Topic: Phaedrus: CB750 RestoMod - Update: 09/23/21 w/ new video

[Zaipai]

Thanks MCRider for the kick stand spring trick, its just what I needed. I man handled the thing on, however I have to put the stock one back on because the chrome one I have is too long and I was not looking forward to doing it because of the spring.. Thanks for the help!!!

.: Scott :.

[MCRider]

Thanks MCRider for the kick stand spring trick, its just what I needed. I man handled the thing on, however I have to put the stock one back on because the chrome one I have is too long and I was not looking forward to doing it because of the spring.. Thanks for the help!!!

.: Scott :.

It doesn't make it simple, but it can make it easier.

[sangyo soichiro]

This is my first post in this thread.  I figure I better hurry up and post early, while this thread is still somewhat small.   

Subscribed.

[Zaipai]

This is my first post in this thread.  I figure I better hurry up and post early, while this thread is still somewhat small.   

Subscribed.

Lol small.. 50 pages already.. I think you snoozed a bit.. Lots of interest in this ride.. Well deserved..

.: Scott :.

[MCRider]

Master cylinder: Phaedrus I had this one:

Identity unknown. Got it from CycleRecycle Part II WAY back. Thot it may be Kawasaki, twin brake for sure.. The feel was superb, absolutely great brake. But as you can see the thing encroaches on the tach face and stands up ugly. So I wanted to solve that with this iteration.
This MC also from CRCII, also unknown. They thot it was from a VFR700, but the more I look at eBay it doesn't seem so.

The banjo bolt is on the front:

Clean look in my mind. Its been in a box here for at least 10 years. In a box of hundreds at CRCII for how long before that?  Had some really nasty goo inside, balls of gum, but it cleans out easily.



Its beyond hope that I can get away without rebuilding this thing. So I need to identify it. Look familiar to any of you? Here's some more shots.


There is a 5/8 on the barrell of the Kawasaki unit and a 5/8 on the barrell of the low profileunit, so I'm hoping it has the same feel as the first one.

It says Use DOT 3 on the cap. My 1988 Hawk GT says use DOT 4, so I'm guessing its pre 1988.

Any guesses?

[MCRider]

thanks for the spring tip! i like those common sense ideas... especially when they cost nothing to try. 

the bike is beginning to really take shape and i can almost imagine hearing it run!

Thanks for the encouragement. I remember what it sounded like before. Its going to sound even better with 888cc pumping thru that Marshall DeepTone.      

[Ecosse]

it must have been discussed before but do you know if marshalls are the same as lazer exhaust? i keep hearing good things about them both (quality/sound) and hope i can get them in a "size 550" or "size 650." i don't hate my mac but the chrome quality seems... meh.

btw: that throttle looks trick. 


as for your mc i could look at my buddy's 86(?) vf500 and see if his mc is similar in appearance. dunno if it'll be any help but i'm a little surprised there's no #### to i.d. the part.

 

[MCRider]

it must have been discussed before but do you know if marshalls are the same as lazer exhaust? i keep hearing good things about them both (quality/sound) and hope i can get them in a "size 550" or "size 650." i don't hate my mac but the chrome quality seems... meh.

btw: that throttle looks trick. 


as for your mc i could look at my buddy's 86(?) vf500 and see if his mc is similar in appearance. dunno if it'll be any help but i'm a little surprised there's no #### to i.d. the part.

 

I do believe marshall and Lazer are corporately related, though I don't know who acquired whom. Like so many of my parts, I bot the exhaust many years ago, 2000 I think. It came thru a US distributor but has foreign language on it, Netherlands IIRC. I think in the meantime the CB750 pipe has been discontinued OCICBW, or maybe just the US distributor, don't know about the other CBs.

I've had that 1/4 turn quickthrottle for years also, first opportunity to try it. From Italy.

VF500 could be it, pls look if you get a chance. The smaller bikes seem to have the bolt on the front as their bars and dashboards areas are smaller. Mine has no identifiers on it at all except the "5/8".

Thanks!

[droopy]

that m/c looks like the one on a kawaski 454ltd. still miss that bike

[MCRider]

that m/c looks like the one on a kawaski 454ltd. still miss that bike

It does look similar, I found a picture on their website. The banjo is on the front, but the site glass is in a different place.

That was a good bike.

[Brown Bomber]

that m/c looks like the one on a kawaski 454ltd. still miss that bike

It does look similar, I found a picture on their website. The banjo is on the front, but the site glass is in a different place.

