Bridgestone BS-7: Rear Wheel

Yesterday was the front wheel, so naturally today was the rear wheel. Disassembled, cleaned, polished, repacked bearings and fit a fresh tire. then of course mounted on the bike for a few pictures:

Rear number, shown with gold pinstriping. My first shot at striping with my new brushes. I actually was decent at it:

I also outlined the red stripe on the tank and rear cowl"

It appears now that I need to start thinking about getting the engine mounted, so I can build an exhaust, run some cable, and make up some footpegs and a rear brake lever.

C'

Bridgestone BS-7: Front Wheel Rebuild

After some morning weed pulling, I decided to rebuild the front wheel on the Bridgestone. I dismounted the old crusty tire, disassembled the wheel, then proceeded to clean, paint, and polish. The front wheel bearings were in great shape, as were the seals. I also cleaned up the front brake shoes, pivot pins, and springs.

Lacing up the wheel. Always fun.

Truing up the rim. This is usually a pain in the ass, as you have to go back and forth on the spoke nipples to get things centered up, both with side-to-side run-out, and wheel balance.

Completed wheel, with fresh 2.5x17 IRC NR53 tire and tube mounted up. I gave the hub a very light polish, using 000 grade steel wool and oil. Then a very light rubbing of aluminum polish. The original rim polished up nice with some light chrome polish:

C'

Bridgestone BS-7: Some Paint

I got a little paint on the BS-7 over the weekend, and did a quick mock-up this morning just to see how it looks. It is coming together. Now, time to pack for our Seattle and Victoria trip!

More Bridgestone Teardown

I managed to get the Bridgestone BS-7D stripped down to its chassis tonight. This took quite a bit longer than I thought it would. I have to give it to Bridgestone, they managed to use three times as many fasteners and brackets and other misc. shit to hold this bike together, than any comparable Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha, or Hodaka of the same vintage.

But now I can get to work cleaning. Which is my least favorite part of the project. So much so, I might invest in a little ultrasonic cleaner to get all the fiddly small parts cleaned up.

BS-7D mounted on my new rolling work bench:

Stuck piston, soaking in some penetrating fluid:

Underside of cylinder head. Yep, it's small:

C'