Author Topic: Complete teardown planned...need some help... (Read 1899 times)

Cbass182 · « **on:** May 07, 2008, 11:06:00 AM »

After getting my 1971 CB750 running, I'm now planning to tear down the whole bike to frame and re-painting it, and replacing the old bad parts from the previous owners abuse of this poor bike. (sat outside for a while, rubber parts are shot, chain needs replaced, and a multitude of other things)

I was wondering if anyone has a thoroughly documented tear down of their bike, or if anyone has any advice for me. Especially on getting the engine out of the frame. Most of the stuff on this bike is pretty straight forward because it doesn't have anything "fancy" like liquid cooling, or fuel injection, or tons of electronics, but this is my first bike that I'm going to take down to the frame...

I will start a project thread in the next couple weeks to let everyone know about my progress...It will be slow though, it's being done out in a 12' x 12' makeshift storage shed...so yeah. I have one other person helping me, but he doesn't know anything about working on bikes...he'll be helping me with getting the motor out and a few other things...

Any advice/help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks everyone...

-Chris-

spitfire · « **Reply #1 on:** May 07, 2008, 11:20:09 AM »

Before you start ensure that you have lots of zip lock bags to bag off parts as you remove them, mark the bags with their contents, and photograph every step of the way for easier assembly. By the time you get around to rebuilding it you will have forgotten where all the cables, wiring, vent pipes etc were routed. Ensure that you have lots of shelf room and or boxes to store stuff. Do not throw anything away unless you have a replacement part in your possesion. Thats what I did for my CB750F1 rebuild and it worked though in a few places the photos were not clear enough nor detailed enough. When removing the engine, one of the last jobs I did, do not forget to remove the bottom (long) bolts first otherwise the engine sits on them.

Cheers

Dennis

jdigga · « **Reply #2 on:** May 07, 2008, 11:22:23 AM »

+1 for keeping track of where things go. I didn't do that and forgot where a couple hoses were routed.

I tore down my bike (again) this past off-season and was able to do it solo. Engine removal is easiest in the inverse--remove the frame from the engine instead. Take everything off until you're left with just the frame and engine, lay the assembly on its right side and lift the frame off. There's not a lot of clearance but it'll go if you hit the right angle.

Cbass182 · « **Reply #3 on:** May 07, 2008, 11:43:10 AM »

Wow that was quick...thanks.

I planned on taking tons of pictures, and already have a bunch of bins/boxes/baggies to keep everything organized. Thanks for the tip on the engine bolts...

Keep the suggestions coming please...

Thanks again,

-Chris-

Gordon · « **Reply #4 on:** May 07, 2008, 02:18:47 PM »

Uh oh! Two Cbass'? This could get cornfusing... $:-\$

greenjeans · « **Reply #5 on:** May 07, 2008, 02:37:38 PM »

big box of baggies and a box of sharpies are the most used tools.

I rebuilt my first bike in a 10' x 12' shed.....it was cramped, but it beat the driveway.

Have fun

Cbass182 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 07, 2008, 09:01:04 PM »

Thanks again...I was in town today and bought a bunch of ziploc baggies and a plastic 7 drawer storage bin thing...

Spikeybike · « **Reply #7 on:** May 07, 2008, 09:23:49 PM »

I'm fond of pinning the baggies to a corkboard, then you can see everything at once

mystic_1 · « **Reply #8 on:** May 08, 2008, 08:53:04 AM »

Go out and get yourself several small shelves, like 8 inches deep, but as long as will fit on your walls. You will have lots and lots of little parts to keep track of, it's easier if they're not all heaped together in a box or in a big pile.

mystic_1

Tvag · « **Reply #9 on:** May 08, 2008, 09:44:27 AM »

I didn't go all the way to the frame but I got close during my rebuild. I used a #$%* ton of baby food jars labeled of course. I also took photo's but what helped me the most was taking notes. I would draw how the parts would go back together as I saw it and it made it very easy to put things back the right way when photo's were not clear enough.

Also, regarding the wireing. I would make tabs with tape at the end of the wires and make symbols or numbers to match up to eachother. Its and extra step but when you have a ton of wires sticking out every which way it helps to be able to match everything back up.

Enjoy.

Tvag

mystic_1 · « **Reply #10 on:** May 08, 2008, 09:48:21 AM »

Quote from: Tvag on May 08, 2008, 09:44:27 AM

Also, regarding the wireing. I would make tabs with tape at the end of the wires and make symbols or numbers to match up to eachother. Its and extra step but when you have a ton of wires sticking out every which way it helps to be able to match everything back up.

