Topic: well, i need help

[ev0lve]

This won't be any help at all. But it helped me. Get your mind right if you're going to delve into taking the machine apart. As bad as you want it running put it out of your head. It won't be running tomorrow or next week (or in my case next month).

The whole project is overwhelming. Break it into pieces. Whatever makes sense to you. Then do that piece. Expect to be disappointed in your skills. A lot. Better yet, just expect disappointment.

You can take it apart and put it back together. I did and I'm a frickin rube. Still have a ways to go after 6 months and it may take 6 more. That's just the way it'll be. Resign yourself to this.

Barring that your best bet is to plow a couple grand into a machine that's ready from the git go. Labor WILL kill you and your wallet.

The tools I have:
1 Craftsman 127 piece tool set
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00934127000P?adCell=A3

1 Craftsmen impact driver
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/search_10153_12605?keyword=impact+driver&gobutton.x=0&gobutton.y=0&gobutton=find

1 ebay bought Mac valve compressor - get a small one for the 350 if you're going that far

1 power drill with various steel, bronze brushes for cleaning up parts

1 hone - from god knows where

1 timing light - Craigslist

1 continuity tester

Milk crates

Bungie cords

A dremel

Good screwdrivers both flat and philips in various sizes

Torque wrench - cheap style
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00944978000P

Cleaners/solvents - Brake, carb and lots of it

The rest will present itself as you need it I suspect. Get to be friends with your local Honda shop if there's one nearby. Patience.

Seriously though, from my small experience, if you want to ride it now buy one that's already done. I suspect I've put as much into my not ready for the street machine as it would have cost to just buy one someone had already gone through. If that doesn't sound like a good deal you may want to reevaluate how you get from A to B with the machine you have in hand.

Hope that's helpful in some way.

[754]

It ALWAYS starts with changing the plugs..


Well, maybe Start is too harsh a word...

How about, it always BEGINS with changing the plugs...


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I will throw in 5 or 10 bucks toward your rebuild ..IF..IF..

you make a video with sound (for Utoob or on here),of this bike  running down the road..
I just cant imagine a bike getting THAT BAD a gas mileage..

[bender01]

Could you post a video of it smoking and oil leaking as its trying to idle? At least point a finger to the oil leaks (probably know where they are) and under the seat. Also take some pics of behind the electrics behind the side covers. I think you can only post 4 pics ata time but it would be great help to see how rough you think  it is. Has anyone before you taken the engine apart? The bike in your avatar looks good. Pouring oil or seeping oil? Pics Pics Pics. Please

[Mach-5(50)]

it seems to me that the engine will have to be cleaned well in order to determine what leaks, if it leaks as bad as you make it sound. so cleaning slovents, super clean, brake clean (its good to have them all). hopefully you have a manual, or will be getting one. you can also use different sites with parts micro fiche to get exploded diagrams with views of the engine. i believe i have heard of using spray foot powder on a clean engine to determine where leaks originate. with the exploded diagrams you will have a idea of what parts are there to leak. maybe there is a seal behind a cover, or a gasket. we don't have a clue, and you won't either until you know what you are looking for. then you can determine what parts need to be replaced. you can't expect a diagnosis via the forum or by calling the local honda parts guys. about all i can tell you, or a parts guy for that matter is, buy a complete gasket kit. that will help solve the leaking.

as far as tools go....... aside from metric wrenches, sockets, screwdrivers etc. i would recommend an impact driver. its a screw driver type contraption you smack with a hammer, so make sure you have one of those. it is a life saver for removing stuck screws, which you are likely encounter. this will hopefully prevent the screw from stripping.
a good assortment or small pliers is important to me. and i recommend a good light. incondescent, florescent, LED, halogen, it doesn't really matter. now that i think about it there is a whole thread on must have tools. so search that out.

i would recommend finding some patience, and ease up on the demands. if you want people to help, help us by not being a dick. we are all here just trying to help each other out. if you don't get the answer you want right away, wait longer. we can't help you with out a little more info either. that's why pictures help. and don't forget we all have opinions, and that's all they are is opinions. what you have to remember most of the opinions here are derived from years of experience. so you may want to pay attention. and if you really want someone else to do and need help finding that person, try google.

i hope you stick around and you get your bike running.

later,

ryan

[Dbarker]

Video:  I'll see if i can do that.

It idles alright in my opinion.  I base its mpg off the fact that if i fill the tank from bone dry to top of the tank, the pump reads 3.26 us gallons.  then if i set the trip meter, and ride around town for awhile... and it gets to 30 miles it dies.. and i mean dead.  i can switch to the reserve setting and get going for about a block if im REALLY REALLY careful on the throttle.

Ill get pics, and vids of everything for you guys.. 

thankyou for those offering real advise and getting me a list of tools i'll be needing. 

[billybobobrain]

3k huh. 

alright fine.  i'll quit being pissy.

