Topic: My Stock to Cafe back to Stock Build

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I used to have an extra spin off adapter made by Terry. 

Lesters are one of those things you sometimes get luck with on craigslist or ebay.  I've wanted to use mags for a while, but I want a set of 18" front and rear.

[albertaboy]

My bike passed the government inspection today!!!!   Just have to get a license plate now.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

My bike passed the government inspection today!!!!   Just have to get a license plate now.

Kick a$$!! Congratulations!  Get that plate and ride the bejeezus out of it (at least while you have good weather)!!

[albertaboy]

First (of many) shake down run revealed a head gasket leak. If you read my general forum post for help, it must be the 8 o rings I left in between the cylinder and head. When using a Mls gasket, they should be left out.  Every post I read made it sound like an option so naturally, I choose the wrong option. lol.    I've dove into the repair but It will be about Tuesday before the bike is all back together. 

And the forecast calls for freezing temps for Thursday.... 

[albertaboy]

Sounds like you'll get it just right, just in time for winter 

So the good news is: come Spring, you'll be ready to ride!
Bad news: you need a new Winter PROJECT!

How about a 550 this go around?

lol. I'm thinking of studding the tires or maybe I'll consider that snow mobile conversion that showed up on the forum and botm recently.  That thing is  cool.

Hey
Anybody know if the MLS gaskets have a proper orientation to up or down. The indents in this one looks more definitive on one side verses the other.  I've seen no instructions.

[albertaboy]

If you've followed my MLS gasket leak post, much as been discussed there.

I opened the top end, thankful I installed a frame kit, removed the 8 packing type o-rings and associated dowels. Sprayed my MLS gasket with copper spray, oiled the cylinder studs and torqued them again. Bought a better quality torque wrench so I could feel I had the most accurate reading I could get.  I just came in from the garage after completely reassembling the bike again. I ran it to a full warm up and so far no leak. I really wont get out for a ride until Friday, weather permitting, and that will be the real test.

I also ran out today and officially registered the bike with the Motor Vehicles division. It's officially road legal. Man, I tell you, obtaining a passing safety inspection and obtaining a registration (title) for the bike truly was like getting a trophy. 

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Double win on the leak fix and registration.

[albertaboy]

So the test ride didn't go well.  The leak was as bad. Although I removed the dowels and their packing o-rings, turns out my MLS gasket had the large holes to accommodate the dowels and rings. So go figure.   It was suggested to check the positioning dowels and though I doubted they were the problem, but I couldn't be sure,  I dove back in and checked them to be Ok. I had ground enough off for clearance.  I am the first in the world to have a MLS gasket fail I think.  I can't determine what I've done wrong if I have. As another test, I had removed all o rings, dowels and the gasket and set the head down onto the cylinder and can see no interference that would prevent a good gasket squish. 

Now I've placed the paper/fiber type gasket that came with my ebay pistons.  I've put the dowels and o-rings back in, sprayed the gasket with copper coat and torqued to 21 lbs. Tomorrow, I will second torque and put it all back together again.  Crossing my fingers.

Thankfully, I put in a frame kit. Thankfully, I have a patient wife as the honey do list is waiting another week. 

Oh, Almost forgot... my head light on/off switch now operates like it should.  It's either a flaky switch or the safety inspector fiddled with it. I'm thinking flaky switch as I'm sure he would have said something.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Been there, and I feel your pain.

[albertaboy]

Been there, and I feel your pain.

Was it a MLS gasket problem?

[albertaboy]

Head gasket leak solved.  Put about 25 miles on it and no evident leak. Minor leak coming from the plug recess but I can live with it for now and it will be an easy fix. I will get a bit or riding in before the cold and snow comes. 

[754]

 Great, hope you get a few rides in yet..

[albertaboy]

The weather has smartened up here. Supposed to be nice all week. I chucked the honey do list aside today and plan to tell my wife I was ill and had to lay down    Worked on a crank seal leak. Put a new one in with Honda bond. I'm not willing to pull the engine, split the cases this year. I had a leak at the alt cover. Pulled that, fresh Hondabond.  Got out for an hour around town. Presto!! No leaks. Even the top end leak from the pucks or cam tower studs has slowed down or maybe sealed up..... idk.  Feeling a bit better now... maybe can find the energy to get back to work....

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

You're never too old to play the "sick" card.

Remember to go to the BOTM Voting Thread and post a summary of your build, your trials and tribulations, some before, in progress and AFTER photos.  We all like hearing the "story" behind the build.  Good luck!

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

What did you end up doing with the shiny Yamiya Yosh replica pipe?

[albertaboy]

What did you end up doing with the shiny Yamiya Yosh replica pipe?

Good timing. Plan to post it for sale. Just found a box I think will work for shipping. Will send a PM.

[albertaboy]

You're never too old to play the "sick" card.

Remember to go to the BOTM Voting Thread and post a summary of your build, your trials and tribulations, some before, in progress and AFTER photos.  We all like hearing the "story" behind the build.  Good luck!

