The cylinder is back on the case

I started today looking at a 1984 BMW K100 on craigslist.  The owner got the bike from his brother, who is overseas.  It doesn't run, because it hasn't been started in a year.  The fairing is scraped up from the bike being dropped.  It's a mess.  It looks like a really neat cafe' project.

I showed my wife.  She said, "You never wear the motorcycle coat I got you.".

I said "Well - my motorcycle is in pieces".

She said - "Why don't you handle that?".

Enough said.

So, I went out to the garage and started working on the bike.  The shop manual I found says "Put the piston in a 100 degree F oil bath.  Then, insert the wrist pin.".

Lit my grill outside (we're not gonna repeat that oven event), and put the piston in with 1/2 a bottle of mobil 1 that I had laying around.  Let it sit for awhile, and then took it all in the garage.  Tried to start the wrist pin and "zoop" - it went all the way in!  Oh jeez.

It took me awhile, but I was able to beat it out.  Good grief.

Tried it two more time, and it never slipped right in like the first time.  The last time, I literally beat it in with a deadblow hammer while holding it.  What a circus.

Got the end clips in easily, so it's together.  Then I had to stab the cylinder.  I was going to use a hose clamp as a ring compressor, but it was too much of a hassle.  I ended up just compressing it with my thumbnail while sliding the cylinder on with one hand.  But it's on, and it fits perfect.

Torqued the base of the cylinder down, and loosely put the head on.  I'll torque it later.

Then - I put the motor on the frame (still cleaning up the mounting bolts.   While I had that together, I also put the chain on.

It's really starting to look like a motorcycle!

The carb is just sitting on there loose as well, so nothing can get in the intake.

But - even though it's made progress, there's so much more to do.