Hey all, I have previously posted about this bike that I brought back almost from the edge, and here it is, virtually finished,except for a new set of bodywork in Polynesian Blue that I have a friend painting for me, and will be on the bike next week or two.......
The engine was out of the frame when I received it, along with another engine for a 'spare'. Mileage in KM's is original for the engine that is fitted I believe. It certainly feels and runs like a newish engine, not tired and worn.
How the bike got to Canada is subject of much conjecture and guesswork, although there are two stories that I have been told. Firstly it may have been brought back to Canada by a Serviceman who was serving in Japan; alternatively I was told there was an independent dealer selling Jap market bikes in Edmonton in the late '70's and '80's and it may have come through those channels. Once I realised I had a pretty special bike I decided to restore it to as close to original as possible, without going stupid on new or pattern parts. I have only spent about $1000 over the very modest cost of the bike , not counting the painting which Im very lucky to be getting done for the cost of the paint only. In many cases I frequented the local wreckers and carefully sorted through their stuff until I found a part that was correct but better than what I had on the bike. I went thru three front fenders until I got one that was perfect, as an example.
Once I secured the bike, I powder coated the frame and threw in one of the engines [nearest number to the frame] half expecting it to go bang [sloppy work I know] but after a multiple carb tuneup/rebuild and tons of grief with the Dyna fitted, and a change back to points, it runs beautifully. I ride it every day during our extremely short summer to and from work plus through the only three corners in Alberta on a regular basis just for the fun of it.
Pipes are all originals 300's but they will be going on my sons earlier bike as I have a set of 341's for this bike. Seat is original but showing its age with soft foam. Fenders are untouched, as are the wheels and most others parts, just given a good cleanup. Most of the nuts and bolts have been replated or replaced as they were all rusty, and this winter Im replating the spokes and some other bits and pieces. No bearing or brake pads or shoes were replaced as they were all virtually like new. I just meticulously cleaned everything, regreased all the bearings and carefully reassembled all moving parts.
Hubs, sidecovers and forks have been lightly polished and thats about it. I found a NOS left switch assembly and Im now refurbishing the right side switchgear to match the slightly satin finish of the NOS part. I did splurge and buy all new Yamiya gauge faces in KM's and learned how to dismantle the gauges and rebuild them in decent order I thought. I also bought a set of Japanese market decals, although the one on the rear fender is original and untouched. I also found a NOS tank trim and a set of badgers, and a correct tank cap along the way, which I swapped for one of my models [https://www.wfomodels.com].
I have tried to get the bike as close to original as possible, although I may not necessarily have succeeded as some minor bit or piece or bolt may be wrong, but thats OK in my world. Ill post pics when I get the Poly Blue bodywork fitted.
This has been lots of fun and I finally have the bike I couldn't afford when they were first released....the rest of the story is that I was working for a Honda dealer in Kempsey Australia when the bike hit the market and I assembled the very first one ever sold through that dealer. It was gold, but I wanted Poly Blue for mine, as that was not a very common colour, even in Japan.
Along the way getting this bike finished, I found a rare warranty engine #1000767 and my son and I are now putting together a period correct bike using that engine and a heap of the parts I accumulated. He has just finished a museum quality resto of a 1965 Ducati 350, and he will post the start of the CB restoration here, and provide regular updates as he progresses thru his project.
