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Offline Buckskin Bandit

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A Chopper "warm over"
« on: October 17, 2015, 04:15:35 PM »
Edit: Previously titled a Long And Painful Restoration, but it's not gonna take that long, and it's not that painful..  ::) ;)

Well folks, if you remember, I joined here a while back (see post "Hello from Upper Midwest").  I figured it was time to get a restoration thread started for my bike.  There won't be much done to it in the near future due to lack of funds, but I'm hoping to be able to do a few little things here and there.  :)

I'll start with some before pictures of my seat, since that was the first thing I dealt with.  In a little while I'll post the after pictures.
« Last Edit: February 17, 2016, 09:23:52 AM by Buckskin Bandit »
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Keep the shiny side up and the greasy side down!

1973 Honda 500 four "Chopper" - In pieces :P
1977 CB750 K1 "The Fonz" project
2003 Suzuki GZ 250 "Little Horse" -Sold
1981 Yamaha Maxim 550 "Big Red" -Sold
2007 Shadow Spirit 750 "Blaze"


My resto threads: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,152344.0.html
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,166240.0.html

Offline Buckskin Bandit

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Re: A Long and Painful Restoration
« Reply #1 on: October 17, 2015, 04:32:20 PM »
Some new foam and marine vinyl later...  8)
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Keep the shiny side up and the greasy side down!

1973 Honda 500 four "Chopper" - In pieces :P
1977 CB750 K1 "The Fonz" project
2003 Suzuki GZ 250 "Little Horse" -Sold
1981 Yamaha Maxim 550 "Big Red" -Sold
2007 Shadow Spirit 750 "Blaze"


My resto threads: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,152344.0.html
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,166240.0.html

Offline Buckskin Bandit

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Re: A Long and Painful Restoration
« Reply #2 on: October 17, 2015, 04:35:48 PM »
One more shot..
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Keep the shiny side up and the greasy side down!

1973 Honda 500 four "Chopper" - In pieces :P
1977 CB750 K1 "The Fonz" project
2003 Suzuki GZ 250 "Little Horse" -Sold
1981 Yamaha Maxim 550 "Big Red" -Sold
2007 Shadow Spirit 750 "Blaze"


My resto threads: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,152344.0.html
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,166240.0.html

Offline Sami1987

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Re: A Long and Painful Restoration
« Reply #3 on: October 17, 2015, 07:55:05 PM »
Pure 70's nostalgia!
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Offline dusterdude

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Re: A Long and Painful Restoration
« Reply #4 on: October 18, 2015, 11:16:06 AM »
Sure is,good job on the seat
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Offline Buckskin Bandit

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Re: A Long and Painful Restoration
« Reply #5 on: October 18, 2015, 02:55:51 PM »
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Keep the shiny side up and the greasy side down!

1973 Honda 500 four "Chopper" - In pieces :P
1977 CB750 K1 "The Fonz" project
2003 Suzuki GZ 250 "Little Horse" -Sold
1981 Yamaha Maxim 550 "Big Red" -Sold
2007 Shadow Spirit 750 "Blaze"


My resto threads: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,152344.0.html
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,166240.0.html

Offline Buckskin Bandit

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Re: A Long and Painful Restoration
« Reply #6 on: October 18, 2015, 03:06:23 PM »
I'm debating weather to keep the hard bags, or to put soft bags on it.  Any suggestions? It's not really an important issue at the moment, but it's something for me to contemplate.  ;)
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Keep the shiny side up and the greasy side down!

1973 Honda 500 four "Chopper" - In pieces :P
1977 CB750 K1 "The Fonz" project
2003 Suzuki GZ 250 "Little Horse" -Sold
1981 Yamaha Maxim 550 "Big Red" -Sold
2007 Shadow Spirit 750 "Blaze"


My resto threads: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,152344.0.html
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,166240.0.html

Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: A Long and Painful Restoration
« Reply #7 on: October 18, 2015, 04:25:56 PM »
I think soft bags would match better with the chopper front end, whereas the hard cases would go great with a Vetter fairing and touring-style bike.  Just my $0.02!
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Offline MickB

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A Long and Painful Restoration
« Reply #8 on: October 18, 2015, 09:50:00 PM »
Rake the neck and get rid of the crash bars and pannier, then you're talking '70s chopper.
« Last Edit: October 18, 2015, 10:01:29 PM by MickB »
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Offline Buckskin Bandit

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Re: A Long and Painful Restoration
« Reply #9 on: October 20, 2015, 10:48:56 AM »
Thanks Cafe Racer Fan, that's kinda what I was thinking, soft bags for sure now. :)  Mick, my goal isn't a true chopper, so the crash bar will be staying.  Thanks for your input!

