Topic: From Sh*tty to Shiny: Sbeckman7's CB350F Cafe Resto

[Bootsey]

I have no personal experience, but piston & ring kits from cruizin image have been used quite a bit by 750 owners here, as well as  500/550's & other models. From what people have written, they seem like decent quality.

[sbeckman7]

I have no personal experience, but piston & ring kits from cruizin image have been used quite a bit by 750 owners here, as well as  500/550's & other models. From what people have written, they seem like decent quality.

That's very comforting to hear!  And it's pretty hard to beat their price too, thanks for the feedback.

[sbeckman7]

Last night I decided to just go ahead and order the eBay rings; they should be here in 1-2 weeks.  In the meantime, I'm working on another exhaust option.  The MotoGPWerks Yoshi Replica is no longer an option as I learned after the exhaust was completed that the actual price is $500 and not the $100 listed on the website... That was a real bummer but it gives me the option to take a much quieter route, which I think I'll enjoy after riding the loud Triumph for a few months now.  I know I still want a 4-1 so I'm thinking the MAC header and muffler for the time being, but ultimately I may look at different muffler options.

EDIT: That also means if anyone with a CB400F or 350F wants one of the MotoGPWerks exhausts, there is one currently made and available.  Here is a link to the page (note price is 500 and not 100!!) http://www.motogpwerks.com/shop/exhausts/version-1-4-1-system/honda/cb400f-1974-1976.html

[sbeckman7]

Back in the garage and it feels great     Look what came yesterday:


I began installing them this afternoon when a question popped up.  On the packet it says to instal rings with the marked side facing up (both compression rings have a "T" stamped on them, no "R's" to speak of) so I did that, but the two compression rings themselves are noticeably different.  One is all black and is more "expanded," and the other has a silver coating on the outside and is more closed.  I figured the all black one would be the top ring as it will have the most compression force, explaining why its slightly more open when uninstalled.  Do you guys buy that?

Also, I re-honed the cylinder with the scratches in it.  After a few more passes the scratches are visible but I can't really feel them with my fingernail so I'm going to say it's ok.  Measurement of the new rings after the hone is impressive with 0.3mm end gap!

[grcamna2]

The silver coated one(chrome or other hard coating) is usually the top ring as it gets a bit more wear out front,and the black one w/ more spring to it should go second from the top,it helps to control some oil film plus keep pressure up.

[sbeckman7]

The silver coated one(chrome or other hard coating) is usually the top ring as it gets a bit more wear out front,and the black one w/ more spring to it should go second from the top,it helps to control some oil film plus keep pressure up.

Glad I asked Thank you grcamna2!

[Bootsey]

This is from the Clymers manual if it happens to help.

[zammykoo]

Last night I decided to just go ahead and order the eBay rings; they should be here in 1-2 weeks.  In the meantime, I'm working on another exhaust option.  The MotoGPWerks Yoshi Replica is no longer an option as I learned after the exhaust was completed that the actual price is $500 and not the $100 listed on the website... That was a real bummer but it gives me the option to take a much quieter route, which I think I'll enjoy after riding the loud Triumph for a few months now.  I know I still want a 4-1 so I'm thinking the MAC header and muffler for the time being, but ultimately I may look at different muffler options.

EDIT: That also means if anyone with a CB400F or 350F wants one of the MotoGPWerks exhausts, there is one currently made and available.  Here is a link to the page (note price is 500 and not 100!!) http://www.motogpwerks.com/shop/exhausts/version-1-4-1-system/honda/cb400f-1974-1976.html

This is a bit off topic but I noticed you mentioned a Triumph so I had to go back through this thread to try and figure out what you have. Looks like you have a Speed Triple on page 2? Sweet choice, I was looking into those a while back. My other bike is a Triumph too - although I ended up with a Thruxton.

Anyway, I am also looking at the MAC 4-1 system. There aren't very many other options unless you go with NOS pipes. I have found some on ebay a few weeks back but didn't pull the trigger and missed my chance. I'll keep an eye out for anything else that pops up and let you know.

[sbeckman7]

This is from the Clymers manual if it happens to help.

That is incredibly helpful - it confirms what grcamna2 suspected earlier: The compression ring with the silver outer coating goes at the top, followed by the all black ring (sharp corners) and finally the oil ring.  Thanks for sharing that picture!

This is a bit off topic but I noticed you mentioned a Triumph so I had to go back through this thread to try and figure out what you have. Looks like you have a Speed Triple on page 2? Sweet choice, I was looking into those a while back. My other bike is a Triumph too - although I ended up with a Thruxton.

Anyway, I am also looking at the MAC 4-1 system. There aren't very many other options unless you go with NOS pipes. I have found some on ebay a few weeks back but didn't pull the trigger and missed my chance. I'll keep an eye out for anything else that pops up and let you know.

