Topic: 1973 CB350F "Modest Original" build

[iiAtlas]

An update - will be away all weekend picking up more motorcycles!  Back monday at which point I will wash my carbs.  I'm planing on boiling in Simple Green Aircraft Cleaner, then doing a final bath in Berryman's Carb-dip.  Should do nicely.  In the meantime I'm tracking down a good local source to powder coat my frame (once I get the engine out).  I've been told "your powder coat is only as good as your prep" ie sand blast, so I've been thinking I may have them blast it while it's there.  I have the ability to do small parts, but my setup is not ideal.  We'll see, depends on cost.  That's all for now!  Wish me luck on the bike pickup...

[iiAtlas]

Just got back from a long but great trip it Iowa!  Much to my pleasure, a few bits and bobs began to arrive.  Some JIS screwdrivers, carb-dip, but most importantly - my Hagon rear shocks!



Holding off opening them until my 4into1 order ships (on hold until they receive the Dyna S ignition).  It's going to be like Christmas morning!  I've also taken into consideration what you all were saying about the clip ons so I went ahead and ordered superbike bars.  I'm keeping the clip on order too so I'll be able to look at both and see which I prefer.  I'm leaning towards the superbikes...

I also tracked down a seat I like.







Here's a link to the guys build.  Trying to track down who made it!

Waiting on my aircraft cleaner before I get going on the carb clean, should be here later this week.  Now that I have the screwdrivers I may take a stab at getting the engine out.

[iiAtlas]

I decided to try to get my engine out last night.  My #3 JIS impact screwdriver arrived and WOW is it nice.  If it weren't for this tool there is no way I would've been able to get any of these screws out.  Some were completely rounded out and rusted stuck but came out with little fuss.  Amazing!





They're not cheap (about $17) but I can tell you they are well worth it.  The quality is top notch and the functionality is great.  I couldn't recomend this bad boy enough! http://www.vesseltools.com/hand-tools/screwdrivers/impact/980-series/flypage.tpl.html I have a single use 10% off code which I'd love to share with anyone interested so please PM me if you'd like it!

Okay...enough gushing about the screwdriver.  I was able to get all the engine covers off as some of you mentioned it was easier to do with the engine in.



From there I removed all the hanger bolts.  They came out pretty easy.  I already had the oil filter cover off as well as most of the other bits connecting to the engine (throttle & clutch cables, electrical, tach, etc) so I decided to try to get lift her out.  Holy moly is that difficult.  I had the frame sitting on a dolly and I was trying to lift/slide the engine out onto another one.  No luck.  It would move freely but kept getting snagged on various things.  Finally it dawned on me that there was no way the engine would clear the frame with the oil pan on...d'oh!  Of course now that I had it off the hangers it was quite difficult to reach the bolts.  I was able to get 9/10 out without a problem.  The 10th however was completely rounded out.  I've never been more frustrated!



This is the front most bolt on the oil pan, the one with very little clearance on either side.  I had a think profile m10 socket which would fit in there no problem, but it kept spinning out as the head was totally round.  I had everything set up in a pretty silly way to get access to the bolt but it worked okay...





I tried all sorts of things to get it out.  Hammers, free-all, different sockets, hammers with sockets, I even tried to cut a slot in it with a dremel so I could stick a flat head screwdriver in there...



No luck.  I'd love any suggestions as to what to do next!  The engine is currently just sitting there off the bolts.  I don't think I can get it out with the oil pan on so I will need to remove this bolt.  Thanks guys!

[Godffery]

Just drill the head off, you'll have plenty of bolt left to get a grip on when the pan is off.

Also; I think I may know the guy that built that seat you like?  I'll do a little digging and LYK.

[iiAtlas]

Just drill the head off, you'll have plenty of bolt left to get a grip on when the pan is off.

Also; I think I may know the guy that built that seat you like?  I'll do a little digging and LYK.

Drill the bold off straight through into the oil pan?  My only fear is mangling the threads but I guess I just have to chose the right size bit and make sure I line up straight, right?  Never done this before! 

Thanks for the seat search help!  If you know the guy thats great, or anyone who can make something similar.  Thanks Godffery!

[seanbarney41]

Just drill the head off, you'll have plenty of bolt left to get a grip on when the pan is off.

Also; I think I may know the guy that built that seat you like?  I'll do a little digging and LYK.

