Author Topic: Frame-up cb350f restoration, hunk o' junk transformation (Read 55778 times)

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #75 on:** January 30, 2016, 10:16:23 PM »

Damn it looks like an icebox in that garage. Brrrrrrr.

sbeckman7 · « **Reply #76 on:** January 31, 2016, 12:10:55 AM »

It sounds like a proper wake up!

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #77 on:** January 31, 2016, 12:12:33 AM »

That chick's yellow gloves are terrifying.

markreimer · « **Reply #78 on:** January 31, 2016, 12:47:57 PM »

Hah! It was actually 0C that day. I was in a t-shirt

But back to -20C tomorrow.... spring seems so far away.

markreimer · « **Reply #79 on:** January 31, 2016, 12:48:37 PM »

Quote from: seanbarney41 on January 31, 2016, 12:12:33 AM

That chick's yellow gloves are terrifying.

She doesn't like getting her hands dirty lol

markreimer · « **Reply #80 on:** February 01, 2016, 10:27:45 AM »

Good news, I found some foot pegs finally. They're in the mail and should be here in about a week or two - coming all the way from the UK. So while I wait for the pegs, battery, front brake line, and master link, I'll change my focus to the tach. The needle doesn't seem to want to move much. First up will be inspecting the cable, though I'm kinda thinking I should open up the speedo and tach anyway to replace the faces. That's on deck for this week.

sbeckman7 · « **Reply #81 on:** February 01, 2016, 10:51:58 AM »

Curious to see how you go about opening them. From what I can tell they are "clamped" together by the metal bezel so I don't understand how people replace the faces!

markreimer · « **Reply #82 on:** February 03, 2016, 10:14:39 AM »

I've read a few threads here about how to do it. I was planning on following this tutorial:

http://www.dimecitycycles.com/blog/2011/02/honda-cb-gauge-disassembly-and-face-replacement/

But first, I should check the actual tach cable. It occurred to me that my 750 uses the same cable. So I'll swap 'em around and see if it works any better. But the faces are in brutal shape, so I've got to do it eventually anyway.

Battery and master links arrived today, as well as the hydraulic banjo bolt. Time to hit the shop!

sbeckman7 · « **Reply #83 on:** February 04, 2016, 04:31:59 PM »

Not bad. Just gave it a go myself with a dead speedo last night!

iiAtlas · « **Reply #84 on:** February 08, 2016, 07:27:52 AM »

Following this!! Great work so far, looks like everything is coming together! Congratulations on "first boot" - looking good

markreimer · « **Reply #85 on:** February 08, 2016, 08:29:49 PM »

Slow progress now while I wait for pegs, but I did manage to tick off a few more boxes tonight

First I fit the chain after scrubbing it clean in acetone. Which was dumb in hindsight because I should have checked it for stretching first. I fit the now gleaming clean chain only to discover it's totally clapped out and stretched. New chain ordered.

Then it was fab time. I needed a muffler hanger and center stand stop. Some scrap aluminum in fit the bill. Using an old kick starter rubber I was able to create a pad for the stand to rest against. Works great. It needs some polish and the bends aren't quite right yet, but you get the idea.

Next up was removing the tach. The cable seems good, and using a drill on the tach showed favorable results. It seems to work just fine above 3k. Between 0-3 it moves real slow. Curious. Any guesses? The wire housing for the wires powering the back lights was totally dries out and cracked when I tried to bend it, cutting the wires. Just as well it happened now. I'll replace that wiring tomorrow evening.

That's it for now.

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markreimer · « **Reply #86 on:** February 08, 2016, 08:31:06 PM »

I'm also thinking about how to make a bracket off the center stand stop that hooks up to the muffler so I only have one visible bracket. Kinda a big 'L' bracket. Just seems a bit busy at the mkment

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sbeckman7 · « **Reply #87 on:** February 08, 2016, 10:58:11 PM »

The tach may not have enough oil in the damper... If I am remembering that video correctly!

grcamna2 · « **Reply #88 on:** February 08, 2016, 11:06:47 PM »

I like the word "transformation" in the title of this thread

knowsnothing · « **Reply #89 on:** February 09, 2016, 11:52:36 AM »

Quote from: markreimer on February 08, 2016, 08:29:49 PM

You may have already done it, but don't forget the cotter pin on the brake stay bolt. If that were to come loose, serious suckage would ensue

markreimer · « **Reply #90 on:** February 09, 2016, 12:01:46 PM »

Ah, good advice. I hadn't put that back yet. Same with the rear axle nut. That's always a problem with my projects. I start rushing through things and forget important small stuff like that.

