Topic: Belfast-2-Belfast-By-Bike: Part 3

[The Lone Builder]

Belfast-2-Belfast-By-Bike Part 3, NZ and Oz, is about to start, even as Part 2 draws to an end. I’m looking for some more advice/assistance from the ever helpful members here.

1.     I’m heading to Fresno,CA now and feel the bike needs a good overhaul before I ship it off to NZ. This may come to an engine rebuild. Is there anyone near(ish) to Fresno who could offer some assistance, or advice to help me with this?

2.     I have to ship the bike to Auckland, NZ and the arrival date is not too clear. I am hoping to get there by mid-January 2025, but the bike could be there up to 6 weeks before that. I was hoping to find someone in Auckland who could take delivery of the bike - the shipper will deliver it – and store if for me? Or have another idea.

[jaytee-nz]

I've been scratching my head about who in Auckland might be able to help you but I'm struggling.
I'll ask some friends and see if they know of anyone.
Cheers - JT

[jaytee-nz]

Will the bike be in a crate ?

[The Lone Builder]

Thanks.
No, I think it will be uncreated at the shipper, but I’ll check.

[BenelliSEI]

Sean….. Incredible saga and it continues!! Congratulations on your grit and determination. I’m seriously impressed. John and Maya D.

[The Lone Builder]

Hi All,

I've posted this on the NZ page also, but not too many seem to be active on there, so I'm repeating the post here in the hope of reaching a few more.

Some may have seen my earlier posts regarding my odyssey to visit every Belfast on the planet; belfast2belfastbybike.com.

Well having finished in the "Land of the Free", I'm now heading south and will be in God's Own Country in mid January, and then on to Oz. Hopefully I'll bump into a few members down there on my way around the islands.

But for now I have a question about tyres in NZ. I need to replace both tyres (CB750 K2). What is available in NZ and what do folk use? Are they readily available or do I need other order well in advance?

[jaytee-nz]

Sean - you shouldn't have any issues with buying tyres in NZ. The main brands are all available and in the sizes you need (unless you run something weird size wise).
Plenty of dealers in Auckland if that is when you need them.

[The Lone Builder]

Thanks for that Jaytee. Auckland is indeed where I'll need them.

I'll also need insurance; do you know of a company that will insure a foreign registered bike?

[jaytee-nz]

I don't know for sure, but I would try Star Insurance - starinsure.co.nz as they specialise in classic bikes and cars.

[MauiK3]

Why do you think it needs an overhaul?
Maybe call around to some of the Honda shops in the area to see what they may know. The areas closer to the coast around Paso Robles are big on bikes and a lot of older bikes are there, maybe check that area. A call to shops around San Francisco or Los Angeles may help too.

[The Lone Builder]

I don't know for sure, but I would try Star Insurance - starinsure.co.nz as they specialise in classic bikes and cars.

Will do. Thanks.

[The Lone Builder]

Why do you think it needs an overhaul?
Maybe call around to some of the Honda shops in the area to see what they may know. The areas closer to the coast around Paso Robles are big on bikes and a lot of older bikes are there, maybe check that area. A call to shops around San Francisco or Los Angeles may help too.

Because it had a mild oil seepage from the cylinder head area for a while. On my last ride from Fresno to SF, I use a tank full of oil and had a good coverage on the left hand side - my leg included.

The bike is no with the shipping agent. I'm hoping to find a way to sort it out in NZ.

[HondaMan]

Why do you think it needs an overhaul?
Maybe call around to some of the Honda shops in the area to see what they may know. The areas closer to the coast around Paso Robles are big on bikes and a lot of older bikes are there, maybe check that area. A call to shops around San Francisco or Los Angeles may help too.

Because it had a mild oil seepage from the cylinder head area for a while. On my last ride from Fresno to SF, I use a tank full of oil and had a good coverage on the left hand side - my leg included.

The bike is no with the shipping agent. I'm hoping to find a way to sort it out in NZ.

