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Topics - mtrhead

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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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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

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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 / 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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