Honda-SOHC
General => New Member Introductions => Topic started by: Jan B on November 29, 2017, 09:37:42 PM
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Oh dear what have i got myself into?? Bought a 1974 CB 500 and i am planning a full restoration. Midlifecrisis takes its toll. Anyway, already having great fun in dismantling the bike and documenting the lot. In the meanwhile already started restoring the petcock with meticulous care. Sourcing parts at a reasonable price is quite a sport.
Al this and not even passed my driving exam yet. Where does this take me? Having tasted the forum i am afraid I contracted a virus with no cure.
I hope to find here some support in my efforts to restore the bike to nearly new condition. I like some patina witch seems appropriate for a bike 40+ years old.
I'll to post some pics now then to keep you posted but i will take my time.
Cheers from the Netherlands,
Jan
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Welcome to the forum Jan. We do love to share in a mid life crisis on here ;D ;D ;D Good luck with your restoration.
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Welcome to the mad world of the SOHC, enjoy ;)
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Its not a virus---they can be fixed! its a foreverproblem now
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Welcome to the forum. If it weren't for motorbikes you'd be bored out of your skull. Any photos would be appreciated. Like this...
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Welcome Jan - loads of experts to help you on the forum - with added banter for free!
Enjoy the forum
Phil
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Welcome Jan I am sure you will find all the support you need on here. Have fun ;D
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Welcome Jan - loads of experts to help you on the forum - with added banter for free!
Enjoy the forum
Phil
Phils right, loads of experts.....and me as well ;D
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welcome to the wonderful world of the sohc forum,
lots of fun and advice .
good to see another 500 on here
lots of pics needed
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First challenge encountered....
While cleaning the cup of the petcock with vinegar (is has some "scale" buildup on the inside) a tiny hole appeared. See the picture. I can buy a new cup (€10 ex shipping), but i consider that being my last resort..
I am going to try to braze the hole from the inside to a close. If i screw up i'll buy a new one. Gaining some experience in brazing is a good thing to me.
[attachimg=1]
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You wont braze that its monkey metal not steel
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Welcome ! How about aluminium filled industrial epoxy resin? I can send you a bit for the cost of the shipping. It's what's used for tank linings so should be OK.
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Best to just replace it for what it costs. A fuel leak is a fire risk. Thats the first of a great many items you will have to replace along the way. These little setbacks will become routine before the bike is finished. I would make a list of bits you need and order them all at once, otherwise your postage costs will go through the roof. By the way, the Netherlands is a great place to get parts for this bike.
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Welcome. I have boxes full with those parts. if you need one I can send it to you.
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as the guys said,replace the tap bowl,
for safety,
you have
a Dutch company to supply all the parts ,so it should be ok
https://www.cmsnl.com
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I also use, honda4.nl I find them very good. Also a good website.
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Thanks guys for all the replies. I feel instantly at home here at the forum!
I guess soldering is the more appropriate word for what i had in mind. Didn't quite figure it out yet what alloy these parts are made off. Can't find any reference for "monkey metal" ;).
The alloy is mainly zinc with additions of magnesium, aluminum and copper. Often referred to as ZAMAK. Am i right?
I think i'll give it a try with Durafix, witch is available in the Netherlands.
Some of you pointed out the possibility of a fuel leak and the adherent risk of fire. Thanks for that. If a im not for 100% confident that its safe i will swap the bowl immidiatly.
And very generous of Menno to offer pre owned ones. I like that more than a new one because of the patina!
Cheers,
Jan
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"Monkey metal" is a generic term used here in UK to denote all the cheap, easily broken, unrepairable alloy mixes that are used. I believe, but willing to be proved wrong, that a high zinc content is part of it and carbs are cast from it. I tend to forget that English is a language that separates all the countries that speak it!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pot_metal
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Agree with the above regarding zinc.
One of it's qualities I think is that the formation of zinc oxide on the surface is something like anodising aluminium, a very thin and inert corrosion layer that makes it hard to stick anything to. Normally on metal that has similar properties you have to flux them to get through this.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/122195024275?chn=ps&dispctrl=0&adgroupid=46846106558&rlsatarget=pla-384451231372&abcId=1128966&adtype=pla&merchantid=115165841&poi=&googleloc=9045909&device=t&campaignid=857332737&crdt=0&ul_ref=http%253A%252F%252Frover.ebay.com%252Frover%252F1%252F710-134428-41853-0%252F2%253Fmpre%253Dhttps%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.ebay.co.uk%25252Fi%25252F122195024275%25253Fchn%25253Dps%252526dispctrl%25253D0%2526itemid%253D122195024275%2526targetid%253D384451231372%2526device%253Dt%2526adtype%253Dpla%2526googleloc%253D9045909%2526poi%253D%2526campaignid%253D857332737%2526adgroupid%253D46846106558%2526rlsatarget%253Dpla-384451231372%2526abcId%253D1128966%2526merchantid%253D115165841%2526gclid%253DEAIaIQobChMI6fLW___r1wIVS5PtCh1UogzJEAQYBSABEgJYR_D_BwE%2526srcrot%253D710-134428-41853-0%2526rvr_id%253D1381452946730
Above may offer a route if you and want to pursue soldering it.
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I think you will have a laugh at me now....
The problem is that cup is very thin and heats up very quickly. The hole is near the hex shape at the bottom.Its much thicker there.
K2-K6 is right about the hard surface finish. Thats why you first lay dow a drop or two of liquid solder. Then you scratch with a stainless brush or something sharp in the liquid. Thus you break up the hard finish and the solder starts to bond with the "monkey metal". In this way there will be no re-oxidation of the surface because of lack of oxygen.
I've seen it done on carb parts on a classic event in the Netherlands. The solder is also called "Alutite".
I didn't make it that far because before the part with the hole became hot enough, the thin cup wall already melted. I should have applied the heat from underneath.
Lessons learned!
Cheers Jan
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Hi Jan,
I've got lots of these bowls lying around. If you need one I can send it to you.
Cheers; Menno.