Topic: 500/550/650's that followed me home

[rb550four]

  So it's August 13 th. I have a new replacement knee to replace the failed replacement knee going in tomorrow morning.
The first replacement was a failure two Februarys ago when I got  it . Lotsa 8 week rehabs with no benefit, been forced to get around on a cane , it's been painful and ain't no fun to get around... But the summer has been sunny and hot and I've been riding  50 miles or more every day , even on some rainy days  too. Haven't ridden this much since I was a kid.
   I figured if I have to crawl to a machine and can get on it, I'm going for a ride, and that has been the best therapy so far. Hoping  this time is a charm.
 

[Little_Phil]

Sorry to hear about your knee. Hope it's a better replacement this time. Was this the problem?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqxgen498ejo

[MauiK3]

Sorry to hear about your knee. Hoping for the best for you.

[rb550four]

Thanks,  I'm home resting now, got 1st PT tomorrow . i made every riding day count this year and this year's season is over for me now, but I'm looking forward to good things that may be able to happen next.

[rb550four]

   so last week I came across an early 750 tank , I don't have an early 750 , but you never know what could be coming down the road ,so I grabbed it  you know , just in case.
   It was obvious that it was a barn for a while, maybe longer, and had some Bondo on it that was cracking that would need repair.  It hadn't any tank seal in it so it should clean up without great difficulty. So just sand out the Bondo , pull  the dent as well as I can ....maybe a overall Bondo coat if it needed it. Sounds like the plan .
   So I got out the sander and started to make dust. The cracked part that I thought  I'd just sand out was getting deeper and wider than expected, but this has happened on a couple other tanks over the years, not scared , continued until it was all metal showing, the end was 4x4 and maybe an inch in deep. That took a while to pop out from the
inside .  No holes, that's good. might as well sand out the rest. This tank was an ugly red, but it started life blue. I was expecting to find numerous colors and was pleased when I didn't but there was more Bondo both sides under the badges ,
, and deep dents on the long angles across the top front to the back back of the tank...the part with 2 defining lines that won't be easy to mimic with a really light coat of new Bondo... may end up 2 light coats, got most of the dent almost all the way out  but there is 3 less than a dime size dings, that I just won' t be able to get all the way out . But I felt lucky to get most of them out ... looked like it fell down the stairs a few times before, just looks like some unlucky garage dings now, I think I can make them disappear.
   Now that the top of the tank is ready for an overall coat, thought I might start sanding out the underside and make sure there is no tiny rust holes that would be a problem  later. I've done tons of Honda tanks over the years but never an early 750 tank. I was surprised to see how rolled and twisted looking these early ones are on the bottom side. It's like what , they only make them Friday? Maybe the tank guy was sick that day? The 20 ton press broke just before this tank was made? Somebody was in a hurry? shot some primer on the bottom  to see if you all find this type of craftmanship on all early 750 tanks or if this one is special. Going to send photos  soon.

[rb550four]

 Pics

[rb550four]

more pics    Is this tank supposed to look like this on the underside? the2 round areas look like they had some overabundance of steel as do the areas below the front mounts,  creases down the spine just looks like a mistake to me. none of my 450 s 500 s , 550 s , 650 s have sloppy looking   pressed  steel undersides. This normal?

[newday777]

Yes the 750 tanks all look like that 1971 up through 76(75 & 76 have a different petcock mounting bung)

This blue tank bottom is a 1975

You actually have a 75/76 tank.

[newday777]

Notice the 69-74 petcock is on the opposite side of the tank and use 2 screws to mount the petcock as compared to your tank having the raised threaded bung.

[rb550four]

Excellent!  Thank you for the info gentlemen , I had no idea what year this tank was, I haven't been a 750 guy, and thought that if the underside was stamped that poorly compared to other Honda tanks of the era that it must have been early.
  My mistake and I'm happy to know that it is a 75 with damage and not an earlier model that should have a proper rebuild.
    Thanks  guys.