Today I really got serious about taking it apart, and started prepping to pull the motor. Crash bar, highway pegs, carbs, seat , and gas tank are all removed now. 
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Keep the shiny side up and the greasy side down!

1973 Honda 500 four "Chopper" - In pieces :P
1977 CB750 K1 "The Fonz" project
2003 Suzuki GZ 250 "Little Horse" -Sold
1981 Yamaha Maxim 550 "Big Red" -Sold
2007 Shadow Spirit 750 "Blaze"


My resto threads: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,152344.0.html
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,166240.0.html

Offline rb550four

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Re: A Long and Painful Restoration
« Reply #10 on: October 20, 2015, 03:06:38 PM »
BB ,
     Welcome . Looks like a good start for a project , what's the overall condition? She run? Why are you breaking it all down? What's the plan?
     I like a nice semi chop. Semi chop meaning the frame has not been cut. Means it can go back to stock, should anyone decide to go that route at a later date. I had  one that I brought back to stock recently.
  I have a 500 that is a little long in the fork,  but not by much so it still handles well...my fave 500. I do have a 55o with long forks like yours...doesn't handle as well.
   It's all fun and games. Keep us posted on your progress.
 
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A few Honda 500's, a few Honda 550's, a few Honda 650's, '72 cb 450, a couple 500/550/650 hybrids, and 2001 750. 
  550 Snowbike -Somebody had to do it.
  http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,101678.0.html             
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,137317.msg1550907.html#msg1550907

Offline Buckskin Bandit

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Re: A Long and Painful Restoration
« Reply #11 on: October 20, 2015, 05:41:13 PM »
RB, overall she's pretty tired.  Rusty gas tank, sticky suspension, very rusty exhaust, and a blown head gasket.  The chrome is all pretty good though, some wd-40 and aluminum foil took care of most of it.   :D

It does not run - yet. 

The plan is to take the motor apart and see what it needs to make it run good.  My brother already cleaned the carbs, they were pretty well full of gum.  The tank isn't too bad, should be able to take care of it with vinegar, like I've seen others on this forum do.  I'd like to keep the look it has now, maybe add some silver ghost flames on the tank. 

Progress will be slow, I'm in college, and don't have a lot of money to throw at it.  Also if you notice in my pics, my driveway doubles as my shop.  The shed that it lives in (with our other 2 bikes) is a tin garden shed and way to small to work  in.

That being said, I want to get it up and running as soon as possible, and will be working on it whenever I can.  ;D
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Keep the shiny side up and the greasy side down!

1973 Honda 500 four "Chopper" - In pieces :P
1977 CB750 K1 "The Fonz" project
2003 Suzuki GZ 250 "Little Horse" -Sold
1981 Yamaha Maxim 550 "Big Red" -Sold
2007 Shadow Spirit 750 "Blaze"


My resto threads: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,152344.0.html
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,166240.0.html

Offline Buckskin Bandit

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Re: A Long and Painful Restoration
« Reply #12 on: October 27, 2015, 06:19:25 PM »
Made a little progress today, we got the motor pulled! Now I need to order gaskets before I start pulling it apart... Also brought the gas tank in, will be picking up vinegar this week to start on that.   :D  Next will be to try and get the forks off, and brought in before it snows. 
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Keep the shiny side up and the greasy side down!

1973 Honda 500 four "Chopper" - In pieces :P
1977 CB750 K1 "The Fonz" project
2003 Suzuki GZ 250 "Little Horse" -Sold
1981 Yamaha Maxim 550 "Big Red" -Sold
2007 Shadow Spirit 750 "Blaze"


My resto threads: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,152344.0.html
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,166240.0.html

Offline Buckskin Bandit

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Re: A Long and Painful Restoration
« Reply #13 on: February 14, 2016, 11:55:14 AM »
Finally got the gas tank filled with vinegar, and a complete engine gasket set ordered. 

School has been keeping me extremely busy, and haven't had much (any) time to work on the bike.. :'(

Didn't get the forks brought in before winter, but the weatherman is saying it might warm up to the forty's next weekend, so maybe then..
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Keep the shiny side up and the greasy side down!