Good call. You can get pre-made "wire marking labels" at your local hardware or home improvement store too. They come in little booklets with pre-numbered sets of labels that you can wrap around the ends of the wires. You could leave these permanently attached to make future maintenance easier, too

mystic_1

spitfire · « **Reply #11 on:** May 09, 2008, 03:27:10 AM »

Mystic 1 is correct, I had to put up 4 shelves, even then all the benches were covered in parts, see attached photo.

Cheers

Den

mazingerzeca · « **Reply #12 on:** May 09, 2008, 08:09:01 AM »

I'm rebuilding my bike in a 8' x 12' shed, so I had to be very organized.
I put some shelves on the left side of the shed and some others on the right side. The bigger parts, like wheels, frame etc. are on the floor.
Besides the told above about zip bags and pictures I did the following:
- The parts that needed some treatment (painting, cleaning, chroming) were on the left side shelves. The parts ready to fit are on the right side, on labeled zip bags.
- To keep an inventory of the parts, I put a code on the partslist (Cr for Chroming, P for painting...) stating the treatment that the pieces need, and a tick when the part is ready.
- The parts on the left side are stored on boxed labeled For chroming, For painting, for Cleaning... and the parts on the right side are stored in bags and boxes labeled with the page of the partslist in which are.

Maybe it looks too obsessive, but is the only way to keep an inventory of the million parts of the bike and to know exactly where the parts are. Also, I didn't want to make an order to David Silver or other shop, forget something, do a new order, and pay shipping costs again for a few missing screws, so keeping the inventory updated you don't forget anything.

Magpie · « **Reply #13 on:** May 09, 2008, 08:19:59 AM »

Ditto on the notes! I took tons of pictures of my K1 rebuild but my grease smudged notebook was priceless. Just a quick note on how something was wired together, how it came apart etc. Also, when removing screws from covers I found it easy to make a cardboard outline/look alike of the cover, punch holes it in where the screws came from and push the screws in it. Maybe too anal but it's all in the details to make your rebuild easier.
Cliff.

phactory · « **Reply #14 on:** May 09, 2008, 08:24:56 AM »

Cbass182,

Definitely take tons of pictures. i find that I take many pictures of the same area from many different angles. These shots are extremely helpful when trying to re-route cables and harnesses.

Phil

Quote from: Cbass182 on May 07, 2008, 11:43:10 AM

Wow that was quick...thanks.

I planned on taking tons of pictures, and already have a bunch of bins/boxes/baggies to keep everything organized. Thanks for the tip on the engine bolts...

Keep the suggestions coming please...

Thanks again,

-Chris-

phactory · « **Reply #15 on:** May 09, 2008, 08:25:57 AM »

Cbass182,

Definitely take tons of pictures. i find that I take many pictures of the same area from many different angles. These shots are extremely helpful when trying to re-route cables and harnesses. Also if you don't already have them, a Workshop manual and a parts manual are invaluable. Both can be found here on this site.

Phil

Quote from: Cbass182 on May 07, 2008, 11:43:10 AM

Wow that was quick...thanks.

I planned on taking tons of pictures, and already have a bunch of bins/boxes/baggies to keep everything organized. Thanks for the tip on the engine bolts...

Keep the suggestions coming please...

Thanks again,

-Chris-

[/quote]

mystic_1 · « **Reply #16 on:** May 09, 2008, 08:39:27 AM »

It is NOT possible to be "too anal" when rebuilding a a motorcycle (or any vehicle) especially if you crack open the engine.

Who knew I was so blessed with my 10'x20' garage

Another tip: Use masking tape to tape related components to each other.

mystic_1

nippon · « **Reply #17 on:** May 09, 2008, 09:55:51 AM »

Sorry, I did not read the whole thread.
But in my opinion, one of the most important thinks to take care:
Make tons of pics, mark the pieces or put them in marked plastic bags (rocker arms, carb parts and so on)
and do not interchange any used parts during reassembling. They have to go where they come from!
(e.g. carb #1 parts to carb #1, rocker arms at same place.....)

nippon

Cbass182 · « **Reply #18 on:** May 11, 2008, 07:18:21 AM »

Thanks for all the comments. I now have my bike down to the motor, frame, and centerstand. I bought myself a set of cheap plastic drawers, and a ton of zip lock baggies, took your advice about the wiring and numbering all the connections too...

Thanks everyone...

-Chris-

mystic_1 · « **Reply #19 on:** May 11, 2008, 08:31:41 AM »

Excellent. Work carefully and methodically, and you should do well.

Best of luck!

mystic_1

News:

Author Topic: Complete teardown planned...need some help... (Read 1899 times)

jdigga