Honda-SOHC

I have just bought a new set of Yamiya no number 300's and would like to know if any of you have found a treatment or process to protect/preserve, as best one can, the inside of the pipes before use to hopefully prolong their use by stopping/slowing down internal rust/corrosion?

Even from new, as a result of all the various chemicals used during the chroming process, there will be some that will not have been flushed out due to the internal structures trapping some and as a result there will enviably be some rust/corrosion already present.

I know that some recommend an annual filling and draining of old/new engine oil, but this is a far too messy and time consuming procedure for me to do on an annual basics and whilst happy to do whilst before they have been used for the first time is this the best procedure for what would hopefully be a first time and once only process?

I know that short journeys and blocked drain holes are the killer for these pipes and I never do a ride of less than 30 miles and always ensure that the drain holes are clear, but even so the ends of the pipes rarely get more than warm.

Have any of you found alternative treatment/processes?

One of the 36 UK UK750 K0's Transition bikes for sale at Frank's. Eye watering price!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/133789911606?hash=item1f26800a36:g:6K8AAOSwCuBgKUM~

I agree, but a re-paint alone will set you back around £650 to £850, I believe.

Received my tank and panel set from Yamiya today, so I can give you an update on the overall costs which may assist others trying to decide which route to go?

In my case I wanted a K2 set on which my costs relate to. However, sets for the K0, K1 & K3 to K6 are price differently so you would need to use their individual costs.

The K2 set is priced at 115,000 JPY (no vat) and using 0.0067 for the exchange rate comes to around £770.50 on which you will have to pay 20% VAT on arrival in the UK giving a cost of around £924.60.

On arrival in the UK you will then have to pay a 2.7% customs duty on the original price (£770.50) of the parts ordered or around £20.80 to which 20% VAT will be added.

You will also have to pay 20% VAT on the cost of the postage and any separate insurance.

The given shipping weight for the tank set is given as 18kg with a cost of 23,100JPY or around  £155 on which you will also have to pay 20% VAT.

Unfortunately it seems that you will no doubt be asked for an additional UPS shipping cost for which Yamiya are not able/willing to give any real explanation for other than it is what UPS want. In my case it was an additional 1800JPY or around £12, plus VAT.

So the additional shipping and customs cost on arrival for this example was around £226 inc VAT.

Then the final insult is that UPS then charge £11.20 handling charge.

So the total cost delivered for a K2 tank and panel set will be around £1162 (assuming I have got my maths right?)

The actual weight of the box on arrival was measured at just under 9Kg and not the 19Kg used and charged for. However, you will find that it is the size, volume, that actually dictates the price as when I did a UPS shipping cost from Japan to UK using the size there was no change in the price between 9Kg or 19Kg.

So how does this compare? Firstly remember I have use a K2 tank set and that other tank sets will have different prices, though the shipping weights and cost should be similar?

1. The same tank set from CMS will set you back £1455 inc p&p and VAT, but there may be some other custom cost to pay, so considerably cheaper from Yamiya despite the high postal cost.

2. A new tank in primer from DS is £360 inc VAT and a pair of side panels around £80 inc VAT or around £440 inc plus postage. You will then have the cost of the paint at £? together with any additional shipping or customs cost if done aboard?

Clearly if you have a good tank and side panels the best way is to simply just get them re-painted, but if like me you needed both then the Yamiya route has been the most cost effective way.

What is the difference between a HM300 no stamped number exhaust (not a lotus root) and a HM300 with stamped number, if any?

Yes the quoted shipping weight for the tank and side panel set at 18Kg does seem to be rather high and is probably not correct. However, I would expect it to be probably in a double skinned box to ensure no damage during shipping? I am afraid there is nothing you can do about that. They gave the package size as 60cm x 36cm x 49 cm.

Even with the high shipping and import costs the Yamiya set works out a lot cheaper than CMS. However, if you have an old tank and side panels then sending them to Memo may be the best option, but I do not know what impact 'B' has had on then importing back into the UK again and if you would then have to face any import cost? Perhaps somebody who has recently gone that route since 'B' can advise?

The tax and postage on just a full set of shells for my CB750 from Yamiya was eye watering enough, but sometimes you have no choice these days.

An alternative to the body kit may be to do what I did - ordered a new replica tank and side panels from David Silver, and had them posted straight to Menno to work his magic. It worked out very well, but it was before the 'B' word that shall not be mentioned.

Probably before 'B' happened it may well have been the best option, as you say to have got the tank and side panels from DS and then have Memo do his magic as you would not have been exposed to any VAT and customs charges on it's return to the UK.

But having looked at all the options, CMS want around £1460 inc VAT & postage, just for a tank and panel set. The same set from Yamiya is around £926 inc shipping (depending on exchange rate at the time) plus VAT etc when it arrives in the UK which at 20% will add another £185, or so (?) or around a total of £1112, considerably cheaper than the CMS option even with the much higher sipping cost.

I don't know how that compares to shipping a new tank and side panels to Memo and if you will now have to pay VAT and any other customs cost when it returns to the UK.