Author Topic: Headline: Hondaman rebuilds his old friend - FOUND GOOD OIL!  (Read 116409 times)

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Offline HondaMan

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Well, it looks like Ofreen will beat me! (Congrats, good job!).  :D

I have 138,000 (and change) miles on my 750K2, which is 83,000 (and change) miles from 1980 when I took it down and bored it to .025mm oversize, replaced the cam chain and tensioner, and cleaned and lapped the valves. Around 1998 or so I installed a new set of fiber clutch plates, about 80k total miles on them at that time. In 2006 I took the top end off to hemi the head for an article I wrote here, hand-cleaned and lapped the valves, replaced the bottom cylinder gasket and therefore installed new .25mm rings on the pistons, and stuck them back in. At that time I also opened the bottom to Plastigage the bearings and found all to be .0022" or less, so just put it all back together as it was, with new gaskets and O-rings. That's all the 'rebuild' maintenance this 750 engine has ever seen, and it has NOT led an easy life under me.  ;)

Ofreen has over 140k on his bike! Way cool!

But, I don't wish to ride with an oily right leg this year, due to the hailstorm on July 14, 2011, which drove pea-sized hail at over 200 MPH into our city for about 14 minutes: the devastation was something to behold, and it even cracked the cam cover gasket on my engine when it packed ice stones 4" thick onto the fins (it was facing the storm's incoming path). Since I have to pull the engine to replace the gasket, I'm gonna revive my old buddy, too.

Will bring pix along: at this moment I have spent the first 2 hours to pull the engine out and remove the top end so I can take the cylinders in to have the fins welded back on (it broke 2 off on the same side as the oil leak). I have a set of nice 0.5mm pistons for it, but there is a .003" deep scratch in one cylinder, so I will have to go up to 0.75mm to ensure it will clean out. Drat: I really wanted to go thru all 4 "steps" with my engine. Oh, well...

Another wonderful member here found me a VERY young tranny from a K3 (6k miles), so I will miss the 3 extra Neutrals I now have once this is over: I kinda got used to selecting Neutral any time I wanted to...but I suppose all good things must end?

Terry from AUS sent me a cam that has so few miles on it that the Parkerizing is still there on the lobes: mine has lost .028" of lift on all 4 center lobes, and about .016" on the outer ones over these miles. Not a bad lifetime! So, it will get a new sprocket and chain (from the F2 engines) and some nice K4 rocker towers I found at a junkyard (16k miles), but with free-floating rocker shafts instead of the locked-down ones.

Two of the intake valves show some small leakage at higher engine speeds, but all 4 exhausts still show a perfect seal. Pix to come. That's just impressive, as the valves and guides are still OEM, and mine is a K1 engine with the pointy, seal-less Stellite exhaust guides (intakes are Stellite, too, but with the seals). After I measure the wear I'll post it here for posterity's sake.

At least I can say that my K2 bested my mentor's record: his K0 sandcast went 87k miles (although it was in just 5 years) before he rebuilt it - in 1974 (are you out there, Chambo?)  ;D

On hand are: new rod and crank bearings in the next size down, new tranny complete, new primary chains and tensioner, NOS Honda pistons in 0.75mm oversize (with 1-piece oil rings, like before), Honda piston pins, new steel clutch plates this time (maybe I'll get fiber ones, too), slightly used "410" cam chain from an F2 engine that died very young but stayed oily inside, new cam chain tensioner parts, new(er) rocker shafts (might make my own for this one, too), terrific cam with full New Factory K1 lift specs (7.8mm inlet), and about 4 different kinds of aluminum polishing compounds that I don't know how to use yet.

Also on the slate: will attempt to make some bronze fork sliders for the front forks, as mine are quite loose now. This chassis has the early-style forks, so these are a wear part and can be replaced, just can't be obtained now? I think it might be time for some new wheel bearings, as these were installed at about 60k miles and were never re-lubed since 1996. I found some sintered bronze-asbestos (take that, DC...) brake pucks that I'll use, and have a line on some similar rear shoes, if I can get them.

I might even finish the jig for my lathe and bore the ID on these Timken steering head bearing kits I bought in 2009, so I can install a set in mine again.   8)

Will start with the pix tomorrow: the cylinders are already at the shop.
« Last Edit: September 23, 2014, 10:04:18 PM by HondaMan »
See SOHC4shop@gmail.com for info about the gadgets I make for these bikes.

The demons are repulsed when a man does good. Use that.
Blood is thicker than water, but motor oil is thicker yet...so, don't mess with my SOHC4, or I might have to hurt you.
Hondaman's creed: "Bikers are family. Treat them accordingly."

