Topic: SL350 Refurbishment Thread

[fendersrule]

...before I get them powder coated Satin black.

Ceramic coating is recommended for exhaust due to the heat.

You dont have an impact driver for the fork screw?

Good point Steve. I'll need to do some research to see how to paint it. I want something cheap and that will last.

It's really hard to use an impact tool while holding the fork up, and keeping the fork from rotating, while holding the impact tool and a large hammer. I figured with as old as I am (29) I will get some help so I can remove the screws in 1 minute instead of 10.  Maybe I'm a wuss.

I don't have air tools QUITE yet....buying a house soon...and with a house will soon come a nice 80 gallon dual stage compressor.

[fendersrule]

Thanks gracamna. It's been awhile since I've done fabrication, and it's something I love doing. If these pipes were readily available and cheap I would be quick to buy one instead of fixing them. I really didn't have a choice!

To be honest, I heard the same thing about mufflers....TOO THIN. But to be honest, there's plenty of metal here to work with. Just as long as you are using gas and are at a low setting, I don't foresee any frustration with welding these. I keep a cool damp cloth around and I quickly cool everything I do, all the time. It's going to be a slow process, but should be fairly easy..

[grcamna2]

...before I get them powder coated Satin black.

Ceramic coating is recommended for exhaust due to the heat.

You dont have an impact driver for the fork screw?

Good point Steve. I'll need to do some research to see how to paint it. I want something cheap and that will last.

It's really hard to use an impact tool while holding the fork up, and keeping the fork from rotating, while holding the impact tool and a large hammer. I figured with as old as I am (29) I will get some help so I can remove the screws in 1 minute instead of 10.  Maybe I'm a wuss.

Fenders,
If I lived around there I'd pull back on that fork tube while it's in the vise for you.
I've worked by myself for too long w/o Anyone to care myself,this forum Rocks !

[fendersrule]

Too much good people living on the east coast! 

If Honda was smart, they would have put an allen bolt/screw in. Then I could solo action it with a vise. Honda also makes the same mistake (I'm sure other companies do too) of using a philips screw for the speedometer connection. Why, why, why!!!!??!

[grcamna2]

Thanks gracamna. It's been awhile since I've done fabrication, and it's something I love doing. If these pipes were readily available and cheap I would be quick to buy one instead of fixing them. I really didn't have a choice!

To be honest, I heard the same thing about mufflers....TOO THIN. But to be honest, there's plenty of metal here to work with. Just as long as you are using gas and are at a low setting, I don't foresee any frustration with welding these. I keep a cool damp cloth around and I quickly cool everything I do, all the time. It's going to be a slow process, but should be fairly easy..

Fenders, you just taught me something;do you keep a wet rag around to cool the steel of the muffler so it'll stay stronger ?

[grcamna2]

Too much good people living on the east coast! 

If Honda was smart, they would have put an allen bolt/screw in. Then I could solo action it with a vise. Honda also makes the same mistake (I'm sure other companies do too) of using a philips screw for the speedometer connection. Why, why, why!!!!??!

If you don't have compressed air(Dual stage w/ 80 gal. & 165 w.p. ? I dream about having one of them some day...)then can you use a quality hand impact screwdriver w/ a helper to hold the fork tube ?

[FuZZie]

Too much good people living on the east coast! 

If Honda was smart, they would have put an allen bolt/screw in. Then I could solo action it with a vise. Honda also makes the same mistake (I'm sure other companies do too) of using a philips screw for the speedometer connection. Why, why, why!!!!??!

Switch to JIS bits, the old Honda's never used philips..... 

[fendersrule]

Poor thing.

[fendersrule]

First round of welding complete. Grind it flat, and go back at it again. Wish I could get rid of that ding. If I was really hard core, I'd cut that dent out and weld in straight metal…

You are seeing basically the "bottom/back" of the pipe however.

[grcamna2]

fenders,
You've got a nice sealed system again !  That'll sure help your jetting and low end performance.

[DustyRags]

Slap some paint on there and ride it like you stole it! 'Cause ya did! 

[grcamna2]

Slap some paint on there and ride it like you stole it! 'Cause ya did! 

I still keep thinking that he left one of the '0's off of that quoted price   

[fendersrule]

Yeah. I scored. Hopefully my boss didn't do any research after the fact.

So while my CB450's transmission is off to be checked out by Bill Lane, I've have been forced to put more time into this project due to being bored.

David Rottger replaced a housing on one of the gauges because it had a cracked lens. Just shot some semi-gloss plastic-bonding paint on it. Rattle-can job, but it will look absolutely original.





This is a weird project for me. I'm a perfectionist, yet the goal of this bike is to restore it so that it looks "driven". I guess it's sort of how I did my CB750, just make it look nice with some arm sweat without tearing everything possibly apart. Goal is to make a bike that looks worn-in, but in fantastic shape. Not everything has to be new and "showroom" condition like my CB450. But it's going to be a damn good looker. The paint/body work will be absolutely the last thing to do on this bike.

But it's very fun in a way. Allows me to relax, crack open some beers and bring this thing back to life without freaking out about everything.

Fork assembly pictures will be next.

Enjoy!

[FuZZie]

To make it look really nice... yet not destroy the original patina?

How you say it can be important too. 
 

[grcamna2]

Good Work, those gauges look nice fenders.

[fendersrule]

Doing some last "touch up" welding on the patch on the mufflers. Some more careful grinding and polishing, and it should come up better than I thought!


Exhaust is getting a make-over. Soaking all the bits in vinegar. New crush-gaskets, why not?!

[grcamna2]

I Love OE muffler restoration fenders 

[fendersrule]

How's this?

[DustyRags]

Looks great! Needs some paint, and you'd never know.

[grcamna2]

Good job restoring that right muffler

[fendersrule]

Forks rebuilt and installed:


Wheels are off at Yamaha getting brand new Shinko tires!

Still can't find anyone to do my pipes…..Help?

[fendersrule]

Powderman is saving the day. I'm shipping my exhaust to him this week for a ceramic job.

Done lots of cleaning to the bike. Pics to come later.

There was so much slop in the steering bearings. I adjusted them and they are perfect now.

Now it's a matter of putting it all back together, adjusting, and riding. That's at least, phase 1 of this project. Not sure if I will keep it or not.

[grcamna2]

Fenders,
If you do sell it, will you use all these posts to document the restoration work when you show it to a buyer ?

[Powderman]

Powderman is saving the day. I'm shipping my exhaust to him this week for a ceramic job.

Done lots of cleaning to the bike. Pics to come later.

There was so much slop in the steering bearings. I adjusted them and they are perfect now.



Now it's a matter of putting it all back together, adjusting, and riding. That's at least, phase 1 of this project. Not sure if I will keep it or not.

I'll post prep/step pics as I go. You'll be amazed at how new they will look after blasting.

[fendersrule]

New throttle cable.