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Messages - mtrhead

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SOHC Singles & Twins / Re: New project CB350K4 First challenge!
« on: May 31, 2021, 05:48:58 PM »
Thanks both for the replies. Based on the info shared I think I'll fashion a temporary fix to get the bike running then knock up a cad drawing to try your suggestion of getting one 3d printed. Will set up a build thread for the 350 though at the moment I want to at least get it on the road. I felt I made a mistake with the 550F2 by never running it before strip down, that was 5 years ago

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SOHC Singles & Twins / Re: CB350 1971 Restoration Project
« on: May 31, 2021, 05:43:39 PM »
Wow, that chrome has come up nicely. That inspires me to crack on and do some fettling on mine whilst I wait for Mr Silver's delivery

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SOHC Singles & Twins / New project CB350K4 First challenge!
« on: May 28, 2021, 09:48:12 AM »
Hi Folks, been a lurker and glacial pace restorer of a CB550F2, having got bored waiting for a gasket kit for the 550 to come back into stock I did the logical thing :P and on impulse bought a recently imported  '72 CB350K4 in gentle maroon, in theory having only done 2800 miles (I have my doubts on that point!) . I plan to get it basically commissioned, run it for a while and do a full restore later. Whilst the bike is on original tyres and the engine cases not badly mullered its probably been harvested for parts (side panels, mirrors, tank cap etcall gone walkies).  I've hit my first snag with a part made from unobtanium,  its described as "tube cleaner joint" part 17213286000 (part 2 on this https://www.cmsnl.com/honda-cb350k4-england_model16400/partslist/F12.html .  All the usual sources in Europe are out, the only lead I found is a guy on ebay in the US who makes his own from urethane, with shipping etc it would work out at about £45 I reckon. I know this biz is expensive but £45 for a little bit of rubber! 

Any out there going for a reasonable price, or perhaps any wisdom on workarounds so I can get the bike on the road asap?  Any gurus out there can tell me how critical it is to have this in place, I am wondering if I can fashion a bit of pipe just to get the bike running?
Thanks!
   

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Recommended Sources for Parts and Services / Re: welding
« on: August 11, 2020, 10:31:14 PM »
Thanks for the replies!

I'm near High Wycombe in Bucks, after working at a glacial pace (years!)  I've got the head and barrels off the CB550F2 and though I can't see anything too worrying (other than the stuck piston/rings needing replacement) I'm probably going to split the cases, check the bottom end and get the motor mounting lug (that I stupidly broke trying to get the engine out the frame on my own!) welded.

Alan

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Recommended Sources for Parts and Services / Re: welding
« on: August 08, 2020, 10:22:00 PM »
do you know if can he do ally welding as I've got a broken lug on my 550F engine case?
thanks

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CB500/550 / Re: advice needed
« on: August 29, 2018, 12:52:54 PM »
Thanks for all the further advice folks it is appreciated.
I thought I'd just report back in case it is of use to others. After glaring at the engine for a long time in a desperate attempt to make it back down I realised the crank bolts were just about at the horizontal. Sacrificing a spare 10mm spanner I ground it down so I could slide it into the gap and managed to loosen off one bolt.  I'm not sure if I was just lucky but that gave enough wobble in the crank to actually get both bolts off and the cam out.
All points well understood about the need to go further and do a proper job on the rebuild. I've got the ATF/Acetone marinade sauce going, will probably leave it a week or so just in case it does something.
SteveW...I'm mid way between Wycombe and Aylesbury, if you fancied a cuppa and a laugh at my misfortune :)

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CB500/550 / Re: advice needed
« on: August 23, 2018, 10:30:43 AM »
Thanks all for the advice folks!
As you highlighted Seabeowner I'm not exactly in a hurry :)  so  I'm off to get some ATF/Acetone as I figure I've got nothing to lose to try another marinading session with a different sauce.
I have plenty of other fun including presumably finding a local spark erosion expert to get the remaining valve cover studs off as they don't appear to be at all frightened by my mole wrench. This engine is definitely fighting me all the way.
Seabeowner..thanks for the offer, I might well ping you at some point down the road perhaps just to pass judgement on the various parts as I manage to extract them. This is my first engine strip so I don't have a seasoned eye when it comes to spotting potential problems

