Author Topic: Hi from Penrith NSW  (Read 2008 times)

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Offline Andych

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Hi from Penrith NSW
« on: December 28, 2017, 05:50:17 PM »
Hi everyone... this site has been an inspiration and also a great form of information for me while searching for my new project...
I have always wanted a Honda Four from when a mate of my fathers turned up one day on his brand new CB550 and let me take it for a spin...
So, initially I was searching for a 550 and I thought I had one but was beaten by a sniper on eBay at the last second... may have been a good thing as it was a non runner and wouldn't even turn over on the kick starter...
So disappointed at the time (Christmas Eve no less) but I kept searching and ended up having the choice of a complete but rough around the edges CB400F 1975 or a CB500K 1972 (I think) that was missing a number of items (headlight, coils, battery and a few other items... plus it was in Perth WA... nearly 3500km away and an expensive freight bill...
So... I have ended up with the CB400F and I think in the end it will be the better option...
I still need to drive about 400km each way to pick it up sometime late next week but that is OK..
I will put a couple of pics up later.
I haven't made up my mind on what to do so far but.... I am thinking of a restoration with some hidden or not obvious mods... electronic ignition, 466 big bore kit for a start..

Cheers
Andy

 

Offline MD

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Re: Hi from Penrith NSW
« Reply #1 on: December 28, 2017, 07:15:59 PM »
Welcome from MN,

-MD
1975 CB550F Super Sport;  Lake Superior Circle 1000, 45-90 Saddle 1000, All in Yooper 1000 and SS 2000 in 48 hrs:  1985 GL1200A, MN in State SS1K

Offline Andych

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Re: Hi from Penrith NSW
« Reply #2 on: January 08, 2018, 09:37:35 PM »
Hmm not entirely sure why I cant post any pictures.. someone suggested I needed 5 posts before I could post and I am now past 5 but cant seem to figure it out..

Offline Stev-o

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Re: Hi from Penrith NSW
« Reply #3 on: January 08, 2018, 10:48:57 PM »
Hmm not entirely sure why I cant post any pictures.. someone suggested I needed 5 posts before I could post and I am now past 5 but cant seem to figure it out..


Welcome from Texas.   Your pics may be too large. 

Many of use Flickr.com (free) to host our pics, pretty simple to copy and paste them here.
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline Andych

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Re: Hi from Penrith NSW
« Reply #4 on: January 09, 2018, 12:19:56 AM »
Image size isnt an issue on these ones... they are only 222kb each
I have them on Google Drive... not really interested in using Flikr.

I am pretty sure it is just operator error in not understanding how to post pics on this forum... do I use the insert image tile above or the add attachments below...



Offline FuZZie

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Re: Hi from Penrith NSW
« Reply #5 on: January 09, 2018, 06:43:42 AM »
Use " add attachments below" then "browse"  when you post it uploads the selected file or files. ;)

Offline Andych

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Re: Hi from Penrith NSW
« Reply #6 on: January 09, 2018, 12:01:14 PM »
I did try that before and nothing showed up...
I will try it again now....


Offline CycleRanger

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Re: Hi from Penrith NSW
« Reply #7 on: January 09, 2018, 01:48:56 PM »
Howdy! Welcome! :)
Do you have a copy of the Honda Shop Manual or Parts List for your bike? Get one here:
https://www.honda4fun.com/materiale/documentazione-tecnica
CB750K5        '79 XL250s     CL350K3
CB750K3        '76 XS650      '76 CJ360T

Offline FuZZie

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Re: Hi from Penrith NSW
« Reply #8 on: January 09, 2018, 03:15:45 PM »
Looks like you have some work ahead of you, was it a runner?

Offline Andych

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Re: Hi from Penrith NSW
« Reply #9 on: January 09, 2018, 10:40:25 PM »
I havent picked the bike up yet... it is an 8.5hr drive to go get it.. but should have it next week.
The seller says it is a runner when there is a battery in it... so that will be one of the first things I do... throw a battery in.. check oil, fuel etc and see if it fires and take it from there.
I was after a project and I have certainly got it with this bike... but they are few and far between here and the ones that are about many have been Cafe'd to death so my plan is to do a restoration on it... how far I go with the restoration is yet to be decided...lol

Offline Old Moe Toe

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Re: Hi from Penrith NSW
« Reply #10 on: January 09, 2018, 11:08:01 PM »
Welcome Andy, thank goodness you did not have it in Penrith a few days ago. It would have melted.
You will enjoy this forum, there is tons of experience on it.
Cheers

Offline Andych

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Re: Hi from Penrith NSW
« Reply #11 on: January 10, 2018, 02:51:42 AM »
Yes... 47.3 was the official temp but we saw 52 under our verandah so it was a good couple of days to stay inside the house with the AC on and stay well away from the Garage.
I am looking forward to getting the bike... planning is well under way with Decals already ordered.. and a list is beginning to grow with all the obvious things...
My inspiration is a CB400F done by David Silver Spares for James May... it was featured in Classic Bike April 2012 and is gorgeous Varnish Blue restoration..
One of the things i want that wouldnt be part of a "True" restoration is a Dunstall repro exhaust...
« Last Edit: January 10, 2018, 02:53:26 AM by Andych »

Offline Stev-o

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Re: Hi from Penrith NSW
« Reply #12 on: January 10, 2018, 06:59:29 AM »
Yes... 47.3 was the official temp but we saw 52 under our verandah so it was a good couple of days to stay inside the house with the AC on and stay well away from the Garage.


