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HistoricHistoricHistoric HondaHondaHonda BadgesBadgesBadges Tech Tips: Vibrating Tumbler Setting Ignition Timing Ebay Watch Member Bikes: Suzuki GT750 June-July Contents President’s Column ......................3 This issue’s web password is: lemonade Editor’s Column ........................3 Effective: 6/1/2006 West Coast Happenings ....................4 President Pete Boody Meet Eastern North Carolina Field Rep Warren Mayes....5 (865) 607-8179, [email protected] Calendar of Events.......................6 Magazine Editor Jason Roberts (562) 777-2565, [email protected] Tech Tip: Eastwood Vibrating Tumblers ...........8 Classified Advertising After 35 Years, Together Again ................9 Gary Gadd (817) 284-8195, [email protected] Ebay Watch..........................10 Commercial Advertising Director Bob Billa CyberBiku ..........................10 (949) 588-6840, [email protected] Membership Beware the Skid Demon!...................10 Bill Granade (813) 961-3737, [email protected] Tech Tip: Setting Ignition Timing ..............12 Webmasters Steve Blake A History of Honda Tank Badges: 1958-1964........16 (508) 359-8140, [email protected] Beth Braun Nellie Bell: A Golden Friend.................18 (860) 228-4252, [email protected] Member Bikes: Allen Wood and His Butt-Burning GT750 . 20 Cover Layout Jason Bell (972) 245-0634, [email protected] MemberBikes:StephenSmalley’s1974SuzukiGT750L....21 Magazine Layout Michigan Blowout ......................25 Darin Watson (913) 897-3021, [email protected] Classifieds ..........................26 2006 Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club. All rights reserved. No part of this doc- ument may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without permission. The opinions or views expressed in letters or articles are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the policy of the VJMC. The VJMC accepts no liability for any loss, damage or claims occurring as a result of ad- vise given in this publication or for claims made by advertisers of products or services in this publication. p. 4 p. 12 Mission Statement The Purpose of this organization is to pro- mote the preservation, restoration and enjoy- ment of Vintage Japanese motorcycles (defined as those greater than 15 years old) and to promote the sport of motorcycling and camaraderie of motorcyclists everywhere. p. 16 p. 18 2 June/July 2006 From The President: Looking Ahead to Rally Time by Pete Boody unforgettable for you and yours. If you haven’t website, additional regalia items, and new done so, please take a look at the sign-up resources for parts and services. The Board Many of you are making plans this sum- sheets and go ahead and register for the best and I feel that we are entering an exciting mer to get out and ride your vintage bikes. Rally yet. Venita and I will be there and we are phase of growth for the VJMC and we are Whatever your plans may be, don’t forget looking forward to meeting all of you. preparing the way for these extra benefits. the 2006 Michigan Blowout, VJMC Na- The year 2007 will be a major benchmark for Currently we are working to provide you tional Rally on Labor Day weekend. this club as it marks our 30th anniversary. Back with OEM parts discounts from major ven- Scott Timoff and the great folks in Michigan in 1977, the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle dors and this should be finalized very soon. have this National Rally completely in hand Club came together because of a few guys Venita and I will be traveling to as many state and I can assure you that the riding will be who thought that old Japanese bikes would be events as we can in 2006 and are looking for- spectacular, the Lodge is spacious, the fun will cool to ride and collect. The club has been ward to meeting VJMC members at each one. be abundant and the time that you spend with through some trying times since then, but I am In 2007 we will be doing the same so please us will be memorable. My wife Venita was very pleased to report that we are stronger than email me if you would like for us to attend born in Traverse City and I hail from Marshall, ever and looking forward to a grand future. your event. We will do our best to be there. Michigan, so we can both speak with confi- Our 30th anniversary will be filled with Thank you for your support of this club dence that the area of Michigan chosen will be events, new developments on the club and for being a loyal VJMC member. From The Editor: Getting Started on Your Restoration by Jason Roberts every structure on the bike – engines, carbs, tween? As for myself, I usually