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My CB550 K3 Restore Project
heli_madken:
Doing bits on my project in between other jobs, got some more parts painted and done some work on the clutch cover.
I was looking at the MOT history of this bike, over the past 15 years she has been in Ipswich, Chesterfield and Dumfries. In that time a total of only 96 miles was added, one year just 2 miles must have been to get to the MOT station. Amazing that in the few weeks I have had the bike before taking it off the road for the rebuild I did more than that. Personally I dont get why you would buy a bike in 2012 and only do 47 miles on it through to 2020 and in that time just leave it out in the weather but hey, health issues or other problems I guess.
Somebody did have a go at improving the bike in the past though as every JIS head bolt has been replaced with 'Stainless' HEX head which have all rusted and worse still welded themselves to the aluminium, almost every bolt has to be coaxed out.
Clutch cover was in a bit of a state -
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It was very badly pitted so has taken a lot of work to get to this stage, bit more to do yet -
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I know not everyone likes this look for their bike as it certainly isn't original but I kind of like the achievement of bringing something back to life, a future owner could always paint now if they wished.
Pressing on with black parts which have all been stripped, flatted, any remaining rust not able to be removed has been converted, etched primed, primed and 2K gloss black, looks like 'Duck Apple Night' in my garage -
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Next up is the very sorry looking final drive cover, underneath though ughh -
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Sure this is probably quite normal but some advice on a good de-greaser would be appreciated. I bought some stuff from Machine Mart that had rave reviews but it might as well be water. I have struggled getting this engine clean so any tips would be great
K2-K6:
"Sure this is probably quite normal but some advice on a good de-greaser would be appreciated. I bought some stuff from Machine Mart that had rave reviews but it might as well be water. I have struggled getting this engine clean so any tips would be great"
Straight paraffin is pretty effective to remove grease from cases etc.
But steam cleaning works really well, that's not jet washed but low pressure steam to get the grime off gently. HGV places that prep for vehicle inspection usually run them and may be persuaded to do a small quick clean for you.
AndyD:
I've been using No-Nonsense degreaser from Screwfix in my parts washer for a while now and quite impressed with it.
Reasonable cost, not too stinky or nasty and seems to work well.
I did have some of the Machine mart stuff when I first bought the parts washer and remember it being pricey, useless in action and also went 'off' after being left for a while.
Cheers,
Andy
heli_madken:
--- Quote from: AndyD on August 12, 2020, 08:08:04 AM ---I've been using No-Nonsense degreaser from Screwfix in my parts washer for a while now and quite impressed with it.
--- End quote ---
Perfect Andy much better than anything else I have been using thanks.
So I thought I had better stop buggering about polishing stuff-
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and get down to splitting the case-
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Came apart ok, I used the trolley jack method to get the initial split which worked well.
Think I was lucky to get the top bolt in the picture below out. The bolt below (top left rear near the final drive housing) had already been sheared by someone, its going to be a bugger to get whats left out as it is deep down within the case, if I cant get it I think I may use a timesert and a shorter bolt.
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On the subject of bolts can anyone recommend replacement stainless kits for engine and chassis?
Everything looks ok internally and in good shape, gears look great and shells/journals all look fine-
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Looks like the primary drive chain was just starting to hit the case to me?
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I am going to replace all seals, is it worth also replacing all the needle and roller bearings?
heli_madken:
So I started the difficult task of removing all the crud from the cases, had a go at the sump and underneath the coating of filth was this-
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Bodged with JBWeld, amazing it held together but how stupid is that, imagine it letting go at 70 MPH.
I cant find one in the UK but ordered one from the US, as a standby has anyone got a spare lying round?
Back to removing grime!
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