I need a list of EVERY tool i'll need, and EVERY part, and where to get said part. i don't do well with having to look for stuff, i usually end up with the wrong part.  so part numbers from specific parts dealers is suggested.

i hate you guys... your gonna make me crazy trying to do this.

EBAY Baby!

[goon 1492]

Man long read.... I distinctly remember hearing of "others" having cars etc. restored by professionals.... Well my friend my father has been resoroting old cars for 35+ years now and I along with the other posts can tell you that those old cars restored are going for 1,000 times what they were worth before hand....
So like others stated your attitude has to be alittle more optimistic just to start, or like others have stated get a newer bike.
Demanding for help, Part numbers, and sources won't help.
How is the Eskimo Joe's food down there this time of year?

[1timduke]

The almighty magnetic catch tray is invaluable, keeps all the little steel bits in one spot 

[Duke McDukiedook]

Fuel and spark, check those first and then you can get specific. You have to put on the thinking/patience cap because if you go in with the attitude that you hate working on your bike, you WILL break stuff- trust me! I have some broken parts to show for it 

[Dbarker]

Hello all,

here's the skinny.  I stalled out on this project in February of 2009.  The money:time ratio was working for me.  Then in May of 09 i was in a horriffic car wreck and broke pretty much everything from the waist down.  I wasn't able to walk until August, and I wasnt capable of anything without a cane until January of 2010.

Then i re-fractured one of my legs.  I didnt heal up to 80% until August of 2010.  I'm still only 85% and won't ever get past that.

--
Now then, the bike has been setting since the last post.  It was ridden a couple of times as is before the wreck, and I have started it up and rode it a couple of times in the back field last summer (against many protests from family and friends). 

I still dont have the time, to put into this rebuild... its just not going to happen.  I also, don't have the physical ability to be bending over, setting on floor, or standing at a work bench for more than :45minutes at a time.  Just isn't happening.


Is there ANYONE in North East oklahoma (TULSA), or South East Kansas or the corresponding regions of Missouri and Arkansas that can rebuild this engine?

the local repair shops wont touch it with a 10 foot pole until next winter.  and even then they don't want to do it. 

[bender01]

Sorry about your bad luck. Really. I hope someone near gives a hand. Come on KS.
 Heres to some better days ahead!

[seaweb11]

Normally the rebuilding of the carbs.....The 1st order of business of any restoration is done sitting at a bench with a camera in one hand taking photos as you take them apart and rebuild them with a screwdriver and a manual beside you.

I have successfully rebuilt the carbs on a CB750K8 with a manual before I found this forum back in the day  Not so easy.
A 72CL350 with the help of this forum and a manual.
A 78CM185 with the help of this forum and a manual.
A 82 Yamaha Virago with the help of this forum and a manual.
A 82 Suzuki 1100E with the help of this forum and a manual.

It's do-able, ask anyone, I'm an idiot

Sorry to hear about your injuries. A bit of bench time learning could be just the therapy you need
just trying to be positive.

Put up some fricken pictures of this piece of crap!

[Dbarker]

pics as requested  (side note: don't wreck mustangs into trees at 75mph... i miss that car)

[Accolay]

I usually try to be helpful so I'll give it to you straight: I think you're screwed.

I mean, you don't have the right attitude to work on the bike, don't know how and seemingly wont learn, can't physically work on it, don't have the time to work on it, want someone to restore it for you but wont pay the money for it, don't want advice on how to go about fixing it, can't wait until next winter to have local shops fix it, and want someone to tell you how to do it.

If I read you wrong, then get a manual and read, and post an add on Craigslist in the Motorcycle section to see if there is anyone in your area who will do the engine for you.

Good luck.

[Dbarker]

I usually try to be helpful so I'll give it to you straight: I think you're screwed.

I mean, you don't have the right attitude to work on the bike, don't know how and seemingly wont learn, can't physically work on it, don't have the time to work on it, want someone to restore it for you but wont pay the money for it, don't want advice on how to go about fixing it, can't wait until next winter to have local shops fix it, and want someone to tell you how to do it.

If I read you wrong, then get a manual and read, and post an add on Craigslist in the Motorcycle section to see if there is anyone in your area who will do the engine for you.

Good luck.

I have the attiude, and am currently restoring a 1968 F100 that sat in a field for 20 years.  I downloaded and read all the manuals and such that were available back when this thread started.  I've always allowed others to rebuild my car engines, because I've been down that road.  I always screw it up and end up paying even more to have my mistakes corrected.  I just don't have the time or skill to do it right.

I am willing to pay to have the work done, dunno where you got the idea i don't... aside from 2 years ago when this started and i didnt have the money to pay to do it...

As for posting in CL for someone to do the engine.  The only people locally who will do it wont do it til next winter, and they have all already expressed their concerns with working on a bike this old.

I've taken all the advice given on how to do this, AGAIN, i don't have the ability to do it without trashing the engine.  If this was a newer bike where i can just get another engine when i thrash this one id try it.  But I can't go buy another engine in this case...  so im not going to risk it. 

