FastGas

here's this winter's project:

84 ascot 500 with 8k original miles. New stanchion tubes from a nighthawk 550, fork seals, Spitfire tires (110f,130r), lower GP touring bars, grips, mirrors, carb rebuild, painting oxidized plastic, and a thorough clean/polish.

BLIZANTHIMUM

another ascot lover?!!! who allowed Karl to breed!

FastGas

I got it for free, who doesn't love a free motorcycle?

FastGas

here's today's addition:

I'm on the hunt for a vented VLX600 rotor and a set of HH pads. If you only have one rotor/caliper, it had better be stout.

CBRF2Old

Don't listen to Bailey, he wouldn't know a good classic if it bit him on the ass in the twisties.

Nice Ascot! Where did you get the stainless brake line?
Do you have the tailsection for it? Some of the parts for these things are getting harder to find all the time.

CBRF2Old

Where did you get the bars? And who makes them? Do you have the dimensions on them? I put a set of chrome "Superbike" el cheapo bars on mine and kind of like them, but would rather do a nicer set.

If you are looking for turn signals, check out Lockhart Phillips (part no 122-9980, this is the dual filament for the front with the running light. They have a single filament for the rear).
http://lockhartphillipsusa.x-shops.c...p-1-c-398.html
They are aluminum housings with bulbs and tuck in nicely on the Ascot. Pretty much a bolt on part also!

FastGas

I'm using cheapo bikemaster gp touring bars, just like these:

I have the tail section. I had to remove it in order to address a huge rat nest and chewed up rear wiring loom.
I actually opted for a set of these LED signals:

I'm actually having a little trouble making sense of the wiring. I don't understand which wire does what up front. Perhaps I can post a pic and you could tell me what's what?
the brake line came from ebay, $18!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ASR-3...item5637279981

FastGas

I've also been trying to find an affordable set of ZRX shocks, but no such luck.

CBRF2Old

Crap, Bikemaster, that is the same brand I have. Not that I think they are crap, they are just cheap. Did you find black ones, or did you paint them?

I like those signals. I would opt for the short ones if you can get them for both the front and back.

I can take a look at mine, seems like they were pretty straight forward on the wiring. Are you going to make the fronts work as running lights (i.e. dual filament)? I put a set of single filaments on the BadAscot and left off the running light, but then bought a set of the LP duals and may change back to them.

I will have to look into the brake line!

FastGas

I don't care for running lights. The blinkers are two wire, so running lights are out of the question anyway. They are black bars, I had a local shop order them for me, I believe they were $21.

FastGas

the brake line is just long enough with my lower bars. There's no way it would have worked with the original bars.

FastGas

here are the rear blinkers on the scotty:

And the semi complete shot:

I just need to pull the center stand for sandblasting and paint, finish up the wiring, and figure out why it won't start

Speaking of wiring, here's the mess up front:

There's a green wire with room for two wires which I assume is the ground. Then there's a solid blue, blue with white stripe, orange, and orange with white stripe. Anyone know what the proper combo is?

CBRF2Old

FastGas, the "Scotty" looks great! Those turn signals fit well with it.
As for the wiring, I will have to take a look at mine to see what I did to put the two wire/single element signals on. You got a good pic of the wiring mess, but I can't tell from looking at it what it should be.
I have a jpg of the wiring diagram but the file size is to large to attach. If I am reading this right, solid blue is the right turn signal, solid yellow is the left turn signal, green is ground. The blue/white, yellow/white are the running lights.

FastGas

I believe I tried that combo at one point but the lights wouldn't flash. That may be due to something in the rear. The fronts illuminate nicely but the rears are very, very dim and probably won't pass inspection. I'll have to go back through the rear loom and see if the rat that made a nest in the taillight cutout chewed through the loom elsewhere.

CBRF2Old

Have you had any luck with getting it started? What is it doing?

BuellCru

Karl, when are they going to make an "Ascot" room for you guys?

Hozhead

As excited as I KNEW Karl would be when I saw that someone else was working on an Ascot, I don't think it would be a good idea to give these two a room.