If the head was previously off and a new head gasket installed, the oil WILL leak from the 2 oil ports at the back of the cylinders unless the cylinders were decked at least -0.010", or thicker O-ring (2.6x10. were installed. I do both. This oil will work its way from the back of the engine forward, then the wind likes to carry it out to the left and/or right side of the head-cylinders joint.

I have the O-rings if you need them. I've sent a whole bunch of them to NZ riders before, too.

[The Lone Builder]

Why do you think it needs an overhaul?
Maybe call around to some of the Honda shops in the area to see what they may know. The areas closer to the coast around Paso Robles are big on bikes and a lot of older bikes are there, maybe check that area. A call to shops around San Francisco or Los Angeles may help too.

Because it had a mild oil seepage from the cylinder head area for a while. On my last ride from Fresno to SF, I use a tank full of oil and had a good coverage on the left hand side - my leg included.

The bike is no with the shipping agent. I'm hoping to find a way to sort it out in NZ.

If the head was previously off and a new head gasket installed, the oil WILL leak from the 2 oil ports at the back of the cylinders unless the cylinders were decked at least -0.010", or thicker O-ring (2.6x10. were installed. I do both. This oil will work its way from the back of the engine forward, then the wind likes to carry it out to the left and/or right side of the head-cylinders joint.

I have the O-rings if you need them. I've sent a whole bunch of them to NZ riders before, too.

A friend here told me more or less the same thing.

Which o-rings do you mean, Mark? No 10 in the first pic, or No 17 in the second?

[Don R]

 The issue is caused by the new head gaskets being thicker so I'd say it must be #10.

[The Lone Builder]

The issue is caused by the new head gaskets being thicker so I'd say it must be #10.

That's what I thought. But why 10x2.6 and not 11x2.6?

[HondaMan]

Yep, it's the #10 in the first picture: they were 11x2.4 at the early engines, then went to 11x2.5 in the K2. Most gasket sets, if they supply them at all, have 11x2.5, in my experience (even the Vesrah kits). The ones I send out are 10.8x2.6 to make up for the too-thick head gaskets.

Part of the confusion out there involves the now-silent O-ring change between the K1 and K2, as some savvy builders working on the K0/1 engines measure the original one (2.4 thick) and then step up to the first available size of 2.5mm: but, that only worked before 1996 when the head gaskets got thicker. So, that old lore is still floating around. Today, it takes the 2.6 thickness, plus a reduction of the diameter from 11.0 to 10.8 to fit in the recess of the cylinders.

[Dime]

Following. This is an epic idea. Good on you.

[Stev-o]

Subscribed.

[HondaMan]

They're cheap to send: I can put them in a letter!
Need an address, though...
If anyone else needs some, chime in: I have over 200 of them at the moment, just for this forum.

[PeWe]

Do not forget to re-torque the head 24 hours later when gasket has compressed. 20 ft lb with a good torque wrench. ,(MLS need more.)
Plus the rubber coins under cam holders get sealer against the head.

I have got an oil soaked top end due to not tightened breather cover. Oil flows fine when hot and wind....

[newday777]

How's it going Sean? Happy New Year to you!
Any updates?

[HondaMan]

And how does the leg feel?

[The Lone Builder]

Hi,

Happy New Year to all!

The bike, or rather the ship is currently lying off Auckland and is due to dock tomorrow. Apparently it will take a week to get it cleared and ready for collection, which is fine, as I don't get there until 0300 on Mon 13th.

Got my trains and flights booked - 56 hours travelling in total, including an overnight in Nice. Got a garage to work in, thanks to a friend of a friend and have almost booked my first week's accommodation - that's how long I'm estimating for the tope end re-do.

Stay well all.

PS leg is fine Mark, thanks, just as long as I don't kneel on the scar. It held out well for a few days skiing - ignoring the (slight) pain that is.

[BenelliSEI]

Sean….. Happy New Year! Good luck on your travels and will be following along!