Honda-SOHC

I am indeed a blasphemer  but I do like F2s, and they look even better with an airbox

Ok...that's a relief

I think someone tried to get in there before, butchered the screws trying to get the end cover off...then just took the whole thing off and refitted with the old gasket. It looked all fine diwn there, but was leaking badly. Once i get around to it....I will clean all the muck away and have a proper look and check for signs of damage.

Meantime...doctors orders say no lifting/heavy work for at least a week...then it's back to getting the frame off then engine. Breaks my heart seeing her lying on her side out the back...and me unable to help. Still...the motor is supported on wooden blocks and I have wedged the frame too, so the end cases are nowhere near the deck, and the load is on the block/barrel and engine mounts.

Spitfire..that is brilliant info. Many thanks.

And I hope my motor looks as tidy when I put it back in!

Car tyre.....DOH.

Bloody obvious really. Annoyingly...the wife just had 2 new tyres on the car, and I could have had one of those while it was being done...but I have a tyre place just round the corner. Guess whereI am off to next

But we got some more stripdown work done today. Found things....learnt things....discovered my knees have more  wear then an old set of exhaust valve guides. Sadly...I cannot find replacements on E-Bay so will have to just spray with WD40 and give them a wire brush. Worked for most other parts.

Got a pile of odds and ends off, and discoverd my brake pedal is bent and was fouling the footrest. Will ease this into shape. Otherwise...it's perfectly usable for now. Onto my second box of 'bits' all labelled, itemised, and itinerised. Is that a word? I will not be rummaging for lost bits when I put it back together....... ( OK ... I know I will....and will be reminded of my rash statement... )


Carbs are off....levered from the iron hard grip of the carb 'rubbers' ..... Might need new ones here....or a sledge hammer to repalce the carbs. Slides look pristine...but any wear will be in the body not the slide, as chrome is harder than alloy, but I dreaded rust spots on the slides. Found some fuel residue in the bowls. Was liquid.....but fuel is probably giving it more credit than it deserves. But rather that than bone dry and dusty.


Now...as with all strip down sessions...there were things found I didn't like.

1) The rear upper engine bolt is the wrong size. Too narrow by a few mm. Don;t like that. I thought the bolt was bent...but no. It was just skewed in the frame. All the other bolts are OK and all the mounts line up nicely, so I reckon someone wrecked the thread 'removing' it with a hammer at some point. This was not a recent bodge, as the thing was quite corroded along the groove it sits in. Have noted that for replacement.


2) One of the points cover screws has been helicoiled. The bottom screw was missing...but thankfully the thread isn't! Also the cases underneath are not damaged. The end cover is battered, but the alloy under is unmarked. I suspect a swapover.....

I also learnt some lessons.....

1) The rear oil pipe is the feed pipe. This is the one that will still be full of oil when you drain the tank, and whilst it does not hold much oil, it is enough when you are trying to block it off and keep oil off the patio at the same time. This brings me onto lesson 2...

2) I found out the use for the plastic trasy under the seat. The one next to the battery holder. It's purpose is to ensure you cannot get the oil tank out of the frame while trying to move the gunk coated oil pipes out without dropping more oil on the floor. Yes. Who says the Japanese have no sense of humour. It is the perfect depth to prevent the tank coming out.

And I have one of those 'what is this thing' issues to resolve.

Whilst prepping for engine out, I have removed the breather pipe from the back of the gearbox that goes to the oil tank. I also have another pipe going from the cam cover down to a small round catch tank under the battery tray. This had another pipe running to...well..I don't know because it was not attached when I got the bike, but I suspect the airbox...and a drain pipe that weaves it's way down to behind the right hand footrest hanger. Presumably it's a catch tank for a cambox breather, recycling into the airbox to burn off residue in the engine, and an overflow pipe for emergency and to prevent airlocking. Is this a standard fitment for all ...or is this a US emissions thing? I would expect the crankcase breather....but not sure about the other.

I also....thankfully...found the most useful of tools. It was also the first EVER special tool I bought. 32 years ago. From a Honda dealer in Yeovil, Somerset. I had a CB125T2, and was struggling to undo the cross head screws on the sprocket cover to fit a new chain. Asked for advice...and was told to buy a particular t-bar screwdriver....which they happened to have. 32 years later...I am still using it, and it is still a perfect size and fit for 70's Honda screws in engine casings. Fits snug, gives good purchase, and lets you put enough weight on while you turn it.


Thank you Paul Branson's of Yeovil. ( I think they are still going as well )

But with all the engine mounting bolts loosened off, and lightly nipped back up ( so I know they will all budge with minimal effort ) , the wiring off, the oil pipes off, and everything likely to get in the way removed....I was beaten by the heat. Tomorrow.....the engine leaves the frame

edit: Forgot to say...I found the cover from between the horns jammed into the toolbox under the seat... and...one lug from the left hand sidepanel. It was missing when I got the bike..but guess what...I have one mounting lug! It was wedged in the rubber.

Now at crunch point.....it's time to take the engine out of the frame. My strained muscles ahve recovered enough after I dragged it through the house with the aid of my eldest lad. Damn...it weighs a TON!!!!

Now...I have knocked up a little wooden frame which will fit around the points cover. It's not a wonderful points cover....and a bit crinkled....but that's not the point. I don't want to grind it into the floor. My plan is to roll the bike over onto this little frame. Then I can lift the frame and bits off the engine....Then the engine can be carried to the shed and rolled back the right way up on the workmate. Then I can start the top end strip in slow time.

For some reason...I am not 100% sold on just lifting the engine out sideways. Clearance is not good...and the lump is ...er...a lump!

If this goes well...I shall use the same method to put a hiny rebuilt engine into a shiny freshly painted frame. Should result in a whole lot less scraped things. If there is a better way...well...please tell me know! This shall be done by the weekend.

Meanwhile...I will be trying to sort the wiring and electrics, which I have left on the frame for now. Makes it easier to work with as I do not plan on using engine power here. Points will be 'simulated' with a push to break switch so I can energise the coils and break the circuit to cehck for sparks. Should all go well

Then..well...then I need to start drawing up a list of what parts just need a refurb, what just needs a cleanup...list what I know I need to buy and start pricing up the things.I need to spend a few days thinking....doodling...planning...and deciding. I have an outline vision of what I want to do....and now is the time to turn the outline into a much more concrete plan.

The leads are rock hard...and I am on the 'how to swap your leads' article like a tramp on chips.

No point troubleshooting ignition faults with corroded caps and crusty leads....and I don't want to buy pattern coils if my originals are still good.

First job on the electrical side is to stick a 12v DC supply on the battery end....and see what comes through. If anything!

I know what you mean...but in reality...if I do go the bellmouth route, I would still want an airbox at home in case I ever chose to put it back to stock.

That looks really sweet and tidy.

One day...maybe..mine will look that pretty. Till then, I shall just convince myself that iron oxide is the new chrome......and sob quietly into my mug of tea.