Dale, your videos are the best info of their kind on the net, period. Your production quality is excellent, your talent is through the roof, the ideas for content are fantastic, plus you're one of the coolest guys out there. You wrote the book on how all this should be done, thanks for taking us along on the ride!
Wow, thanks Jeff, you are of course too kind. The majority of the folks out there are just great and like to follow the projects for some tips or just entertainment. Then you have the other folks. Well enough said. Thank you for your continued support of the channel.
Thanks Peter, and I won't let them grind me down. I just don't understand why some get pleasure from being mean or critical of others. Especially when what they are watching is free to them. Just goes with the territory. Thanks again Peter for your support.
It isn't the dimensioning of parts we should be concerned about. It's the 'know how' and learning from a master that I'm here for. Don't be concerned about those who are here to find something to nitpick about...they're a dime a dozen.
Thanks Johnny, for the life of me I don't understand the desire folks have to be so negative and critical of others. For me it's all about the fun, nothing I do is perfect or without error.
Another great show Dale. Your work is awesome. Don't let others stop you. If they don't like it. Let them do there own damn show. Keep after my friend.💯👍🏁
Hey thanks Bill, I totally agree with you. It's more of an irritant than anything, may be some preparation H would be in order. LOL. I'm still building bikes, so videos are still coming. Thanks for your support, Bill.
Hey thanks John, it's very kind of you to say so. I know it's not perfect and there are not too many folks out there interested in these old bikes, but it's fun to try to keep them going and anything done in the shop is fun in my opinion. I learn new stuff every day and most of it comes from the younger folks. We have a lot to learn from each other that's the bottom line.
thank you for the vid ........I'm a 65 yr old just learning how to use a lathe.....I bought a Myford 7........love it so far but can see I might need to upgrade to something a little bigger as I progress......also bought a welding machine as welded my cracked classic bike frame not perfect but safe and its was neat doing that too.......keep the vids rolling Sir especially the lathe and welding ......cheers
Hi there, I am betting you are having a great time running your lathe. Machine work for me is very satisfying. I really enjoy the old bikes, and mixing both together is just outstanding for me. Sounds like you are making good solid repairs and enjoying the hobby. Thank you for spending time in the shop with me.
Great video as usual Dale. Detractors come and go, it's a sad state of affairs. Hardening a wheel spindle is a great idea if you desire brittle fractures. Keep up the good work, Dean.
Thanks Dean and happy new year my friend. Yes, I for one have better things to do. I agree, when he was saying that I thought to myself, if that was over hardened and you took a high jump the landing could shatter the axle. Seems a different material would be more in line, than hardening. To me hardening is more for abrasion resistance. Or for like bearing components. I was little afraid to harden the shift shaft that I rebuilt; afraid it will now wear the shift lever spines. Good reason to keep the bolt tight. Thanks buddy.
Dale, DO NOT let those type of people dissuade you. I think your content is OUTSTANDING. And if I need specifics, sure I can txt you, or better yet, look up the info myself (as one should do). Unfortunately the more popular you get, the more aholes come out of the closet (nature of the beast I reckon). Continue to do what you do, and I'll continue to hit that thumbs up before I EVEN watch the video, because I KNOW I'll enjoy it.
Thank Greg, yes you are right, the more you put yourself out there, the more of them that find you. It's just not that important. I watch lots of TH-cam, if I see something I don't agree with I just move on, but normally it is just not that important to me. Sometimes it's just another way to do the same thing. As you know it takes a lot of time and effort and money to put up a video that you are not getting anything out of. You're sharing your time and effort for free. Thanks buddy, appreciate your support.
Thanks James, yes, even as a young man I flew through the air on these bikes, and never worried about breaking an axle. Maybe that was a concern of Roger Decoster, but not me.
Thanks Mark, you bet that retromechanicalengineer is a wealth of good information, Yeah, I just don't understand some folks. They seem to gain pleasure from their keyboard prosecution of others.
I know Cain, I just don't know why it is so important for them to cut folks down. Not necessary, if they don't like the video, just don't watch it, pretty simple. Thanks brother.
Very nice work there Dale! Keep it coming. I have to rely on outside resources for some of the machinery and fabrication work for parts that I'm not able to find. Looks like it will take a little longer to get the TM's back together.
Hey David, you should be picking up some old machines to help with your bike projects, I think you would enjoy the machine shop side of the hobby. When you roll the two together it is a very satisfying. But weather you do or don't, as long as you are having fun that is the bottom line. I would like to come across an old TM, but I bet the parts are even harder to come by. My last TM was a 75 TM125. Then in 79 I went whole hog for a RM400. Best dirt bike I ever owned.
