Author Topic: The Lost Socket Garage (Read 54980 times)

RAFster122s · « **Reply #75 on:** September 21, 2017, 01:54:02 AM »

You could mount a 78 CX500 cowl on it & get a round headlamp...it is a kissing cousin with equally polarizing fairing/cowl.

Scott S · « **Reply #76 on:** September 21, 2017, 02:56:32 AM »

Quote from: RAF122S on September 21, 2017, 01:54:02 AM

You could mount a 78 CX500 cowl on it & get a round headlamp...it is a kissing cousin with equally polarizing fairing/cowl.

Huh....just Googled images of that and I don't think I ever realized that the CX500 had a cowl like that. It's identical at the bottom, with that funky horn/junction box cover.
Only thing is, I probably would have had to lose the stock Ascot gauges. The XL600R fairing is a perfect fit to cover the stock gauges and it has lines that compliment the lines on the tank, so I'm happy with it. It also lowered the headlight nearly two inches.

Scott S · « **Reply #77 on:** September 21, 2017, 03:09:09 AM »

CBJoe, I actually found the correct muffler that I need. A guy in Ohio has it. Unless I pick one up at Barber, I'll be getting him to ship it to me in a couple of weeks.

MoMo/Larry and RAF122S... I have my eyes on a really nice, original, titled and running CT90. I'll most likely be buying it/picking it up at Barber. Been in communication with the owner and I can't wait to see it in person.
You're right about the market being down. See that around here, too. But the CT90's seem to hold their value for good examples. And, for once, I'm going to pay more up front for a nice example and not another basket case! Finding one with a title helps, too.

Scott S · « **Reply #78 on:** October 01, 2017, 04:41:25 AM »

Been working on the '65 S90. The shift shaft was slightly bent and the splines needed cleaning up, so I found an NOS shaft on eBay. When it arrived, I had to swap over the springs and noticed that there is a collar that fit's inside the larger return spring. The one that came out of my bike had that collar swedged it. Not really removable. OK...I'll order a collar.
Got the collar here and tried to install the shaft assembly and it would't fit through the hole in the engine case. The lower part of the shaft, just above the return spring, is about half a mm larger than the old shaft. Just enough to not let it seat fully. Thought about having it machined, but just cleaned up the old shaft and re-used it.

And FINALLY, after way too many man hours on this thing....getting the P.O. out, finding correct parts (since Honda made WAY too many running changes over the short life span of the S90)....we have a long block!

In addition to the ghetto repair on the broken kick start shaft and all the wrong, stuck or broken hardware, we found a gummed up cam chain tensioner and a squared off cam chain roller that must not have been turning.
We honed the cylinder and installed new rings, a new cam chain and replaced the cam chain roller. Everything SHOULD work like it supposed to now.

Scott S · « **Reply #79 on:** October 01, 2017, 04:50:24 AM »

Also worked on the VF500 Interceptor.
I had two incidents over the last few months where it would puke a little coolant out of the overflow bottle. Once after a long highway trip, and once after a short hop across town. Never, EVER did it run hot.
Did some investigating and decided to try and "burp" the system again. Within seconds of cranking, the coolant was at the top of the filler neck. I let it run for ~8-10 minutes and it got HOT. Like, really hot....hotter than I've ever seen on the street. Puked coolant from the filler neck all over the driveway. I got nervous and cut it off.

I did notice that the fan never came on. I had tested the fan earlier, and it tested good now. That means that the thermo switch must be bad. I was advised to replace the cap as well. Yep, the old one was definitely sagging a bit.

I drained the system again. This time I removed and tested the thermostat and flushed the entire system/engine and not just the radiator.
Found a thermo switch at AutoZone ( for a ~'84 Honda Accord) that is slightly longer but fits and, as a bonus, it comes on 10-15 degrees cooler than the VF switch. Plus, it was less than $20 vs. ~$55 for the "correct" switch.
Bled the system again, this time using the drain plug on the water pump as well as the filler neck. The fan kicked on as intended, just as the needle got into the "fat" part of the gauge. Woo-Hoo! Love it when stuff works like it's supposed to!

Scott S · « **Reply #80 on:** October 01, 2017, 04:58:16 AM »

While I had the side cover off, the fuel pump was staring me in the face. I had bypassed it because it didn't work. That's a common thing to do on the VF500.
Occasionally, on long highway runs or after a big rip to high RPM's, I could feel a surge. Almost like the bowls were running low. I also have to switch to reserve at around 70 miles. I think that the weight of the fuel gets too light to overcome the slight uphill feed to the carbs.

Started doing a little testing and found out that I could make the pump run. A little more testing and I'm pretty sure that I have a bad fuel cut relay.
The good news is, that relay was used on several models and I found a used, but guaranteed, one from a GL1200. It's on the way and I'm pretty confident that I can get the fuel pump working again.

And in other news, I've put close to 200 miles on Ascot since finishing it. It's probably the funnest bike in the garage right now. Not very powerful, but strong enough. Skinny and light....and feels even lighter at speed. Handles really well, especially with the wide bars. Smooth and quiet. I'm really enjoying this one.