Hozhead

By the way, that is a GREAT looking project. VERY nicely cleaned up & reworked!

Cider

Now that's funny.

CBRF2Old

How do you know there isn't already an Ascot section?? You wouldn't be able to see it would you?? It is sooo top secret that Hoz can't even see it.

Actually, there is a section for Ascots, it is called Fix Or Repair Daily...

FastGas

I had it running back in September after flushing the 20 year old fuel, replacing the hopelessly clogged pilot jets, and freeing the stuck float needle for the forward cylinder. It ran great and I rode it around for a little while, however it would not restart once I shut it off. I pulled the carbs thinking the pilot jets were gummed but they weren't. Spark is good, fuel is good. I'm thinking the combination of fouled plugs and cold weather is the problem. I'm trying to find a spark plug wrench to get the plugs out...

CBRF2Old

I would loan you mine, but you would have to come get it, I'm not driving to SLC.
Those inner plugs are a pain to get to. I have to dig around in the tool box for the exact length extension and then tack on an adapter that gives it another little bit.
When you put the plugs back in do you use a piece of fuel line over the end of the plug to get the threads started? Makes it much easier and less chance of cross threading.

BLIZANTHIMUM

nope. i use my 1/2" impact.

CBRF2Old

Remind me to show you where the "inboard" plugs are on the Ascot.

FastGas

is this all I need?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...T#ht_609wt_940
It looks like one end is the right size for the plug and the other for a 3/8 extension.

FastGas

let me show you all four plugs on my monocoque framed ZX12r!

e11charlie

I think the Ascot kind of looks like a nighthawk.

CBRF2Old

Is that a good thing or a bad thing??
I have an 84 Nighthawk 700SC and yes, the styling is about the same.

FastGas

Yep, I've had a few nighthawks over the years:

CBRF2Old

I only got a brief glimpse of it before the screen changed to "this listing has ended". You don't need a special tool. You just need a...crap! I just looked for my spark plug socket to see what size it is and can't find it. I think my stepson raided my tool box...
Anyways, I use a regular spark plug socket with an extension on it and then an adapter that goes from 1/2 drive to 3/8 drive and it gives it just enough length.
I also use the compressor to blow out any crap that has settled in the "black hole" in the valve cover before pulling the plug.

FastGas

I can't believe how much a difference the SS line made, the lever is now rock-solid. I have a set of EBC HH pads and a VLX600 rotor on the way. The buggar should stop with ease once it's all back together.
CBRF2, have you installed a jet kit in either of your ascots? I've heard good things.

FastGas

I tried using my craftsman sparkplug tool but the socket walls proved too thick to clear the cooling fins around the outboard plugs.

CBRF2Old

I am going to have to do the SS brake line change. Any help that we can give to a single front brake is good! Post some pics of the new brake setup when you do it.
I haven't intentionally done a jet kit, but the last set of carbs that I bought had been rejetted slightly. It runs pretty good, but will have to look into what it actually was. Need to work out all the handling issues before I look for more power!

CBRF2Old

Must be a pretty thick walled socket. If it won't work on the outboard plugs, it won't work on the inboard ones very well. Take a plug down to the local Schucks and get a cheap one that fits it.

CBRF2Old

Yep, that is my Nighthawk exactly...well, Waaayyyy better looking than mine. To be honest, mine looks like crap with paint peeling off and faded graphics, but it runs great...well, it smokes a little, but it handles great...well, the front forks need new springs. It is one of my future projects.

FastGas

I'm going to try to snag a complete tool kit on ebay first.

FastGas

it was pretty cherry, I think it had just a tick over 12k miles on it when I sold it in 08 for $3400.

CBRF2Old

Wow, excellent price to get out of one. Isn't that about twice what it originally sold for?
My original Ascot has 8700 miles on it since I bought it new.

FastGas

I think the MSRP was $1800. They're classics and they DO NOT make them like they used to.

Hozhead

Holy crap, you two really do need to get a room. You've owned and worked on nearly identical bikes!
I now feel the urge to find an old Honda sport/cruiser project bike - don't tell my wife.