Starting the Combat!

[viclioce]

OK. I decided to start the Combat Wombat and placed about a $385.00 order with Terry.

I haven’t started anything yet, other than looking over the bike carefully & deciding what parts I’ll need. I spent a good 4 weeks, off & on, going out to look at the bike and decide what I would need or want to order from Terry. This time, I decided to do more than just order a few things at a time, continually deciding I would need more parts, and paying postage on smaller orders which could cost me a significant amount more, over time. And this order was big enough that shipping was free! Another good reason for a large, combined order!

I still have to decide what I need, top end wise for the CW, but that’s still a ways off.

And this bike STILL has an original set of Nitto knobbies on her. So IF they are the factory original tires, she may just have low enough mileage on her that I only need to “loosen the top end up!” But we’ll see!

So, I’m going out to take photos of the bike, as is, to document everything i’ll be doing to it! I’ll continue to post in this thread regarding what I am or have been up to with the CW. So stand by for pics to come! Victor

[gearyoliver]

"Starting the Combat!"
Jeez give me a heart attack! I saw that and I'm thinking how did he get it going already?

I'm waiting for a big 03 order. It might arrive tomorrow.
I mocked up the engine for practice today.

[thrownchain]

There should be a shim on the crank also.

[gearyoliver]

Thrownchain, good eye! Thanks.
I should have set it on there. It's missing the control rod and a few other things that are on a towel that I cropped out.

[viclioce]

Well, sorry! I guess I should have said “I’m starting ‘work on’ the Combat!” Didn’t mean to give you a heart attack!!! LOL! I know I’ve been fast in the past, but that would have been a true miracle!!!

I’ll try to be more careful with my wording in the future! I don’t want to be responsible for the “death of an old timer Hodaka-file!” Victor

[gearyoliver]

Hahahahahaha! Too funny.
Looking forward to seeing the process.

[viclioce]

Me too!!! Victor

[viclioce]

Photo time. Just some “Befores!” Note the original Nitto tires! Victor

[mac]

That looks like a really nice tank and fenders,hard stuff to find.

[viclioce]

Mac. I’m still up in the air about the tank. Yes it looks good, except for the mounting tab up front on the left side. The chrome is lifting there.

I’m thinking about trying to glue the plating back down. Thinking about placing some really thin solder under the plating which has lifted and then tacking it down with my ski wax iron. Not sure if the plating will hold up but it’s worth a try. Don’t know if a typical glue would work well or for very long in this scenario. The chrome is still there, just lifted from the metal. Victor

[dirty_rat]

On the tank the problem is the rust under the chrome. To get it to stick you have to do something with the rust (or it continues to rust). You can try using a rust remover and then try gluing it down. You could also remove the flaking chrome, clean the metal under and apply a chrome film/tape (unsure how that would look). Another option is leave it as is, and just consider it a reminder of how old the bike is.

[viclioce]

I may try some naval jelly underneath and then try glue. I just don’t want to lose it is all. Rechroming is not in thd budget & thd rest of tgectank looks great. Remaining hopeful! Victor