Will do and Thanks.

Man that bike looks brilliant!!!!!

Thank you Sir!!.  I have received great comments from people like the bike inspector to different friends who are just seeing for the first time since I restored it.  Everybody likes to look at a classic.  Makes it all fun and worth while.

[BPellerine]

looks good out in the sun !hope it sticks around for you warm in the maritimes.bill

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

So glad to hear you got the leaks fixed.  Now enjoy the heck out of it!!!   

[rtbmrgl]

Your K5 came out great,!!!! 
Sitting in a RV campground in Anaheim, just noticed in the "see your bike on the road".
 This winter Ill be turning my K6 into complete stock, the bikes are so good looking to me in stock form.
 Ill be trying my hand at painting tank and side covers Candy Antares Red, wish me luck.

[albertaboy]

Your K5 came out great,!!!! 
Sitting in a RV campground in Anaheim, just noticed in the "see your bike on the road".
 This winter Ill be turning my K6 into complete stock, the bikes are so good looking to me in stock form.
 Ill be trying my hand at painting tank and side covers Candy Antares Red, wish me luck.

All you need is tenacity, rather than luck. But good luck anyways.    Thanks for the props. For a classic bike, I agree its a great bike stock. I'm really pleased how it turned out. Mind you, I hired pros to get thinks like the tank and covers sprayed properly, the head machined properly so I think I just bolted it all back together. Even the carbs are simple devices.

Mine attracts attention and some good conversations. People are amazed how new it looks. All I can say is get started and don't look back. 

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Your K5 came out great,!!!! 
Sitting in a RV campground in Anaheim, just noticed in the "see your bike on the road".
 This winter Ill be turning my K6 into complete stock, the bikes are so good looking to me in stock form.
 Ill be trying my hand at painting tank and side covers Candy Antares Red, wish me luck.

All you need is tenacity, rather than luck. But good luck anyways.    Thanks for the props. For a classic bike, I agree its a great bike stock. I'm really pleased how it turned out. Mind you, I hired pros to get thinks like the tank and covers sprayed properly, the head machined properly so I think I just bolted it all back together. Even the carbs are simple devices.

Mine attracts attention and some good conversations. People are amazed how new it looks. All I can say is get started and don't look back. 

I must agree that my stockish 550 has a great nostalgia value -- so much so that I will keep that bike and not do any further major mods. 

Anaheim -- right down the road from me.  Camping in Anaheim??  Where?  At Disneyland or the Big A?

[rtbmrgl]

Your K5 came out great,!!!! 
Sitting in a RV campground in Anaheim, just noticed in the "see your bike on the road".
 This winter Ill be turning my K6 into complete stock, the bikes are so good looking to me in stock form.
 Ill be trying my hand at painting tank and side covers Candy Antares Red, wish me luck.

All you need is tenacity, rather than luck. But good luck anyways.    Thanks for the props. For a classic bike, I agree its a great bike stock. I'm really pleased how it turned out. Mind you, I hired pros to get thinks like the tank and covers sprayed properly, the head machined properly so I think I just bolted it all back together. Even the carbs are simple devices.

Mine attracts attention and some good conversations. People are amazed how new it looks. All I can say is get started and don't look back. 

I must agree that my stockish 550 has a great nostalgia value -- so much so that I will keep that bike and not do any further major mods. 

Anaheim -- right down the road from me.  Camping in Anaheim??  Where?  At Disneyland or the Big A?

Well I live in No Calif, wife and I were visiting our grand daughters, 3 and 1, we stayed at Orangeland RV park., right next to A's stadium and Honda center. Had a great time, little on the hot side,

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Your K5 came out great,!!!! 
Sitting in a RV campground in Anaheim, just noticed in the "see your bike on the road".
 This winter Ill be turning my K6 into complete stock, the bikes are so good looking to me in stock form.
 Ill be trying my hand at painting tank and side covers Candy Antares Red, wish me luck.

All you need is tenacity, rather than luck. But good luck anyways.    Thanks for the props. For a classic bike, I agree its a great bike stock. I'm really pleased how it turned out. Mind you, I hired pros to get thinks like the tank and covers sprayed properly, the head machined properly so I think I just bolted it all back together. Even the carbs are simple devices.

Mine attracts attention and some good conversations. People are amazed how new it looks. All I can say is get started and don't look back. 

I must agree that my stockish 550 has a great nostalgia value -- so much so that I will keep that bike and not do any further major mods. 

Anaheim -- right down the road from me.  Camping in Anaheim??  Where?  At Disneyland or the Big A?

Well I live in No Calif, wife and I were visiting our grand daughters, 3 and 1, we stayed at Orangeland RV park., right next to A's stadium and Honda center. Had a great time, little on the hot side,

Thankfully, we made it through a hellish heat wave, combined at times with some high humidity from storms off the coast of Baja California. It was excruciatingly unpleasant.  On top of it, I had to go out to Palm Desert two weeks ago when it was 115+.  YUCK!  I like our typically warm weather, but I'm glad the heatwave is over.