Just getting started on rebuilding my project Honda Four which I introduced in the new members section. The confusing Subject title is due to the fact that I don't as yet know quite what I've got. The crankcase is stamped CB500 whilst the cylinder block has 544cc stamped on it. I thought from info from David Silver spares that it was a K2 but BryanJ tells me we didn't get a K2 in the UK and it might be a K1.
Anyway, it is what it is and I'll see what I can make of it. First job was to see if I could get the engine running after the bike had been left in a shed for at least 30 years.
So jobs done so far;
Stripped and rebuilt carbs which as you would expect were completely gummed up. New needle, jets, gasket, airscrew etc. The biggest problem was trying to fit the non-shaped o-rings. I had to resort to the use of super glue in the corners to get them to stay in place
New plugs, point and condensers
New oil and filter
Static timing set
Valve clearances adjusted
Timing chain adjusted
Rigged up basic ignition and starter circuit wiring (a lot of the original wiring is missing/damaged
Rigged up temporary fuel supply
Connected to booster start battery charger
Hit my makeshift starter button
The bike fired up immediately
I almost danced a jig. What a wonderful feeling, but it didn't last long. The bike dumped half her oil on the floor, used 2 pints of petrol in 10 seconds and filled my shed and the surrounding neighbourhood with exhaust smoke.
Back to the drawing board. Traced the oil leak to the bolt inside one of the side covers on the cylinder head cover and got that sorted. The disappearing petrol was coming out of the overflow of all four carbs. When I rebuilt the carbs, I set the float height to the specified value of 22mm which just didn't work, I ended up with a height of 26mm using the clear tube method. Fired her up again on the button and the bike is running well but with clouds of grey exhaust smoke. Checked the cylinder compression and it's about 135 psi on all 4 cylinders which I hope is good enough. Next job is to change the valve stem oil seals whilst leaving the head on to see if that sorts the smoke problem.