Exnav's Gen 1 Build!

iggys-amsoil · Post by **iggys-amsoil** » January 24th, 2008, 9:21 pm

Yep, thats one nice looking Gen 1. Great job man.

hoofarted · Post by **hoofarted** » January 25th, 2008, 7:55 am

Damn - that is a friggin nice job, dude! I really need to get on the ball and get mine done!

Exnav · Post by **Exnav** » January 25th, 2008, 4:03 pm

Got it fired up and it starts just like my 85' did. It took about 7-8 good kicks then it sneezed once and I knew she was about ready to fire. Next kick, she started right up and idled perfect. Did a couple of little spins around the subdivision and nearly froze, but man oh man, that 500 sound is music to my ears.

Couple of minor things...

1. Had to take the carb apart after I put gas in the tank and turned the petcock on; proceeded to watch gasoline pour out the overflow line. Must of been something between the needle and seat, cause after I tore it apart and blew it out, it worked fine.

2. I filled the radiator and I have a pretty constant drip out the overflow when the bike is idling. You think I have it too full and it will find it's level or am I overlooking something obvious?

Didn't ride it long enough to get any kind of feel for the bike, but there was no noticeable vibration that I felt that seemed out of the ordinary(if that makes any sense). Like I said, not on it very long and to be honest, it's been 15 years since my last 500 ride, so I am no expert.

I guess the build is officially over.

Need to buy all new gear. Everything I had is long gone. Can't wait for the Spring and good weather.

Time for

In the end I got a bike that I think looks really nice for it's age and seems to be solid mechanically. Could it have been done for less? You bet and it has, but to me the build paid off in many other ways than the $$$. I learned a lot, had a ton of fun and got to know a few hoons a little. Ultimately I got exactly what I wanted and I know it inside and out and although she's not the latest generation, it's going to be plenty for me...for now.

TJC510 · Post by **TJC510** » January 25th, 2008, 4:32 pm

Exnav wrote: 2. I filled the radiator and I have a pretty constant drip out the overflow when the bile is idling. You think I have it too full and it will find it's level or am I overlooking something obvious?

check the seal on the rad cap, may have something on it. it shouldn't leak like that even when first filled.

congrads on finishing it, looks beautiful. easily the cleanest gen 1 i have seen.

Post by **AlisoBob** » January 25th, 2008, 4:50 pm

If you filled it to the "tippy-top"... normal expansion will push some out...

The normal "full" level is about 5/16" below the filler neck.

...no worries...

Hellbear · Post by **Hellbear** » January 25th, 2008, 4:58 pm

Damn very nice Exnav!

MXer746 · Post by **MXer746** » January 28th, 2008, 5:18 pm

Damn nice job! You did good.

teemtrubble · Post by **teemtrubble** » February 7th, 2008, 9:51 pm

Nice job!

Wheelie-Gene · Post by **Wheelie-Gene** » July 21st, 2008, 5:36 pm

Just came across your thread, read the whole thing.
Looks beautiful. Never could undersatnd why people shoot down 1st gen conversions...then again that was on the other forum and APPARENTLY THEY NEVER SAW YOURS.
It'd make me proud to own that one.

Sweet build.

Exnav · Post by **Exnav** » July 21st, 2008, 7:24 pm

Thanks for the compliments.

Pro's - ease of build, price of 1st Gen donors is cheap

Con's - 3 iron side panels, lack of graphics, rigid

I like it though.

Next one I build is going to be the latest model I can afford

Wheelie-Gene · Post by **Wheelie-Gene** » July 21st, 2008, 7:34 pm

I've heard the rigidity gripes. As bikes get older, they are less wanted and go for cheap. No doubt that each new generation out performs the last, nevertheless, you have one cool machine.

atank · Post by **atank** » July 22nd, 2008, 8:00 pm

That is really a great looking bike ExNav! I like the way you got that frame to shine, any tips on the frame?

Exnav · Post by **Exnav** » July 22nd, 2008, 8:54 pm

I would recommend not shining the frame if it's not already done. Most of the polishing was already done when I bought the bike and all I did was clean it up and then hit it with a Mother's Power Ball with their polish and that's it. Harbor Freight (one of dannygraves favorites) has everything you need in terms of buffing wheels and rouge to get it to the point to where I started. Pretty affordable too.

dannygraves · Post by **dannygraves** » July 22nd, 2008, 9:09 pm

Exnav wrote:I would recommend not shining the frame if it's not already done. Most of the polishing was already done when I bought the bike and all I did was clean it up and then hit it with a Mother's Power Ball with their polish and that's it. Harbor Freight (one of dannygraves favorites) has everything you need in terms of buffing wheels and rouge to get it to the point to where I started. Pretty affordable too.

hehe

Skidmark · Post by **Skidmark** » July 22nd, 2008, 10:04 pm

I hate polishing my frame! Dirt bikes ARE NOT built to be POLISHED. But I tell everyone it's not that big of a deal to keep shiny. It helps me with my pain when they grumble like Hell after they've done it themselves.
HE HE HE HE

GEN 1's are AWESOME (again...helps me with my pain)

"Skiddy"

BannedCR500Riders.com

Exnav's Gen 1 Build!