Topic: Need a recommendation on quality machine shop work NEW PICTURES!

[jackhammer50]

I bought a 1972 CB500K in May. The PO said he rebuilt the motor with new pistons, valve work and all work was done by a Honda mechanic with 30 years experience.  He said it had less than 500 miles on the engine.  The bike ran great, started easily and idled well.   Of course I didn't have a compression gauge on me when I bought it, but the motor looked like new and ran fine.   Since the PO appeared trustworthy and the motor had no apparent issues I went to work on the rest of the bike.

You can probably figure where this is going.

I have spent the last five months on a complete nuts and bolts restoration.   (I'll try to post some pictures if someone can help me with that too.) After assembling the whole thing back together it started right up and I tried to sync the carbs.  They were a little off and it was then I noticed the blue smoke coming out of the pipes.  I pulled the brand new gapped spark plugs to find them oily after only five minutes of running.  This time I did have a compression gauge and I was so disappointed to find terrible compression.  Number one had 90 psi, #2 92psi, # 3 60 psi and #4 had 72 psi.  So it needs new rings at least.   The PO told me tonight he had the 2nd oversize pistons installed and he could not believe the compression I found.

So now I want to get this done right and I might as well get the head checked at the same time.   Does anyone here know of or can recommend a machine shop or service center that specializes on our SOHC motors?   I just want to send these to a place that knows what they are doing and get it done right.

Also, I would like to post some pictures of this restoration but can't seem to get the pictures posted.   Any help or suggestions with that would be appreciated too.

Thanks,

Jack

[Nic]

When you get the barrels rebored INSIST on .001" clearance if you use cast pistons or .002" for forged.

[jackhammer50]

I'm in Florida, near Pensacola.

I'm doing a full restore as I had some time and wanted to give it a try. The bike was in pretty good shape to start with, so I thought it would be time consuming but not terribly difficult.  this isn't my first restore, just my first old Honda CB.

The oily plugs and smoke were just the symptoms that led me to do a compression test.   I used two different gauges and saw similar readings with both sets.  I also noted immediate improvement with the addition of a teaspoon of oil into each of the cylinders.

I realize it could also be the valve train which is why I want to go over that while I have the top end apart doing the pistons.  However with the addition of the oil I found the compression improved nearly 30psi on each cylinder.  Those readings were really low to start with.

I am willing to ship my parts to where ever the most qualified machine shop is located.

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

500 miles, huh?! Do you have a bore type camera you can hook up to a laptop? I just looked into mine with 40 miles on it. The beautiful cross hatching from the honing was VERY evident. Very evident that the cylinders were fresh which I already knew since I had recently put it together. IF your engine was done as stated it was either not done correctly or the rings need to seat better. However as compared to your's mine does NOT smoke on startup and it is not broken in.

Shipping your ANTIQUE parts off is a good idea as the local yokels probably don't know our old bikes too well, at least most machine shops anyway regardless of their egos. I'll give you 2 names of member shops that cut their teeth on our bikes when they were young pups and are now old dogs that still know what these bikes need. You can ship the pistons and cylinders for evaluation and work. Same goes with the head.

I don't wish to play favorites or short anyone but maybe try members Big Jay at APE or Kenny at CycleX. We also have a number of individuals on here that can help with advice or wrenching.

A thought just came to mind since you are in Pensacola. Both these guys will/should be in Valdosta for the Manufacturers Cup Finals 11/14 to 11/16 along with a bunch of us guys. Come on up and bring your stuff. We even have a few members flying into Pensacola I believe.

Beautiful bike by the way       

[lrutt]

You know, before I bust that engine open, I think I'd do an Italian tune up to it.

Take that #$%* out and flog it. Honestly, some times a motor is just babied too much and the rings don't get seated in properly. I had a Triumph do that. Smoked like a #$%* at first. Really had me worried. As I had nothing to lose, I took it out and for a tank of fuel I flogged the #$%* out of that thing. That was 4 years ago and it has not smoked, used oil, or fouled a plug since.

Also, if it has synthetic oil in it, get it the hell out and run straight cheap dyno for motorcycles. Give those rings a chance to bed.

[jackhammer50]

I am going to do that Italian tune-up before I take it apart...It's fitting, as I am Italian decent.
Good call on the oil!   The PO had put synthetic oil in there (Amsoil) which I have already removed and replaced with some Rotella T.  I also replaced the clutch plates with some new ones just to be sure.

[MattFreeman]

I've been really been happy with the work and advice I've gotten from Mike Rieck.

[Duanob]

You know, before I bust that engine open, I think I'd do an Italian tune up to it.

Take that #$%* out and flog it. Honestly, some times a motor is just babied too much and the rings don't get seated in properly. I had a Triumph do that. Smoked like a #$%* at first. Really had me worried. As I had nothing to lose, I took it out and for a tank of fuel I flogged the #$%* out of that thing. That was 4 years ago and it has not smoked, used oil, or fouled a plug since.

Also, if it has synthetic oil in it, get it the hell out and run straight cheap dyno for motorcycles. Give those rings a chance to bed.

You didn't say if the bike sat for any length of time. The rings could be just stuck if it sat for a few years. I'm with Irutt on this one. Re adjust your valves to make sure they aren't too tight. Do a 3000 mile tune up and then go flog the crap out of it. If it still smokes after a couple hundred miles there might be a good chance the guy who installed the cam cover didn't do it properly and bent a valve or cracked a guide. You can also check the oil pan and see if there are any ring bits and pieces.

[Retro Rocket]

I've been really been happy with the work and advice I've gotten from Mike Rieck.

The choir that would sing that is enormous, and quite likely anyone that has either dealt with Mike or had work from him.

Could not recommend anyone anywhere more highly.

Agreed