Hey, thanks David, you should consider finding some old machines to help support your motorcycle hobby. You roll the bikes together with the machine shop to support it, and it's a barrel of fun. Weather you do or don't, isn't important, as long as you're having fun that is the important thing. I would love to run across an old TM, the last one I owned was a 75 TM125, then in 79 I went whole hog for a RM400, best dirt bike I ever owned.
@@montana2strokeracerI am considering getting a couple of machines now that I have the space after I rearranged things. Have to see what's available out there.
Hey Dale I didnt realize you were in Montana my brother in law from Calgary went to Butte for University any way I guess we're not to far from each other winters are about the same Ill try to keep in touch. Maybe some one in Utube land will know of someone with an old SL350 1970 model kicking around. Cheers!!
32:03 I would have thought that sprocket alignment is more important than getting the rear wheel in the middle of the swing arm, of course it could be that the sprockets actually do line up when the wheel is in the middle of the swing arm.
Of course, that is the objective, but small steps my friend. I must have an engine and frame and swingarm and sprockets to align first. This probably will be only close, but I need the wheel to not slip side to side and all the other parts that are part of that alignment to be installed first. These spacers took about a half hour to make, if I need to trim one, and make another, it's not the end of the world. In most cases that I have seen, if the wheel is centered the sprockets will be pretty close. Exception is on some of the older bikes that the wheel was not centered that good when the sprockets were in line. Thanks for spending time in the shop with me.
@@montana2strokeracer Good stuff, I have a small lathe, I agree, it would not be the end of the world if you had to remake the spacers. With regards to spending time is your workshop, well it sure beats the work that I am supposed to be doing! 🙂
Another great video making parts. This is the best part about building these bikes. I noticed you have two lathes, do you use the smaller lathe much? What make and size is it?
Hi John, it is a lot of fun for me. I really enjoy the fabrication of parts. The small lathe does not see much use, I usually end up using it to repair my bigger lathe. But it is useful for some really small work. It is an Atlas 618 I think, been awhile since I looked at the tag on it. Thanks for stopping by.
Another great installment! Question from someone that knows next to nothing about machining ... when you are setting up a piece of stock that you are going to thread. How much do you machine off before cutting the threads?
Hi Pete, hey I'm no expert either, I use the Machinery handbook a lot in my ventures. This book is huge and has everything you ever wanted to know. (you can find them used on Ebay) It list major and minor diameters for threading. In my imperfect world, if I have a 14mm thread like I did in this video, I cut about .020 inches off the 14mm shaft then thread with my die. I always start with the size thread I am going to cut. In this case 14mm.
Don't you love armchair mechanics challenging you?? You're right, it's the noisy ones (luckily they are the minority) that take the fun out of this stuff. Rest assured, I appreciate you for all you do!! Even though you're younger than me, I still learn stuff from you.
Thanks Johnnie, I am sure you get your share of them on your channel too. Right, you are they are the minority. Thank goodness. I watch mostly TH-cam these days and I am learning new stuff every day, and most is from folks a lot younger than me. Probably because there are not too many old farts like us doing this stuff. Why do we do it? It's fun that's the answer. Wish I could say it's for the money, but I don't know about you, but I spend way more doing these videos than I will ever get out of them.
Happy New Year to you Sir........may I ask ....when making your press-spacers is it just normal steel or do you use a special material please and thank you.
Thank you and Happy New year to you, my friend. Are you referring to the press plates I use on the Hydraulic press? Yes, those are just 1 inch or 1 1/2-inch-thick low carbon steel like 1018. If you are referring to the spacers, I made for this project to space the wheel to the middle of the swingarm, they too are just low carbon steel like 1018. Some call it cold roll or hot roll.
That is my opinion on axles myself. I believe if you hardened an axle too much it would shatter upon landing from a good jump. Hardening comes at a cost; it makes the item brittle.
Hi Damian, I have a ton of viewers from down under, even had a couple come see me here in Montana last October. Super folks, I really enjoy conversing with them. Yes, I do, I am and have for over 60 years been a dirt bike fanatic. Our riding time is pretty short here, but I still try to get out a couple times a year. My true love is the bike repairs and building. Thanks for spending time with me in the shop.
Hey Dale thanks for reply, I live in Canada I do work out of my heated garage in the winter I in joy working on mechanical stuff Im looking for a project for my self looking for a restorable Honda 1970 SL 350 I had one when I was 15 would like to have one again Im now 60 can you check with your followers if they might know of one ,thanks again for great content. Mike A.
