CB750 Barn find project - First Timer

[Nurse Julie]

Hahaha, no, you don't have to pay 2K, that's how much it costs to fill an industrial size tank !!!. It only costs somewhere around £65 to have all the cases stripped this way. Also, I know Trig would say the same but, if you leave your engine 'naked' as it were, ie, not painted, it would end up as a fir ball of corrosion in no time at all.

[Underdog1]

if you leave your engine 'naked' as it were, ie, not painted, it would end up as a fir ball of corrosion in no time at all.

Do you reckon? my cases still have the original paint on them and all in all its mostly still there, the barrels, head, valve cover, side covers all came as bare aluminium from the factory no?

[Nurse Julie]

The engines are painted and lacquered from the factory and the casings were satin polished and lacquered to protect them from corrosion.

[Underdog1]

The engines are painted and lacquered from the factory and the casings were satin polished and lacquered to protect them from corrosion.

Ok cool well every days a school day 

However if the bike ha gone 4 years without rusting I'm sure it can handle a few more without falling to bits, the more i see bikes like this:



The more i think i like the worn in 'patina' look. Anyway I'm not going to rush into spraying my engine bits now ill see how i feel in a week or so.

I bought some Hondabond HT gasket sealer on the bay a few days ago after mistaking it for Hondabond 4 (damn you port!). Doesn't seem the Hondabond 4 is easily available in the UK and threebond seems a good alternative. However my research shows that Threebond have changed their formula a few times as they have been forced to remove various chemicals.. Does anyone know if 1184 is the right one to go for?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/111631190580?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[Nurse Julie]

I am far from an expert but the paint on your engine, by what I can see in your piccies, looks in quite good order. If you were to strip the varnish / paint off and then leave it bare that is when the alloy oxidises and goes furry. Also, an Engineer will tell you it's not important what the outside of the engine looks like, it's how it's built and how it performs on the inside that is important 

[Underdog1]

I am far from an expert but the paint on your engine, by what I can see in your piccies, looks in quite good order. If you were to strip the varnish / paint off and then leave it bare that is when the alloy oxidises and goes furry. Also, an Engineer will tell you it's not important what the outside of the engine looks like, it's how it's built and how it performs on the inside that is important 

I think we've got our lines crossed a little here, when i said i may not even paint the engine at all i meant clean up and leave as is with the factory paint on 

[Nurse Julie]

No crossed wires, I'm agreeing with you Phil  . If it's got good paint on it why bother taking it off. Personally, it's all about bling with me, an engine has got to look blingy (must be a girl thing!!!!)

[Chris400F]

.... an engine has got to look blingy (must be a girl thing!!!!)

.... and the paintwork has to match your nail varnish (another girl thing!!)

[mike the bike]

There's a clutch tool on fleabay for under £13.  I've used mine loads of times on mine and various mates with 400s

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-CB400-FOUR-FOUR-400-4-CLUTCH-TOOL-SOCKET-SERVICE-GEARBOX-SPECIAL-hj-/262755821419?hash=item3d2d77a76b:m:meuG-nUEmAj41YB5aW1ntig

[Underdog1]

There's a clutch tool on fleabay for under £13.  I've used mine loads of times on mine and various mates with 400s

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-CB400-FOUR-FOUR-400-4-CLUTCH-TOOL-SOCKET-SERVICE-GEARBOX-SPECIAL-hj-/262755821419?hash=item3d2d77a76b:m:meuG-nUEmAj41YB5aW1ntig

Good find, ordered one 

[Underdog1]

in another train of thought I have some Renthal Ultralows which i was hoping to be able to internally wire.

http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/motorcycle/handlebars/renthal-superbike-ultra-low-bars?gclid=CIGBx_fAiNECFRa3GwodfdAMFA

Ive had them sitting around for a while but picked them up today and realised they arent completely hollow, they are blocked off about 4 inches into either side.

Can i still internally wire them or should i avoid chopping up these aluminium bars and find some steel ones instead?

[mike the bike]

When you use the clutch tool, make sure it's seated properly by tapping it all the way in, otherwise something will get chewed up.

[Bryanj]

DO NOT under any circumstances cut holes for wires in ally bars, if you look at Honda steel bars they are strengthened where the wires exit at the centre. Way back when saw many "broken" bars where holes had been cut cos the owner didn't want to pay Honda's replacement prices

[Underdog1]

DO NOT under any circumstances cut holes for wires in ally bars, if you look at Honda steel bars they are strengthened where the wires exit at the centre. Way back when saw many "broken" bars where holes had been cut cos the owner didn't want to pay Honda's replacement prices

Hmm that's a shame then, how do people tend to run these then? Externally wire them?

[Bryanj]

Yup