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

[sbeckman7]

S,
You might consider getting 'Timeserts' for the valve cover thread repair job,the kit is pricey but those inserts will last you for a long time 

Thanks for the idea, but the cost doesnt justify it for me.. at least not at this stage    If it ever starts to leak, I'll look at the timesert.

Loving this work so far! keep up the good work! Just a thought with the rusted fork legs, do you have time/facility to soak them for a couple of days in a bath of white vinegar? this will remove most of the rust and make the remainder quite shiny.

I have the time, yes, but I managed to get pretty much all of the rust off with the wire wheel.  It would have been nice to know earlier though!  Unfortunately the upper portion of the forks that were rusted also have some pitting so the vinegar trick probably wouldn't have made such a difference.

[grcamna2]

S,
You might consider getting 'Timeserts' for the valve cover thread repair job,the kit is pricey but those inserts will last you for a long time 

Thanks for the idea, but the cost doesnt justify it for me.. at least not at this stage    If it ever starts to leak, I'll look at the timesert.

Loving this work so far! keep up the good work! Just a thought with the rusted fork legs, do you have time/facility to soak them for a couple of days in a bath of white vinegar? this will remove most of the rust and make the remainder quite shiny.

I have the time, yes, but I managed to get pretty much all of the rust off with the wire wheel.  It would have been nice to know earlier though!  Unfortunately the upper portion of the forks that were rusted also have some pitting so the vinegar trick probably wouldn't have made such a difference.

Heli Coil also makes a one-piece insert which isn't as expensive.The pressure from the valve springs is strong tightening that cover down,if it was mine... just saying,I hate to do a job twice.

[iiAtlas]

Nice work Sbeckman!  Glad to see you're back at it.  Hub is looking good!

[sbeckman7]

Two steps forward and one step backwards as is becoming the new norm for me.  Got the bottom triple home to paint and pulled apart the rear hub (meaning I pulled the brake cover off).  All is well in there, could probably do with some new pads.  The front hub, however, is absolutely not budging.  No idea how to get enough leverage on that stupid nut... Any ideas?  Is it reverse thread?

The real downside of today was discovering significant rusting on the lower portion of the front shocks, below the chrome covers.  It means I need new forks, and this has left me scouring eBay and there's not a lot available.  I'm assuming I can use CB400F front shocks, and any other models?

[grcamna2]

You can also find a good pair of CB360T(33mm) fork tubes and they'll work.

[sbeckman7]

Thanks! There's a decent set of 360 forks on eBay, that's just what I needed to know

Edit: What about the CL360 forks?

[Denver_Larry]

I've got a set of 350f forks.  Some surface rust on the uppers, not sure about the functional parts.  I'll check and get you some pictures

[sbeckman7]

I've got a set of 350f forks.  Some surface rust on the uppers, not sure about the functional parts.  I'll check and get you some pictures

Let me know, although I think the uppers will be exposed on my build so depending on rust it might not be worth it

[grcamna2]

Thanks! There's a decent set of 360 forks on eBay, that's just what I needed to know

Edit: What about the CL360 forks?

The CL360 fork tubes are the same 33mm dia. but not certain if they're the same length.

[Denver_Larry]

I'll get a closer look at them tomorrow.  Just had knee surgery so it's a bit of a project getting me out in the garage!

[sbeckman7]

I'll get a closer look at them tomorrow.  Just had knee surgery so it's a bit of a project getting me out in the garage!

No worries, hope you heal up soon!

[Denver_Larry]

Untouched:


After wiping down with wd40:



The uppers aren't pretty and most likely aren't ever going to be unless you want to cover them up, but the functional part of the tubes are in great shape....

[sbeckman7]

Thanks for the images Larry, I'll try my luck on eBay for as clean of a set as I can find

[Denver_Larry]

No worries, I get it!

[sbeckman7]

Slow and steady wins the race... Lower triple is painted and tapered bearings are in for good.  Too bad I forgot the upper at home 

[sbeckman7]

Another day, another part on the frame!  The helicoil kit arrived as well so I can start on that when I get back from my little 4th of July vacation, but for now I'm off to enjoy the lake life 

[grcamna2]

I hope you enjoy

[sbeckman7]

I hope you enjoy

Thanks!  Finally got an awesome pair of front forks off eBay.  I was holding out for a nice set because they will be largely exposed on the bike (removing the stock covers and going to use different headlight ears to attach a new light).  Happy the wait paid off 

[grcamna2]

I hope you enjoy

Thanks!  Finally got an awesome pair of front forks off eBay.  I was holding out for a nice set because they will be largely exposed on the bike (removing the stock covers and going to use different headlight ears to attach a new light).  Happy the wait paid off 

Those look good.I hope you get her on the road for the Summer.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

They look pretty good on the outside.  You should service them while they are off the bike (new oil, seals and springs).  40 year old springs don't provide the best suspension, assuming that these have not yet been rebuilt.

[grcamna2]

They look pretty good on the outside.  You should service them while they are off the bike (new oil, seals and springs).  40 year old springs don't provide the best suspension, assuming that these have not yet been rebuilt.

+1 service them,new seals and a full disassembly to clean out any gunk that made it's way past the seals at some point.

[sbeckman7]

Well it's been more than a little while since my last post. Here's what's happened:

- I graduated Oxford Brookes University in England with a BEng Motorsport Engineering degree
- Moving back to Oxford late August/early September to start a car company and build a tiny electric sports car
- Thoroughly enjoying my time at home and decided to see how much work I can get done on my CB350F before it's time to head back!

I purchased a rebuilt ported head with 400F valves installed but didn't find out until installation time that the threads to the valve cover were all stripped.  So, that's where I left off and where I am now picking up:




Using helicoil inserts for all of them, hope to be done by tonight     Now... what is the best way to paint the entire engine black without taking it apart? Seal up all ports and spray can with engine paint?

[MauiK3]

Lots of cleaning and degreasing. There are any number of small rotary brushes. Just be sure to not leave any inside.
Simple Green or equal, brake cleaner or similar on final cleaning
Lots of careful masking
Duplicolor paint is popular and seems to hold up.

[sbeckman7]

Thanks for the cleaning tip! Made more progress tonight but didn't finish up completely; I realized I need to order a few more helicoils than I had originally planned on.  So those are on the way, along with some new o-rings to seal the oil ports.