Author Topic: 1972 "CB525" Backyard Rescue (Read 27446 times)

grcamna2 · « **Reply #75 on:** February 11, 2016, 02:41:26 PM »

Quote from: wowbagger on February 11, 2016, 01:58:21 PM

I've been pleased with it for the price. My only complaint would be that the vice grips will damage my stand over time. I may end up getting the magnetic mount in the long run.

How well does that flexible stand 'tighten up' to hold your dial indicator ?

wowbagger · « **Reply #76 on:** February 11, 2016, 02:47:23 PM »

It holds it very well. If I do get a magnetic base, I will move the flex stand over to it.

wowbagger · « **Reply #77 on:** February 19, 2016, 04:27:44 PM »

Made a bit more progress this week. I got another load of parts sandblasted and ready for powder. I got the jugs, head and cam cover through the first round of sonic cleaning and scrubbing.

As for pictures, I cut, fit and powdered the new seat cover tack strip and got them installed:

I also sorted out my ignition switch which wasn't working. With the key in the "on" or "park" positions, I had no continuity from the red battery wire to any of the other wires. After tearing it apart, I found that the battery lead had corroded away and no longer made contact with the switch.

A bit of solder and some 220 grit sand paper resolved the issue.

I've been avoiding finishing the wheels because it's such a tedious job but I really need to just get them done. That's the only thing keeping me from making this a roller again. It will be nice to see it standing on its own again.

wowbagger · « **Reply #78 on:** February 22, 2016, 06:59:09 AM »

The seat pan edge was a bit sharp and jagged for my comfort. I grabbed some screen spline, cut a split in it lengthwise and used it to wrap the edge. I used a few very small dabs of silicone to hold it in place.

I also got some more powder coating done.

wowbagger · « **Reply #79 on:** February 23, 2016, 06:30:07 PM »

Well, crap.....

My replacement top tree is now also scrap. After sliding the fork tubes in and properly installing the D washers, I started tightening the pinch bolt but the fork clamp cracked after only about a 1/4 turn. it must have had a hairline fracture in it that I didn't notice before powdering. Time to walk away and have a beer before something else breaks.

Jeffro93 · « **Reply #80 on:** February 23, 2016, 07:13:50 PM »

Walking away was a wise choice. Now I'm going to be paranoid about mine.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

wowbagger · « **Reply #81 on:** February 23, 2016, 07:16:38 PM »

I think the powder on the inside of the clamp was (at least part of) the cause. I will make sure to tape off the inside rim on the next set.

wowbagger · « **Reply #82 on:** February 24, 2016, 04:29:54 AM »

Thanks cal, that makes me feel a bit better. I was able to find a replacement in the parts section and nicks2319 already has it shipped out. I am yet again convinced that this forum is downright invaluable.

wowbagger · « **Reply #83 on:** February 24, 2016, 06:09:57 PM »

Well, progress for progress' sake. I finished the front wheel today. It'll be ready to mount as soon as I powder the front fender. Though, I'm still on the fence about the fender's and tank. I can't decide if I should just do them all in black with OEM-like silver "knee dent" ovals on the tank or if I should run a silver stripe down all three. This is when I wish I was better at photoshop than I am.

wowbagger · « **Reply #84 on:** March 01, 2016, 04:57:24 PM »

I finally got the seat cover on. Those upholstery strips worked amazingly well. It came out better than I expected a $25 eBay cover to look. It's sitting a little funny in the photo because I just set it on top of the frame and the seat latch held it up. I'm not quite ready to fully install it yet.

I decided to just go with black fenders for simplicity's sake. I am, however, going to cut the front fender down some more. Someone had already cut the front shorter and removed the front fender strut. I think keeping the rear strut just make it look weird. So, I'll cut back the rear of the fender until it looks balanced again.

To save you from having to hunt back through the thread, here's a photo of the fender before disassembly:

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #85 on:** March 01, 2016, 05:05:34 PM »

The seat turned out well!

Stev-o · « **Reply #86 on:** March 01, 2016, 06:15:02 PM »

Quote from: CB750 Cafe Racer Fan on March 01, 2016, 05:05:34 PM

The seat turned out well!

+1...nice job!

wowbagger · « **Reply #87 on:** March 14, 2016, 12:04:56 PM »

Work progresses, albeit slowly. I finished the jugs and got those reinstalled:

As far as my top bridge goes, the first one was poorly welded, the second one cracked after I powdered coated it, the third one was the wrong model, burned down, fell over and then sank into the swamp. But the fourth one stayed up. And that's what.......I'm using

For some reason, some of my aluminum parts are coming out glossier than others even though I am using the same powder and application/baking process. I'm going ahead with it and hoping it will be less noticeable once everything is all together.