[rb550four]

  So I haven't ridden a machine since last August and only started limping around the shop to play with some old tanks  in mid October.
  The surgeon said it might be over a year or so to get this knee to be comfortable.  The replacement is so much larger that the first replacement that was cemented into the bones by only an inch and a half  on each bone. Got loose at the cement and made the hole in each bone rounded out and loose, Very painful.
 This new one has 2- 4 inch spikes,  one has been driven to the ends on each bone and it seems that I have a new kneecap too.
   The bikes are on trickle charge  and winter in N.Y.  is on the doorstep. Hoping for some shop days before heavy snow.

[grcamna2]

  So I haven't ridden a machine since last August and only started limping around the shop to play with some old tanks  in mid October.
  The surgeon said it might be over a year or so to get this knee to be comfortable.  The replacement is so much larger that the first replacement that was cemented into the bones by only an inch and a half  on each bone. Got loose at the cement and made the hole in each bone rounded out and loose, Very painful.
 This new one has 2- 4 inch spikes,  one has been driven to the ends on each bone and it seems that I have a new kneecap too.
   The bikes are on trickle charge  and winter in N.Y.  is on the doorstep. Hoping for some shop days before heavy snow.

How's the knee when you put your full weight on it ?

[rb550four]

  I put full weight on it now and it will take it for a while standing straight up, I can stand up and do stuff for just less than 4 hrs but that tends to ruin the rest of the day.
  Bending over to put on socks is rough , lifting the leg is rougher. Turning takes a couple short steps , pivoting is painful and feels like it could case damage .
   Jumping up is out of the question because landing puts unnecessary weight on it and you  would really have to stick the landing.
   Running not possible.
Walking  always needs full attention : uneven ground, stairs. throw rugs, thresholds, and extension cords can mess you up fast. Don't know about ice and snow yet but I'm about to find out.
  Knowing furniture placement in the dark is important, I thought running toes and knees into stuff hurt  before....
Sleeping is a constant crocodile deathroll for comfort all night  every night. Sleep is so light  and so fragmented that the only benefit is that no intruder will be able to make it through the house undetected, although I may need a hand to remove the body.
  Taking a while to get used to this one, doesn't feel like it's falling off,  it feels like it's taking forever to heal, but it's still better than the  last 2.
  I am concerned with losing too much riding time next season. I'll be 68 soon and my riding seasons may be down to a precious few. Not sure how to handle that.
 

[grcamna2]

  I put full weight on it now and it will take it for a while standing straight up, I can stand up and do stuff for just less than 4 hrs but that tends to ruin the rest of the day.
  Bending over to put on socks is rough , lifting the leg is rougher. Turning takes a couple short steps , pivoting is painful and feels like it could case damage .
   Jumping up is out of the question because landing puts unnecessary weight on it and you  would really have to stick the landing.
   Running not possible.
Walking  always needs full attention : uneven ground, stairs. throw rugs, thresholds, and extension cords can mess you up fast. Don't know about ice and snow yet but I'm about to find out.
  Knowing furniture placement in the dark is important, I thought running toes and knees into stuff hurt  before....
Sleeping is a constant crocodile deathroll for comfort all night  every night. Sleep is so light  and so fragmented that the only benefit is that no intruder will be able to make it through the house undetected, although I may need a hand to remove the body.
  Taking a while to get used to this one, doesn't feel like it's falling off,  it feels like it's taking forever to heal, but it's still better than the  last 2.
  I am concerned with losing too much riding time next season. I'll be 68 soon and my riding seasons may be down to a precious few. Not sure how to handle that.
 

Yeah,you need lots of sleep,then plenty of circulation and fresh air.
Do the physical therapy folks get you on an exercise bicycle ?

[rb550four]

  Yes , the bike is the best thing to loosen up before doing anything. Before starting PT  they put me on a stationary bike for 5 mins.
   I ride a standard 15 speed bike around town as often as possible when it isn't raining just like the old days , no flags or helmet. and when I can't , I've joined a gym. Never thought that would happen, but I'm glad I did. They have stationary  bikes there  and a bunch of other things to make me bike and strong. Just have to not over do it.

