Rickman build

[captaink]

Anyway news on the Rickman:
The frame and nickel plate may be completed this week, won't hold my breath.
The oil tank and a few bits are at the powder coaters.
The cases are at the vapour cleaners.
The heads gone up to have new valve seats and valves etc.

I'm going on holiday for a week so and when I'm back the parts should all be done.

Regards Keith

[AshimotoK0]

I can't remember the speed ratings for bearings, do you know offhand Ash

These people talk about C3 and C4 rating.

http://www.bikebearings.co.uk/

markB on the sandcastonly site did this excellent table on the early CB750  engine bearings, and many remained the same throughout the models. I played safe, bought an 11k mile gearbox from the States and Genuine Honda output shaft bearings from Yamiya. If you have Excel installed click on the link for MarkB's table


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[captaink]

Last of the engine ally parts came back today.
The head has gone off already and it its fairly likely that the top engine case will go off in a few weeks for new studs to be fitted.
As for replacing the Pistons and rings etc for new standard size it may be more beneficial to have the cylinders bored out to 836cc and use a big bore wiseco piston kit.the parts will be easier to obtain and less hassle.
Am I correct in assuming that the big bore kit will not need new rods or uprating anything else and will not require new cylinder sleeves  just a rebore ?

[captaink]

I have info back from the engine guys who are doing the machining that the exhaust valve guides are shot as I could see myself and that these can be obtained from the USA and that they are the bigger F2 valves 31 & 34mm. They said there in good condition and re usable but I would replace them if there freely available.

Also had some powder coating back ,few brackets and the oil tank which looks really nice

[JamesH]

Looks like a lovely finish on the engine cases / block in the background. Vapour blasted and painted?

[royhall]

Got my F2 valves and guides from CycleX in the states. They are Kibblewhite items and good quality. Price was good but got stung to death on the import duty, but your wasting your time trying to get them here. They come up sometimes on eBay but its just the odd ones. I believe you can get Ape items from the states as well but I didn't look too far into that. Nice build by the way. Cheers. Roy.

[captaink]

Yes I was told by the engine guys that they have tried UK and Europe but no luck at present.
States seems the best option, I'll let the engine guys get the parts at least I'm assured they will  fit.
Engine cases are vapour blasted only in the pictures still deciding what to / how to paint cases

Some parts may go this week for polishing

[captaink]

Any suggestions on painted cases or just leave as is ?
Brit bikes are left without paint

Opinions appreciated

[JamesH]

Trigger's your man for that one....I believe the consensus is paint because a) it replicates the factory finish and b) helps prevent corrosion of the bare alloy cases.

[AshimotoK0]

Who did your vapour blasting and what state was the alloy in when you gave them the parts. Can you share any typical  prices with us?

[captaink]

The cases were oily black and tatty. See earlier posts of August 2nd. Soda blasted first followed by vapour blast. You still should wash the cases to remove all bits but there good enough for a mock up.
Prices..  well often I have a few other bits done but the cases,and five engine covers etc were
£140 inclusive.
A previous batch, head,cylinders rocker covers etc were £100
Try doing that yourself with stripper and parts cleaner.. Is a no brainer.
All done by TSR in Sevenoaks area... His name is Dave ,, pm for phone no.

I might, only might remove some of burrs on the top casting which is purely cosmetic then let them re vapour clean it, this will even the finish again, the cost will be only a few pounds

[captaink]

Question........
What are these two holes for in the cb750 F2 bottom case ?
They appear to be dead holes

[captaink]

Anyway, the lower case has been vapour blasted but I want to be sure there's nothing left in any of the holes so a quick wash with the garden hose and a paint brush, a blast of compressed air followed by an hour sitting on top of the tumble drier to dry it all off.
Its now ready to put the gears back in and a new bearing in the lower case.
I'll wash the gears with white spirit and inspect them a bit better, any bearings that [ Guests cannot view attachments ] can be replaced will be.

Lower case pictured all nice and clean

[captaink]

Nickel frame and all other parts will back next week from the platers.
Gears cleaned and pre fitted, new bearings ordered
Seat has gone off to the upholsterers

[captaink]

Bit of an update on the Rickman build
The frame is back from platers, there are areas that the polishing could not get to but there still plated just not super smooth.
All the bits seen and some that are not are polished nicely though.
All the brackets look really nice in nickel and chrome.
At moment I'm doing one of many pre fits just to make sure it all fits and I have not lost anything.
Engine spacers, I have made in stainless.