Topic: Shipping Honda CB750 parts from USA to Thailand

[kyle750]

I just received notice that my latest shipment from the USA quickly cleared Thailand customs and will be delivered today

My first shipment of Honda parts from the USA was very problematic and was held up in Thai customs for a very long time.  My shipper used the incorrect HS (harmonized shipping) code.  Not my  shipper's fault as I did not input the code with content information so the shipper quessed and guessed wrong. It was entirely my fault. Thailand customs required confirmation of content value, assessed me a different tariff rate, and charged me an addtional  50% penalty on top of the regular 30%  customs duties and a 100% penalty on top of the regular 7% VAT. It was a VERY expensive and time consuming mistake!

After the customs fiasco I spent a lot of time researching HS codes, tariff rates, and talked to both my FEDEX shipping agent and the actual Customs Official in charge.  Everything has been worked out and the Official has assured me there will be no problems or delays in any future shipments.

I am super excited about this shipment. Big Box with lots of Honda CB750 goodies including the KONI aluminum body shocks

[kyle750]

Sitting and waiting for the delivery today decided to go ahead and remove the ancient, dead shocks
 
Here is the strategy:

Bike on center stand, wood boards under the wheel to prop up the rear wheel and lessen the weight on the swingarm,  one shock at a time,  loosen (do not remove) the footpeg/exhaust bolt about 1/4" so the bottom rear shock bolt can be removed. Bottom bolt first then upper bolt.  Install replacement shock and then repeat on the other side.

[kyle750]

Delivered 

Photo of the small stuff right out of the box including front fork badge, swingarm bushings and end caps, KONI shocks and I forget the rest

Larger body parts were packed very well and will be unwrapped later.  Very tricky shipping larger parts as larger boxes incur a much higher volume/dimensional weight (very expensive shipping cost) so based on my direction the shipper consolidates into the smallest box possible.  Always a risk of damage using the smallest size box without a lot of extra packing material but it looks like everything survived the trip in great shape

[bryanj]

Those ikon(koni) shocks look good enough to fit straight on

[kyle750]

Those ikon(koni) shocks look good enough to fit straight on

Thanks mate.  I will inspect the KONIs tomorrow and if OK will try fitting them on the bike to check size. Old shocks came off easily.  Top threaded shock bolt and the interior of the round chrome nut were seriously rusted. Sprayed them both with WD40 and took a wire brush and then a scotch brite pad to remove the rust in the threads.  Now looking much better.  Hard to believe this Honda frame is over 50 years old - the construction is super heavy duty and still looks great after all these years.  Very impressed with the CB750 frame. 

[newday777]

Put never seize on those shock threads.
Jealous of the Koni aluminum. I have the steel koni shocks.

[kyle750]

I really wanted new IKON chrome steel shocks for the bike as IMO they have the best vintage look that is a perfect match  for the Honda CB750 and excellent performance.  But  the price and shipping and import taxes for the new IKON shocks were more than I wanted to spend.  The aluminum body KONIs were much less expensive but they are old and used with unknown condition and untested performance.  Big gamble with the old KONIs but worth the risk. 

[kyle750]

Sorting the small parts this morning.  Older Kibblewhite bronze swingarm bushings and original Honda NOS end caps.  I also bought a heavy duty drift punch from the Japan second hand tool shop to use to drive out the old bushings.  Replacing the bushings is a long way off but I'm getting prepared.  I still need to buy proper grease for that job but hoping I can find  locally here in Thailand 

[kyle750]

I bought this gas cap a long time ago back when I thought my tank could be repainted and reused.  I've since decided to replace the tank.  Depending on which tank I buy I might or might not need it.  We'll see what turns up. I guess I should unwrap it to check the condition of the chrome? 

[MauiK3]

Since I am in a marine environment here I use anti-seize on just about everything, good insurance.

[kyle750]

Put never seize on those shock threads.

Since I am in a marine environment here I use anti-seize on just about everything, good insurance.

Do you guys use loctite copper as an anti-seize?   

[newday777]

Put never seize on those shock threads.

Since I am in a marine environment here I use anti-seize on just about everything, good insurance.

Do you guys use loctite copper as an anti-seize?

I don't think that I've bought it or seen it. Is it an antiseize?

[newday777]

Put never seize on those shock threads.

Since I am in a marine environment here I use anti-seize on just about everything, good insurance.

Do you guys use loctite copper as an anti-seize?

It isn't an antiseize. It is a silicone sealer.

[kyle750]

Sorry mate.  I'm not very knowledgable about the different anti-seize greases.  There are so many available.  Here is the loctite that is very popular and readily available in Thailand

[kyle750]

Newly arrived HONDA front fork badge in great shape with mounting bracket and bolts.  Not a high priority and will be tossed into the parts bin for another day 

[kyle750]

Those ikon(koni) shocks look good enough to fit straight on

No go     Newly arrived  KONI shocks the inner diameter of the bushing is too small and will not slide over the shock bolt?? Original Honda Stock shock on the right. 

[BenelliSEI]

Try pushing out the Koni busing and use the one from the original shock. Failing that get a local shop to machine up one of Delrin or another suitable bushings material.

[kyle750]

Try pushing out the Koni busing and use the one from the original shock. Failing that get a local shop to machine up one of Delrin or another suitable bushings material.

Thank you the excellent advice.  I really want to get these on.  They look AMAZING!

[kyle750]

Over at the KONI shock forum the KONI experts are looking into a possible solution.  Thank You Gentlemen!

[M 750K6]

Ikon might have a solution?

[newday777]

Sorry mate.  I'm not very knowledgable about the different anti-seize greases.  There are so many available.  Here is the loctite that is very popular and readily available in Thailand

That should be fine to use.

[kyle750]

Bushings Available at Ikon

[kyle750]

I've measured the bushings and shock post carefully.  Current bushings on the KONI shocks have an inner eye diameter of 16mm which is the largest diameter bushing KONI/IKON makes.  There is no larger size.

The current Honda stock shock has an inner eye bushing diameter of 17.5mm and the shock post is the same at 17.5mm.  The 16mm KONI is too small to fit.  Even more perplexing is the current IKON shocks sold for the Honda CB750 must use the 16mm bushings yet that is too small for my bike? 

[Stev-o]

I've measured the bushings and shock post carefully.  Current bushings on the KONI shocks have an inner eye diameter of 16mm which is the largest diameter bushing KONI/IKON makes.  There is no larger size.

The current Honda stock shock has an inner eye bushing diameter of 17.5mm and the shock post is the same at 17.5mm.  The 16mm KONI is too small to fit.  Even more perplexing is the current IKON shocks sold for the Honda CB750 must use the 16mm bushings yet that is too small for my bike? 

The Koni shock appears to have a metal sleeve that is not needed, try punching that out and see what the dimension of the rubber bushing is.

[newday777]

I've measured the bushings and shock post carefully.  Current bushings on the KONI shocks have an inner eye diameter of 16mm which is the largest diameter bushing KONI/IKON makes.  There is no larger size.

The current Honda stock shock has an inner eye bushing diameter of 17.5mm and the shock post is the same at 17.5mm.  The 16mm KONI is too small to fit.  Even more perplexing is the current IKON shocks sold for the Honda CB750 must use the 16mm bushings yet that is too small for my bike? 

The Koni shock appears to have a metal sleeve that is not needed, try punching that out and see what the dimension of the rubber bushing is.

Measure the OD of thr metal bushing 1st