CLASSICVINTAGEMOTORCYCLES.COM
RESTORATION OF THE MONTH
This month we will take a look at my 1971 CZ 380. Man, was it ever a rat when I bought it. But lucky for me, I have so many CZ parts that is was not such a hard job race restoring the mighty CZ.
After stripping the bike down it became apparent it needed more work than I thought. The forks were just rusted solid, the motor was seized, ignition shot, all the spokes badly rusted, bent swing arm, and the engine looked like it had been used as a boat anchor. There were clearly some kind of little creatures living in the expansion chamber. But, on the good side,,,,the kill button was good and the plastic tank didn't leak.
So after inspecting the frame, and moving the shock mounts to the original location, it was repainted. I added an after market swing arm and some new shocks. I had a good set of forks and replaced all the spokes with new ones.
While apart, I treated the hubs to a new paint job. I ordered some new GP seat foam and cover. I had a good set of plastic fenders and an air box, so they were installed. I also found a good used Motoplat to get the fire going. A Mikuni carb that was sitting on a shelf in my attic was put back into service. Some Never Dull and alot of elbow grease was applied to the engine and lower fork legs.
The engines top end was a mess. It was so rusted I wondered if I would have to cut the connecting rod to get it apart. Thank God for Liquid Wrench. Daily doses over a period of two weeks got her loose, Strange but true is the fact that just the rings were rusted in the bore. A new set of rings and a quick hone job and all was well. I had a used expansion chamber in great shape, so that was another thing I did not need to buy.
The trans was good. CZ transmissions are really tough. I only needed to replace all the seals and she was good to go.
The bike was now ready for the big moment....would it start?
To my amazement, the big 380 started in three kicks and settled into a nice idle.
After a bit of tuning the carb and the suspension, it was loaded on the trailer and headed to Hardrock Cycle Park in Florida for a national race.
I had not been on a moto x course in over 30 years. That day, in the Florida sun, I was lucky enough to win both motos and be awarded the first place award by Marty Tripes and Chuck Sun.
It was a great day for this old rider and an old machine. Long live vintage mx.
After stripping the bike down it became apparent it needed more work than I thought. The forks were just rusted solid, the motor was seized, ignition shot, all the spokes badly rusted, bent swing arm, and the engine looked like it had been used as a boat anchor. There were clearly some kind of little creatures living in the expansion chamber. But, on the good side,,,,the kill button was good and the plastic tank didn't leak.
So after inspecting the frame, and moving the shock mounts to the original location, it was repainted. I added an after market swing arm and some new shocks. I had a good set of forks and replaced all the spokes with new ones.
While apart, I treated the hubs to a new paint job. I ordered some new GP seat foam and cover. I had a good set of plastic fenders and an air box, so they were installed. I also found a good used Motoplat to get the fire going. A Mikuni carb that was sitting on a shelf in my attic was put back into service. Some Never Dull and alot of elbow grease was applied to the engine and lower fork legs.
The engines top end was a mess. It was so rusted I wondered if I would have to cut the connecting rod to get it apart. Thank God for Liquid Wrench. Daily doses over a period of two weeks got her loose, Strange but true is the fact that just the rings were rusted in the bore. A new set of rings and a quick hone job and all was well. I had a used expansion chamber in great shape, so that was another thing I did not need to buy.
The trans was good. CZ transmissions are really tough. I only needed to replace all the seals and she was good to go.
The bike was now ready for the big moment....would it start?
To my amazement, the big 380 started in three kicks and settled into a nice idle.
After a bit of tuning the carb and the suspension, it was loaded on the trailer and headed to Hardrock Cycle Park in Florida for a national race.
I had not been on a moto x course in over 30 years. That day, in the Florida sun, I was lucky enough to win both motos and be awarded the first place award by Marty Tripes and Chuck Sun.
It was a great day for this old rider and an old machine. Long live vintage mx.
T
Before After