1973 Honda 500 four "Chopper" - In pieces :P
1977 CB750 K1 "The Fonz" project
2003 Suzuki GZ 250 "Little Horse" -Sold
1981 Yamaha Maxim 550 "Big Red" -Sold
2007 Shadow Spirit 750 "Blaze"


My resto threads: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,152344.0.html
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,166240.0.html

Offline Buckskin Bandit

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A Chopper "warm over"
« Reply #14 on: February 20, 2016, 02:02:10 PM »
Finally got my tank dumped out and neutralized!  ;D ::)
Will post pics of before and after eventually..
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Keep the shiny side up and the greasy side down!

1973 Honda 500 four "Chopper" - In pieces :P
1977 CB750 K1 "The Fonz" project
2003 Suzuki GZ 250 "Little Horse" -Sold
1981 Yamaha Maxim 550 "Big Red" -Sold
2007 Shadow Spirit 750 "Blaze"


My resto threads: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,152344.0.html
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,166240.0.html

Offline Buckskin Bandit

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Re: A Chopper "warm over"
« Reply #15 on: February 25, 2016, 08:28:49 AM »
Now I have a new clutch, and oil seals, and my engine gasket set arrived today!  8)
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Keep the shiny side up and the greasy side down!

1973 Honda 500 four "Chopper" - In pieces :P
1977 CB750 K1 "The Fonz" project
2003 Suzuki GZ 250 "Little Horse" -Sold
1981 Yamaha Maxim 550 "Big Red" -Sold
2007 Shadow Spirit 750 "Blaze"


My resto threads: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,152344.0.html
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,166240.0.html

Offline Buckskin Bandit

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Re: A Chopper "warm over"
« Reply #16 on: April 06, 2016, 08:04:39 AM »
This is what the gas tank looked like when I started.. I still don't have an after picture.  >:( Guess I need to focus less on school and work on my bike!  ;D Think I'll sell my 250 (Little Horse) so I can have a little larger budget for my Honda... The engine is still sitting in the basement, untouched since I pulled it...
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Keep the shiny side up and the greasy side down!

1973 Honda 500 four "Chopper" - In pieces :P
1977 CB750 K1 "The Fonz" project
2003 Suzuki GZ 250 "Little Horse" -Sold
1981 Yamaha Maxim 550 "Big Red" -Sold
2007 Shadow Spirit 750 "Blaze"


My resto threads: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,152344.0.html
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,166240.0.html

Offline rb550four

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Re: A Chopper "warm over"
« Reply #17 on: April 06, 2016, 12:18:12 PM »
Hey, you sure you have the right bike? The last 2 bikes might start with an "H", but they don't say Honda....just sayin.
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A few Honda 500's, a few Honda 550's, a few Honda 650's, '72 cb 450, a couple 500/550/650 hybrids, and 2001 750. 
  550 Snowbike -Somebody had to do it.
  http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,101678.0.html             
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,137317.msg1550907.html#msg1550907

Offline Buckskin Bandit

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Re: A Chopper "warm over"
« Reply #18 on: April 06, 2016, 05:58:30 PM »
Quote from: rb550four on April 06, 2016, 12:18:12 PM
Hey, you sure you have the right bike? The last 2 bikes might start with an "H", but they don't say Honda....just sayin.

I was just trying to get the overall chopper appearance that I want, and can't explain with words..  Mine will be cooler than either of those cause it IS a Honda!!  ;D  ;)
« Last Edit: April 06, 2016, 06:00:44 PM by Buckskin Bandit »
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Keep the shiny side up and the greasy side down!

1973 Honda 500 four "Chopper" - In pieces :P
1977 CB750 K1 "The Fonz" project
2003 Suzuki GZ 250 "Little Horse" -Sold
1981 Yamaha Maxim 550 "Big Red" -Sold
2007 Shadow Spirit 750 "Blaze"


My resto threads: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,152344.0.html
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,166240.0.html

Offline Buckskin Bandit

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Re: A Chopper "warm over"
« Reply #19 on: April 10, 2016, 08:17:16 AM »
Got the breather cover off the motor on Friday.. Hopefully get farther today.
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Keep the shiny side up and the greasy side down!

1973 Honda 500 four "Chopper" - In pieces :P
1977 CB750 K1 "The Fonz" project
2003 Suzuki GZ 250 "Little Horse" -Sold
1981 Yamaha Maxim 550 "Big Red" -Sold
2007 Shadow Spirit 750 "Blaze"


My resto threads: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,152344.0.html
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,166240.0.html
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