[grcamna2]

  Yes , the bike is the best thing to loosen up before doing anything. Before starting PT  they put me on a stationary bike for 5 mins.
   I ride a standard 15 speed bike around town as often as possible when it isn't raining just like the old days , no flags or helmet. and when I can't , I've joined a gym. Never thought that would happen, but I'm glad I did. They have stationary  bikes there  and a bunch of other things to make me bike and strong. Just have to not over do it.

 

[rb550four]

  Today is Black Friday,  everyone has gone shopping it seems, except for me. 
We had a warm spell for a day or so and I opened up the theater and let all that 50 degree air in the space. It usually doesn't freeze in the large space but the old air was chilly and I wanted to wax the bikes for winter. The air temp changes gradually ( I insulated allot of it) so none of the  transmission cases condensate or get sweaty which is nice ,  because  the buffed metals won't oxidize as quickly as it does in my barn. I wax the bikes a couple times a year  to give it a little protection from time and dust.  So today was the day that I started the great cleaning.

 Yes it's a PITA and takes time, allot of time,  but well worth it when they look so shinny and fresh. They even smell really good too! I'm using Mother's wax, smells sweet like candy they should make a cologne with that sent) , goes on like a dream and hazes up quick. and wipes off leaving nothing but shine and instant gratification behind. 
  I put in a hard day and got 17 bikes done except for the rims. Rims are really time consuming and if done "in place" requires long hours on knees so that will wait until spring.

[rb550four]

More pics.

 Another day and I can get the other ones waxed too.

[denward17]

Wow, Looks like a nice collection, how many do you have?

All Hondas?

[rb550four]

  i have been really trying over the years not to count them....some days there seem too many and other days too few.
Then you get to the point where you run out of space to get more to rebuild' but you have a barn. Then you take over the the 3 truck garage . Then a larger investment  building that was derailed by a natural event ,then suddenly you have all the room you could ask for and room is no longer a deterrent' and you're off to the races . I wouldn't have slowed down with the "collection "  if there wasn't for a discusion of a sohc4 12 step program going on here. Of course it wasn't real to anyone else except to me, I thought I might need some guidance ..... and well ,anyhow I was cured! Kinda ,sorta, maybe.
  It's not really a problem...it's an honor ....,  alright it's an addiction... but we all have it... 32.

[denward17]

^LoL, I understand, I only have 2, but I keep looking for the next possible..

[rb550four]

 So  this friend of mine who brought up a 76 750  last year  that he hadn't run in 20 yrs since his last Daytona trip,  and his daughter threw a gallon  can of white paint  at the bike  until the lid flew off and covered the bike in white paint when he returned..... so he parked it and never used it again...so last year he brought it over to revive it . So I got the paint off it and gave it a clean up
  The daughter did a fair job getting her anger out on the poor bike....my friend was lucky , it could have been him. So  without white paint on it ,it really brought out the dents she left behind.
  So I did some  budget bodywork to it just to make it better, pulled most of the dents out but lost some paint on one and couldn't fully get a couple small dents out and that big dent on the right contour just wouldn't go away clean so some filler was needed. In for a nickel in for a pound, so I lightly sanded down the good paint,  and to metal as needed to fill  dings and dents, primed and color coated  , then multi coated clear on the tank  on the original decals and new side covers.
I think it turned out alright  for a non pro. John was pleased rode it all  this past summer and gave up riding because of a scare. Shame, its so hard to find other riders around here that aren't on Harleys.

[rb550four]

more pics . Oh , and brought it back to life , then polished it up before delivery

[grcamna2]

You did a very nice job on it

[rb550four]

  Thank you .
  I had some progress pics of this 750 project in my phone that I was planning on using the next time this friend and I went out riding. I again was flabbergasted at the news of yet another rider that I've known for 3 decades, my age with a long history of years on a bike ... that had a scare, that has just stopped riding and gave away his machine. This is the second person I know that has been frightened off a machine that I won't be able to ride with in three years.
  Does anyone know if this normal to do at a certain age ?
Has it always been like that or is today's drivers responsible for today' s unshakable fear of riding?
 I didn't see it coming with my last riding buddy either , is this the way of the world that that I just didn't know exists until recently?  Let's say it could happen to any of us...what do we do then?
  That's what scares me.