Drill the bold off straight through into the oil pan?  My only fear is mangling the threads but I guess I just have to chose the right size bit and make sure I line up straight, right?  Never done this before! 

Thanks for the seat search help!  If you know the guy thats great, or anyone who can make something similar.  Thanks Godffery!

no no...just drill the head only, off. Then the oil pan comes off and you can turn the screw stub out with vice grips

[calj737]

2 things: lay the bike on some magazines/towels on its right side (resting on the points cover). Then lift the frame off the motor. Even with the oil pan on, it comes away.

Use a Left Hand drill bit to remove that bolt. Drilling into the center, keeping the bit diameter smaller than 5/16 and you'll be fine.

To reinstall the motor, reverse the top step 

[iiAtlas]

2 things: lay the bike on some magazines/towels on its right side (resting on the points cover). Then lift the frame off the motor. Even with the oil pan on, it comes away.

Use a Left Hand drill bit to remove that bolt. Drilling into the center, keeping the bit diameter smaller than 5/16 and you'll be fine.

To reinstall the motor, reverse the top step 

Lifesaver! On phone, will do more of a write up shortly.

[Godffery]

 What He said... Just the head.

Got a link to the builder : http://www.motomucci.com/p/info.html
He's in the Chicago area, about an hr form me.
I also recommend this guy:
Tell'em Godffery sent you! http://theseatguyjon.com/

[Godffery]

 I also found his FB page:
https://www.facebook.com/DSMucci?hc_location=ufi

[iiAtlas]

Just drill the head off, you'll have plenty of bolt left to get a grip on when the pan is off.

Also; I think I may know the guy that built that seat you like?  I'll do a little digging and LYK.

Drill the bold off straight through into the oil pan?  My only fear is mangling the threads but I guess I just have to chose the right size bit and make sure I line up straight, right?  Never done this before! 

Thanks for the seat search help!  If you know the guy thats great, or anyone who can make something similar.  Thanks Godffery!

no no...just drill the head only, off. Then the oil pan comes off and you can turn the screw stub out with vice grips

D'oh! Makes sense to me...hadn't thought of that.  Makes sense to me.

What He said... Just the head.

Got a link to the builder : http://www.motomucci.com/p/info.html
He's in the Chicago area, about an hr form me.
I also recommend this guy:
Tell'em Godffery sent you! http://theseatguyjon.com/

I also found his FB page:
https://www.facebook.com/DSMucci?hc_location=ufi

Thanks for those links!  I'll reach out to those guys and see what they can do.

--

As for the engine, she's out!  Thanks for the tip calj, it makes complete sense and made the whole process a total breeze.  Can't believe I hadn't thought of it before!  I rested it on the side and shimmied the frame out.  No prob.  Let me know if the way I have my engine resting looks bad.





Now that I had more access to the frame and easier mobility I got to removing a few remaining things to prep for blasting and powder coat.  Things like the kickstand, mounts, etc.  I also removed the steering assembly.  Much to my surprise...ball bearings, everywhere!  Shoot!  That was REALLY stupid...they went flying all over the show.  I managed to pick them all up, or so I think.



Two sets of 18, one top one bottom - 36 in total.  I doubt somebody knows how many I should have off hand but this looked about right.  Anyways, next up more cleaning!  Aircraft cleaner and carb-dip arrived today so I should be able to get started on the carbs!

[calj737]

You will be replacing those ball bearings with tapered steering bearings, so ditch them. The races they sit in also need to be drifted out of the steering neck as the new bearings will come with their own races.

So now that you scoured the floor on your hands and knees, you can bin them. 

[iiAtlas]

You will be replacing those ball bearings with tapered steering bearings, so ditch them. The races they sit in also need to be drifted out of the steering neck as the new bearings will come with their own races.

So now that you scoured the floor on your hands and knees, you can bin them. 

Hah I thought as much.  The bearing upgrade sounds great!  I more didn't want to catch one in the middle of the night and land on my rear end!! 

EDIT:  Been looking around, what do you think of "All Balls" tapered roller bearings? http://www.allballsracing.com/22-1011.html

[Godffery]

 I'll give "All Balls" 2 big thumbs up.

Update on that seat:
 I just got a call from Tony Prust of Analog Motorcycles, He built that seat pan and modified the sub frame for Dave.
http://www.analogmotorcycles.com/feature/who-is-analog-motorcycles/

[mycoal]

What colors are these two tanks?