And before you wonder why I'm able to restore the truck but not the bike.  Physically, I can NOT get down to the bikes level to undo bolts.  I've been working on the truck for about 4 years now off and on.  I currently put in about an hour a week on it.  It's all I can take.   I can't bend over to check the oil in my bike without there being a ton of pain.    Hense why I now want someone else to do it for sure.  There was a time I almost tore into it, then i had my wreck. 


SO,

why don't you just back off, I posted in here, "If you arent going to offer up advise that is helpful, GTFO"  Kthnks.

[seaweb11]

.

[ofreen]

.

I was going to suggest the same thing.  The one Harbor Freight sells ain't bad and it is on sale all the time.

[fmctm1sw]

pics as requested  (side note: don't wreck mustangs into trees at 75mph... i miss that car)

 As I read through this thread, I pictured a competely neglected ratty looking bike.  That's a peach compared to the 350F that I put back on the road.  I've put 4000 miles on it in the last three years.  If you were closer to Pensacola, I'd help you out but I probably wouldn't have time for a full restore...  Some old timer near you could undoubtedly get that thing going again for you...

P.S.  Ditch those crash bars, they're hideous... 

[Dbarker]

Lol yeah, shes in great shape.

crash bars and luggage rack are rusty, they're coming off at some point.  the crash bars are actually busted, some idiot oped his car door into one side and bent em (they broke in a rusty spot cause of it.  At least he didnt hit the bike itself.

It'll get up to 65mph as is.  and will rev all the way nice and smooth.    It wont take much to do it.

I don't even want to do a full restore at this time, just the engine overhaul.    I'll worry about tearing it all down and doing a full restore after i know i have a solid runner and get some good use out of it  

I'm actually planning on taking it for a short ride within the next couple of weeks.  I had planned for this weekend but the temps dropped into the 40s again.    I need to familiarize myself with how much effort its going to take me to move the old girl around now.  And how much pain ill be in etc.  I've sat on it, and don't feel like being on it while riding is going to cause any issues.  But holding it up at a stop might.  :/

back on subject:  yes, she's a pretty old girl

[TwoTired]

It'll get up to 65mph as is.  and will rev all the way nice and smooth.    It wont take much to do it.

I don't even want to do a full restore at this time, just the engine overhaul.   

Why do assume the engine needs a complete overhaul?

If it'll do 65 as is, a bit of ignition and carb work will likely get it screaming and to 90+.  IMO

[Hush]

I've been trying avoid commenting on this thread but here goes.
Change the oil and filter, pull the carbs off and get them cleaned up, the insides will need a good seeing to especially the emulsion tubes which block up when gas is not constantly flowing through them.
4 new spark plugs, have the carbs synchronised (synched) by a bike shop, lube the chain then ride it like you stole it.
Most on this site would have that little sewing machine humming in a couple of days.
There is so much help on this site that anyone can learn and anyone can do.
If the few things I have suggested are still beyond you then sell the bike and let someone who can do the work have it.
Most bikes take us years to get right and even then we are constantly fiddling with them, these machines are 30+ years old so expect to be having issues but you can cure them, it's part of the joys of owning a SOHC4 bike, we are the guardians for the next generation....Hush.

[Hush]

Just a P.S. DBarker, I was nearly cut in half by a train 25 years ago and without keeping my weight down and my fitness up and constant Karate training (plus a goodly supply of Voltaren tabs) I find spending hours in my garage working on bikes very painful.
But don't let it put you off, just treat it like therapy like Seaweb suggested, take your time and just close the garage door and walk away from it if you get frustraited, we have all done this.
These are not motorbikes as most people know motorbikes, they are tiny time machines, they soak up our time.

[bender01]

That bike just needs a tune-up. Get a local neighbor kid to muscle the carbs off for you for a$10 spot. send them to the guy in services offered for a rebuild. Find that kid again, Hell need a $20 this time to wrestle them back on. If you get a lift, plugs, timing air filter and valves will be easy.
   Buy a carb sync and off you go.

[Dbarker]

It'll get up to 65mph as is.  and will rev all the way nice and smooth.    It wont take much to do it.

I don't even want to do a full restore at this time, just the engine overhaul.   

Why do assume the engine needs a complete overhaul?

If it'll do 65 as is, a bit of ignition and carb work will likely get it screaming and to 90+.  IMO

even though its blowing liquid oil out the pipes?  you really think a tune up will be good enough? 

[TwoTired]

It'll get up to 65mph as is.  and will rev all the way nice and smooth.    It wont take much to do it.

I don't even want to do a full restore at this time, just the engine overhaul.   

Why do assume the engine needs a complete overhaul?

If it'll do 65 as is, a bit of ignition and carb work will likely get it screaming and to 90+.  IMO

even though its blowing liquid oil out the pipes?  you really think a tune up will be good enough? 

Describe the liquid.  Can you determine which cylinder has the problem and why?