Link to Hondaman Ignition: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=67543.0

Link to My CB750 Book: https://www.lulu.com/search?adult_audience_rating=00&page=1&pageSize=10&q=my+cb750+book

Link to website: www.SOHC4shop.com

Offline edhaeuser

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Re: Headline: Hondaman gives in and rebuilds his old friend!
« Reply #1 on: June 01, 2013, 10:52:43 PM »
I'm definitely in on this one!

Offline brandEn

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Re: Headline: Hondaman gives in and rebuilds his old friend!
« Reply #2 on: June 01, 2013, 10:55:10 PM »
count me in on this build thread.

Offline MoMo

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Re: Headline: Hondaman gives in and rebuilds his old friend!
« Reply #3 on: June 02, 2013, 01:39:23 AM »
subscribed ...Larry

Offline dhall57

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Re: Headline: Hondaman gives in and rebuilds his old friend!
« Reply #4 on: June 02, 2013, 03:07:30 AM »
Got my attention Hondaman. Let the build begin.
1970 CB750KO
1971 CB500KO-project bike
1973 CB350G- project bike
1974 CB750K4-project bike
1974 CB750K4
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Offline lwahples

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Re: Headline: Hondaman gives in and rebuilds his old friend!
« Reply #5 on: June 02, 2013, 03:11:49 AM »
This will be a super read for sure!

Offline MOONDOGNYC

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Re: Headline: Hondaman gives in and rebuilds his old friend!
« Reply #6 on: June 02, 2013, 03:49:51 AM »
Subscribed...
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Offline vfourfreak

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Re: Headline: Hondaman gives in and rebuilds his old friend!
« Reply #7 on: June 02, 2013, 06:18:47 AM »
This is going to be a mine of great information !

I'm in !

Kev

Offline KRONUS0100

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Re: Headline: Hondaman gives in and rebuilds his old friend!
« Reply #8 on: June 02, 2013, 06:47:12 AM »
will be watching this closely. 
MATT
current bikes:  1976 CB750F, 1981 GS1100E
bikes owned:1981 GL1100I, 1990 GS500E, 1981 GS850, 1977 and 1979 GS750, 1974 CB750, 1975 CB750, and a 1982 GS750E

Offline Greggo

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Re: Headline: Hondaman gives in and rebuilds his old friend!
« Reply #9 on: June 02, 2013, 06:57:21 AM »
I'm in!

Offline goldarrow

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Re: Headline: Hondaman gives in and rebuilds his old friend!
« Reply #10 on: June 02, 2013, 06:59:46 AM »
This will be interesting.
Life Is Full Of Challenges - And My Backyard Is Full Of SOHC4's

CB550 K0
CB750 K0, K2, K23 JDM, K45, K5
And the little ones z50r, xr50r, st90


750k5 http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=114817.0

Offline madScientist

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Re: Headline: Hondaman gives in and rebuilds his old friend!
« Reply #11 on: June 02, 2013, 07:04:45 AM »
Riding shotgun for this build!
You CAN do great things...with enough beer.


78 cb750f
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=113293.0
70 CL350 Street Tracker / Cafe
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=125641.0
83 KZ1100ltd
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Offline Stev-o

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Re: Headline: Hondaman gives in and rebuilds his old friend!
« Reply #12 on: June 02, 2013, 07:21:30 AM »
138,000+ miles on that motor is very impressive. Hail broke the fins, unreal?
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline deafcaferacer

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Re: Headline: Hondaman gives in and rebuilds his old friend!
« Reply #13 on: June 02, 2013, 07:40:59 AM »
On board too, but what is "parkerized"?
'73 CB750k engine, hubs, and a '76 tank, on 'a 78 frame. Go figure.

Offline Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er

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Re: Headline: Hondaman gives in and rebuilds his old friend!
« Reply #14 on: June 02, 2013, 10:03:36 AM »
Stock style early clutch, field upgrade or later basket??
As of today 3/13/2012 my original owner 75 CB750F has made it through 3 wives, er EX-wives. Free at last.  ;-)

Offline lone*X

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Re: Headline: Hondaman gives in and rebuilds his old friend!
« Reply #15 on: June 02, 2013, 02:37:58 PM »
On board too, but what is "parkerized"?

Parkerizing is a phosphate metal coating that is both hard and durable as well as a rust preventative.   Most associate parkerizing with the low luster finish of military firearms for most of the past century,  but it's industrial use is very wide spread as well.

This is going to be a very informative thread that I look forward to following.
Lone*X  ( Don )

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Several others have come and gone but whose keeping track.
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Offline toytuff

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Re: Headline: Hondaman gives in and rebuilds his old friend!
« Reply #16 on: June 02, 2013, 02:48:18 PM »
Subscribed!

tt

Offline MoMo

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Re: Headline: Hondaman gives in and rebuilds his old friend!
« Reply #17 on: June 02, 2013, 03:47:36 PM »
On board too, but what is "parkerized"?