Hi Michael, are you folks having a winter this year? Ours here in Montana is very mild, but looks like the next few days are going to get colder. It sure is nice to have a warm shop to play in when it gets like that, I'm sure you would agree. I know your story very well, these bikes were just so much fun in our youth, that now we seem to migrate back to them. Everyone that watches here has pretty much the same story. I do hear from time to time about some bikes for sale. My area seems to have a shortage of Hondas though. The older bikes in general are getting harder to come by. Keep up the search and if I hear of anything I will drop you a line in the comments section. Stay warm up there my friend.
I have watched some TH-cam videos about it. I have done it for years but don't consider myself an expert at all. Way too much to know and consider when doing it.
Great vid. Working on a kx85 swingarm right now. The adjuster threads are hacked. Your vids inspired me to make some vids of dirt bike repairs. Please check my vid out on the kx85 swingarm. Thanks.
Man is there anyone in this world who hasn't missed spoked at some time. big deal enjoy the video!
Thanks buddy, I do my fair share of it for sure, sometimes when I edit these video's I just can't believe what comes out of my mouth.
Dale, your videos are the best info of their kind on the net, period. Your production quality is excellent, your talent is through the roof, the ideas for content are fantastic, plus you're one of the coolest guys out there. You wrote the book on how all this should be done, thanks for taking us along on the ride!
Wow, thanks Jeff, you are of course too kind. The majority of the folks out there are just great and like to follow the projects for some tips or just entertainment. Then you have the other folks. Well enough said. Thank you for your continued support of the channel.
Great work on that bolt and great attitude too. Nil bastardum carborundum Dale.
Thanks for another excellent video.
Cheers, Peter.
Thanks Peter, and I won't let them grind me down. I just don't understand why some get pleasure from being mean or critical of others. Especially when what they are watching is free to them. Just goes with the territory. Thanks again Peter for your support.
It isn't the dimensioning of parts we should be concerned about. It's the 'know how' and learning from a master that I'm here for. Don't be concerned about those who are here to find something to nitpick about...they're a dime a dozen.
Thanks Johnny, for the life of me I don't understand the desire folks have to be so negative and critical of others. For me it's all about the fun, nothing I do is perfect or without error.
Another great show Dale. Your work is awesome. Don't let others stop you. If they don't like it. Let them do there own damn show. Keep after my friend.💯👍🏁
Hey thanks Bill, I totally agree with you. It's more of an irritant than anything, may be some preparation H would be in order. LOL. I'm still building bikes, so videos are still coming. Thanks for your support, Bill.
Another Great Video Dale: You are 10 years younger than me and doing a good job of passing on your knowledge.
Hey thanks John, it's very kind of you to say so. I know it's not perfect and there are not too many folks out there interested in these old bikes, but it's fun to try to keep them going and anything done in the shop is fun in my opinion. I learn new stuff every day and most of it comes from the younger folks. We have a lot to learn from each other that's the bottom line.
Good morning Dale, watched you on my way into work this morning.
Great job on the machine work.
Wow Don, you really should keep your eyes on the road my friend. I do all my watchin on the TV from my recliner.
@@montana2strokeracer, I was just listening, my phone was in a cup holder…..lol
thank you for the vid ........I'm a 65 yr old just learning how to use a lathe.....I bought a Myford 7........love it so far but can see I might need to upgrade to something a little bigger as I progress......also bought a welding machine as welded my cracked classic bike frame not perfect but safe and its was neat doing that too.......keep the vids rolling Sir especially the lathe and welding ......cheers
Hi there, I am betting you are having a great time running your lathe. Machine work for me is very satisfying. I really enjoy the old bikes, and mixing both together is just outstanding for me. Sounds like you are making good solid repairs and enjoying the hobby. Thank you for spending time in the shop with me.
The axle looks great Dale, great job in the shop! 😀
Thanks Deb and Barry, its great having you in the shop.
Great video as usual Dale. Detractors come and go, it's a sad state of affairs. Hardening a wheel spindle is a great idea if you desire brittle fractures. Keep up the good work, Dean.
Thanks Dean and happy new year my friend. Yes, I for one have better things to do. I agree, when he was saying that I thought to myself, if that was over hardened and you took a high jump the landing could shatter the axle. Seems a different material would be more in line, than hardening. To me hardening is more for abrasion resistance. Or for like bearing components. I was little afraid to harden the shift shaft that I rebuilt; afraid it will now wear the shift lever spines. Good reason to keep the bolt tight. Thanks buddy.
All thread one of the greatest inventions ever!
I total agree!
