Author Topic: CB350F with Sidecar Project in NZ (Read 10711 times)

fishman_Phil · « **Reply #25 on:** January 01, 2009, 12:42:44 PM »

The engine is back in and I have put a section at the following link in Tips and Tricks on how I did it.
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=44767.0
Hope it helps those working on their own. Cheers

fishman_Phil · « **Reply #26 on:** January 01, 2009, 08:10:19 PM »

Bit more progress. All the little fiddly bits now. Each a project on it's own. Cheers

fishman_Phil · « **Reply #27 on:** January 03, 2009, 08:23:24 PM »

14 days after first stripping down and the bike part of the project has got to this stage. Pleased with the results and progress to date, but it will slow down somewhat now as it is back to my fulltime job tomorrow, drat, but the cash is got to come from somewhere.
Next job is the brake calipers and I will get a chance to test this grease method I have seen mentioned lately for getting that piston out. From there it will be strip the carbs and clean, and prepare a front wheel. Cheers ...

fishman_Phil · « **Reply #28 on:** January 03, 2009, 11:24:43 PM »

Tried that grease method of getting the piston and pad out of the caliper and sweet as. Absolutely magic. And the cleanup is not that bad either. Stick your finger in the blob of gease left behind and it comes out as one big blob. Easy wash out after that. Brilliant idea that. Cheer ...

fishman_Phil · « **Reply #29 on:** January 09, 2009, 08:54:39 PM »

Grrrrrrrr...

I have heard others talk of problems getting the air chamber back on. Never really had any issues previously with my other bike, but this one. Dam. After trying various things in close to a 2 hour period it was finally on. Take a look a one of the following pics, the dots must line up else the rubber parts will be facing the wrong directions slightly.
Also do not use any form of lubricant to assist, as it may go on but then slip straight off again.
The rubbers shrink after a time off the carbs and need stretching again. Not only that some go hard. Tried softening in hot water but not much joy, tried carb clean as I have read, and again not much joy.
Took all 4 rubber boots off the chamber and using a spare carb rack pushed each one on and left them for 30 minutes. They stretched into size in that time, quickly put them back on the chamber, and then back into the bike, using a hammer handle to help as a lever.
What a mission.
They no longer appear to be available. Has anyone come up with a replacement "whatever rubbery thing" that can substitute these boots?
The carbs had there float valves replaced just to be certain they will be right. Don't want petrol spilling on the new engine paint.
An old 4 into 1 exhaust I used to use on my other bike before it was restored has been fitted. She really snarls when you give it tit. See the pic how a PM encased a muffler with thin allloy sheet to make it look smarter.
Tomorrow, it will be the front wheel back in, hydraulics finished and then attack the switches and electrical.
Cheers ...

Venturous · « **Reply #30 on:** January 12, 2009, 06:41:38 AM »

Looking good Phil!

fishman_Phil · « **Reply #31 on:** January 12, 2009, 09:41:57 PM »

Progress is a little slow at this stage doing fiddly little bits when one is able to after work. Front wheel is back on. Made up 1 reasonably good front mudguard (fender) by robbing 3. Just need to source the rear mudguard and grab rail now. Probably paint a rear one in the interim.
Current work is on the gauges and the hand controls/switches. Made contact with ClocksNDials who think they have a set of vinyl faces for the gauges. Cheers

Hush · « **Reply #32 on:** January 13, 2009, 03:23:39 AM »

I like it I like it, now don't spoil it by adding that dreaded side chair!
Looks like that could be a whole lota fun just as a road racer.
Not many 6 speed CB350F's on the road I'll bet.

fishman_Phil · « **Reply #33 on:** January 17, 2009, 10:12:39 PM »

A little more progress with the bike that is to be used to pull the chair along. Spent quite a bit of time building a left and right switch assembly out of all the spares I had. Wiring is nearly all done, although I do have a couple of things there to sort out.
Tank had an initial buff up but as you will see in the pics there is some more buffing to do on the sides of the tank which will be easier on the bike.
Will be using 350F footrests as these still fit around the clutch assembly of the 400F bottom end. With the 350F bars I do not really need backset footrests and with the sidecar attached I will more than likely need some forward footrests like they stick on Harleys.
Would have started the engine but a PO had made a bit of a mess of the sump plug, and all going well she will be fired up tomorrow after work.
And that seat in one of the pics is a 400F that I have and have sat it on the bike to see what it looks like. To use it I will need to shift the seat latch and hinge a little. Should not be too much of an issue.
Cheers ...

Hush · « **Reply #34 on:** January 17, 2009, 11:24:12 PM »

Looking damn fine mate, you sure you gonna ruin it by adding a side chair?