Anyone know what the proper 350F chain length is? I've been reading conflicting reports, but it sounds like 94 links is correct, with 17/36 sprockets? I hope they use the same sprockets as 750's because I have a brand new 17t sprocket that's been sitting on the bench for a couple years now.

I'm shifting focus to my super stiff clutch lever now. I put a new motion pro cable on, following the stock cable routing. No sharp bends or anything. But man is it ever stiff. My wife literally can't pull it at all. It takes a real grunt for me to get it open. Definitely not normal. My 750 used to be pretty stiff till I rebuilt the entire clutch with new plates. Anyone with a 350/400 able to comment on how light or stiff the clutch lever should feel?

Keep in mind the bike has sat for 38 years, never run once. I'm wondering if everything is just gummed up in there. Maybe disassembling it all and soaking the plates in fresh oil would do some good. There's under 2,000 miles so I don't want to replace the plates already..

Pegs should be here by Friday! The forecast is for single-digit below freezing temperatures (-5C). That's warm enough for a test ride I'd say!!!

grcamna2 · « **Reply #91 on:** February 09, 2016, 12:33:52 PM »

Mark,
Stock gearing is 36/16 and 96 link 530 chain;do you already have a chain ? I checked my 'Sprocket Specialists' catalog.The CB750 has a different rear sprocket;I have a 36 tooth new rear sprocket still in the pkge. if you need it.

markreimer · « **Reply #92 on:** February 09, 2016, 12:36:38 PM »

Are you sure that's for the 4 cylinder? I thought the twin was 36/16 and the four was 36/17. I don't have a rear sprocket at the moment, only the front 17. No chain yet. I'll check the condition of the rear sprocket and count the number of links and teeth ASAP. Should be the safest way to verify..

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grcamna2 · « **Reply #93 on:** February 09, 2016, 12:39:38 PM »

Quote from: markreimer on February 09, 2016, 12:36:38 PM

Are you sure that's for the 4 cylinder? I thought the twin was 36/16 and the four was 36/17. I don't have a rear sprocket at the moment, only the front 17. No chain yet. I'll check the condition of the rear sprocket and count the number of links and teeth ASAP. Should be the safest way to verify..

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My Sprocket Specialist book is accurate.

MoMo · « **Reply #94 on:** February 09, 2016, 08:52:27 PM »

Clutch pull should be minimal, two fingers or even one.

grcamna2 · « **Reply #95 on:** February 09, 2016, 09:11:52 PM »

a 17 tooth front sprocket is too tall,16 is correct.

markreimer · « **Reply #96 on:** February 11, 2016, 07:19:50 AM »

While waiting on my parts I visited my friend Colin to check out his equally stiff clutch problem on his '77 cb400f. I figured if we could fix his clutch, I'd know what to do on the 350F.

We lubed the cable, pulled the clutch cover off and rebuilt/cleaned/lubed the lifter, and inspected the plates. It looks like the three balls the lifter spins on were getting stuck in the cage. Does that make sense? There are three balls held in a cage just like some bearings, and they weren't spinning freely. A bit of oil and they started rolling easy. oiled the whole thing up, bolted it back up and the clutch was working free and easy. Success! The whole thing took maybe 30 minutes to do, not included the time to drain the oil. I'm hoping I can do this on the 350F without draining the oil, but just tilting it onto the side stand. We'll see..

I also realized I have a new-in-box 530 o-ring chain in my tool box. I bought it for my 750, but it was too wide and rubbed the engine case. Colin's 400f has the same wider chain on it and it fits fine. Anyone tried a chain like this on a 350F? That would be aaaawesome if I didn't have to spend more cash on a chain and finally put this one to use. I won't be in the shop again for a few days so I'll check then.

Hopefully safety inspection and snowy test ride next week!

MoMo · « **Reply #97 on:** February 11, 2016, 12:59:26 PM »

You can definitely lean the bike over to one side for clutch repair. That triangular shaped mechanism has a tendency to get stuck after sitting for awhile. Not sure about the chain, put it on and see if you have clearance. (You have clearance Clarence

)

markreimer · « **Reply #98 on:** February 17, 2016, 01:51:00 PM »

Alright! Foot pegs have arrived finally. Tomorrow will be foot pegs, rebuilding clutch controls, tach, and seeing if that chain fits. If it all works out I'll do a victory lap as the forecast is above freezing finally!

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sbeckman7 · « **Reply #99 on:** February 17, 2016, 02:52:13 PM »

Sounds good man! I'll cross my fingers for you

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Author Topic: Frame-up cb350f restoration, hunk o' junk transformation (Read 55778 times)