Ventura

LOL Cynic! I built my shed last year from a big pile of wood. Its a custom job! The kids call it my man-cave, and it comes complete with beer fridge! But now, since starting on the DT, it isn't big enough any more!! I need to make an extension. Cheers for the advice Paul. I ended up taking the stanchions in as they were, the chroming guy said that wasnt a problem as they plug the ends when they go in the dip-tank. Cant wait to see the end result!! V.

I haven't posted for a while, but the project still continues! Ive spent most of the recent time randomly cleaning, buffing, and polishing a lot of the bits and pieces which Ive removed as time has allowed. The fork legs have come up pretty well!!.............. My recollection is that they were never that shiny when new, but they are now!! The frame, swingarm and yoke are at the powder coaters, and Ive been rattle-canning a lot of the black bits and pieces. Ive made the assumption (I hope Im right) that the bars were originally black. I removed a layer of black, a layer of blue!, and another layer of black as I stripped them. They're nice smooth and shiny black again.............. While the polishing mops were out I had a quick go at the carb too, which is coming up well......... The wheeels are apart too. The hubs are in very good condition so all needed is a good clean up and a coat of the shiny stuff. The chrome on the rims is excellent and can only assume that they were well protected over the years...... The fork tubes are at the re-chromers, and the tank etc are at the paint shop. I tried doing something to clean up the mudguards and side panels, but everything I tried just made them worse! So have resorted to the paint shop for them too, as well as the side panels. So all that lot is to be picked up next week when I get back home again (I work away, for 2 weeks at a time, hence the stop/start nature of the work!) But it all seems to be progressing nicely. Any comments or suggestions from you guys would be greatly appreciated. Oh, and Nev, I was so pleased with the portable greenhouse you suggested that I went and bought another one!! Many thanks V.

Thanks for the helpful hints chaps, its very much appreciated! Paul..... Your tip on removing the swing-arm bushes came just after I'd done my Dewhurst butchery best and whacked them out with a long screwdriver! Unfortunately they're now in the bin. The new swingarm kit is on its way, but to be honest, apart for my attack with the hammer there wasn't a lot wrong with how it was! Nev.... Good idea on the loom ID'ing. You can probably see from my shed photo that I've taken the tape/pen route initially but when it comes round to giving it some closer attention I'll likely go with your much better idea. The nuts/bolts/washer numbering is with a view to re-using as much of the original kit as I can. It seems such a shame to change them when everything down to the last original spring washer and split pin are still in place. If they're still servicable I'll try to re-use, but I've bags of shiny ss alternatives if they're not! DirtyDT..... Good advice! Ive taken lots of photos so far and am constantly uploading to Photobucket. Tools Im good for and I have a nice (now decreasing!) Paypal slush fund as I recently had an Ebay shed clearance of all the bits I'd removed from my other bikes. Its amazing just how much accumulates and will likely never be used again! OK, here's a Q for you guys....... Ive stripped the forks down and have the stanchions ready to go to the re-chromers. But inside the tube remains a loose washer which the damper rod rebound spring sits on. Is it possible to remove this? As I say it is loose in the bore of the tube but doesnt want to move either way? Its about here........... And can be just about seen in the bore here............. Any advice would be much appreciated. Nev..... I got the plastic greenhouse from Argos earlier. They were on sale for half price!! Excellent idea of yours thanks. Little job for the morning if this wind dies down! (And I'll be sure to look out for the instructions!! V.

Hi Nev, Many thanks for your positive and helpful comments. Since I took those photos of frame and swing-arm I've removed and numbered (how anal is that!) all the bolts, screws, spindles etc. So every one will go back to the place they came from. Regarding the prep for powder coating, I'm lucky in that the guy I'll take it to (John Heckle at Elite Engineering + Coatings, Aintree), will do all the blanking and covering. Comes as part of the service. All I have to do is degrease it! Excellent idea about the cheap plastic garden greenhouse! Why didnt I think of that! I'm off to Argos / Homebase right now!! I just got back from a quick visit to a fork re-chroming works. Never used them before but come highly recommended. Anyone any experience of them?............ Rockrome Engineering Ltd, Liverpool The forks are not that bad but the sections between the yolks are fairly pitted so they'll be going in the bath! Once I've got my greenhouse built, and the shed emptied a bit, think I'll have more of a look at the engine. Then make up another shopping list!! V.

