I *CONFIRM* I bought this....

So, had some time before it got dark down with ANM today.............she's coming apart albeit very slowly at the minute.

Responding very well to having been soaked with WD40 penetration fluid the other week. All exhaust stud nuts are free (a relief no broken studs to worry about), oil filter bolt head comes undone and not rounded off and other parts are coming off with ease.

Surprising due to the bike's obvious condition.   Engine covered in a white powder (when you blow it it's like a mini storm) which is essentially most of the factory lacquer residue - there's is a small patch on the top of the r/h carb that looks new and lacquered still!!

Me thinks this bike was put away with much of its alloy looking quite factory - then the years of damp took its toll.   As per the V5 she's has some time in Dover which probably made the situation worse with the salt in the air.  

Frame looking very solid.   

Luckily everything may look worse than it really is.

Making plans to get the engine out of the frame asap but would like to get it up and running first to take a listen and assess it.  

Your a better man than I am Gunga Din. Good Luck Nick and I look forward to following the progress with this one.

Now that's what I call a resto! reminds me of NNR when I started, that said I don't remember her being quite that bad . I haven't read the entire thread (yet) but is it fair to assume that the reason you are lavishing such attention on this one is because she's particularly early, being an "S"plate ? whatever your motive I know she'll be done properly and saved from the great scrap heap in the sky. Well done and good luck,(I also expect the NOS pile will be somewhat depleted after this!)

RGD, she last was on the road 22 years ago so of course your concerns are valid.

But this is a very long term project......I don't think it would do any harm to change her oil and filter, get some 3 in 1 down her bores and give her a little fire up?    Just to have a listen and assess the work required?    What say you?

I personaly wouldnt,
You dont asses what needs doing by listening but by looking and measuring,
Listening id for something that is used or known that you are atuned with,
one bit of dirt inside is gonna starve the top end of oil,
You just dont know,
Rings seized in the pistons can kill a bore as well as the piston,
Bore rusted? Who knows without looking,
Valve lands and seats rusted?
Crank dry of oil that would tear shell surface ?
Oil turned to gum on bearings,
Etc etc, who knows,
Mecanics is knowing what is reall,
Luck can sometimes get you home at the end of the parts life,
I know you just want to hear it for 5 minutes but if you want to care about this machine think about whqt is happening inside,there could be some nice usable parts,it could after all be very nice inside and i hope so for you.
Im not a perfectionist but have seen to many broken bikes bought to me with the story of "well it was running 10 years ago when i put it away and i put some petrol in it qnd it run for 10 minutes and now its clattering"
Fine machined parts and air dont mix,
Bring your engine down for a holiday, ill make a mecanic out of  you

You know what?   I may just take you up on that offer young man........