Sometimes pictures don't do justice to the foreboding task ahead; the rear drive area of Project 37 is a perfect example (right).
Let's list what's involved in refurbishing this area. There's the wheel, the brake caliper, brake disc, chain, sprockets, sprocket carrier, swingarm, chain guard, and, in this case, the chain slider (all four mounting points on the slider were broken or missing). This 1993 VFR750 was in typically neglected condition — years of caked on oil/dirt/brake dust, worn chain, nasty brake disc, discolored chain guard and a sticky caliper in need of complete rebuild. The process begins with raising the rear of the bike off the ground and a complete disassembly of all the components. Then everything is cleaned; in this case the initial dirt removal went quickest with localized cleaning using brake cleaner and a toothbrush, followed by a general cleaning with water-based degreaser and a rinse. The bearings on this bike (16,000 miles) don't need replacement so they're left in place.
I then began the refurbishing of each component and associated fasteners. In this case I would be fitting new chain & sprockets, repainting the brake disc and the little plastic axle hole cover, while everything else cleaned up beautifully. I was lucky to source a NLA chain slider from eBay (see separate post) and the caliper rebuild went smoothly. Even the blackened wheel came back to its gleaming original condition. I wanted to preserve the chain guard's original stickers (in excellent condition) so a cleaning, light sanding and three applications of 303 Vinyl Protectant brought back the black. Ready for reassembly.
Let's list what's involved in refurbishing this area. There's the wheel, the brake caliper, brake disc, chain, sprockets, sprocket carrier, swingarm, chain guard, and, in this case, the chain slider (all four mounting points on the slider were broken or missing). This 1993 VFR750 was in typically neglected condition — years of caked on oil/dirt/brake dust, worn chain, nasty brake disc, discolored chain guard and a sticky caliper in need of complete rebuild. The process begins with raising the rear of the bike off the ground and a complete disassembly of all the components. Then everything is cleaned; in this case the initial dirt removal went quickest with localized cleaning using brake cleaner and a toothbrush, followed by a general cleaning with water-based degreaser and a rinse. The bearings on this bike (16,000 miles) don't need replacement so they're left in place.
I then began the refurbishing of each component and associated fasteners. In this case I would be fitting new chain & sprockets, repainting the brake disc and the little plastic axle hole cover, while everything else cleaned up beautifully. I was lucky to source a NLA chain slider from eBay (see separate post) and the caliper rebuild went smoothly. Even the blackened wheel came back to its gleaming original condition. I wanted to preserve the chain guard's original stickers (in excellent condition) so a cleaning, light sanding and three applications of 303 Vinyl Protectant brought back the black. Ready for reassembly.
(Below) The first step is refitting the brake disc, as it's held captive behind the stub axle. Next I'll apply a coating of molybdenum grease to the needle bearings and a light application of spline lube to the drive splines.
(click on an image to enlarge)
(click on an image to enlarge)
(Below) The stub axle is then carefully inserted from the right side and the chain adjust mechanism is rotated fully forward in preparation of a new chain being fitted. This will allow a full range of adjustment in the future. Next, the caliper is mounted on the torque arm, rotated onto the disc and torqued onto its carrier.
(Below) The sprocket carrier is then fitted to its splined counterpart. Then the large nut is installed and will later be torqued to 141 lb/ft. I put down some tape to help protect the carrier from the 46mm socket.
Installing the chain will need to await the arrival and installation of the chain slider, but this rear drive assembly is looking pretty.
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