Series 2 Restoration in the Hunter Valley

G'day Angus,

The wiser noggins on here will probably have a more detailed answer to this question than me, but I opted to

a. Replace my leaf springs because when I counted the leaves on each one there were varied numbers and it appeared that they had received a (dodgy) repair. Also, it was clear that they had sagged to the point where some (minor) dents had started to appear on the chassis.

b. Replace the shocks because the cylinder bodies had rusted and movement in them wasn't great.

c. Go with parabolics after reading a bunch of reviews on here and other forums which suggested that they had far better travel and were more comfortable. Given that I want to use my Series 2 as a regular commuter (for when it is raining and I can't use the bike) I went with the better option for comfort. Expense is the issue (parabolics in Aus are upwards of $600 an end) however, I got around this by ordering them from the UK (paddockspares). Yes, postage was a bugger, but it still worked out a lot cheaper (which is a bit of an indictment on the Aussie suppliers).

Anyway mate, I have only been at this for a couple of months so best listen to the experts who I am sure will comment after me. Have a look at my post on Berty for some photos and details of the job if you intend to go that way.

Sam

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sam22

Given that I want to use my Series 2 as a regular commuter (for when it is raining and I can't use the bike)

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Hahahahaha... [bigrolf]

Excuse my mirth; never been in a Series that didn't leak all over the occupants whenever it was raining... [smilebigeye]

Quote:

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Originally Posted by OneOff

Hahahahaha... [bigrolf]

Excuse my mirth; never been in a Series that didn't leak all over the occupants whenever it was raining... [smilebigeye]

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thats why they have holes in the floor as well as the roof that way the water can get out!

Sam

Thanks for your advice. I do not plan to use the vehicle for daily travel but still think a good ride is worth the expense. Plus it would be annoying to do a rebuild and then not be happy with the outcome.

I agree with you comments re Aussie suppliers - the US supplier Rovers North is cheaper for old man emu shocks that ARB. Can't believe it.

I think I will go for the Monroe shocks from paddocks.

Cheers
Angus

Hi All

I have now got the vehicle stripped down to the chassis.

The strip down went well, other than the front steering relay (which I have decided to leave as is as someone previously welded it in place).

Photo attached.



Now get the chassis sand blasted and do a few small welding fixes.

Cheers
Angus

Hi all

With help from some local mechanics, I now have the gearbox stripped down.

The gearbox is not original as it is a Suffix E - according to lrfaq.com that comes from a 1967 Series 2A.

The issue I would like some help on is confirmation that the lay shaft is indeed from a Suffix E. (There is apparently a different end bearing for the different suffix's).

Attached is a photo of the lay shaft.

Any views?

Cheers
Angus


Attachment 122839

Hi all

I have been making some good progress with the vehicle, but probably not following the usual order of restoration.

Attached are some photo's of the body panels. These have been gently sand blasted and then etched / primed.



Attachment 123119Attachment 123120Attachment 123121

I found a tradesman in the Hunter Valley at Heatherbrae (Graham at Extreme Blasting) who has experience with aluminium panels. He charges a bit more for the aluminium panels as the process is slower but gives a discount if there is not much paint on the panel. Thus, my for vehicle, overall cost was pretty good.

From here, my next step is to prime and paint the panels (as well as doing 100 other things).

Cheers
Angus

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AJF

Sam

Thanks for your advice. I do not plan to use the vehicle for daily travel but still think a good ride is worth the expense. Plus it would be annoying to do a rebuild and then not be happy with the outcome.

I agree with you comments re Aussie suppliers - the US supplier Rovers North is cheaper for old man emu shocks that ARB. Can't believe it.

I think I will go for the Monroe shocks from paddocks.

Cheers
Angus

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Why don't you go with Munro shocks from Repco? That's where I get mine

Harry,
thanks for the advice.
I read somewhere on the forum that people had difficulty getting the right Munro shocks- apparently the model needed to be a European part. Is this right? I called Repco but the guy I spoke to didn't think there would be a problem but was not sure.
Cheers
Angus

I hit the old shock with the wire wheel to show up the part nos stamped on them, but my repco store just looked them up in their munro catalogue and bingo.