Your hot weather is making national news over here in the States. 
Bats are dying?
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline FuZZie

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Re: Hi from Penrith NSW
« Reply #13 on: January 10, 2018, 07:16:42 AM »
Yea that news made it to Canada too, man that's hot!

Offline Andych

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Re: Hi from Penrith NSW
« Reply #14 on: January 10, 2018, 02:59:05 PM »
Hottest recorded January day since 1939 or something... thankfully it doesnt last too long... but we dont get the extreme cold some of you guys get in Nth USA and Canada so I guess we are lucky in that way.

Back to my CB400F I have been looking for the sound clip of the Dunstall type exhaust that makes me smile every time I play it...All I need to do is find myself one lol
Hmmm not sure how to post a link so I will try just adding it first and go from there.


Offline Stev-o

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Re: Hi from Penrith NSW
« Reply #15 on: January 10, 2018, 03:38:10 PM »
Hottest recorded January day since 1939 or something... thankfully it doesnt last too long... but we dont get the extreme cold some of you guys get in Nth USA and Canada so I guess we are lucky in that way.

Back to my CB400F I have been looking for the sound clip of the Dunstall type exhaust that makes me smile every time I play it...All I need to do is find myself one lol
Hmmm not sure how to post a link so I will try just adding it first and go from there.


Sounds good, get one!
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline Andych

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Re: Hi from Penrith NSW
« Reply #16 on: January 20, 2018, 04:32:17 PM »
Havent done a lot and I havent really taken many pics either... I did get a battery for it.. still have an issue with earthing somewhere as I am not getting anything other than the faintest click from the starter button and nothing from the indicators or horn.. but that will remedy itself when I start pulling it down.

Once I had the battery in and I checked the oil (that needs to dumped) I used a screwdriver across the start solenoid to make sure the starter motor was OK.. so in went some new fuel.. turned the tap to reserve, lifted the choke lever and used the screw driver again to turn it over (not really expecting it to start first hit) and away it went... settled into a nice steady idle and when it had warmed up a little I gave it a bit of a crank... the exhaust is cactus... a hole in #2 pipe near the engine and #4 pipe is partially crushed and grazed where it has been laid down at some point but other than that.. she seems to run fine. Maybe a little cam chain noise but I half expected that anyway.
In the video there is a bit of a backfire after I blipped the throttle which is more the hole in #2 pipe than anything else I think.
I am just very surprised it runs so well... and idles without fuss.. it is a dream compared to the 250cc 4 pot screamer I am trying to get rid of... stupidly bought it as a quick flip.. never again lol.
Time I think to maybe start a project thread on it... once I get a few more pics.

Here it is running..

Offline MD

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Re: Hi from Penrith NSW
« Reply #17 on: January 20, 2018, 05:28:27 PM »
Havent done a lot and I havent really taken many pics either... I did get a battery for it.. still have an issue with earthing somewhere as I am not getting anything other than the faintest click from the starter button and nothing from the indicators or horn.. but that will remedy itself when I start pulling it down.

Once I had the battery in and I checked the oil (that needs to dumped) I used a screwdriver across the start solenoid to make sure the starter motor was OK.. so in went some new fuel.. turned the tap to reserve, lifted the choke lever and used the screw driver again to turn it over (not really expecting it to start first hit) and away it went... settled into a nice steady idle and when it had warmed up a little I gave it a bit of a crank... the exhaust is cactus... a hole in #2 pipe near the engine and #4 pipe is partially crushed and grazed where it has been laid down at some point but other than that.. she seems to run fine. Maybe a little cam chain noise but I half expected that anyway.
In the video there is a bit of a backfire after I blipped the throttle which is more the hole in #2 pipe than anything else I think.
I am just very surprised it runs so well... and idles without fuss.. it is a dream compared to the 250cc 4 pot screamer I am trying to get rid of... stupidly bought it as a quick flip.. never again lol.
Time I think to maybe start a project thread on it... once I get a few more pics.

Here it is running..

Hearing them run is encouraging. 

 8)

-MD
1975 CB550F Super Sport;  Lake Superior Circle 1000, 45-90 Saddle 1000, All in Yooper 1000 and SS 2000 in 48 hrs:  1985 GL1200A, MN in State SS1K