman the stock washers that come with the hel failed on mine spat fluid everywhere I had to use other ones but the length was perfect the stock washers rust like a bitch too

[Calum]

@declan The washers should most definitely be copper, I.E would never rust. Will oxidise but not Iron Oxide, since it's copper.

[oldman]

All copper washers with kit, never seen a kit with anything other?

[declan]

@oldman mine were steel

[Calum]

@declan Yeah, that's my point, they shouldn't be. It should be a malleable crush washer like copper.

[declan]

@calum it was a genuine kit,the stock washers worked fine at the calliper but at the brake lever I had to swap one out and the one I didn’t swap out is rusted so when I get new levers I’ll swap that out too looks shite

[Irongamer727]

Slow down! Is the steering lock not integrated with the ignition switch? Didn't think that was such a "new" invention.

[Calum]

@irongamer727 Not on the old DTRs mate. They're recessed into the frame. Like all the DT's before them.

[oldman]

Here are the wheels back with tyres fitted and Galfer disc. Just have to touch in bare hub left where disc mounts, mates son takes all the credit for preparing wheels with bearings and discs

[Calum]

Yeah they're lovely.

[NINJA]

@oldman Shiney rims and big fat knobblies - every crossers wet dream !!!

[oldman]

Wheels fitted, brakes bled, c&s fitted, stainless spokes really make a difference. What I wanted for my 88 but never got, would like to have a go at rebuilding wheels myself next, anyone attempted it? Central Wheels did do a great job though, at a price. Need to get the decals sorted this week and minor bits to fit such as chain guard, disc guard, etc. Will update photo soon.

[Calum]

@oldman I always thought wheel building was an art form. One twist of the spoke sends the wheel out of alignment.

What I thought at least. But I have since been told differently.

[declan]

@calum I’m not the most experienced but even the cheapest of wheels won’t twist from a spoke so easily

[Jens Eskildsen]

Building wheels inst an artform anymore than rebuilding engines. Slow and steady gets the job done. Its quite satisfying.

If you feel you fuck it up, you could always just assemble the wheel, and pay someone to true it. Picture from my Xt600:

[oldman]

Definitely want to have a go, which spoke tool do you use?

[Jens Eskildsen]

I just used a an adjustable wrench for the last bit. Most was done with a screwdriver (it fits the ends of the nipples) Im sure you could get a cheap spokewrench on ebay.