Author Topic: Kentucky's finest? My "help me" thread... (Read 7468 times)

BestSellingAuthor · « **Reply #50 on:** December 19, 2012, 03:09:51 PM »

@HondaMan...thanks! I just replace a seal inside? Not the entire piece or seals at the tank? Just wanna make sure I read that correctly.

@roach...beautiful! Instead of "cutting something", I nearly used "cutting it out with a sawzall"!!!

Welp...I got the soldering iron. Wrong tip. It did make me realize, after 2 connections, that I can in fact solder. Given the importance if these connections (it's not an old "boom box") and the close working quarter, this job far surpasses what my experience will allow. I don't really consider buying the tools and such a waste. Ya never know when I'll have to fix something the kids broke. So...next step is to hope a repair by "The Dean of Motorcycles", downtown. I really would like to do this, rather than the new ones. It may very well be silly. In fact, I still may buy a set from the earlier link. I would rather, if I can keep the controls that are original to the bike. She's growin' on me...as is.

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rb550four · « **Reply #51 on:** December 19, 2012, 04:21:25 PM »

Best selling author, Please read a manual twice before you go any further. Please, this is a fun read but is also painful to know what you are putting yourself through.
You need a set of metric sockets, a screw driver set , and metric wrenches . Right now you are dangerous and need to give your neighbor the cutting plyers, sawzall, and anything else that sounds like an electric tool.
Pipe cutter for the wires in the bars would be okay, just snap the bars before you cut the wires.
When you are ready to rewire,with a soldering gun, splice the first wire, cut the next one 2 inches shorter than the first one and splice that . cut the 3rd one 2" shorter than the 2nd one.....and on and on until finished. You will probably have to extend the wires so you'll be soldering each wire except the first one twice. use heat shrink as a cover not electrical tape.....you won't want to do this twice.
This has been allot of fun for me so far but it needs to be fun for you. Please read and reread your manual if only to get familiarized with your machine. Have Fun.
I am not being mean or a know all but, I do know that if you continue to suffer through this project regularly ,the likelihood of completing this project will diminish daily.

BestSellingAuthor · « **Reply #52 on:** December 19, 2012, 04:57:44 PM »

@rb550...thanks. While your concern seems half-hearted, I know full well that your knowledge of this machine is far greater than mine may ever be and I appreciate that. In this thread I have been very candid, purposely. I am far more intellectually capable than your post or many of my posts thus far would indicate. I don't have a great "build" or any "skills", so I figure if I can make it fun along the way, some of the gurus here may follow and help. In this arena, I certainly need it, and I am well aware.

If you can make sense of anything that has transpired to this point you will find that these several (good grief) pages (which I appreciate greatly) are all about one stumbling block for me. The wiring of the controls to the headlight bucket being cut, by me, and my decision (with advice from forum sages) in how to proceed. The wire being cut, while by my hand, was due to misguided information from someone I trust. My uncle. 40 year Harley rider that works on his own bikes. Who wouldn't trust such a family member, in my position? Was it wrong to trust him? Nah...of course not. Was it the best course of action to follow through with his suggestion. Absolutely. As far as I know, I did the rest correctly. Towel on my tank. Bagged and labeled like nuts/bolts. Tagged all 17 wires, on both ends. It's apart.

So, while I need a manual and will get one, I certainly know NOT to take a sawzall to the bike for ANY reason.

That comment was in jest. I don't plan on cracking the engine open either. However, I feel quite comfortable asking about and changing the petcock, or the exhaust (next in line) with the advice of the great minds on this forum.

Lastly, I truly hope this doesn't seem "offensive" in text. Like I said, from your posts, you know more than I will learn on this bike. I simply wished to explain that I am not quite as "ridiculous" as this thread may seem. I got bad Intel and now I am simply trying recover and move on. I have learned a great lesson already. I come HERE...FIRST. Thanks again!

Now...about that sawzall...

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BestSellingAuthor · « **Reply #53 on:** December 19, 2012, 05:00:13 PM »

That say "absolutely NOT" as for the best course of action. Ya probably knew that.

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Roach Carver · « **Reply #54 on:** December 19, 2012, 05:46:02 PM »

Im confused. Cutiing out the petcock or no. I vote yea. As far as the manual, I just look at the pictures.

BestSellingAuthor · « **Reply #55 on:** December 19, 2012, 05:56:53 PM »

@roach...welp, I just drilled a hole in the bottom of the tank. Gas out. Sawzall tomorrow. Will report back.