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CB500/550 / advice needed
« on: August 22, 2018, 04:18:45 PM »
Folks,
running at a glacial pace I'm finally getting round to attempting a top end rebuild on my (in pieces) CB550F2, the bike had been shed bound and unloved since 1982 when I picked it up in 2015! After battling with getting the rocker cover off and having to drill four of the screw head out I'm faced with the following dilemma and would appreciate the collective wisdom of you lovely experts :

So the bike was bought with a "locked" engine. Based on the sump contents I think its a case of stuck rings in the bores rather than a catastrophic failure. Having tried everything to turn it over (other than the electric start) I gave up and figured I'd need to at least strip the top end. Now I'm there of course I've got the inevitable issue that I can't get at the cam sprocket bolts to undo them and have no chance to rotate them. I've tried a ground down spanner but to no avail and I'm in danger of rounding off the bolt heads. If I'm understanding the situation I have the following options, none of which seem ideal to me:

1) Attempt to have another go at getting the engine to turn, possibly giving it a go with the electric start so I can rotate the cam and get at the bolts. I'm worried that might do a lot more damage to the bores if the rings are rusted and not going to budge at all.

2) Cut the cam chain and buy a split chain, then try and thread post to end rebuild so as to avoid having to split the crankcase (I wasn't intending on touching the crankcase unless I needed too). The David Silver cam chains look like they are endless and I'm sure I read in a few places that running a split cam chain with a link is not idea (are they even available?)

3) Cut the cam chain, man up and go for a full crankcase split and rebuild etc using a replacement endless cam chain

Any ideas or pearls of wisdom? your thoughts and experiences would be appreciated, anyone local to me in Bucks who fancies a good laugh watching a complete engine novice digging himself a very deep hole is also welcome :)

Alan

9
CB500/550 / Rusted seat pan
« on: March 20, 2015, 10:42:06 PM »
folks, new to SOHC UK and just posted in the welcome section. Got some useful initial comments on this but thought I'd better post this in the right section.

Picked up a cb550f2 and just started what will be my first restoration project.
My first challenge is a very rusted seat pan. The sides where the chrome strips once attached are completely gone as is the front and back angles. I'd be interested on opinions on this and if/how others have repaired/remodelled or given up and chucked. I haven't seen any good pans on eBay. I have it in my mind that perhaps it's possible to get someone to weld replacement sections into the good metal remaining? Any thoughts, advice or experience appreciated. I will try calling DSS but I don't see any replacement seat or base on their site.
Alan

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New Member Introductions / Re: Hi Folks
« on: March 20, 2015, 10:15:08 PM »
Oh really?  That actually makes me feel a little better that my 550 is "typically aged" and hasn't stood in a field for years :)

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New Member Introductions / Re: Hi Folks
« on: March 20, 2015, 10:07:20 PM »
Right my strips aren't too bad, the problems is that the seat base ridges they once fixed too are rusted through completely.

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New Member Introductions / Re: Hi Folks
« on: March 20, 2015, 09:35:43 PM »
steveD I'm near Princes Risborough.   
Thanks again for the welcomes and comments.
Just about to post in the cb550 section about my rusty seat pan. I'd be interested to get opinions on what to do, this being my first attempt at restoration.

13
New Member Introductions / Re: Hi Folks
« on: March 19, 2015, 07:27:18 PM »
Thanks for the welcome everyone

JustcallmeMrT..just catching up on your build thread, very nice work!
SteveD CB500F...profile updated, thanks for the tip

Alan

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New Member Introductions / Hi Folks
« on: March 19, 2015, 09:42:36 AM »
Hi everyone, name is Alan based in Bucks, main ride is a K1300R BMW but I recently decided to return to my youth and purchase a (very) manky CB550F2 as my very first restoration learning project.

Currently stripping rusty bits off with abandon but I've just hit my first major challenge with very rusty seat pan that I suspect is not salvageable.

This looks like a hugely knowledgeable and friendly forum, expect cries for help soon :) 

Alan

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