Author Topic: 76 Convert Restoration (Read 49927 times)

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #60 on:** June 09, 2024, 09:13:27 AM »

The Convert has taken a temporary back seat to more pressing matters.

22 years ago I had a 1998 916 that I loved. I have thought about another from time to time and I figured I'm not getting any younger, so why not.

I found this 1995 with 3700 miles. It has spent the last 12 years in a living room, and needs a proper reawakening that these race bikes deserve. After a little 1100 mile drive to pick it up I am well on my way towards having it recommissioned.

SevenSport · « **Reply #61 on:** June 17, 2024, 09:01:01 AM »

Hi Dave (and any other Convert owners following...)

First of all can I say how reassuring it is to find someone with more bikes in their garage than me. I will tell my wife. I am undertaking a '78 Convert rebuild here in the UK but I'm short of a seat mounting bracket. I was scouring the internet for images good-enough to allow me to make one and found this picture of your bike. Sorry to trouble you, but is there any chance you could help me identify the width and thickness of the steel used to form this hoop? I am guessing from the images something like 20mm by 5mm. Any dimensions would be gratefully received.

Simon

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #62 on:** June 21, 2024, 04:49:18 AM »

Quote from: SevenSport on June 17, 2024, 09:01:01 AM

Hi Dave (and any other Convert owners following...)

First of all can I say how reassuring it is to find someone with more bikes in their garage than me. I will tell my wife. I am undertaking a '78 Convert rebuild here in the UK but I'm short of a seat mounting bracket. I was scouring the internet for images good-enough to allow me to make one and found this picture of your bike. Sorry to trouble you, but is there any chance you could help me identify the width and thickness of the steel used to form this hoop? I am guessing from the images something like 20mm by 5mm. Any dimensions would be gratefully received.

Simon

Simon, I hope these help. Call Curtis at Harpers. He may have one.

SevenSport · « **Reply #63 on:** June 26, 2024, 02:47:26 AM »

Many thanks for the photos and the dimensions Dave. I took your advice and called Harpers, and they did indeed manage to supply me with one. Thanks again, sorry to trouble you. Best regards, Simon

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #64 on:** July 04, 2024, 09:58:42 PM »

The Ducati is finished and runs like raped ape.

Back to the Convert.

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #65 on:** July 13, 2024, 02:28:47 PM »

As with everything else on the bike the brake system was the nastiest and gnarliest I have seen. I thought the calipers were a lost cause and almost binned them because they were so crusty looking. I thought I would never get the pucks out. But pushing them in all the way, dripping Kroil in the seam along with wire brushing the crud, and healthy application of 120 ft lbs of air got all but 1 of the pucks moving. The final puck needed the grease gun treatment.

With new pads, seal kit, and pucks it was still expensive at $72 per caliper, but a lot cheaper than going for replacement calipers.

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #66 on:** July 16, 2024, 12:48:53 PM »

From uber crusty to this. Quite satisfying.

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #67 on:** August 31, 2024, 10:52:29 AM »

Its summertime and there are many options other than wrenching on the Convert. I have stopped in to peck away at it from time to time though. Brakes are done except fluid. The carbs were thoroughly cleaned and reinstalled along with new cables.

kballowe · « **Reply #68 on:** September 03, 2024, 07:07:15 AM »

Dang ! Even the lift is shiny !

Can't wait to see more progress !

Sprouty115 · « **Reply #69 on:** September 06, 2024, 02:02:57 PM »

I'm in!

ahoward125 · « **Reply #70 on:** November 06, 2024, 07:27:30 PM »

Don't know what happened but the photos are not showing up on the 3ed page of this epic adventure!
I am refreshing a 1980 Convert and I came here looking for inspiration.

Antietam Classic Cycle · « **Reply #71 on:** November 06, 2024, 08:34:27 PM »

Quote from: ahoward125 on November 06, 2024, 07:27:30 PM

Don't know what happened but the photos are not showing up on the 3ed page of this epic adventure!
I am refreshing a 1980 Convert and I came here looking for inspiration.

I can see them.

ahoward125 · « **Reply #72 on:** November 08, 2024, 10:19:02 AM »

If I click on the box with the broken link symbol it takes me to the image... didn't know you could do that.

edit

Aaaaand now they are all there.... how strange, but what an amazing restoration.

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #73 on:** February 09, 2025, 07:10:35 AM »

I have been feeling the need to get away from sawdust and get back to wrenching, so it wont be too long before progress is made on the Vert again.

You may not know that I have been an avid RC modeler/flyer since I was quite young. My latest build has been a classic twin engine designed by the famous Dave Platt called the Duellist. A very challenging and fun build. I have a problem splitting my time between the 2 hobbies, since both are so engrossing. I will pick one and devote 100% to it until I feel it's time to transition. Keeps me fresh and interested this way.

I also built the classic Kwik Fli III designed by Phil Kraft

And the fun little Dave Robelen design called the Pronto

Turin · « **Reply #74 on:** February 09, 2025, 01:42:15 PM »

The planes are nice... more Convert!

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #75 on:** March 24, 2025, 03:55:20 PM »

Plane builds are winding down.

I completed a small Convert task today. The side cover plates were missing a lot of paint. I had some red and black One Shot and that improved things dramatically. Not NOS looking but good enough, especially since I haven't been able to find NOS.

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #76 on:** May 07, 2025, 11:51:37 AM »

NOS Fratelli Pagani rear turn signals. I sourced these at least 10 years ago in Germany. Good to finally see them off the shelf and on the bike.

If your going to go upside down on a project, might as well do it in style.

kidsmoke · « **Reply #77 on:** May 07, 2025, 12:06:36 PM »

Dave, I feel as though you are some how channeling the worlds NOS bits to find you in Northern Illinois. (thinking of the Ariete grips on Sparklehorse)

Those are beautiful. Well done.

Turin · « **Reply #78 on:** May 07, 2025, 03:16:21 PM »

How nerdy is it that I get excited by old turn signals? Very nice!

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #79 on:** May 14, 2025, 11:30:41 AM »

Continuous improvement.

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #80 on:** May 15, 2025, 11:29:07 AM »

My Convert had the typical mini fairing cutouts for the ubiquitous Windjammer fairing. Not long after I dragged this jewel home (18 years ago!) I found these NOS replacements somewhere. It also helped me decide which color the bike would be re-sprayed.

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #81 on:** May 16, 2025, 11:04:17 PM »

Converts plumbing interferes with the generic Mistral crossover, necessitating a mod to the nice new unit.

Exhaust system installed.

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #82 on:** May 21, 2025, 03:55:38 PM »

C5 Ignition I bought 6 years ago for the Convert is finally installed. Only hi zoot for this baby!

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #83 on:** May 25, 2025, 11:07:56 AM »

Not long after I dragged the Convert home I found these cast metal and chromed replacements for the black plastic grills. I wasn't sure I was going to use them, being an originality geek, but I think they look too good to leave on the shelf.

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #84 on:** May 25, 2025, 11:27:05 AM »

Couldn't do it. The black looks better. I especially didn't care for the chrome webs in between. I could've have painted the webs black, but the rivet counter in me won out.

Turin · « **Reply #85 on:** May 25, 2025, 01:21:54 PM »

the black looks 100% better!

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Author Topic: 76 Convert Restoration (Read 49927 times)