Topic: Phaedrus CB750K2 - The Project Continues

[CBJoe]

As many know, MCRider's (Ron) decades long project CB750 called Phaedrus has been picked up by myself after his passing.  As much as I helped Ron out on this project, its more been focused on the Top end motor work and little tidbits around.  I have a lot to go through on it to double check all the bits and make sure its ready for some miles this year.  I figured I should start a new thread for this part of its life instead of continuing building on Rons old thread. 

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,36459.4600.html

Just for clarity....I have zero plan to change much on this bike unless it mechanically requires it or just plain makes sense.  My wife and I plan to just enjoy it in all its sparkly and ridiculous glory and put miles on it.

I think this bike has less than 250 total miles on it since he finished it the first time....then the motor was in and out for issues.  Its probably got less than 10miles on it since we got the top end together.  I've got a lot of paperwork I need to go through to piece all the little details on things.

What I know...

- JMR Cylinder Head (not sure specs...may see if mike still has the info)
- Weisco 915 Piston Kit (WiseCo 10.25 to 1 pistons with the coated skirts)
- CycleX CX-7 Cam
- Mikuni VM29 Smoothbores
- I believe this has the Hondaman Ignition (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,67543.0.html)
- APE Crank

I'll have to go through all the old docs and forums to get rest of bottom end motor specs.

To start with, the front brakes were dragging like crazy.  This has dual calipers configured in the trailing position.  I cleaned and reassembled, but I think I'm going to order some new pistons and seals to have on hand if they start dragging again.



I went through and checked the valve lash and verified that top-end was getting good oil flow.  I used the following lash specs which I saw on CycleX Page
- Intake .004"
- Exhaust .005"



I need to get some fresh fuel in it, do a nut and bolt check, do some carb tuning and then start shaking out on the road.  More cleaning/polishing needed, but its looking more fresh





Cheers, Joe

[grcamna2]

Joe,as much as I miss Ron's posts and progress;I'm glad to see you've 'picked up the torch' and plan to complete Phaedrus.  Fine tune it and even take group rides w/ the sohc4 family.
I'm glad you've decided to run that bike !  and put some miles on it.
I hope,in time you can carry the godzilla/creature who seems to be a mascot? on this forum 

[Ichiban 4]

Bump
Ichi

[MRieck]

Joe....I noticed the #3,#4 exhaust rocker arm shaft is installed backwards. Also noticed the small shaft bolts are missing on both cam towers. I'd install them. Also noticed the #4 cam cap bolt with the Phillips pattern....that bolt is one of 4 that secure the head to the cylinder....they run across the middle of the cylinder.

[CBJoe]

Joe....I noticed the #3,#4 exhaust rocker arm shaft is installed backwards. Also noticed the small shaft bolts are missing on both cam towers. I'd install them. Also noticed the #4 cam cap bolt with the Phillips pattern....that bolt is one of 4 that secure the head to the cylinder....they run across the middle of the cylinder.

Ouch ...thanks Mike.  Looks like it's a good thing this doesn't have much run time. 

Think any damage could have happened at this point?  I'll correct all this before running it.

Here is the #1 and 2.  Looks like same if I'm understanding correctly.


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[HondaMan]

Joe....I noticed the #3,#4 exhaust rocker arm shaft is installed backwards. Also noticed the small shaft bolts are missing on both cam towers. I'd install them. Also noticed the #4 cam cap bolt with the Phillips pattern....that bolt is one of 4 that secure the head to the cylinder....they run across the middle of the cylinder.

The rocker shafts may be the ones he and I 'discussed' at some point long ago when he was building the head. At the time I was making rocker shafts (because Honda wouldn't) and they could be had in stock lengths like 4", 6" and 3 (in might have been 4) feet of straight, hardened shaft material. I was buying the full lengths and making them from that: IIRC Ron, at one point, bought some of the pre-cut length versions and ground the middles to fit those retainer bolts. These pre-cut ones were slightly short as compared with the OEM shafts, as can be seen in the head, so I suspect those are the same ones we talked about? He was going to cut/grind just one side of the shaft (like Honda's vendors did for a while) to clear the locator bolt, instead of wasp-waisting them all around. We discussed ideas of how/why Honda had them only cut on one side instead of the wasp-waist: he was leaning toward the simple side-cut for a little more strength - not a bad choice.

[andy750]

Following along - thanks Joe for continuing this project and looking forward to seeing some miles put on the bike!
Good luck
Andy

[Tintop]

subscribed.  Thanks for picking up the torch on this project.

[Stev-o]

Great to see you taking on this, Joe. Ron is smiling...

[CBJoe]

Thanks folks...looking forward to putting miles down on it.

In regards to the rocker shaft and bolts.  Since its still on the lift, I'll go ahead and verify the rocker shafts and correct/add the different bolts.  I need to do some tuning and the Smoothbores as well.  something tells me that i'll need to pull them off to verify all the jetting and bench sync.

I do have a fresh set of Mikuni RS34s that was on my other 750 which is mothballed for a bit.

Joe

[Bankerdanny]

Very cool, Joe.