Not sure how this will all pan out, nor how long it will take, but let this be the start of my latest little project. Im a newbie round here but Ive been lurking for a while and learning lots from the very knowledgeable guys on the forum here. Undoubtedly I'll be calling for advice on the hows, why's and wherefores as this proceeds, so let me thank you all well in advance!! So, the story begins............ As I mentioned in my intro I bought my first DT in 1979, brought it home in the crate and built it up myself. I kept that bike for a total of 26 years before regrettably part-ex'ing it for something which has long since been and gone! We learn by our mistakes! Anyway, after a while searching I brought this little baby home a few days ago.................. (sorry about pic quality. Bad light and iPhone!! I promise to improve!) A fairly tidy, all original (Im assured!) 1979 DT175MX. One previous owner and nothing much bent, dented or broken. My plan was to buy a bike and totally strip it down to restore it to its former '70's glory. (Something I wish I could do to myself too!! ) So, after giving it a few laps round the block to make sure it was a good runner, it was into the shed and on the ramp. A few hours later, and after owning the bike for less than one day, this is the story................... And yes, I do need a bigger shed!! As can be seen its all in bits now. No major issues found so far. The exhaust will need replacing as its been attacked to many times with a welding rod at the lower bend, the steering head bearings were goosed (and all the balls fell on the floor anyway!) and I had to cut off the chain tensioner as it had seized on the spindle/pivot bolt and no way would it come off. Only got as far as taking the head off the engine so far (couldnt resist). All looks fine, the bore is clean and rings intact. So spent yesterday (Day 3) preparing the frame and swing-arm for the powder coaters. Before taking it I'll need to repair the slight damage caused by the tensioner spindle turning in its securing plate, causing the hole to elongate somewhat. Almost ready to go................... So, first questions for the experts, and I'll keep them easy to start with!! Were the bars originally chrome or black on the '79 DT175? Mine are badly hand-painted black. Will I be able to buy a chain tensioner pivot bolt/spindle or will I need to make one? (I saw the photo of Pauls, with the nice grease nipple fitted!) Were the lower parts of the side-panels originally painted black? (These were, but it all came off with the power washer!) And will I need to invest in a Haynes manual to be able put it all back together again!! More to follow soon................

Many thanks for the warm welcome chaps! Well, I've been busy today. The photo above is from yesterday when I brought the bike home. Got the tools out today and this is how it looks now!!.............. Must be the easiest strip-down Ive ever done. Nothing at all bent, dented, siezed, rounded or stripped! I recon this bike must have always been garaged and never been left out in the elements. Every original screw, nut, bolt and lock-washer was in place just as it left the factory. The only thing Ive found so far that needs renewing is the side-stand, seat cover and the exhaust. All to be expected I suppose and everything else, including engine, seems in A1 condition! So I recon I'll do as I'm told and post a few findings and photos on the 'Projects' thread........ Good to be here guys. Lets see how it all pans out!! Lookin' forward to it !! Cheers! V.

Hello all! Having just rejoined the ranks of DT ownership thought I'd sign up here and let myself be known. Thought it best that way before I start annoying all by posting numerous silly questions to the resident experts here!! Briefly, about me..... started my biking in the '70's, firstly with a very beat up old NSU Quickly then the more conventional route of FS1-E, RD250 and my first DT, a brand new white '79 250MX. I took delivery of that beauty still in the crate and built it up myself at home. Not something which would be allowed these days! Years have gone by and never without at least one bike in the garage. Laterly a couple of Virago's (when my knee wouldnt bend very well after an accident!) and then a crackin' Japanese imported XJR1300, followed by a couple of Ducati Monsters. Present harem is two modern day Triumph Bonnevilles (Scrambler and Thruxton) a '71 BSA 650 Thunderbolt and (as of yesterday) a 1979 DT175MX. All seemingly bog-standard original and fully roadworthy. Just in need of some TLC.................. So, after a few runs around the block to prove all is OK, the strip-down starts today! Im planning a ground-up restore to its full former glory and (hopefully) with it being such a good base to start from, shouldnt be too much of a problem (says he!!). Well, thats my (not so brief after all!) intro over. Stand by for the dumb questions now!! Any advice from our resident experts here would be most gratefully accepted. Let the fun begin!! Cheers. V.