Author Topic: From Sh*tty to Shiny: Sbeckman7's CB350F Cafe Resto (Read 65702 times)

grcamna2 · « **Reply #125 on:** February 08, 2016, 04:09:59 PM »

Quote from: sbeckman7 on February 07, 2016, 03:53:31 PM

I think I will try to source a new set rather than spend the time and money trying to bring these ones back.. :/ Who's selling?!

You would also have the option to buy just the parts you need to rebuild the ones you have that are So rough,but it might take time to find all the pieces. There's still a lot of good parts on those carbs. even though they are rough.

sbeckman7 · « **Reply #126 on:** February 08, 2016, 07:09:22 PM »

I think at this point I will get the newly rebuilt carbs and then keep mine for spares or sell them for whatever they're worth.

An update on the frame: I've been thinking more about my goals in terms of how I want the frame to look. Sanding/brushing the bare metal probably won't come out on this weathered frame as I had hoped it would, even after a thorough sandblasting. It still has pitting and some areas where the metal reflects different amount of light after being brushed, giving it a somewhat "patchy" feel. For this reason I am starting to reconsider and thinking about going with a metallic bright silver (or a metallic grey) instead of clear coating the bare metal. I feel like - for the time I am putting into this project - it would yield a more "finished" look in the end.

I was planning on matching the gas tank with the frame as well (originally was going to brush a bare steel tank). This presented complications because my tank currently has a large dent in it and a few scratches. I would pretty much have to start with a pristine tank to make this happen ($$$). Another reason I may prefer to powder coat in a solid color.

calj737 · « **Reply #127 on:** February 08, 2016, 07:50:02 PM »

Fixing the dent isn't that hard. And once the tank shell is straight, a raw metal look can be pretty tight.

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #128 on:** February 08, 2016, 07:52:39 PM »

That bare metal looks great. Just a coat of clear to protect it from rust and it's a winner.

sbeckman7 · « **Reply #129 on:** February 08, 2016, 08:02:43 PM »

That tank does look great. I would love for it to work, but my dent is about 20 times larger than that Cal. Maybe i can get lucky haha

Still not sure on the frame. I suspect I will get a better idea after the second round of frame sand-blasting. Need to get it spotless!

grcamna2 · « **Reply #130 on:** February 08, 2016, 08:18:55 PM »

Do you have a shot of the dent ?

sbeckman7 · « **Reply #131 on:** February 08, 2016, 08:28:29 PM »

Quote from: grcamna2 on February 08, 2016, 08:18:55 PM

Do you have a shot of the dent ?

Voila:

There are a few more smaller dents on the sides but just kinda "the usual."

grcamna2 · « **Reply #132 on:** February 08, 2016, 09:08:03 PM »

That sure is a heavy dent,it looks like something dropped on the bike.

sbeckman7 · « **Reply #133 on:** February 08, 2016, 10:23:02 PM »

Quote from: grcamna2 on February 08, 2016, 09:08:03 PM

That sure is a heavy dent,it looks like something dropped on the bike.

Yup... not sure what kind of magic it would take to get that looking nice again as a bare metal tank. Maybe a little too much magic

calj737 · « **Reply #134 on:** February 09, 2016, 03:10:36 AM »

That is an easy dent to fix actually, because its not creased. It looks to indeed be the result of a "push" which makes a large bowl, and can be "pushed" or "pulled" back out. The filler neck is also mashed down, that gets pulled up too. The small "A" dent at the right rear of the tank is hardest, but still pretty easy to make right.

Once in bare metal, any scuffs, scratches or heat marks (the tank I linked earlier had all of those) are easily removed with ScotchBrite pads an air drive n die grinder. Takes about 15' to make them look right in bare metal (after the dent work), if thats the look you seek. Chemically strip that tank because I bet there's already gobs of body filler beneath that paint. It all has to go so you can see the extent of the dents.

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #135 on:** February 09, 2016, 09:09:42 AM »

Cal,

Do you use a dent puller that welds in pull rods for something that pronounced?

calj737 · « **Reply #136 on:** February 09, 2016, 09:15:18 AM »

No, I'd push it from inside, or worst case, drill an access hole in the bottom, push it out, then weld her up with a cut plug. TIG, grind smooth, never the wiser. I've done a bunch of them over the past few years. Many, lots worse than that one. I think maybe SulphurDave's tank was the worst because it was rotted so badly along the side panels. He got the tank with a RedKote liner in it, then tried to get it out. Not so much... So I spent a great deal of time un-lining it only to discover a rotted panel, huge dents in the front shoulders, a filled dent (like the one above) and then did an enormous of amount of patching and welding.

By the time I was done, it held about 2.1 more gallons of gas and weighed about 7# less.

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #137 on:** February 09, 2016, 09:25:20 AM »

Quote from: calj737 on February 09, 2016, 09:15:18 AM

No, I'd push it from inside, or worst case, drill an access hole in the bottom, push it out, then weld her up with a cut plug. TIG, grind smooth, never the wiser. I've done a bunch of them over the past few years. Many, lots worse than that one. I think maybe SulphurDave's tank was the worst because it was rotted so badly along the side panels. He got the tank with a RedKote liner in it, then tried to get it out. Not so much... So I spent a great deal of time un-lining it only to discover a rotted panel, huge dents in the front shoulders, a filled dent (like the one above) and then did an enormous of amount of patching and welding.