[iiAtlas]

I'll give "All Balls" 2 big thumbs up.

Update on that seat:
 I just got a call from Tony Prust of Analog Motorcycles, He built that seat pan and modified the sub frame for Dave.
http://www.analogmotorcycles.com/feature/who-is-analog-motorcycles/

Awesome!! Thanks Godffery, I appreciate the help!  I'll see if I can get in touch with Tony.  Would be pretty cool if he could make mine too!  I'll let him know Godffery sent me 

Ordering those all balls tapered bearings now!  Installation doesn't look too difficult.  Will be nice to not have to replace those 36 ball bearings...hah

What colors are these two tanks?

Hi Mycoal!  The top one is my CB350F tank, it's the stock paint.  Here's what a complete one looks like...



Here's a link to the build of that other bike http://thebikeshed.cc/2014/07/26/kaspers-cb350/.  Here's the relevant passage on tank paint.

The botched tank needed replacing but alas the replacement found had also been treated to a self spray. After dipping the new tank in acetone Kasper discovered the lovely 70’s avocado green scheme that had been scrubbed back to accept the boring black overcoat. A fruitless search for the original colour codes led to a different approach, “I carefully sanded the tank down all over still keeping the original colour, then I painted the original decals right on the tank and coated it with 5 coats of clear..”

--

A question for you all.  Should I remove my swing arm from the frame before powder coat?  Thanks!

[calj737]

Definitely remove the swing arm. And remove the bushings from it, powder coat, then replace the bushings.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Definitely remove the swing arm. And remove the bushings from it, powder coat, then replace the bushings.

Yes!!!

[iiAtlas]

Definitely remove the swing arm. And remove the bushings from it, powder coat, then replace the bushings.

Definitely remove the swing arm. And remove the bushings from it, powder coat, then replace the bushings.

Yes!!!

Will do! That can be tonights projects, those bolts are on there good and tight.

[calj737]

Yeah, they're supposed to be. Its a kind of a safety feature thing... Easiest to use 2 people. One on a side holding still with a hex wrench, the other manning an impact. Hold tight is my advice. Removing the collar an bushing demands some "tricks" and not force. Let us know when you get it apart and its condition.

[iiAtlas]

Yeah, they're supposed to be. Its a kind of a safety feature thing... Easiest to use 2 people. One on a side holding still with a hex wrench, the other manning an impact. Hold tight is my advice. Removing the collar an bushing demands some "tricks" and not force. Let us know when you get it apart and its condition.

Thanks for the tips, I'm sure they'll be needed...will report back later tonight.

[iiAtlas]

Easy peasy!



Hit it with some free all, grabbed one side with a socket and held the other with a monkey wrench.  The two of us clamped down and she came off without much fuss.  That was a relief!  The frame is almost ready to be blasted and coated now.





My only step before I get it done is grinding off some of the unused tabs.  Problem is, I'm not sure which ones I don't want yet!  I'm pretty sure I'll remove the ones which hold the side covers w/ emblem - mainly because I can't find a good set of side covers.  There may be one or two I can remove by the seat, but that'll have to wait until I come up with a seat pan.  I guess I'm still a few steps away from finished with the frame, but the heavy lifting is done.  Just need to work out the details.

In other news...look what I found!



The final ball bearing, sweet!  I felt myself step on something and lo-and-behold here she was.  I'm glad I found it mainly because it means its not somewhere it shouldn't be!  Bagged and tagged it even though I've just gone ahead and ordered a set of All Balls tapered roller bearings. 

[calj737]

Member Frankenfrankenstuff sells them http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,74022.msg822417.html#msg822417
http://www.fb-stuff.com/

[iiAtlas]

Member Frankenfrankenstuff sells them http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,74022.msg822417.html#msg822417
http://www.fb-stuff.com/

Wow, awesome! Thanks for the link. Will have to consider how I want the bike to look. I think once I can mock up the carbs on with the new air filter I'll know more whether I want to highlight or cover up that void.

[iiAtlas]

While I'm ordering the All Balls tapered steering bearing (22-1011) should I also go ahead and order anything else from them?  Can bundle the shipping and make it cheaper.  They sell a front and rear wheel bearing seal kit, as well as a set of fork seals.  Thoughts?