Topic: Good News for 450 Doods

[tbpmusic]

Now available, in concert with my machinist -
7mm stainless valves for 5-speed CB/CL450. They're beautiful........
Custom made by Ferrea to my specs, highest quality materials and craftmanship (Wiseco piston-type quality), hardened tips.
Designed for unleaded fuel - if combined with new valve seats of modern materials, you have a setup that will seal well for many unleaded miles.
Price is   $65 /valve - This is less than Capelini's prices, not much more than OEM made of  old material (if you can find them at all).
Incidentally, with a more shallow "dimple" in the valve "head", you can expect a slight increase in compression as well.

Other services include:
Installation of entirely new valve seats made of modern materials designed for modern fuels.
Price is $87  per seat   (labor+materials) (Kibblewhite)
Cut three angle valve seat, each $35.00
Bronze valve guides, installed - $38 per guide (labor+materials) (Kibblewhite)

Boring/honing up to 2'nd over - $50 per hole

Later this season I'll see if I can get Ferrea to make some stainless valves for our CB/CL350 brethren.........

I should mention that I do not mark up these prices at all. My interest is NOT in making money, but instead in making upgraded parts and services available for these old beasties.
My machinist prefers that customers go through me, so contact me directly if you have an interest.

Bill Lane

[grcamna2]

Bill,
 I'm interested to do the head the right way as you've described w/ stainless valves and seats for my CB350K4 twin when you do have Ferrea tool up for them.

  I got in touch with you a while back about finding a machinist to install some quality cam bearings in the cam towers of my CB350K4 twin;have you heard from any of your contacts about that ?

Thanks for this thread.       Bill H.

[tbpmusic]

Bill,
 I'm interested to do the head the right way as you've described w/ stainless valves and seats for my CB350K4 twin when you do have Ferrea tool up for them.

  I got in touch with you a while back about finding a machinist to install some quality cam bearings in the cam towers of my CB350K4 twin;have you heard from any of your contacts about that ?

Thanks for this thread.       Bill H.

Yeah, the issue with needle bearings is that they need a real good oil supply, which we don't have. The needle bearing stuff you see done generally has an improved oiling system.
As far as physically machining the stuff, even shaving the ends of the cams if needed, there wouldn't be a problem assuming suitable bearing dimensions could be found.
I've also found out that the stock "bearings" aren't exactly round - they're a bit oval near the top, to allow oil to (hopefully) drip onto the cam end in a pitiful fashion.
The idea is still being researched though, and I'm only interested if it's affordable.
I'm not looking for all out racing stuff, but solid long-term solutions.

350 valves have to wait till I tear apart this CL350 I have - I need to send out some examples and I have no spares.

[grcamna2]

Bill,
 I'm interested to do the head the right way as you've described w/ stainless valves and seats for my CB350K4 twin when you do have Ferrea tool up for them.

  I got in touch with you a while back about finding a machinist to install some quality cam bearings in the cam towers of my CB350K4 twin;have you heard from any of your contacts about that ?

Thanks for this thread.       Bill H.

Yeah, the issue with needle bearings is that they need a real good oil supply, which we don't have. The needle bearing stuff you see done generally has an improved oiling system.
As far as physically machining the stuff, even shaving the ends of the cams if needed, there wouldn't be a problem assuming suitable bearing dimensions could be found.
I've also found out that the stock "bearings" aren't exactly round - they're a bit oval near the top, to allow oil to (hopefully) drip onto the cam end in a pitiful fashion.
The idea is still being researched though, and I'm only interested if it's affordable.
I'm not looking for all out racing stuff, but solid long-term solutions.

350 valves have to wait till I tear apart this CL350 I have - I need to send out some examples and I have no spares.

I'm glad you've been thinking about it  I appreciate all your in depth research on the cam bearing problems especially the oiling and style of replacement.
I had been in touch w/ (about 2 years ago..  ) w/ Pawelzak..,an ebay seller from Poland who sold me some cam tens. rollers made out of PA6 material(I'll be taking the top end down soon & inspecting the toothed tens. roller & bearing for issues) which I purchased and installed in my engine along w/ a new H.D. Tsubaki cam chain.He was back in forth in touch w/ me by email then, and said that he has installed bronze bearings in those cam towers and also needle bearings and would be willing to do the labor for a price.I was interested in the bronze type.He has since been unreachable by email and has disappeared from ebay  .

I'm in 100% agreement w/ you when you just wrote "I'm not looking for all out racing stuff but solid long term solutions" Yes !  I'll hold-out for that 
I just want an excellent running street motor that's built(by me)to go the distance.I may install big bore piston on my motor in the future(66-67mm)but want to keep the compression reasonable for use on the street w/ the Hondaman ignition.
I want to do those cam bearings the best way that your good research dictates;if you need a set of old CB350 valves I have an old head here I can remove them from if needed but I have a fully rebuilt head going on the bike soon.
                                                 Thanks for all your care,  Bill H.