Hi everyone,
I hope I got the right category.. I'm sure someone will move this post if not..
This is my first proper post here. I'm based in NZ. I've had a variety of Italian bikes many years ago (Jota, Darmah etc..). In a fit of nostalgia, I bought a mostly original '83 LM3 a while back and finally getting into my 'project bike'.
I'm owner #3. The first owner bought it new in Italy and drove it down to NZ with his wife apparently.
I'm doing a complete strip and rebuild with the goal of restoring the bike keeping it as original as possible without getting anal about it.. so a complete strip, respray and fix some mechanical issues.
I have trawled this forum and others for info and I have to say, I'm slightly better informed, but still unsure of the 'right' direction on some issues.
The forks have no damping, so I suspect I'm up for replacement dampers and maybe springs. Can someone give me the pros & cons of FAC vs Bitubu dampers. I've read reports of a. too stiff, b. takes 100's of km to 'bed in', c. too soft and bottoming out. I have no complaints about the current spring preload (I'm 90kg), but maybe new springs would 'freshen' the ride? It's always possible (but unlikely) that the existing dampers can be salvaged.. I'll know more when I get them apart. I welcome your thoughts.
I have other questions.. I need a clutch replacement, but that's a way down the track.. Head gaskets are leaking, so I'll pop the pots and replace the rings while I'm in there.
Is there anything else I should consider replacing as a matter of course whilst it's in bits? (It's done 55k km)
Thanks for your time - Jerry