Scott S · « **Reply #81 on:** October 01, 2017, 05:05:00 AM »

And, what's that? Free 550 engine? Why, don't mind if I do!
And it's a '77 model, which means that it has the upgraded rocker cover. Turns over with compression. No signs of oil leaks around the head gasket.
I have PILES of leftovers, including a BUNCH of stuff from the last bike. I see a "Sweep the Floor Bike 3" in my future! Just need a frame and a gas tank and I have enough stuff to build another bike!

calj737 · « **Reply #82 on:** October 01, 2017, 05:13:11 AM »

I’ve got your frame... 😏

RAFster122s · « **Reply #83 on:** October 03, 2017, 07:28:45 AM »

Cannot decide if I should tell you that you suck or that you are so lucky you should spend a few dollars on a couple lottery tickets as you are currently very lucky!

Guy on VJMC list had parted out a VT500FT Ascot, would you like a link to his stuff. He is trying to clear out the parts and most is priced semi reasonable to reasonable. He is in California.

David

Scott S · « **Reply #84 on:** October 09, 2017, 04:03:58 AM »

FINALLY got the S90 engine rebuilt. I've since moved the condenser to the rear where it's supposed to be. New cam chain, new kick start shaft, honed the cylinder, new rings, oil seals, etc. Now....on to the suspension and brakes!

Scott S · « **Reply #85 on:** October 09, 2017, 04:12:32 AM »

Picked up a '74 CT90 to go along with the S90. Just needs some cleaning and tweaking. Will be doing the rectifier mod and probably a fresh battery. Adjust the auto clutch for smoother shifting. That's about it. I tried to find something that was LESS of a project this time!

b52bombardier1 · « **Reply #86 on:** October 09, 2017, 06:20:46 AM »

Very nice. Hang onto the auxiliary fuel tank. They are becoming quite rare.

Rick

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

MoMo · « **Reply #87 on:** October 09, 2017, 08:33:47 AM »

Lucky find, Scott. Nice looking CT and that tank is hard to find...Larry

RAFster122s · « **Reply #88 on:** October 09, 2017, 08:59:05 AM »

There is a guy from the vjmc who is in california who recently emailed the list about a couple ascots he parted, vt500s... want the ebay link to that collection of parts?
Congrats on finishing the motor rebuild. Now for a little lipstick befor reinstall finally?
David

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #89 on:** October 09, 2017, 10:11:36 AM »

That's a clean little pit bike.

Scott S · « **Reply #90 on:** October 09, 2017, 12:18:03 PM »

Parts haul! Be on the lookout for some stuff for sale.

Scott S · « **Reply #91 on:** October 09, 2017, 12:19:23 PM »

Found a few tanks at Barber, too.

And these wheels were in today's haul. Very nice shape....these will be used on the next Sweep The Floor bike.

Scott S · « **Reply #92 on:** October 09, 2017, 12:20:10 PM »

And out of the entire haul, I might just be most excited about this....right, Fezzler?

RAFster122s · « **Reply #93 on:** October 09, 2017, 12:30:16 PM »

Nice tank locking wire for the F bikes and late model...
Very nice collection of wheels and tanks...tanks look good on the inside too? Good tanks are hard to find...should have given you a wish list and some cash...

RAFster122s · « **Reply #94 on:** October 09, 2017, 12:37:14 PM »

It appears you bought a bike assembly kit in all those boxes and crates...
I spy a frame and fenders and motor and lights and starters and gauges and and and

Fezzler · « **Reply #95 on:** October 09, 2017, 12:54:54 PM »

Ha. You are a junkyard dog! LOL! You sniff out just what you need!

Scott S · « **Reply #96 on:** October 09, 2017, 02:46:55 PM »

RAF, the frame ended up being junk. Someone went apesh!t with a grinder, and it had no title, so I tossed it. Kept a few parts off the '78 550 motor in the truck, tossed the rest. The 350 engine and a bunch of other leftover 350 stuff I have will be up for sale as a lot soon. Just need to take some pics and make an ad.
I have a good engine, carbs, controls, wiring harness, body work/seat, wheels, tires, etc. Pretty much everything but a frame at this point. It will all come together over the winter as the "Sweep The Floor III" bike.

All tanks are clean and solid. Some shallow dings and dents in a couple, but all very good tanks. I'll probably be selling one of the early style soon.

Oh...and I'm all good on the Ascot stuff, I think.

Scott S · « **Reply #97 on:** October 10, 2017, 04:20:34 PM »

Gotta take 'em apart if you want to put them together....

I was VERY careful when removing the steering stem and I STILL had ball bearings go everywhere. Probably because the grease had turned into a paste of some sort. There are 42 ball bearings in all. I found 36...then 37....then 38....then 39. Hell, the way this project is going, there may not have been the correct amount to begin with!
After spending WAY too long looking for 52 year old ball bearings, I ordered a set on eBay; $12.94 shipped. Approximately 90 seconds after returning to the garage I found #4o stuck to a ratchet handle and #41 on the work bench. Figures.

Scott S · « **Reply #98 on:** October 10, 2017, 04:23:10 PM »

The cables all moved and are the original grey style. Cleaned them up well and lubed with oil and WD40. Everything is drip-draining now and they all move smoothly.
The throttle cable got the same treatment and I cleaned the slide assembly, too. New grips should be here soon.

Scott S · « **Reply #99 on:** October 10, 2017, 04:25:31 PM »

Cleaned up the backing plates and speedo drive. The brake shoes have plenty of life left and aren't delaminating.
Kerosene, Dawn dish washing liquid, stupid hot water, Simple Green, etc. These are all ready for some grease on the pivot points and speedo drive and re-assembly tomorrow.

News:

Author Topic: The Lost Socket Garage (Read 54980 times)