That was a good bike.

     Take a look at a '84 Magna 700 MC, site glass is in the right place, but the banjo bolt comes off the end, might be the same piston, seals, etc.
     I rebuilt a MC from a '82 Nighthawk 450, and thought the parts looked familiar, looked at my spare MC for my "87 Kawasaki Concours, and sure enough, the piston and seals were identical though the bodies were different. Used the good seals out of my spare, worked great.
     I'm sure Kawasaki, Honda, and others, don't want us to know that many of these parts come from the same place.
       

[MCRider]

that m/c looks like the one on a kawaski 454ltd. still miss that bike

It does look similar, I found a picture on their website. The banjo is on the front, but the site glass is in a different place.

That was a good bike.

     Take a look at a '84 Magna 700 MC, site glass is in the right place, but the banjo bolt comes off the end, might be the same piston, seals, etc.
     I rebuilt a MC from a '82 Nighthawk 450, and thought the parts looked familiar, looked at my spare MC for my "87 Kawasaki Concours, and sure enough, the piston and seals were identical though the bodies were different. Used the good seals out of my spare, worked great.
     I'm sure Kawasaki, Honda, and others, don't want us to know that many of these parts come from the same place.
       

Thanks. Short of an exact ID, I'll do some trial and error like that. I'm thinking I'll hit on the right parts without too much trouble.

[MCRider]

Ecosse: Looking at the fish for the VF500F, it sure looks like the same master cylinder, lever, clamp, position of site glass, all the same. Step up to the VF700F and the banjo is moved to the end.

Hope you get a chance to look at your buddies' bike, if its not too much trouble.

[MCRider]

Went to the street show RockersUnited Saturday. Felt good to mingle, though I don't say much. Met CBJoe. Lots of bobber style bikes and late models and cafes, http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=70497.msg791326#msg791326  Didn't make it to the after party but I'll bet it was great.

Another day (morning) in the shop.

Packed up the gas tank to go to Moyers Tank in the morning.
http://www.gas-tank.com/

I know many of you have done this yourselves, and it shouldn't be beyond me to do it myself as well, but there's certain things I'll do and others get farmed out in the interest of time and getting it right the first time.

Took the front end off lock stock barrell.

Loaded it in van to take to machinist

Having a fork brace made, trim down the ZL900 fender to fit (hopefully) and mount under the fork brace, machining down one of the brake brackets to get it to line up.  Having this sidestand straightened, and a a round plate on the bottom for footing, then chrome.

Started picking at the master cylinder. Never had one apart before. Got the external rubber boot off...in shreds. Scraped and gouged at the crap inside. Should I be looking at an internal circlip? I have master cylinder circlip pliars as a coincidental benefit to helping my friend clean out his late FIL's garage. But they don't seem to be engaging in any holes. I am soaking the whole piece right now, probably more crud needs to come out.

I'll be leaving the 28th for 9 days, 25th wedding anniversary in Gatlinburg, so I'll miss 2 weekends of working on Phaedrus.  Hope to at least get the MC apart before leaving.

My buddy who gave me the NOS K1 tachometer just a few weeks ago, died Thursday from complications to his spinal deterioration.

[MCRider]

Found this video doing a search on the site:
http://dotheton.com/index.php?topic=4114.0
I think it tells me what I need to know. I'm at the hardest part, getting that circlip out. After soaking tonight I think I'll boil it tomorrow and I'll bet since I have the proper pliars I'll get it out.

[mystic_1]

Got the external rubber boot off...in shreds. Scraped and gouged at the crap inside. Should I be looking at an internal circlip?

Hi Ron,  when you got the boot off, did you also get the spring clip that helps retain it?  If not, then it's sitting down in there blocking your access to the main circlip.

#5, below



Sorry to hear about your buddy.

mystic_1

[MCRider]

Mystic: Mine is a VF500F MC, but the parts all look the same. The clip around the dust boot was not there or not obvious. Maybe its down the hole like you suggest, I'll look.

I've had MC failures in the past, but rather than rebuilding them, or cleaning the return hole, which was likely the problem and I didn't know it back then, I just went to CRC2 and got a good used one. So this is a new experience.

My buddy was only 62. My dad was only 51 when he died. So it just goes to show, planning for the future is great, but we can't sacrifice the here and now.