Parkerizing is a phosphate metal coating that is both hard and durable as well as a rust preventative.   Most associate parkerizing with the low luster finish of military firearms for most of the past century,  but it's industrial use is very wide spread as well.

This is going to be a very informative thread that I look forward to following.



Really, and all this time I thought it was what Tony Parker did to his foes.  Oh, well...Larry

Offline HondaMan

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Re: Headline: Hondaman gives in and rebuilds his old friend!
« Reply #18 on: June 02, 2013, 04:17:16 PM »
138,000+ miles on that motor is very impressive. Hail broke the fins, unreal?

Yeah, that storm was, too! We get 200+ MPH winds here from time to time, but my poor bike was just in the wrong location that night. :(
It had one fin broken off from 20+ years ago (bike got knocked over by someone), which let the ice stones pack in under it and crack it, upward.
See SOHC4shop@gmail.com for info about the gadgets I make for these bikes.

The demons are repulsed when a man does good. Use that.
Blood is thicker than water, but motor oil is thicker yet...so, don't mess with my SOHC4, or I might have to hurt you.
Hondaman's creed: "Bikers are family. Treat them accordingly."

Link to Hondaman Ignition: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=67543.0

Link to My CB750 Book: https://www.lulu.com/search?adult_audience_rating=00&page=1&pageSize=10&q=my+cb750+book

Link to website: www.SOHC4shop.com

Offline HondaMan

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Re: Headline: Hondaman gives in and rebuilds his old friend!
« Reply #19 on: June 02, 2013, 04:19:45 PM »
On board too, but what is "parkerized"?
New cams have this "sandy" finish applied to their lobes. It lets it wear the associated rockers (or other pieces) wear in together with it, so everything polishes everything else into a perfectly matched sliding system. The rockers don't have it: only one side of the 'system' needs to have it. You might think of it as "emery paper" that is the polishing agent?
See SOHC4shop@gmail.com for info about the gadgets I make for these bikes.

The demons are repulsed when a man does good. Use that.
Blood is thicker than water, but motor oil is thicker yet...so, don't mess with my SOHC4, or I might have to hurt you.
Hondaman's creed: "Bikers are family. Treat them accordingly."

Link to Hondaman Ignition: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=67543.0

Link to My CB750 Book: https://www.lulu.com/search?adult_audience_rating=00&page=1&pageSize=10&q=my+cb750+book

Link to website: www.SOHC4shop.com

Offline HondaMan

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Re: Headline: Hondaman gives in and rebuilds his old friend!
« Reply #20 on: June 02, 2013, 04:21:02 PM »
Stock style early clutch, field upgrade or later basket??
I'm fortunate to have the K1 clutch with the steel band around the splines. They were the strongest ones Honda made for these bikes. ;)
See SOHC4shop@gmail.com for info about the gadgets I make for these bikes.

The demons are repulsed when a man does good. Use that.
Blood is thicker than water, but motor oil is thicker yet...so, don't mess with my SOHC4, or I might have to hurt you.
Hondaman's creed: "Bikers are family. Treat them accordingly."

Link to Hondaman Ignition: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=67543.0

Link to My CB750 Book: https://www.lulu.com/search?adult_audience_rating=00&page=1&pageSize=10&q=my+cb750+book

Link to website: www.SOHC4shop.com

Offline kpier883

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Re: Headline: Hondaman gives in and rebuilds his old friend!
« Reply #21 on: June 02, 2013, 04:28:47 PM »
Looking forward to this.  Thanks for sharing!
74 CB750
80 CBX
82 KZ1000 K2 (LTD)
57 1/2 ton chevy

Offline ofreen

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Re: Headline: Hondaman gives in and rebuilds his old friend!
« Reply #22 on: June 02, 2013, 04:42:02 PM »
Ofreen has over 140k on his bike! Way cool!

Thanks. It'll be over 143K after the two legs of the relay over the next couple of weekends.  I'll be interested to see what you find for elongation of the cam chain and condition of the various plastic and rubber tensioner bits. 
Greg
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"I would rather have questions I cannot answer than answers I cannot question." - Dr. Wei-Hock Soon

Offline antman180

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Re: Headline: Hondaman gives in and rebuilds his old friend!
« Reply #23 on: June 02, 2013, 08:52:59 PM »
Subscribed! This will be a great read !!!
78 CB750K

Offline burlybear

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Re: Headline: Hondaman gives in and rebuilds his old friend!
« Reply #24 on: June 02, 2013, 08:59:47 PM »
in on this one!
71 CB750