Subject: My Converts running!
Author: Darrell J Dick
Date: Dec 1, 2003, 12:13 PM
Post ID: 1715373918
After sitting around 3 years or so waiting for me to get around to
working on it, I rode my Convert around the block yesterday for the first
time. It was seized up and needed paint when I bought it. After piddling
around trying to free the pistons with penetrating oil and other " home
remedies" for over a year, I pulled the heads off it earlier this summer.
Man! those bores were rusted big time (Converts have iron bores). I
pounded the piston out of the cylinder with a maple block and ordered up
a new set of Nigulsil bored cylinders. I dropped the pan, pulled the
rods, checked everything out and reassembled the engine. I cleaned up the
heads and lapped the valves. I did a bench rebuild on the starter,
cleaned out the master cylinders, bled the brakes, rebuilt the carbs, and
checked the timing.
I lucked out and bought a complete set of SP bodywork (sans the fairing)
off eBay at a great price, complete with nice white and red factory
paint. It looks real nice. Does that make it a Spert? I'll get the
Convert saddlebags and tail spoiler painted red to match and then it'll
really be stylin'.
A stuck float in one of the carbs provided some issues in getting it to
light up the first time but it sounds pretty good. I even got to ride it
around a little yesterday (the weather was uncharacteristicly nice in SE
Michigan). What fun these things are. I had almost forgotten. I haven't
been on a Convert for a few years. Just twist the right grip and it goes!
It is also the finest low speed parade bike made. I rode it back into the
muddy woods to try out its virtues as a trials bike. Not really a good
idea, but we survived it.
You guys ought to try one some day.
regards,
Darrell Dick
Imlay City, MI