Dale, DO NOT let those type of people dissuade you. I think your content is OUTSTANDING. And if I need specifics, sure I can txt you, or better yet, look up the info myself (as one should do). Unfortunately the more popular you get, the more aholes come out of the closet (nature of the beast I reckon). Continue to do what you do, and I'll continue to hit that thumbs up before I EVEN watch the video, because I KNOW I'll enjoy it.
Thank Greg, yes you are right, the more you put yourself out there, the more of them that find you. It's just not that important. I watch lots of TH-cam, if I see something I don't agree with I just move on, but normally it is just not that important to me. Sometimes it's just another way to do the same thing. As you know it takes a lot of time and effort and money to put up a video that you are not getting anything out of. You're sharing your time and effort for free. Thanks buddy, appreciate your support.
Nice work Dale. Oh yeah they hold up just fine. You’ve seen my son race and he’s Definitely not afraid of grabbing some big air.
Thanks James, yes, even as a young man I flew through the air on these bikes, and never worried about breaking an axle. Maybe that was a concern of Roger Decoster, but not me.
@@montana2strokeracer DeCoster got titanium axles and swingarm bolt.
I thought so. Thanks buddy
great job again dale i agree with retromechanicalengineer your trying to show people great ideas and thay slag u you off keep up the great work dale
Thanks Mark, you bet that retromechanicalengineer is a wealth of good information, Yeah, I just don't understand some folks. They seem to gain pleasure from their keyboard prosecution of others.
Good job brother. Don’t worry about what they say. You do a great job. you can’t make everyone happy.
I know Cain, I just don't know why it is so important for them to cut folks down. Not necessary, if they don't like the video, just don't watch it, pretty simple. Thanks brother.
Cool!! Another step in an awesome project.
Thanks buddy, it's a fun one!
Very nice work there Dale! Keep it coming. I have to rely on outside resources for some of the machinery and fabrication work for parts that I'm not able to find. Looks like it will take a little longer to get the TM's back together.
Hey David, you should be picking up some old machines to help with your bike projects, I think you would enjoy the machine shop side of the hobby. When you roll the two together it is a very satisfying. But weather you do or don't, as long as you are having fun that is the bottom line. I would like to come across an old TM, but I bet the parts are even harder to come by. My last TM was a 75 TM125. Then in 79 I went whole hog for a RM400. Best dirt bike I ever owned.
Hey, thanks David, you should consider finding some old machines to help support your motorcycle hobby. You roll the bikes together with the machine shop to support it, and it's a barrel of fun. Weather you do or don't, isn't important, as long as you're having fun that is the important thing. I would love to run across an old TM, the last one I owned was a 75 TM125, then in 79 I went whole hog for a RM400, best dirt bike I ever owned.
@@montana2strokeracerI am considering getting a couple of machines now that I have the space after I rearranged things. Have to see what's available out there.
@@montana2strokeracerI may just wait until after I'm done with the suspension and performance upgrades on the 74 TM's.
I think you will be forever thankful that you got them. I use mine every day. Would be lost without them.
Dale, fine job ! The guy making the negative comments has probably never made anything other than an mess .
Ha, ha, ha, you are right John, thanks for hanging out in the shop with me.
Hey Dale I didnt realize you were in Montana my brother in law from Calgary went to Butte for University any way I guess we're not to far from each other winters are about the same Ill try to keep in touch. Maybe some one in Utube land will know of someone with an old SL350 1970 model kicking around. Cheers!!
Great content ,dont let the bastards get you down with they' re nit picking comments your doing a great job !!!
Thanks Michael, the majority of folks are nice, we are all just trying to have fun and learn from each other. Thank you for your support.
Looks good dale!
Hey thanks Matt, you must be enjoying the great weather down there. Haven't heard from you in a while. Take care my friend.
@@montana2strokeracer 70f , 55f at night. Nice
Your bragging Matt, LOL, has not been bad this year here. No subzero stuff yet.
32:03 I would have thought that sprocket alignment is more important than getting the rear wheel in the middle of the swing arm, of course it could be that the sprockets actually do line up when the wheel is in the middle of the swing arm.
Of course, that is the objective, but small steps my friend. I must have an engine and frame and swingarm and sprockets to align first. This probably will be only close, but I need the wheel to not slip side to side and all the other parts that are part of that alignment to be installed first. These spacers took about a half hour to make, if I need to trim one, and make another, it's not the end of the world. In most cases that I have seen, if the wheel is centered the sprockets will be pretty close. Exception is on some of the older bikes that the wheel was not centered that good when the sprockets were in line. Thanks for spending time in the shop with me.