By the time I was done, it held about 2.1 more gallons of gas and weighed about 7# less.

That's a LOT of patch and liner!

calj737 · « **Reply #138 on:** February 09, 2016, 09:26:10 AM »

Enough so that is was probably worth 10BHP

sbeckman7 · « **Reply #139 on:** February 09, 2016, 10:25:33 AM »

Quote from: calj737 on February 09, 2016, 09:26:10 AM

Enough so that is was probably worth 10BHP

You, sir, are an inspiration. You're also making a lot more work for me! But keeping my original vision intact

I'll see what I can do about it

sbeckman7 · « **Reply #140 on:** February 10, 2016, 06:43:38 PM »

Frame Sand Blasting = Complete!

Now begins the long and tedious process of brushing the frame, hopefully with cold beer

I got some more shop time today at the local community college and was also able to blast the rear brake linkage, side engine mount, ignition bracket, and a few other odds and ends. While I plan on completing the first round of powder coating (black pieces) next Wednesday, I am left with two options for the frame: Try it myself with a powder coat cost of ~$100 or send it out to have it professional done for $150. Given that my shop time may soon become more limited, I am tempted to send the frame out to be shot in the clear coat. This could give me the weekend to prep it (brushing with scotchbrite and sandpaper) and have it sent out Monday.

I left the VIN tag on and blasted carefully around it. Just missed a little paint at the top but I can get that with sanding

One thing I'm not happy about: there are some small holes on the frame brackets, likely from corrosion... Fill with weld?

Parts that arrived today: Stem bearing kit from All Balls Racing. I really need to get that frame powder coated!

My flex-hone should arrive tomorrow as well, excited to try it out on the cylinders and see how they feel/look after.

grcamna2 · « **Reply #141 on:** February 10, 2016, 06:54:09 PM »

Those corrosion holes you posted pics of in that area,is that the worst area of corrosion on the frame ?

sbeckman7 · « **Reply #142 on:** February 10, 2016, 06:58:52 PM »

Quote from: grcamna2 on February 10, 2016, 06:54:09 PM

Those corrosion holes you posted pics of in that area,is that the worst area of corrosion on the frame ?

Yep, pretty much the only area actually.

grcamna2 · « **Reply #143 on:** February 10, 2016, 08:40:28 PM »

Quote from: sbeckman7 on February 10, 2016, 06:58:52 PM

Quote from: grcamna2 on February 10, 2016, 06:54:09 PM
Those corrosion holes you posted pics of in that area,is that the worst area of corrosion on the frame ?

Yep, pretty much the only area actually.

I'm not a welder but if I was to guess I'd say you should take that to a good welder and ask them to test how thick that area still is.I think it had standing water inside the frame in that area and should be treated with care.

MoMo · « **Reply #144 on:** February 10, 2016, 08:56:59 PM »

I would tap the area with a ball peen hammer to see how structurally sound it seems to be. I would not worry about it as there is an awful lot of 'beef" around those pits.

calj737 · « **Reply #145 on:** February 10, 2016, 09:04:04 PM »

Quote from: grcamna2 on February 10, 2016, 08:40:28 PM

I'm not a welder but if I was to guess I'd say you should take that to a good welder and ask them to test how thick that area still is.

It's as thick as it ever was. Those pinholes are common on the smaller frames due to water collecting outside the flange. Fill it or not, once its powder coated it won't matter (powder will infiltrate the frame in that open area). If you have access to a TIG, tack it up. The metal is thin in those flanges so don't burn through or you'll be chasing the weld a long way.

grcamna2 · « **Reply #146 on:** February 10, 2016, 09:07:01 PM »

PC will benefit that frame.

sbeckman7 · « **Reply #147 on:** February 10, 2016, 09:11:40 PM »

That's good to hear. I can weld it myself actually - provided I have access to a welder - to fill in the little spots. I'll see if that can happen in the next week or so.

Trad · « **Reply #148 on:** February 10, 2016, 10:26:39 PM »

Cal, do you have all those fancy PDR rod's? That was a pretty flawless job you did on that tank. WOW!

calj737 · « **Reply #149 on:** February 11, 2016, 04:02:44 AM »

Quote from: Trad on February 10, 2016, 10:26:39 PM

Cal, do you have all those fancy PDR rod's? That was a pretty flawless job you did on that tank. WOW!

I've bought a couple of staples, and made a few custom ones. A good buddy (recently deceased) was a 25 year Master Class PDR guy. He taught me what I needed to learn after doing/showing me on a few tanks and some of my cars (soccer tournaments are hell on your 1/4 panels and door skins in case you're wondering).

There's really no magic to it, but there is some "art" if you will. Its about finding leverage, using light/shadows and having the tank (I made a jig welded to a piece of I beam clamped in my bench vise) mounted securely where you can lean on it as needed.

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Author Topic: From Sh*tty to Shiny: Sbeckman7's CB350F Cafe Resto (Read 65702 times)