Posts
2799
Joined
8/16/2006
Location
Ormond Beach, FL
US
Tbteam
2/16/2017 12:44pm
2/16/2017 12:44pm
Edited Date/Time
3/26/2017 11:31am
Maybe I shouldn't call it a "restore", simply because I'm doing this to create a bike that I will race, not show. In that regard, I am not spending days/months scotchbrighting every piece and part. instead, I bought a donor bike and I'm stealing the fairly nice parts that need to be replaced on Ferry's bike.
Frankly, the original Noleen bike looked like it had been left in (or next to) a shed for twenty years. Tons of rust and oxidation. Some really wasted components. On the bright side, the suspension and engine are all Noleen and very usable. Here's what has been done so far:
1. Sent tha suspension to Noleen for a complete service, all new everything. They were able to verify that "All of our stuff is in these suspension components".
2. Sent the engine to Millennium Technologies (thanks Joe Newmann) and had it completely rebuilt. The most important component that I wanted to save was the cylinder, since it too has a Noleen port job, It is inscribed with initials of the tech that did it. So, a bunch of money later, I have a new (?) motor.
Ordered all kinds of new parts for the bike. Plastics (obviously), radiators, cooling lines and new cables, brakes, levers, grips, handlebars, chain, sprockets, bolt kit, bearings, chain guides, etc. the list is Loooooong!
3. This is the controversial part... I had the frame powder coated blue, but not the exact Yamaha blue. It looks awesome, but it's slightly lighter in shade. As I said the first paragraph, I don't care. it will look great, just not perfect. Let the next guy that restores it do that!
i was able to have Throttle Jockey pull up the old computer files and reprint the entire Noleen team graphics kit. It's AWESOME!
If there is one thing that I could use some help on, it's this... The original bike had red side plates and rear fender. there is no place on the planet that has them that I've found. I'm open to any and all suggestions. I've looked into a Maico rear fender that people have told me fits perfectly, but I can't seem to identify the exact one I would need to order. Can anyone help?
Anyway, here is the very beginning. i was able to spend few hours this morning with my buddy getting it started. The front tire is just mocked up to make the bike rest on a stand.
Forks should work well:
Wrong factory frame color, but good enough for me!
There is going to be crap laying all over the place till this is done. This table is the graveyard for parts that we may or may not use.
See how I left the boot marks on the engine? I'm fine with that. In a few laps, it will look the same anyway.
New V-Force reeds for the Noleen cylinder.
Forks on, engine dropped in. Donor bike in upper left of photo. I paid $500 for the donor, and so far I'm going to use the complete linkage, lower triple, front wheel, kick start lever, both brake systems, and a ton of minor things that would have nickel and dimed me to death.
Radiators on. New radiators make a bike look cool!
Frankly, the original Noleen bike looked like it had been left in (or next to) a shed for twenty years. Tons of rust and oxidation. Some really wasted components. On the bright side, the suspension and engine are all Noleen and very usable. Here's what has been done so far:
1. Sent tha suspension to Noleen for a complete service, all new everything. They were able to verify that "All of our stuff is in these suspension components".
2. Sent the engine to Millennium Technologies (thanks Joe Newmann) and had it completely rebuilt. The most important component that I wanted to save was the cylinder, since it too has a Noleen port job, It is inscribed with initials of the tech that did it. So, a bunch of money later, I have a new (?) motor.
Ordered all kinds of new parts for the bike. Plastics (obviously), radiators, cooling lines and new cables, brakes, levers, grips, handlebars, chain, sprockets, bolt kit, bearings, chain guides, etc. the list is Loooooong!
3. This is the controversial part... I had the frame powder coated blue, but not the exact Yamaha blue. It looks awesome, but it's slightly lighter in shade. As I said the first paragraph, I don't care. it will look great, just not perfect. Let the next guy that restores it do that!
i was able to have Throttle Jockey pull up the old computer files and reprint the entire Noleen team graphics kit. It's AWESOME!
If there is one thing that I could use some help on, it's this... The original bike had red side plates and rear fender. there is no place on the planet that has them that I've found. I'm open to any and all suggestions. I've looked into a Maico rear fender that people have told me fits perfectly, but I can't seem to identify the exact one I would need to order. Can anyone help?
Anyway, here is the very beginning. i was able to spend few hours this morning with my buddy getting it started. The front tire is just mocked up to make the bike rest on a stand.
Forks should work well:
Wrong factory frame color, but good enough for me!
There is going to be crap laying all over the place till this is done. This table is the graveyard for parts that we may or may not use.
See how I left the boot marks on the engine? I'm fine with that. In a few laps, it will look the same anyway.
New V-Force reeds for the Noleen cylinder.
Forks on, engine dropped in. Donor bike in upper left of photo. I paid $500 for the donor, and so far I'm going to use the complete linkage, lower triple, front wheel, kick start lever, both brake systems, and a ton of minor things that would have nickel and dimed me to death.
Radiators on. New radiators make a bike look cool!
The Shop
The parts add up, the Noleen stuff is correct, the cylinder looks correct and the stickers on the fork legs from Croom riding area were an indicator. I would say that I'd be around 75% that this is his old practice bike. Still just bolt on stuff here though. No exotic trickness!
As far as I'm concerned, It's legit. That's my story and I'm sticking to it!
Plus, when I'm done, I think Tim would be proud to ride it!
This is the correct rear fender
Building new wheel with black rims. Not true to the original, but it should look cool.
I'd say I'm a few weeks away from riding this thing.
I collected parts from many different places, and I'd like to give a big shout out to the internet for all its help.
Got the red rear fender from Germany thanks to a heads up from a member here. The side panels were painted by a local body shop and matched to the fender.
New motor basically with Noleen cylinder.
Rebuilt Suspension by Noleen.
Anyway, it's s rider, not a showpiece.
Before:
After:
How does it run?
Started after about 5 kicks. Seems to run very strong. After break in, I'll have a clearer idea. Sounds awesome! Very crisp.
Pit Row
I got a delivery yesterday. Thanks, buddy!
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