Just Started a 3TJ Full Rebuild

[Daz H]

I stripped them right back to the metal with a wire wheel and started from scratch, I've done the same with all the little brackets / subframes etc.

[Hogdigerdy Dog]

the calipers came out real nice and the black dress always looks good, those panels will probably clean up pretty good with a bit of elbow grease,
i'd planed the whole spray job for mine this winter (but the kids ran off with the money)

as standard there very good and if your gonna sell it i wouldn't go mad cos you won't get your money back, but the best upgrade is suspension, stiffer springs/oil up front (unless you've got some sp ones kicking about) and the r6 rear shock, adapted for the tj is brilliant, if your adjustable rear shock has had it, then probably upgrade the reg/rec as this can be a bit dodgy and maybe the coils

if you were keeping it i'd say, top of the list, the LIGHTS or lack thereof (1 candle power) i ride on B roads and through the forest alot in the summer and had 3 very near misses, 1 deer, 1 rabbit and 1 pikey ratrussel chasing another rabbit right across the road,
standard lights = 1 x 4' round orange blob of light about 12' in front of you and about as much use as mens tits

[Daz H]

That is the problem really, as I'll be selling it once it's finished there isn't much money in there for expensive bits, I've serviced the forks so they are as good as a standard forks get and the rear shock seems fine.

The bike will be in top condition so whoever buys it can and make it their own adding the shock they want and upgrading the lights etc. I will have a look at the lights though; is there a modification to the original unit that can be done? I've never ridden a 3TJ at night so I didn't realise they had crap lights.

I'll get the bodywork cleaned up and on the bike before deciding on the respray

[Evilchicken0]

If this is for resale then I'd stay with standard paint and lights.

Clean up the lights electric contacts and that's really all you can do. new bulbs are around 15-20 so unless they're gone leave them. You could replace the headlamp unit with a single FZR / TRX H4 but they don't look as nice the TJ's lights.

Get some scratch remover paste - it's like fine autosol - use it on a slow drill with a wet lambswool mop. Check all the stickers are complete and then wax to make the standard body work as good as it can be.

[Hogdigerdy Dog]

i think halfwits do a buffing paste for bringing back the paint (just don't get one that's to course) and a good wax will have the panels looking like new

and as your selling it, if your shock is good then keep it, i only mentioned it cos the standard shocks are 20yrs old and most have had it
likewise the lights, keep the standard jobbies, as evil said clean the lighting contacts, then a bit of grease on a cotton bud applied to the contacts will work better than wd40 and last longer and don,t forget the indicator switch as the cancel button can stick so they don't turn off, not good approaching junctions

and finally more pics

[Daz H]

There will be a few photos coming up as things are really coming together. I've had to put the wheels on as it needs to move off the ramp tomorrow (servicing a CBR600 race bike - a change is as good as a holiday!)

The disk hasn't been sprayed yet and I think I'll be changing the colour of the wheel! Lol. I think the callipers look great with the lines on, I think the disk centres will be going gold too:


I just need to decide if the wheels are going black (force of habit!) or if they should go silver - it maybe too much black if the fairing is black too. I could do them gold but I think that might be a bit much


By the way, if there's anything you want a pic of while it's stripped down let me know.

[Hogdigerdy Dog]

black wheels with gold pinstripes around the rims will set off the gold calipers and gold lines on the paint work and won't cost a fortune

as Jean-luc said to Will "make it so"

[Evilchicken0]

The standard colour for a black bike is dark grey / graphite.

Alloy fitings on brakes pipes isn't best mind you.

[Daz H]

I know, I don't like the alloy fittings myself but I had them in the workshop and the only other set I have at the moment are yellow - I guess that would go with the yellow wheel!