[CBJoe]

I pulled the rocker shafts to inspect what was in there.  I think there is a mix of new and old style with the later cam towers.  There are no threaded holes in the rocker shafts to lock them from rotating. 

So I think things are ok.   I reinstalled and lashed the valves again to .004/.005 (in/ex)

At least now I know what's there. 

Mike/Mark,  if anything is concerning let me know. Otherwise I'll run it as is.

Joe


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[CBJoe]

Put about 15 miles on bike this morning shaking it down and making sure things are working properly.

Need to pull rear wheel and inspect the drum.  After some riding it seemed the rear brake was dragging....adjusted it and then it was wanting to random lock up when doing light braking.

The VM29s need some work I believe.  It's bogging and sputtering at times. I have no clue what the jetting is set at so should inspect anyway.

Handles good and pulls like a freight train once it's got some RPM.

Joe



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[grcamna2]

Good to see it out of the shop and on the road Joe 
I know you'll get it nice.
I hope you give it a drag strip run when it's complete. 

Ron's project 'Phaedrus' is now being brought to complete fruition; a Runner ! 

[MauiK3]

Sorry for the dumb question.
The backwards rockers, does that mean 3 belongs on 4 and vice versa? They can't be turned around.

Nice bike! Good to see it back.

[CBJoe]

Sorry for the dumb question.
The backwards rockers, does that mean 3 belongs on 4 and vice versa? They can't be turned around.

Nice bike! Good to see it back.

I believe he meant the rocker shaft....which in my case I think was just confusing because it's a mishmash of early, late and aftermarket shafts.



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[Stev-o]

I bet Ron is smiling....you are a good friend, Joe

[RAFster122s]

Ron, she is looking great and too bad Ron is not able to see it now and be on the back for a ride...
Ear to ear smiles for certain seeing her a d hearing her and feeling her running pulling like a freight train reminding you to hold on tight! It is going to be a fun ride your you and your wife to enjoy and you recounting those great memories you had with great times wrenching on the bike bringing happiness to Ronand enjoying building that relationship with him and his wife...
David

[CBJoe]

Random update on Phaedrus...I haven't ridden it much since spring as the rear brake was having some issues and the exhaust had some other problems.

In its past history, it had a Marshal exhaust on it that folks thought were restricting it from potential.  Ron then put some 4-2 reverse megaphone on it from CycleX...with knowledge from Kenny that it wasn't gonna be any better in the flow market.  But Ron was going for clearance. 

Ron drilled out the baffles for flow I think    And I can tell you its GOD AWFUL loud...and painful to ride for long distances.  It also had clearance issues with the rear brake pedal.

I like the 4-2 style on the bike, but no extra budget for parts and I have a super nice Kerker 4-1 sitting around.  I think it looks good...and I have the competition baffle and stock baffle...so will play around with what I like best.  I may go back to a different 4-2 at some point...but for now this will work.  More miles and more shaking things out this fall.

Cheers, Joe

[grcamna2]

Looking good Joe ! 
Good to see Phaedrus again,sitting up on that Western Handy lift   

[CBJoe]

Looking good Joe ! 
Good to see Phaedrus again,sitting up on that Western Handy lift   

I totally blame Ron on the lifts BTW....he talked me into mine when he bought his....then my brother-in-law got one because he liked mine...then he sold all his bikes and parked it here.

So 3 Handys and no time to use them 

[grcamna2]

Looking good Joe ! 
Good to see Phaedrus again,sitting up on that Western Handy lift   

I totally blame Ron on the lifts BTW....he talked me into mine when he bought his....then my brother-in-law got one because he liked mine...then he sold all his bikes and parked it here.

So 3 Handys and no time to use them 

I regret selling mine(relocated so much at the time,difficult to roll it up into a UHaul)to this day;I still have the spare air cylinder seal kit.

[HondaMan]

Wish I still had a lift...
Can you post an end-on picture of the end baffle in the Kerker? Ron and I talked about it once, although I don't remember at the moment if it was the Kerker or the 4-2 pair - it was about noise reduction w/o losing the flow. I recommended essentially the old Snuff-R-Not approach and he was going to try it, but this was just before his first big health knockdown that stalled things. I don't think it was done?

[RAFster122s]

They are money in the bank if you ever find yourself in dire straights and need extreme measures. Besides, when you have a friend come over to wrench with you, you will have a lift for him to work on without disturbing a project you have on your lift.
If you don't have such a friend then that's an assignment for completion when you encounter such a friend...
Side hustle opportunity as well if you take on an occasional project from a friend or customer for a bit of cash.

If you work things right you will find a position that gives you the free time..

[CBJoe]

Wish I still had a lift...
Can you post an end-on picture of the end baffle in the Kerker? Ron and I talked about it once, although I don't remember at the moment if it was the Kerker or the 4-2 pair - it was about noise reduction w/o losing the flow. I recommended essentially the old Snuff-R-Not approach and he was going to try it, but this was just before his first big health knockdown that stalled things. I don't think it was done?

Hey Mark,

The Kerker 4-1 I installed was not from Rons stock, but was from my 836 which is still down with the engine apart.  So there hasn't been any modifications to it.  I believe what I have in it right now is the competition baffle, but I also have what was the original that I may put in to quiet it down. 

Joe