Topic: CB650 Custom Rust Bucket

[RAFster122s]

Sucked up all the ATF/Mystery Oil mix and found rust and dirt, not sure what I expected. Heated the cyilinders up with a MAP torch and used a wooden dowel and hammer to bang on them but they didn’t budge. Time to get some kerosene.

Kerosene is $4/ gallon here and gasoline is $2.58/gallon, any reason not to use gasoline for your BBQ? Maybe other than the fact that gas vapor is more explosive than TNT and probably more dangerous to have you BBQ with...Kerosene burn hotter or something I do not know?

[RAFster122s]

This a Katrina bike? Or another lovely storm to blame?

[DaveBarbier]

This seems like a fun thread, haha. Might need to just rock the bike in gear after a lot of heating. Assuming the rear wheel and chain are still on. I bet inside the motor is clean though. My 650 was in rough shape too, good thing I only needed the motor. I did break a few case and head bolts getting it apart.

Regarding the carbs, the 750 carbs won’t work. Thats only for the earlier 650 which has different head manifold spacing. I wouldn’t be surprised if you could find a good rebuildable set of the VB’s on eBay.

What’s the ultimate goal for this bike? Stock? Cafe? Weekend track bike? If the latter you might want to consider CR26’s instead of messing with the cv carbs.

If you want, have a look at the build thread link in my signature. I’ve got a 650/674cc motor in a 550 frame with other fun upgrades. I really like the SOHC4 650 motor.

[CarbonK]

This a Katrina bike? Or another lovely storm to blame?

This bike had a visit from Sandy in 2012.

What’s the ultimate goal for this bike? Stock? Cafe? Weekend track bike? If the latter you might want to consider CR26’s instead of messing with the cv carbs.

If you want, have a look at the build thread link in my signature. I’ve got a 650/674cc motor in a 550 frame with other fun upgrades. I really like the SOHC4 650 motor.

If I can get the engine unstuck during the winter I was planning on rebuilding and and swapping it into my 550. I’ll definitly check out your thread.

[CarbonK]

After wrestling with the thing for a few days I was able to get pistons 1 and 4 free. 2 and 3 are still stuck in the bores. I’m getting close boys.

[CarbonK]

Took a page out of DaveBarbier’s book and tapped the head bolt holes to screw down some bolts over metal rod to get the last two pistons out of the jugs. Worked well, glad I went through that thread.

Progress has been slow. Just been cleaning engine parts, sanding corrosion, and painting.





Went with an aluminum color. Debating wether to hit it with some high temp clear for a glossier finish.

[DaveBarbier]

Glad that helped someone out, buddy.

[CarbonK]

Had a bit of time to check out the head, all exhaust valves were cruddy and pitted but some worse then others. 2 of the 4 were bent. Gonna have to get some new ones and cut the seats. Haven’t checked the intake valves yet.



Decided to switch it up and give some attention to the rusted out exhaust. Definitely no saving this chrome so I’m trying to remove as much rust as I can with a flap disc.



Left one is almost all cleaned up. Plan right now is to spray em black to prevent anymore rust. After I get the engine back together and into a frame I’ll probably end up revisiting those.

Also been searching eBay and the forums every now and then for a set of 81 CB650c carbs but haven’t had much luck.

[CarbonK]

More derusting.

I think I’m gonna keep the frame bare metal for that mad max look. I’ll be diligent with applying Wd-40 on it.

[DaveBarbier]

You might want to clear the frame with a satin finish clear coat. Oiling the entire frame and getting it totally covered will be a pain with the wiring, tank, seat, etc installed.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

You might want to clear the frame with a satin finish clear coat. Oiling the entire frame and getting it totally covered will be a pain with the wiring, tank, seat, etc installed.

Oiling the frame will not only be a pain, it will be darn near impossible to cover every mm.  I agree with Dave's recommendation to satin clear it.

[CarbonK]

C’mon guys, I was joking. Just poking fun at a former sohc4 member.



Painted the frame with rustoleum appliance epoxy. It’s been holding up well on my other frame for a couple of years now so I decided to use it on this one also.

Lost a couple of bearings when taking the triple tree out. Hopefully they’ll turn up, if not I guess I’ll pick up some tapered bearings.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Lose the rest of those 40-year-old ball bearings and get some tapered roller bearings.

[DaveBarbier]

I caught the reference  Ditch the balls, go tapered.

I totally missed it, haha.

[CarbonK]

Got that makeshift paint booth going.



Little guy was upset because he got evicted.



Exhaust came out pretty good. The previous owner was surprised when I wanted to take the rusted out pipes with me. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.

[Gurp]

Appliance paint?
I like the white thought about using it for a tank and fender. Good to know it holds up well.

[CarbonK]

Appliance paint?
I like the white thought about using it for a tank and fender. Good to know it holds up well.

Might want to use a fuel resistant clear on the tank. I’ve noticed a bit of fading on a tank which I spilled gas on a few times but then again I’m not really careful when fueling up.




Painted and put new brakes on the rear yesterday before the rain started coming down.



Removing some paint on wheel edges to break up the black.

[Gurp]

Looks good man. I'll probably use some appliance paint on my frames from now on. Lol. A nice beakup makes it look classy.

[CarbonK]

Practiced my welding with a custom cup holder up by the bars, what do you guys think?



Hah, yeah right.

Shined up some old shocks. Here’s a little before and after, this’ll do for now.


Needed room in my work space to finish up the engine so after freshening up and reassembling the forks I put some of the 650 together to roll out and stick under a cover. Check out the custom mono shock.

Oh I also picked up a tank. All I need now is some carburetors and I should have everything I need for a running bike.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Everyone is a comedian.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Everyone is a comedian.

Who’s joking? 

Carbonk -- see "custom cup holder" and "monoshock" above
 

[CarbonK]

It’s been a while but I’m still goin. Valves were lapped, cylinders were honed, new rings, all that jazz. Engine is painted and finally back in the frame with minimal scratching.




Polished up the cover a bit, I can really see myself riding this thing.
 
I picked up a set of carbs from an early Ninja 600 after reading of others using it. Hopefully it’ll run well with stock motor, intake, and exhaust set up.

[kerryb]

It's lookin' real good now!  Keep at it and you'll be riding it when the weather breaks.
  (says he who is expecting a foot of snow tonight!)

[DaveBarbier]

Can you confirm that the spacing is the same for the Ninja carbs and the ‘82 650? I’ve heard people say they fit but haven’t seen or or heard it confirmed by someone who actually has them. What model carbs? There a number stamped on them?

[CarbonK]

I actually have 2 sets of carbs from early ninja 600s, one for parts. One is stamped V154 YF20 and the other is V153 YI20. Both look the same, could be a difference in the jet sizes, not sure yet.

Here is one of them next to the VB44A carbs off the 1981 CB650C (Ninja carbs on left)