I also got the rear fender powdered and reinstalled. Though, I really hate the stock tail light. So, I'm tearing it off and am going to mount a spare Lucas light that I have. Hopefully, it will look better:

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #88 on:** March 14, 2016, 12:17:48 PM »

I like the finish of the powdercoat but I agree as to the size of the stock taillight. A Lucas light will look better, but I'm probably biased since I used the same shaped light.

wowbagger · « **Reply #89 on:** March 14, 2016, 12:34:43 PM »

Yeah, I have an old axle mount plate with a lucas light on it. I'm going to try cutting off the stock license plate bracket and mount the axle plate mount without the 90 degree bracket straight to the stock tail light bracket. Hopefilly it looks decent. Otherwise, I'll just pick up a new lucas light with mount and use that.

This is what I have to work with:

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #90 on:** March 14, 2016, 02:04:44 PM »

If not, maybe you can source the angled-to-the-fender mount.

wowbagger · « **Reply #91 on:** March 14, 2016, 02:10:15 PM »

Yeah, I would most likely grab another one like the light I put on my other CB500.

wowbagger · « **Reply #92 on:** March 17, 2016, 06:10:11 PM »

Some more progress. I found a rust hole in the front fender underneath the strut. Since the front of the fender had already been chopped I didn't feel so bad about cutting off a bit more. I tried to leave enough so that it's still useful but not so much that I would need to refit the strut. I this I can live with the results.

I also finished modifying the tail light. It's still a tad on the tall side for my taste but it's far better than the stock light and didn't cost me anything but time. I think I'll like it more once the seat and wheel are back on.

Stev-o · « **Reply #93 on:** March 17, 2016, 07:51:05 PM »

Looks good! You more than got your money's worth.

knottedknickers · « **Reply #94 on:** March 18, 2016, 01:08:47 PM »

Quote from: wowbagger on January 19, 2016, 10:28:17 AM

I figured it was about time for me to write a "How To" on how I true spoked wheels after having completely disassembled and reassembled them. Most methods I've seen are fairly imprecise and lend to the myth that wheel truing is some form of black magic. So here we go:

<snip>

This needs to be 'stickied' in Proven Tricks 'n Tips > Wheels & Tires (Tyres)![/list]

wowbagger · « **Reply #95 on:** April 01, 2016, 06:15:13 AM »

Quote from: knottedknickers on March 18, 2016, 01:08:47 PM

This needs to be 'stickied' in Proven Tricks 'n Tips > Wheels & Tires (Tyres)![/list]

Thanks for the vote of confidence. Hopefully someone finds it useful.

wowbagger · « **Reply #96 on:** April 01, 2016, 06:21:48 AM »

Well, work progresses.........slowly. I finally got the rear wheel trued. This has been the biggest bear of a wheel I have ever trued. It's still not perfect but it's close enough that it shouldn't affect tire wear or ride comfort. Now I just need to mount the sprocket and tire.

I also got the head torn down and powdered:

And the turn signals/mirrors mounted:

After rooting around in a few attics and basements, I've also come up with enough spare parts to go with dual front disks. I powdered the rotor and caliper assembly and am now working on locating a larger master cylinder to support the extra disk.

On a side note, does anyone know what model bike these calipers came off of? The fins on them are not standard SOHC CB calipers and the bleeder screw is larger than normal as well. I need to find bleeders that will fit both of them as the hex head on both were stripped off.

Stev-o · « **Reply #97 on:** April 01, 2016, 06:28:59 AM »

Looks great, wish I had the equip and space to powder. That caliper looks like my 750 K4.

wowbagger · « **Reply #98 on:** April 01, 2016, 06:40:55 AM »

Thanks Steve-O. It's not my equipment. I just happen to have a very generous friend that owns a bike shop and lets me have free reign of his gear.

Also, thanks for identifying the caliper. That was exactly what I needed:
http://www.cmsnl.com/honda-cb750-four-k4-1974-usa_model482/bleeder_45109300003/

Also, in case anyone was concerned, those yellow rims in the background are not for this bike. Those are going on a friend's Kenny Roberts inspired XS1100. Here's a shot of them all done.

wowbagger · « **Reply #99 on:** April 02, 2016, 08:20:25 AM »

Finally finished the rear wheel:

It appears that Honda wants $14~ each for those bleeder screws. After a bit of digging, I found that they are 35mm M10x1.25. Turns out that O'Reiley's Auto Parts sells a two pack for $2.20. They fit just as well as the OE ones.

For the record, they are BrakeBest part #H9421-2

And one more off topic photo. This showed up at the bike shop to get modified and powder coated red today. It is destined to be the new bar tap at a local establishment:

News:

Author Topic: 1972 "CB525" Backyard Rescue (Read 27446 times)