I must apologize for this thread continually being bumped. I have a list of about 10 things (what many might call routine) I hope to accomplish by April. It'll be over soon. Until then, enjoy the fireworks. On a serious note, thanks for the advice and the humor!

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Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er · « **Reply #56 on:** December 19, 2012, 06:28:02 PM »

Kentucky's finest, hummmm.... Just finished my 101 Turkey 1.75 and started my Makers. I hide the Bookers from myself but more importantly from my friends!

Roach Carver · « **Reply #57 on:** December 19, 2012, 06:32:08 PM »

Did you hide it sober or drunk. Thats the key to finding it.

BestSellingAuthor · « **Reply #58 on:** December 22, 2012, 01:08:30 PM »

Oops...

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BestSellingAuthor · « **Reply #59 on:** December 22, 2012, 01:12:49 PM »

I had a long winded update and it messed up. Previous shot...bars on. MC (right?) bumps the tach and squeezes the line. New/different MC? New bars? Workaround? Help. Thanks!

Oh yeah...the lines/cables probably need to be shorter. (I believe the photo really shows how ling and winding the brake line is now.) Yes/no? Do I buy new ones and follow their current path? If so, what exactly am I looking for? If not...

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BestSellingAuthor · « **Reply #60 on:** December 23, 2012, 05:14:27 PM »

First off, happy holidays to everyone. Or...bah humbug, if that's your cup of tea.

Some might be happy to know that, only moments ago, I ordered the Clymer manual.

So...I as previously shown, I put the bars on, that came as an extra with my bike. I assumed (yes...I know...we don't need to go into that) that since they were with the bike the fitment would be correct. Well...as the photo shows, not so much. The MC bumps the tach.

Advice? Suggestions? My "research" has led me to believe that the CB400f handlebars are of similar ilk to these and I like the looks. Likewise, it seems they are "plug and play", so to say. No issues and everything fits. If I have improperly installed something, maybe someone can advice. On the hand, if the CB400f bars are that simple I don't have a problem getting them. Any direction would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

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seanbarney41 · « **Reply #61 on:** December 23, 2012, 10:55:36 PM »

try sliding everything on the right a quarter inch over

BestSellingAuthor · « **Reply #62 on:** December 24, 2012, 03:15:15 AM »

Ha! Well, of course! I had the outer edge of the throttle flush with the edge of the bar. So that isn't necessary? Is that normal, having the sides "off" for fitment's sake? I think it might drive me crazy knowing of the "imbalance". Thanks!

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Roach Carver · « **Reply #63 on:** December 24, 2012, 04:26:01 AM »

You can also order wider bars. Vintage cb750 has some that are pre drilled.

BestSellingAuthor · « **Reply #64 on:** January 14, 2013, 09:08:58 AM »

Hey y'all! I hope everyone had a great holiday. Now that it is over I am trying to find more than 5 min/day to make headway (or ruin something) on my bike.

I have added a shot of the bars. I got some 400f bars. It is tight but I think it works. No lines are pinched. I simply need to shorten the brake line. It's about 8 inches too long. I have most of the wiring in the bucket finished as well. (Fingers crossed) Other than that, I am just putting off complete reassembly as I don't wanna wrangle the throttle tube back on! Any tips on that? I am all ears!

The petcock was slowly weeping at the lever. I finally broke the screws loose. Inside there is an o-ring which I assume I need to replace. Can I simply take this to a Home Depot and match it? I ask as I understand there to be two petcock types on this model. One with a bowl (that the fiche shows) and one w/o a bowl and two outs. That's the one I have. The Clymer manual doesn't help with either.

The Clymer manual did help me get my pipes off. I have a NIB set of HM323 4 into 4 pipes and all the hardware, with the exception of the 4 mounting plates and flanges. I would like to use them but it makes more sense, in my situation, to let someone else and offset the cost of all this. Would someone recommend a 4 into 1? I have the $300 range names. Is one better than the other? Is there something in the $3-500 range?

BTW...@DrugMan, thanks again for telling about Bob at Magnum.

Thanks in advance!

