Topic: Stock engine rebuild parts

[smccloud]

Ok,

After checking the finances rebuilding the engine in my '72 750K as an 836 w/ a nice cam is out of my reach
Where is a good place to get stock (or oversized) pistons and rings?  I know I will go with a Honda head gasket and I think I can still swing a welded & reground cam (if someone can give me a suggestion on the grind that can be used with a homemade exhaust consisting of factory head pipes and some glasspacks).  I have to take it apart to seal the leaking head gasket and fix an noise in the cam chain tensioner.  Plus I want to replace all the clutch discs and steels.

I am not looking for a complete restoration, I believe the bike was built to be ridden and I could never do a complete restoration because of that.  I do also know where I can pick up a '75 750K, but currently it doesn't even turn over so I don't know how many good parts I'd get from it.

[moham]

Here are a few good places to start:

http://www.discounthondaparts.com/

http://www.westernhillshondayamaha.com/catalog.asp

http://www.powersedge.com/

http://www.davidsilverspares.co.uk/

I have had great luck sourcing oem stuff at good prices from the top three. David Silver Spares is the place for hard-to-find stuff and quite personable as well. Gasket kits (I think most people here would agree that oem is way to go) can still be found ebay-ing, but read about aftermarket stuff to make your own decision.

[markb]

Not to hijack your thread here but I have a '72 CB750 parts bike that I might be able to get talked out of.  No title, no number on cases but complete engine all together but a few electrical things missing, no front fender, no pipes, hasn't run in years though.
Mark

[smccloud]

Can I cry over the price of replacement pistons (non 836 kit ones)?

[Gordon]

Can I cry over the price of replacement pistons (non 836 kit ones)?

$37 per piston doesn't seem all that steep to me.

[smccloud]

Can I cry over the price of replacement pistons (non 836 kit ones)?

$37 per piston doesn't seem all that steep to me.

It isn't until you factor in rings, a probable bore/hone job, valve springs, possible valves, set of abrasives needed for a simple port cleanup/polish, the fact that I will be super anal about everything when I put it back together.....

Yet its not something I can put off due to the leaking head gasket and cam chain noise

In a perfect world (or at least mine), I could spend as much as I want on parts for it.  Unfortunately, college wasn't (and still isn't) free so I have to pay that off as well as finance my other expensive hobbies (guns and computers) plus I can't not take the GF on dates (she would get pissed).

[Gordon]

It is when you have $400 max you can set aside per month for all "fun" activities.  That includes gas for the bike, dates with the gf, etc.....

Not to sound too unsympathetic, but that's a helluva lot more than I have in disposable income most months.

Perhaps it's time to re-prioritize?

Seriously, though.  I know where you're coming from.  Two out of my three current bikes are out of commision due to lack of funds and/or motivation.

[johnyvilla]

Rebuilds get pricey in a hurry. I just shelled out 400$ for seals, chains, tensions,etc; all the essential non-sexy items. Wait an extra month for funds to do what you want, and to do it right.  

[smccloud]

It is when you have $400 max you can set aside per month for all "fun" activities.  That includes gas for the bike, dates with the gf, etc.....

Not to sound too unsympathetic, but that's a helluva lot more than I have in disposable income most months.

Perhaps it's time to re-prioritize?

Seriously, though.  I know where you're coming from.  Two out of my three current bikes are out of commision due to lack of funds and/or motivation.

So get rid of the GF?  And this is my only bike, I can ride my dad's but his has to many cams ('79 CB750F).

Rebuilds get pricey in a hurry. I just shelled out 400$ for seals, chains, tensions,etc; all the essential non-sexy items. Wait an extra month for funds to do what you want, and to do it right.  

The problem is, I will never be able to do it the way I want to.  I am going to start ordering the parts I know I need soon (cam chain, gaskets) and then hopefully go get the thing out of storage this weekend so I can start tearing it down soon.  The problem with that is, my "shop" is 60 miles away from where I live

[moham]

The problem is, I will never be able to do it the way I want to.  I am going to start ordering the parts I know I need soon (cam chain, gaskets)

Wait till you see what oem cam chain costs...

[johnyvilla]

Yea the primary chain alone cost almost as much as my K5.

[smccloud]

The problem is, I will never be able to do it the way I want to.  I am going to start ordering the parts I know I need soon (cam chain, gaskets)

Wait till you see what oem cam chain costs...

Never said the cam chain would be oem

[donny]

  ....the GF needs to open her purse..... for you.....

[Bodi]

The basic truth is that rebuilding the engine is expensive. There are a lot of parts required to do it stock or "built". SO you're going to be spending, say, $600.00 on parts and supplies to go stock. Going for a 836 would cost (guessing again) $100.00 more.
The extra cost gives you what will probably be a much more exciting ride. Stock gets you a bike basically the same as before the expense, just hopefully with no oil leaks.
Pretty easy choice to me.

[smccloud]

The basic truth is that rebuilding the engine is expensive. There are a lot of parts required to do it stock or "built". SO you're going to be spending, say, $600.00 on parts and supplies to go stock. Going for a 836 would cost (guessing again) $100.00 more.
The extra cost gives you what will probably be a much more exciting ride. Stock gets you a bike basically the same as before the expense, just hopefully with no oil leaks.
Pretty easy choice to me.

I'd like to know where you get an 836 kit, cam, and other needed parts and come in around $700....dynoman wants close to that for a 836 kit and cam alone....

[I Zombie]

The basic truth is that rebuilding the engine is expensive. There are a lot of parts required to do it stock or "built". SO you're going to be spending, say, $600.00 on parts and supplies to go stock. Going for a 836 would cost (guessing again) $100.00 more.
The extra cost gives you what will probably be a much more exciting ride. Stock gets you a bike basically the same as before the expense, just hopefully with no oil leaks.
Pretty easy choice to me.

I'd like to know where you get an 836 kit, cam, and other needed parts and come in around $700....dynoman wants close to that for a 836 kit and cam alone....

depending on what you all need you could possibly peice something together around that price from CycleXchange
http://www.cyclexchange.net/Engine%20Parts%20Page.htm

[smccloud]

yeah, i will probably end up going with an 850 kit from them even though i'd prefer forged instead of cast pistons

[NitroHunter]

Probably some members here that could help you out with a used 836 kit.

[smccloud]

Probably some members here that could help you out with a used 836 kit.

i never even though of that......

[Bodi]

The numbers were straight guesses, I haven't priced out the job in a while.
My point is just that if you're doing an engine rebuild, there's a lot of parts needed and a LOT of time... you may not be charging for it but it definitely has a value as well.
If you're just blue-sky dreaming about putting an 836 kit in your bike, OK then everything is pure 836 cost and that is pretty high.
To do the whole engine for other reasons (and that's how I read this original post) the cost differential for using a piston kit vs OEM pistons and rings is not a deal breaker in my opinion.