I do, it's actually a Daytona without fairings so it looks like a Speed Triple/Ducati Monster hybrid   Might be sold by the end of the week though.  It is a shame there are so few exhausts available for these 350F's as many people have warned of MAC quality issues, but as it's currently the only affordable option I think I'll be giving it a shot.  Need a slimmer muffler to go with it, and a reasonably quiet one as well.  The Triumph sounds incredible but it's very tiring after 15 mins, and I want the Honda to be enjoyable for much longer

[grcamna2]

Possibly Ebay may have another exhaust option?

[sbeckman7]

Possibly Ebay may have another exhaust option?

I've been looking with no luck but I won't give up just yet.  It's really a shame about that MotoWerks GP replica exhaust but I can't justify a price that's 5x what I was expecting it to be.  The customer service wasn't great either 

[grcamna2]

You're stock mufflers are beyond patching?

[sbeckman7]

You're stock mufflers are beyond patching?

I wouldn't reuse the muffler that came with it as it's pretty gross, and the 400F headers I could use but I prefer the style of the MAC or yoshi headers.  I also don't have 400F foot pegs or kick starter.

[zammykoo]

I wouldn't reuse the muffler that came with it as it's pretty gross, and the 400F headers I could use but I prefer the style of the MAC or yoshi headers.  I also don't have 400F foot pegs or kick starter.

You can always go the diy backyard special route 

[sbeckman7]

I wouldn't reuse the muffler that came with it as it's pretty gross, and the 400F headers I could use but I prefer the style of the MAC or yoshi headers.  I also don't have 400F foot pegs or kick starter.

You can always go the diy backyard special route 

Haha no thank you 

[Bootsey]

Possibly Ebay may have another exhaust option?

I've been looking with no luck but I won't give up just yet.  It's really a shame about that MotoWerks GP replica exhaust but I can't justify a price that's 5x what I was expecting it to be.  The customer service wasn't great either 

If those MGP pipes were $100, I don't think you'd see a bike without them! They're pretty good value at the price they are.
It's too bad Delkevic haven't made a set for the 350. How you thought about tidying up those 400 headers, and attaching a stainless muffler from Cone Eng?

[sbeckman7]

If those MGP pipes were $100, I don't think you'd see a bike without them! They're pretty good value at the price they are.
It's too bad Delkevic haven't made a set for the 350. How you thought about tidying up those 400 headers, and attaching a stainless muffler from Cone Eng?

Now I know you're right but at the time I was a bit more naive.. Personally not a huge fan of the 400F headers *ducks* and I wouldn't want to have to find the associate parts to make it work on the 350F when I could have a more appealing exhaust for a little more money.  Uy vey, it'll probably be the MAC 

[MoMo]

I just happen to have a mac header laying around my shop....Larry

[grcamna2]

If those MGP pipes were $100, I don't think you'd see a bike without them! They're pretty good value at the price they are.
It's too bad Delkevic haven't made a set for the 350. How you thought about tidying up those 400 headers, and attaching a stainless muffler from Cone Eng?

Now I know you're right but at the time I was a bit more naive.. Personally not a huge fan of the 400F headers *ducks* and I wouldn't want to have to find the associate parts to make it work on the 350F when I could have a more appealing exhaust for a little more money.  Uy vey, it'll probably be the MAC 

I personally love the look of that 400F header 

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I assume your talking about the 4 headers sweeping to the right into one.  I once saw a CBX with a similar 6-1.

[sbeckman7]

Yep that's the one, everyone seems to love it except me!

[grcamna2]

Yep that's the one, everyone seems to love it except me!

sbeckman,
Did you respond to MoMo ?

[sbeckman7]

sbeckman,
Did you respond to MoMo ?

Good thing you said that - I totally missed it!

Edit: Looks like I'm so smart I wrote Larry a PM on my thread... 

Anyways, some good options are opening up now!  I will likely either be grabbing the Mac header from Larry or scooping up one of several Marving 4-1 systems I have seen online.  I've only been able to find one HQ video of it running on a bike but it sounds like music to my ears.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tYY2-_mzX0&feature=youtu.be

[sbeckman7]

Well tonight was good and bad... mostly good.  It all began smoothly enough; I installed the new piston rings with no issues (although two pistons needed some metal burrs removed from the ring grooves).  After re-honing the #4 cylinder yesterday I oiled all the bores, oiled the pistons, and began reassembling.



I started with the two middle pistons, no problem.  Then... piston #4... again...



I was pretty angry with myself to make the same mistake on the same cylinder with the brand new oil ring.  I wasn't sure what to do, but I ended up reusing one of the original oil rings (checked to make sure it was still within spec first).  Not happy at all about that, but I would rather go this route than wait another 1+ weeks for an entire new set of rings from Japan.



At the end of the day, here's where I stopped.



Next up: torquing the head down, which I wanted to wait in case anyone here has some wild objections to what I've done, or advice   After that I'll get the cam installed, valve train, and get ready to paint the motor!

[grcamna2]

Progress