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flybox1 · « **Reply #65 on:** January 14, 2013, 10:21:45 AM »

Quote from: BestSellingAuthor on January 14, 2013, 09:08:58 AM

The petcock was slowly weeping at the lever. I finally broke the screws loose. Inside there is an o-ring which I assume I need to replace. Can I simply take this to a Home Depot and match it?

just did this yesterday

your local auto store (napa, autozone, oreillys) should have an assortment of fuel resistant o-rings @ ~ $.50

Bradf7 · « **Reply #66 on:** January 14, 2013, 10:33:20 AM »

Good work so far Ryan... looks like you're really progressing and I can imagine you're learning a ton as you go. It never fails to amaze me the support from the online community in regards to these projects.

I can remember the first time I took the wires out of a set of handlebars... I'm sure that I did something bad to my right shoulder just yanking and pulling. A great design idea by Honda if one never has to attempt to get them out... and I can't help but feel bad for the dude that had to install them...

BestSellingAuthor · « **Reply #67 on:** January 14, 2013, 12:39:53 PM »

@flybox...thanks! Great to hear. Some time back HondaMan (I think) advised me about the screen inside, but I believe that to be the bowl type petcock.

@Brad...well, it is a rather steep learning curve. Learning about the bike, then the parts, then how they work together...etc. I just wish I had more time. Luckily, I just wish to change a few things and get it running right again. Next summer I will try to do a serious clean up on it.

Yes, the experience on this forum and people's readiness to help is absolutely invaluable. No question. As for the headlamp bucket. Whew! I got controls for a cb750 that I was directed to earlier in this thread. Some wires were different. We shall see...

I have not looked yet, does anyone know about the trim that runs around the base of the tank? Still in production?

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Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er · « **Reply #68 on:** January 14, 2013, 07:11:48 PM »

That NIB set of pipes should net you some good dollars!!

BestSellingAuthor · « **Reply #69 on:** February 21, 2013, 01:01:54 PM »

Hey all!

I have slowly but surely been advancing with the bike. I sold my OEM exhaust. It was NIB. I sold it to a forum member. Thanks Brad! I grabbed a MAC exhaust. I nearly got a Motad and wish I had, aesthetically speaking. Instead the few extra bucks were more appealing. Hence my reason for selling the NIB exhaust in the first place. I do have a rough set of OEM pipes that were on the bike. I would be happy to provide a pic if anyone thinks they might be interested. Again, they are rough.

No less, I got some side covers. The old ones were cracked and broken. I happened to find them on Craigstlist, from a dude that makes them, i believe. I still need to paint them black, of course. I got some cheap door trim for the tank. I changed the bars out to a set of 400f bars. The MC should be fine as there is no pinching of the line, whatsoever. Someone may be able to tell me differently. I got my controls on and half wired. I got a new throttle body and wrangled it on, then adding the new grips. I have some new mirrors as well. Much of the new OEM parts came with the bike.

I have a question or two. I found a petcock on ebay that looked super nice. I bought simply due to the rarity, as I have the one with two "outs" straight down and no bowl. Well, I also had a gift card. However, if someone can help me find a gasket for the current petcock, I may not need to go through the trouble of swapping them. I tried a gasket from a local auto store, but it was too thick to even cram in there. The bike came with a new clutch cable so I simply swapped it out. However, as you can see from the pic it doesn't really "hold" at the lever. Am I missing something? Lastly the other cable on the clutch lever, I replaced as it was stripped out. The old one had black and green w/yellow wires. The new one has a green and a green w/red. Would anyone know the proper connection? Thanks in advance!

Ryan

Roach Carver · « **Reply #70 on:** February 21, 2013, 01:15:42 PM »

there is a threaded adjuster that goes in there. You need one.

BestSellingAuthor · « **Reply #71 on:** February 21, 2013, 01:28:17 PM »

@roach. Yeah. I thought it odd that it didn't have that to begin with. I guess then, that is a separate part? Maybe I can use the on from the old, longer cable. Will check into. Thanks!

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Roach Carver · « **Reply #72 on:** February 21, 2013, 01:34:11 PM »

It should thread into the perch. Do you have an old one? If not, I have one laying around

BestSellingAuthor · « **Reply #73 on:** February 21, 2013, 01:47:10 PM »

@roach. Bam! Thanks! Now the clutch cable is as tough to get on the other end as I expected it to be. I must save that struggle for another day.

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Roach Carver · « **Reply #74 on:** February 21, 2013, 01:54:44 PM »

You want just a bit of play in the cable before it starts to pull the clutch.

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Author Topic: Kentucky's finest? My "help me" thread... (Read 7468 times)