Topic: Another CB350F rebuild (not Jim's or Tim's)

[cb350f-mark]

I really didn't think it would take this long to make my second post here but it's taken more than a year to get to work on my 73 cb350f.  Just days after I posted my "member introduction" last fall I had an unfortunate accident with a plate glass window while sprinting out my front door after my dog had been hit by a car. The dog was fine - she ran into the side of the car and bounced - just a scrape on her leg and paw. Unfortunately I didn't make out as well.

One year, two surgeries and lots of physiotherapy later I have a left arm with one less attached biceps tendon and about 60% of the strength it had before. Oh well... stuff happens and at least I didn't miss much work.

Today I finally got to work on the CB!

During the rehab I had a better look at the bike. Turns out the mixture issues were being exacerbated by the significant exhaust leaks caused by broken exhaust studs.



I figured I'd take a run at removing the broken ones as I've had a good bit of experience with stuck fasteners during my "British Sportscar Phase" (The car is gone now but the experience remains) I've been spraying the busted studs with liquid wrench once a week for about a month now and though I'd give it a go.

2 hours later I had 2 broken off at the head and managed to twist another off half way up between double nuts. @#^%&@$!#

Worse than that I went up to crappy tire and bought an  EZ-out and broke that off in the head too.



I know -  I know - I should know better than to try the EZ-outs. One of these days they're gonna work out

So I finally got to work on the bike after a year and in the first 90 minutes I've managed to *@!&#^ it up real good. Oh well I guess I have more to learn about removing seized fasteners and now I'd have the opportunity to pull the engine out and tear the top end down to have someone with better skills and tools than I fix the exhaust studs.

So here's where I sit now....


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30789087@N03/3040304426/" >[/url]

I'm kinda glad now that I've been forced into a more significant rebuild of the bike. During the engine removal I discovered countless loose fasteners, missing washers and one missing engine mount bolt! Makes me sure now that I need to go through the whole bike before she's road worthy.

Tomorrow I plan to pull the head and take lots of pictures. Does anyone know of a good machinist in the Greater Toronto Area that knows something about these old bikes? The guy that did the work on my spitfire years back is out of business now and I'd like to have whoever addresses the exhaust studs do any required cylinder and head work as well.

Thanks for listening and more questions to come.

Mark.

[NWrider]

2manybikes,

Glad you're well on the way to recovering from the window episode.

Interesting that you would post the problem on the broken stud and e-z out. Here's a link to a solution you might want to check out.

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?action=search2

Since machining is expensive, no matter where you live, this might work for you. If it doesn't work, you could always opt to have it machined.


NWR

[cadaver]

HOLLY Cr@p... my right arm wasn't that bad when i got it caught on a rock when i was dirt bike riding 7 years ago ...can you still pull the clutch in with your left arm like that ?... I hope all went well ...good luck with your build   

[mattcb350f]

This one was recommended on here a while back.....http://www.themotorcyclestore.net/

They're over in Mississauga. If I remember right, someone had them do some machining work and there prices were reasonable. Machinists experienced in fixing bike engines, they sound good to me.

BTW, glad the arm is healing up. Sounds like you went through some tough times.

Matt.

EDIT: found this thread too: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=691.0

In fact, there are a few under 'Owners' Club Forums' / 'Regions' / 'Canada' / 'Eastern Provinces' with more info.

[kghost]

Hey....

Welcome back.

Sorry to hear of your travails.

Admire your dedication to sticking with it.

[troppo]

G`day 2manybikes
Glad to hear your finally on the mend and havent given up on the old girl.
The exhaust studs could be sorted with a chemical solution that was posted in heree a while ago, cant remember who posted it but i saved it for reference. Soounds like a good plan but you may need a big tub to do it in.

The solution is aluminum sulfate.

There is another way to get steel screws out of ALUMINUM parts.
by the use of aluminum sulfate (also used for sprinkling on your garden - can be had at a greenhouse or garden store).

The following is a quote from Dan's Motorcycle Repair Course:
[Quote:]
 If you break off a tap in some kind of non-ferrous metal, like an aluminum crankcase, you can try soaking it in a solution of Aluminum Sulfate. It works best if you heat it to 120+ degrees Fahrenheit and let it work for a few hours. Or you can just throw it in at room temperature for a few days and the iron will go away. Remember, this is good for NON-FERROUS metals. Be sure there are no other iron pieces on the workpiece. Use a plastic tray, Tupperware works too.[Unquote]

The rest of the article can be had at:
http://www.dansmc.com/stripbolt.htm

Good Luck to You

Hope this helps you mate
Cheers
Troppo

[cb350f-mark]

I followed Tim's successful CB350F rebuild all fall and now I'm watching Jim's rebuild progress. I couldn't let all of this 350 activity pass without an update on my rebuild.

I've pulled the head and cylinders to get the broken exhaust studs looked at. While the top end is apart, I've disassembled and measured everything and it looks like all is well within service tolerance. I'll probably just replace all of the gaskets and seals once I have a workable head.

I also plan to rebuild the brake master and caliper this winter.

Luckily my wife agreed to let my indulge my hobby in the house over the winter and my daughters helped me get the engine indoors before the cold weather hits here in Toronto.



Here's a couple of shots of our diningroom. I'm sure glad my family understands the insanity that is my hobby!

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30789087@N03/3042869226/" >[/url]



Next to come inside will be the front brake parts once I pull them from the frame.

Mark.

[hoodellyhoo]

Sorry to hear about the accident. I don't know how I missed that.

Glad to know I'm not the only one that will be working on my 350 in the house this winter

[Jim]

Best of luck toomany...I'l be watching as well. (wish i could get my bike into the house!)
J