@@montana2strokeracer Good stuff, I have a small lathe, I agree, it would not be the end of the world if you had to remake the spacers. With regards to spending time is your workshop, well it sure beats the work that I am supposed to be doing! 🙂
Another great video making parts. This is the best part about building these bikes. I noticed you have two lathes, do you use the smaller lathe much? What make and size is it?
Hi John, it is a lot of fun for me. I really enjoy the fabrication of parts. The small lathe does not see much use, I usually end up using it to repair my bigger lathe. But it is useful for some really small work. It is an Atlas 618 I think, been awhile since I looked at the tag on it. Thanks for stopping by.
Another great installment! Question from someone that knows next to nothing about machining ... when you are setting up a piece of stock that you are going to thread. How much do you machine off before cutting the threads?
Hi Pete, hey I'm no expert either, I use the Machinery handbook a lot in my ventures. This book is huge and has everything you ever wanted to know. (you can find them used on Ebay) It list major and minor diameters for threading. In my imperfect world, if I have a 14mm thread like I did in this video, I cut about .020 inches off the 14mm shaft then thread with my die. I always start with the size thread I am going to cut. In this case 14mm.
Thank you for giving me that information. I will look for that book.@@montana2strokeracer
Don't you love armchair mechanics challenging you?? You're right, it's the noisy ones (luckily they are the minority) that take the fun out of this stuff. Rest assured, I appreciate you for all you do!! Even though you're younger than me, I still learn stuff from you.
Thanks Johnnie, I am sure you get your share of them on your channel too. Right, you are they are the minority. Thank goodness. I watch mostly TH-cam these days and I am learning new stuff every day, and most is from folks a lot younger than me. Probably because there are not too many old farts like us doing this stuff. Why do we do it? It's fun that's the answer. Wish I could say it's for the money, but I don't know about you, but I spend way more doing these videos than I will ever get out of them.
well Howdy, Guys!
Hi Frank from Las Vegas.
Happy New Year to you Sir........may I ask ....when making your press-spacers is it just normal steel or do you use a special material please and thank you.
Thank you and Happy New year to you, my friend. Are you referring to the press plates I use on the Hydraulic press? Yes, those are just 1 inch or 1 1/2-inch-thick low carbon steel like 1018. If you are referring to the spacers, I made for this project to space the wheel to the middle of the swingarm, they too are just low carbon steel like 1018. Some call it cold roll or hot roll.
yes Sir.....the press plates. and thank you for your reply. @@montana2strokeracer
I used all thread
Indeed brother!
not sure, but in some application's being not hard and able to bend rather than snap is preferred.
That is my opinion on axles myself. I believe if you hardened an axle too much it would shatter upon landing from a good jump. Hardening comes at a cost; it makes the item brittle.
Damian from Australia Dale do u ever ride your dirt bikes 😄
Hi Damian, I have a ton of viewers from down under, even had a couple come see me here in Montana last October. Super folks, I really enjoy conversing with them. Yes, I do, I am and have for over 60 years been a dirt bike fanatic. Our riding time is pretty short here, but I still try to get out a couple times a year. My true love is the bike repairs and building. Thanks for spending time with me in the shop.
Hey Dale thanks for reply, I live in Canada I do work out of my heated garage in the winter I in joy working on mechanical stuff Im looking for a project for my self looking for a restorable Honda 1970 SL 350 I had one when I was 15 would like to have one again Im now 60 can you check with your followers if they might know of one ,thanks again for great content. Mike A.
Hi Michael, are you folks having a winter this year? Ours here in Montana is very mild, but looks like the next few days are going to get colder. It sure is nice to have a warm shop to play in when it gets like that, I'm sure you would agree. I know your story very well, these bikes were just so much fun in our youth, that now we seem to migrate back to them. Everyone that watches here has pretty much the same story. I do hear from time to time about some bikes for sale. My area seems to have a shortage of Hondas though. The older bikes in general are getting harder to come by. Keep up the search and if I hear of anything I will drop you a line in the comments section. Stay warm up there my friend.
ever watch the TV show Forged in fire? you will see heat treatment at its finest.
I have watched some TH-cam videos about it. I have done it for years but don't consider myself an expert at all. Way too much to know and consider when doing it.
Great vid. Working on a kx85 swingarm right now. The adjuster threads are hacked. Your vids inspired me to make some vids of dirt bike repairs. Please check my vid out on the kx85 swingarm. Thanks.
Thats what I like to hear, I will take a look at your channel, love to see how others do it.
Ignore the whiney detractors. They should know they need to do their own research and most of probably won't attempt a tenth of what you do.
Thanks Steve, I think it just goes with the territory. But it's hard to understand why they do what they do.