As long as you can disconnect the chair from the bike you have my blessings ha ha ha, I am soooo in love with a CB350F that has 6 speed gearbox...man that is just soooo unusual and you know I really get off on the unusual in motorbikes...I got a shed full.

fishman_Phil · « **Reply #35 on:** January 18, 2009, 09:24:27 PM »

Hush talks about 1 step forward and 2 back and I am feeling a bit that way at present. Had problems with the sump drain plug. It had been stripped by PO and tapped out and replaced with a shortened 1/2in imperial threaded bolt. Had appeared to have sealing ok when I drained the oil, but was I refitted it, not so good. The oil kept leaking out slowly. I tried several ways of getting a better seal, and today at work I decided that I am not going to put up with something substandand and decided after work the sump comes off and gets replaced with one from another bike.
Ah ha ... there it was, the sump had a crack in it in and around the sump drain plug. I removed the sump from the other bike but it will have to wait till tomorrow evening as it needs a go clean out and have no kerosene at home here at present.
I will get this engine running yet. Cheers

fishman_Phil · « **Reply #36 on:** January 20, 2009, 12:02:44 AM »

That job is done now. The sump from the other 400F engine has been cleaned, painted and installed. Engine oil added. The 4 into 1 exhaust put back on. To make that a little easier to install with spring washers, I cut an 1/8th inch off each exhaust pipe collar.
All going well tomorrow after work maybe when she gets fired up. Won't have a clutch initially though to ride her as the 400F cable I have is seized and I am trying to free het up by soaking WD-40 down it. Just to hear the engine running will be pleasure enough.
Bled the front brakes tonight and they should be good unless I suffer with micro bubbles like Hush talks about. Cheers ...

Hush · « **Reply #37 on:** January 20, 2009, 01:28:58 AM »

Avoid the dreaded micro bubbles Phil

Mine came right in the end and front brakes haul her to a stop if I need to, real handy when scoot'n between traffic stopped at intersections when your foot is otherwise engaged.

Damn that bike looks keen mate, shame you are so damn far away or I'd be round to lend a hand...and ruin half your fun ha ha.

Oh yeah, best way I found to remove bubbles was from the forum, I think maybe Soos.....go out to the shed every now and then and pump the lever 50 or so times then go have another beer.

fishman_Phil · « **Reply #38 on:** January 20, 2009, 11:49:03 PM »

The engine runs. At first it would not start, and then found no 12v at the coils. Tracked it back to using the wrong black wire from the right hand control switch. For an engine that has been sitting for around 8 years plus, sweet as. A little valve tappet noise but nothing from down lower around the camchain.
Do have the left hand carb to check though as she is spilling fuel out the top of the bowl. Hopefully with the chain sprocket cover removed I may be ab le to get at the bowl okay. But what a nice sounding engine. 400F with a 350F top end running great.
I have some chrome plating to get done to her and that might allow me to now start on the sidecar repair work. Cheers

fishman_Phil · « **Reply #39 on:** January 24, 2009, 07:41:52 PM »

Very little done to the project this weekend. Had to work on Saturday and today, after a nice lie in bed, mowing the lawns, tuning my wife's V6 Holden (gosh it starts quick now) and a few other jobs, I was only able to tidy up the fuel line, start her up again and listen to it, try once more to free up the stuck clutch cable, change the fork oil in the CBX400F, drink a few beers because the summer heat has kicked in, change the tumblers in the seat lock to work with the ignition key, a few more beers. No, it is just too hot out there do do much.
I need to get a new clutch cable made this week so that I can run the bike thru it's gears.
See what tomorrow evening brings that I can do to her. Cheers

fishman_Phil · « **Reply #40 on:** February 01, 2009, 11:38:06 PM »

Went forward a little bit and slid back again with some more things to sort out. Using a spare parts bike and any other spares I have certainly has created a few issues for me. Never mind, hopefully will go forward again soon.
Now have a new clutch cable built locally for me and this has allowed me to run the bike in partially completed condition up and down my driveway to test the gears. Sought of, as the 1st 3 have been tried and run out of room for the remaining 3. Oh but not until I managed to free the frozen clutch unit.
Valve clearances will need checking as she is a little noisy up in the head. The timing chain is quiet in this bike tho.
Managed to get a headlight sorted this evening, sealed unit from a 400F into the 350F rim and case.
SMOKE UP

Engine stopped. Could not kick over, very tight. Let it cool down and still the same. With key off engine turned over sweet as ... key on and the engine tight again

Key off good, key on tight. Removed connection to the started motor, still the same.
Unplugged the stator cable, and sweet as. Removed the stator and checked it out with a meter and all read normal but it did smell slightly. Then I remembered this bike had cooked another stator in it's original engine. Swapped out the stator and the rectifier and back in business again. Don 't want to see the project go up in smoke and will be watching it very carefully for a time in case the fault is still lurking around to bite again.
Got a replacement number plate for the bike from the Post Office and hopefully soon the bike will be on the road. I need to clock up some miles before the sidecar gets attached. Cheers

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #41 on:** February 05, 2009, 02:13:46 AM »

Very good Phil, keep up the good work!

fishman_Phil · « **Reply #42 on:** February 07, 2009, 03:06:52 PM »