like to get wheels, instruments, etc. This is very helpful the bike up and running (unless it’s a total I have been getting many calls and emails when putting a modified bike back to stock, basket case) and later concentrate on about how to get started on a restoration, or if you need to see what parts are missing fine-tuning the cosmetic issues. where to look for parts, etc., so I thought I or get an idea of how an assembly fits to- If you don’t already have one, get a cheap might share a few tips that I’ve picked up gether. Repair manuals will have a few of digital camera and take LOTS of pictures of through the last few project bikes I’ve re- these exploded illustrations but nothing as the bike from every angle. Remove the tank stored. thorough as a bonafide factory catalog. and side covers and shoot pics of the wiring I’m willing to bet that most VJMC members Next, sourcing parts. This is the single most layout as well. I’ve found this to be one of the have at least one “project bike” collecting popular question I hear, and I always give the most important steps to a successful restora- dust somewhere in their garage or backyard. same answer: Ebay, baby! The popular online tion, especially those involving a complete Heck, actually all the bikes I have in my sta- auction site has everything under the sun for tear-down. I guarantee that you won’t re- ble are “works in progress” in some way; just about every bike ever made: new parts member how everything goes back together even the concours-quality motorcycles I own that dealers haven’t stocked in decades, plus afterwards unless you’re an absolute expert need something done, whether it be one last the above-mentioned repair manuals and on that particular bike! Plus, you’ll have a set bit to rechrome or paint or a new gasket or parts catalogs that are unavailable anywhere of “before” pictures to compare to your beau- whatever...they’re never really finished. else. You can, of course, buy whole bikes too. tiful “after” shots when you’re finished. The first thing to do after you’ve secured Love it or hate it, Ebay is THE source for vin- Last but not least, use the VJMC internet fo- your dream project bike is to get yourself a re- tage Japanese stuff. I haven’t found anyplace rum, as well as marque-specific Internet sites, pair manual and a parts catalog. The repair else on the Net or in print that even comes to ask any questions or discuss problems. manual, obviously, will help with any me- close. Except of course, our own classified There’s a goldmine of information online, so chanical work the bike needs...even if you are section in the back of this magazine... start digging with a search using Google, an experienced mechanic there will always be Be warned, however, that some rare and/or Ask.com or any of the popular search engines. something you can learn. The best are the fac- popular items can be bid up through the roof And you can also write us here at VJMC mag- tory-issue manuals, if you can find them. on Ebay. Unless you’re Bill Gates, there is al- azine HQ; we’d love to publish your Q&A. They usually have good-quality pictures and ways someone out there who has more We’re starting some new features in the all the specs (such as torque settings, jetting money than you, or who wants a certain item magazine this month that we hope you’ll en- numbers, etc) you could possibly need. Next more desperately! It’s so tempting to increase joy: Ebay Watch, which lists some extraor- best is a Clymer or Haynes brand manual, your bid just a few dollars more...until before dinary examples of vintage Japanese which are pretty much copied from the fac- you know it, you’ve spent way more than you motorcycles and parts; CyberBiku, featuring tory books. Keep in mind, however, that both intended. You’ll also be tempted to give up interesting and informative VJM-related types of manuals are generally designed for your project when you find your dream bike websites, a new Tech Tip column by the ne- pro mechanics, not amateurs, so there are up for auction, in perfect condition! farious Mr. Fuji, and a showcase for pictures many gaps in the information they provide; OK, you have your bike, your manual and of our members’ bikes. Happy wrenching! they don’t go into much detail and they cer- your parts catalog. You’ve gone over every Do you have a restored motorcycle or pro- tainly won’t tell you how to repair or disas- inch of the bike to see what it needs. Now ject? Technical tips or sage words of advice? semble everything on your bike. you’ll want to determine what your goals Or just a nice old Japanese bike that you’d Parts catalogs are absolutely essential for are.