[wannabridin]

So it just goes to show, planning for the future is great, but we can't sacrifice the here and now.

this is why my savings account isn't quite where it should be!!  you cant spend or enjoy your bikes when you're dead, so might as well have as much fun as possible EVERY day!!!  sorry to hear about your friend MC, i'm sure he'll be plenty missed.  so you should hurry up with phaedrus and go for a little memorial ride!!!

[CBJoe]

I'll be leaving the 28th for 9 days, 25th wedding anniversary in Gatlinburg, so I'll miss 2 weekends of working on Phaedrus.  Hope to at least get the MC apart before leaving.

Don't forget to wear blinders when you drive through Pigeon Forge 

Nice meeting you on Saturday..... sorry you didn't make it to Radio Radio.   I was almost in shell shock with the multitudes of bikes at the Melody.  Even the organizers were surprised at the turnout.   

Joe

[MCRider]

I'll be leaving the 28th for 9 days, 25th wedding anniversary in Gatlinburg, so I'll miss 2 weekends of working on Phaedrus.  Hope to at least get the MC apart before leaving.

Don't forget to wear blinders when you drive through Pigeon Forge 

Nice meeting you on Saturday..... sorry you didn't make it to Radio Radio.   I was almost in shell shock with the multitudes of bikes at the Melody.  Even the organizers were surprised at the turnout.   

Joe

At least initially we'll have blinders, but probably spend a day there, I want to go to a air chamber that makes you feel like skydiving.   

Maybe next time I'll go to the party, at least for the scene. Sure were a lot of bikes for sure. Did they all parade to Radio Radio together, more or less?

[CBJoe]

No parade of bikes through the downtown     Everybody showed up in small groups.  It was very cool hanging out in the back lot of Radio Radio.... and the freakin' sun wasn't beating down on us. 

I've never been much of a social biker (or person), but it was definitely fun hanging around for the atmosphere.  Makes me look forward to getting the Yamaha Triple finished. 

[MCRider]

No parade of bikes through the downtown     Everybody showed up in small groups.  It was very cool hanging out in the back lot of Radio Radio.... and the freakin' sun wasn't beating down on us. 

I've never been much of a social biker (or person), but it was definitely fun hanging around for the atmosphere.  Makes me look forward to getting the Yamaha Triple finished. 

Yeah I would be a lurker too. Love the Excess triples!

[MCRider]

Yay! got the MC apart. Soaked it in parts cleaner first, then some PB Blaster. Picked around inside and finally uncovered the holes to the circlip. Not before drawing blood however.

I always say its not really a day in the shop if you don't draw blood.  

Here's what i can only think are purpose built pliars I found at buddy's garage we were cleaning out. He said I could have them. The jaws are at 90deg and have tapers to fit down in the hole of a cylinder. Never seen any like them. Just about threw them away.


Yay the guts came out.

Boo, I've got the wrong rebuild kit. The seller said he's got lots of them and will work with me to get the right one. Since I really don't know for absolutely sure what MC I have.

My rubber piston cup is the big one laying on top of the bag. Now I'll boil the body of the MC, strip and polish it.

So, the tank went out in UPS yesterday. That's take a week to 10 days.  The front end was dropped off at the machinists today. They could surprise me and be done tomorrow, but I'm expecting next week. So things will be happening while I'm away on vacation. Feel good about that.

[Ecosse]

ah, no blood no glory!

well, it seems ya may not have a vfr500 mc then? dang it!



getting the correct one using the old bits is one way to solve the mystery. hope you have a speedy heal up ron!

[Ichiban 4]

Here's what i can only think are purpose built pliers I found at buddy's garage we were cleaning out. He said I could have them. The jaws are at 90deg and have tapers to fit down in the hole of a cylinder. Never seen any like them. Just about threw them away.


Yay the guts came out.

Boo, I've got the wrong rebuild kit. The seller said he's got lots of them and will work with me to get the right one. Since I really don't know for absolutely sure what MC I have.

My rubber piston cup is the big one laying on top of the bag. Now I'll boil the body of the MC, strip and polish it.
[/quote]
__________________________________________________________
Hey Ron..

Those pliers look just like the regular Honda pliers I had to borrow..to get the circlip out of my MC..when I rebuilt it. I even tried a generic right angle circlip pliers..and they wouldn't get it.  Guess you can still buy/get them..@ about $50.00 a pop though.  Funny how sometimes the exact tool needed is the only way.  Guess I was fortunate in having a Honda mechanic/friend that would loan to me.

Also: just wanted to relate that it seems that your Phaedrus II build is coming right along..I can't wait to see some more details on your engine build though.

Cheers,

Al