tips for putting together a minimalist M750

[Rudemouthsky]

Hello

Being that I have to wait "several more weeks " for my 944 engine, I wish to "throw together" some spare parts into a running, riding motorcycle. I'd like to do this while spending as little time, money, and effort possible. The bike will be a grocery go getter and Friday night cruiser. I have the following parts:

-My old M750 motor
-My old M750 frame
- Old set of Mikuni carbs
- My old M900 wheels (5.5 rear wheel)
- Front and rear braking components
- Swingarm, chain and sprockets
- Electrical loom and all electronics (r/r, starter motor, ignitors, coils, etc

Questions:

- can the carbs be plumbed in without those "pods" that used to be on either side of the bike? I believe I threw those away...

- bad idea to run no oil cooler? How should I plug the inlet and outlet in this case?

- I have a brand new Pirelli 190/55/zr17 tire...given the bikes intended purpose, is this usable enough without inducing downright dangerous handling characteristics and will it even fit the 5.5" wheel without interfering with the chain or swingarm? I'd love to use a tire I already have. Trying to spend as little as possible.

- not going to be using a dash at all. Might not even run turn signals.

Picture a rat bike hastily put together to escape Armageddon. That's what I'm going for here. As.minimalist.as.humanly.possible.

How should I go over an engine that has sat for 2 years aside from valve adjustment,  fresh belts and new oil?

Any ideas or additional tips from you lot?

Thanks

[Howie]

Hello

Being that I have to wait "several more weeks " for my 944 engine, I wish to "throw together" some spare parts into a running, riding motorcycle. I'd like to do this while spending as little time, money, and effort possible. The bike will be a grocery go getter and Friday night cruiser. I have the following parts:

-My old M750 motor
-My old M750 frame
- Old set of Mikuni carbs
- My old M900 wheels (5.5 rear wheel)
- Front and rear braking components
- Swingarm, chain and sprockets
- Electrical loom and all electronics (r/r, starter motor, ignitors, coils, etc

Questions:

- can the carbs be plumbed in without those "pods" that used to be on either side of the bike? I believe I threw those away...
Yes, just run the hoses so they are in relatively still air.

- bad idea to run no oil cooler? How should I plug the inlet and outlet in this case?
Winter time, no.  Summer is on the way.  If you can't find a good used one new is cheaper from KTM
- I have a brand new Pirelli 190/55/zr17 tire...given the bikes intended purpose, is this usable enough without inducing downright dangerous handling characteristics and will it even fit the 5.5" wheel without interfering with the chain or swingarm? I'd love to use a tire I already have. Trying to spend as little as possible.
Most likely you would not have enough clearance.  Handling would be slower.

- not going to be using a dash at all. Might not even run turn signals.

Picture a rat bike hastily put together to escape Armageddon. That's what I'm going for here. As.minimalist.as.humanly.possible.

How should I go over an engine that has sat for 2 years aside from valve adjustment,  fresh belts and new oil? 
Yes, crank a bit so oil circulates before starting.  Drain carbs and fresh fuel.

Any ideas or additional tips from you lot?
Consider something cheap for a speedo like a bicycle computer and maybe some cheap signals like these  http://www.bikebandit.com/k-s-universal-mini-stalk-marker-lights, cheaper than tickets.

Thanks

[Rudemouthsky]

Thanks, Howie!

[Speeddog]

Make sure those tensioner pulleys still spin.

I've got some that look just like that on a 750 motor here.
Well, it's more of a 375 motor with a useless air pumping device attached.

[ChrisK]

Well, it's more of a 375 motor with a useless air pumping device attached.

Haha

[Buckethead]

Make sure those tensioner pulleys still spin.

This.

Holy shit, that thing looks bad. Everything about that valve train that we can see in those pictures screams "Neglect!"

What you did to the bike frame? Take everything off so that it can be looked at and customized before it goes back on?

That needs to happen to at least the valve train, if not the entire engine.

[Rudemouthsky]

This.

Holy shit, that thing looks bad. Everything about that valve train that we can see in those pictures screams "Neglect!"

What you did to the bike frame? Take everything off so that it can be looked at and customized before it goes back on?

That needs to happen to at least the valve train, if not the entire engine.

It was neglected indeed, left in a shed for 2 years. Was a great runner before that. There's surface rust all over the timing components and dust and grime all over the engine...the vert valve cover and manifolds were left off which is not good news at all. Those pulleys will get removed, cleaned and lubed for sure but I was thinking I could get away with running an auxiliary filter between the inlet/outlet lines and change the oil multiple times in the first 100 miles in lieu of tearing down the entire engine.   

[Howie]

Might be a good idea to do a leak down test before putting any work in that engine.  I assume you already made sure the engine turns.

[Rudemouthsky]

Actually no.... I need to order a tool  . Looking at the MOTOMFG one, any other recommendations?

[brad black]

you guys worry too much.

pull the bottom rocker cover as well and give it a good spray with brake clean to wash any crap out.  crank it with the plugs out until it gets oil pressure, then fire it up.  if it needs a rebuild then it's gunna need one anyway, no point worrying about it.  even with the covers off it's not going to get a lot of crap into the oil.  change it once at the most i'd say.

they're much more durable than people tend to allow.

my hotted up 750 never had an oil cooler, as i was too lazy to fit one.  altho these days it spends all its time stationary and not running.  if you're not using a lot of throttle it's not going to get that hot anyway.  unless you're stuck in traffic and cooler won't help that much.

i've seen 200 tyres on 5.5 rims in monsters with clearance.  try it if you own it.  worst is it'll cost you more money.

[ChrisK]

i've seen 200 tyres on 5.5 rims in monsters with clearance.  try it if you own it.  worst is it'll cost you more money.

I recently put a 180 Dunlop Sportmax Q3 rear on my 5.5 rim on the 98 900 and it was resting about 1 mm away from the chain when aligned properly. I read online somewhere that measurements from manufacturer to manufacturer are not always exactly the same, and Dunlops are known for having wider than normal tires.

[memper]

I haven't run an oil cooler on my 750 in two years. Just plugged em with appropriate oil plugs.
Cooler only works when moving, when moving its not needed. Hmm.
Thicker oil generates more frictional heat. Use thinner oil if you ditch the cooler.

[Rudemouthsky]

Today did not go well at all. Like a complete @sshole I didn't bag and tag anything when I took the bike apart or take photographs. Everything seemed simple at the time until it gets multiplied by 20 and you have a bin full of random hardware. 

[SpikeC]

 It doesn't matter that much, just put things into spots where they seem to fit.

[Rudemouthsky]

It doesn't matter that much, just put things into spots where they seem to fit.