Adjusted the valve clearances and now she is nice and quiet except forf the snarly exhaust. Still waiting on some parts from the States such as rear grab rail. Will get some rechroming done sometime to pretty her up more. If time and energy allow later today, I will modify some new shocks with clevis fittings to fit the bike and also alter a 400F seat mount so that it can fit as well.
Got all that electrical stuff sorted yesterday, except for the starter button switch. Have a wire hanging down by the left side cover I am using at present to short out to start the bike.
Took the bike for a test run this morning as yes, she has all 6 gears in there to play with. 400F mated to a 350F top end. That top gear drops the revs down. Will try and take it to town this week after work and get a Warrant of Fitness for it. Once I have that I can register it and use it on the road legally. I like my new number plate they gave me. The old one had been lost by the PO.
Here are some pics as of today.
Now to build the sidecar up to fit to her ...

hoodellyhoo · « **Reply #43 on:** February 07, 2009, 04:51:59 PM »

looking good

I'd sure like to take mine for a spin (bloody winter). 6 speeds must really be nice. I wouldn't mind an extra gear myself.

Hush · « **Reply #44 on:** February 07, 2009, 07:18:41 PM »

Not before I get one for my 650 Hoodellyhoo!

6 gears, I dream about them.

, nearly worn my toe out looking for 6th!

fishman_Phil · « **Reply #45 on:** February 21, 2009, 09:02:48 PM »

A little more progress on the bike. She is registered for the road and has a warrant of fitness. This allowed some road tests to be made and the results not as good as hoped. Each time started off ok and then at times she was sought of blubbering. Today, I reluctantly pulled the carbs off to check them over before anything else. I was not looking forward to trying to get the air box rubbers back onto the carbs.
I knew the main jets did not have good o-rings and that is what I was going to target. I removed some jets from some spare carbs I had in rediness and fitted them. They were nice and snug and required some pushing in. Rechecked float settings and all else and put back on the bike. Oh thank goodness for that, the rubbers stayed stretched enough just long enough to get them back on without too much of a mission.
A test on the road and what a difference. She pulls like crazy and screams out nice.
The grab rail arrived from the States and that prettied het up some more and allowed the indicators to be mounted correctly. Now she looks like a 350F.
Unfortunately with the grab rail fitted, the 400F seat will not be able to be used. I did not mind having to alter the snib and hinge if I had to, but there is no way the seat will fit between the tank and the grab rail. Never mind, it will be good for when I do up the 400F I have.
No I can get some road miles up on the bike and start working on that sidecar.
Cheers

fishman_Phil · « **Reply #46 on:** March 13, 2009, 11:56:34 PM »

So far with the bike I have travelled 250 miles. 60 of this was on a recent Wednesday club run while I was on annual leave and could go on the run with the retired members. Another 60 was last weekend when she participated in the annual NZ Sidecar Rally which was held just 30 minutes from where I live. Unfortunately the sidecar is not ready for the bike but went for the run anyway.
She just loves her oil. She gives a good puff of smoke for a time when I first start her up and then over each 60 miles she will burn 500 mls of oil. I now take a 1 litre bottle with me to make she she does not run low. Yet she pulls so well and runs so well. Could be that after standing for around 10 years plus that some of the rings are stuck.
The big test for her will come tomorrow as she will go along with our classic club on 130 mile run. I gave up using Castor Oil a couple of years back due to the sticky deposit that can be left behind in the carbs and port areas, but I put a small amount in the gas tank today and she will be treating any riders behind me tomorrow with that classic speedway smell as it burns away in a hot engine. Cheer ...

Hush · « **Reply #47 on:** March 14, 2009, 02:51:06 PM »

Castor Oil?

My mother would approve, at least you will know she's healthy.
Man you do some mileage Phil, guess I should join the local classic club here in Hawke's Bay and get dragged along on some longer rides than I'm doing solo.

fishman_Phil · « **Reply #48 on:** March 14, 2009, 08:23:48 PM »

Back from the Classic Club day out and did a total of 134 miles. The bike went well against head wind/uphill highway running, back country twisty narrow roads, 2 tight/twisty/hilly saddles.
I'm glad I changed my wheels for the run. I was able to throw the back back and forth thru the corners. The wheels I removed I have prepared for when the sidecar goes on and they have flat surfaces which makles for hard cornering but is excellent for the sidecar setups.
No oil used on the first leg of the trip, and only 150 mls used on the 2nd leg which was going back over the same ground home. Could be the rings are starting to free up if that was the main reason for high oil consumption.
And the Castor Oil, was taken back into the nostrels by fellow riders to remind them of speedway racing.
Yes Hush, join up with your local Classic Club. If they operate like our club you will have some great outings with company if wanted. We always have a backup vehicle to bring any bikes home that were unfortunate not to complete the run. It does happen to some at times. Cheers

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Author Topic: CB350F with Sidecar Project in NZ (Read 10711 times)