Author Topic: Am I the only one on the African continent?  (Read 28513 times)

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Offline Mr.Paynter

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Re: Am I the only one on the African continent?
« Reply #25 on: May 20, 2012, 10:59:27 PM »
Selling houses, what a mission!
The irony on my end is that the house I've just sold had a double-garage and plenty of light and space and I will more than likely down-grade to a single garage!
I'll make it work though!

I have the Original rear-indicators which is great, sourcing the tail-light and hoping to get started on some smaller bits soon!
Thanks for the tips on the polishing, I will definitely be giving that a bash!

If and when I get a blog up and running I will put a link here for everyone to see!
1973 CB500 K2 - needs a whoooole lot of work.
Some other, newer bikes.

Offline RussONeill

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Re: Am I the only one on the African continent?
« Reply #26 on: October 18, 2012, 07:46:04 AM »
Hi From Cape Town.
 Rickman Honda owner for over thirty years and still running. Has a Yoshimiura 812 bore conversion kit, Kenny Harman cams, S&W valve springs and Martek electronic ignition. I am currently upgrading the brake hoses to braided hose sourced through Ferrobrake. Good Old Honda SOHC "Boesman" motor still running like a dream. I have just chatted to Frank Chicken who also has an 812 Rickman Honda and used to be one of the owners of Cycle City. Anyone else have Rickman's out there?

Good to know there are other Honda Four owners.

Offline Mr.Paynter

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Re: Am I the only one on the African continent?
« Reply #27 on: October 22, 2012, 04:45:55 AM »
Hello hello and welcome! Sorry for the delay, Africa seems to be on Africa time!
I definitely dont have a Rickman anything!

Show us your baby and let's keep conversing! I am also very happy to see other SOHC owners around!
1973 CB500 K2 - needs a whoooole lot of work.
Some other, newer bikes.

Offline charlatan

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Re: Am I the only one on the African continent?
« Reply #28 on: October 22, 2012, 05:05:43 AM »
And from me! Good to see a fellow SOHC'er in Cape Town. Show us some photos!

PS - Just acquired my 2nd CB550, this time a K, and it has original pipes! A restoration is now back on the cards, just trying to decide whether to restore the F in Candy presto red (would have to use the 4-4 exhausts though) or the K in black (not my favourite paint scheme). The other one is likely to get chopped & cafe'd.



And in case anyone noticed, my project's showed zero progress over the last few months. That's because we moved house. I now have a double garage and potential for a work room! On the down side, there's so much work on the house, I doubt I'm going to get much done this year... but hey, at least my workshop no longer looks like this!


Offline Mr.Paynter

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Re: Am I the only one on the African continent?
« Reply #29 on: October 22, 2012, 06:58:34 AM »
Yes, I would say that's a significant upgrade in work-shops!
The K is gorgeous! Even in the purple! It's not often you find custom paint-jobs in South Africa that you can actually even tolerate and those 4 in to 4 pipes are like hen's teeth!

Also, dont feel bad on the lack of progress Charlatan, my project is very, VERY slow-moving as well, I am doing odds and ends as and when I can, but I am still inbetween houses and living away from the CB.  The good news is I paid deposit and transfer duties today for my new place and my girlfriend has agreed that we will be building a car-port for the cars and that the garage is all mine so that's going to help an awful lot!

What I have actually been up to:
 - Finally sorted out the licencing etc (previous owner pulled an expensive-for-me dodgy one)
 - Have just ordered aftermarket original spec, injection moulded side-covers.
 - Have sourced OEM emblems for the tank and side-covers but am avoiding the sting of R1500-ish to pay and ship them. Soon.
 - Have sourced and visited a local motorcycle-exhaust specialist who will make up four-in-to-four exhausts for me at a decent price and will make them as I want them in stainless 
   Steel so I am sourcing as many reference photos of the OEM pipes as possible.

So yeah, not much and the real work will start once I wheel her in to my garage and get to work and start figuring out what's really wrong with her!
1973 CB500 K2 - needs a whoooole lot of work.
Some other, newer bikes.

Offline Johnnie

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Re: Am I the only one on the African continent?
« Reply #30 on: November 13, 2012, 09:30:55 PM »
Hi all,

Seems as we are at least enough now to start a SA SOHC club?

Offline Mr.Paynter

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Re: Am I the only one on the African continent?
« Reply #31 on: November 25, 2012, 09:24:56 PM »
Hello Johnnie!
It definitely seems we do!

Are you also dealing with a project or an old favourite?
1973 CB500 K2 - needs a whoooole lot of work.
Some other, newer bikes.

Offline Mr.Paynter

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Re: Am I the only one on the African continent?
« Reply #32 on: December 07, 2012, 05:04:57 AM »
Random update on my little  project:
I am not in to my new place yet, or physically getting involved with the CB restoration yet either, but I have splashed out on some parts, or quite a lot of parts actually...

A few weeks ago I ordered reproduction Side-covers off eBay, from a company strongly recommended by the guys in here!
They arrived in short time and I am very, VERY happy. They're injection moulded ABS/PST and very very nice! Can't wait to see them painted and badged-up!

Then, today, in a rush of blood to the head, I ordered the following off of www.cmsnl.com:

Original OEM Badges for the tanks and side covers. Pricey!
New Gas-cap for the tank.
New Gas-cap seal for the tank.
New Petcock for the tank.
New OEM Forkboots.
New OEM Mirrors.
New OEM Grips.
New Levers. (- old ones were broken but jimmyed and working)
New throttle-tube.
New Points Cover.
New Clutch Cover and Gasket.
Carb Rebuild Kits x4.

All together these cost a touch over R10 000 but I am trying to restore, so OEM stuff is weirdly important to me, although not EVERYTHING will be 100%

Yeah. Craziness! Maybe I am putting the cart before the horse a little but it will all happen in time.

I am basically commiting myself financially for the shiny bits now before I have a bond, and I will soon be in my new house and getting cracking on all of the cheaper stuff I can clean/polish/fix myself!

1973 CB500 K2 - needs a whoooole lot of work.
Some other, newer bikes.

Offline charlatan

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Re: Am I the only one on the African continent?
« Reply #33 on: December 07, 2012, 05:23:05 AM »
You go boy!  :o

We moved in to our new place on 1 Sep, and let me tell you... it's not easy to put the house stuff aside to get to the bikes!

Only progress I've got to show is this the mountings for this mcgafter - i'm trying to convert it so I can use it as a polisher. (Had to build the workbench as well...)


Offline Johnnie

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Re: Am I the only one on the African continent?
« Reply #34 on: December 07, 2012, 05:27:32 AM »
Hi Mr.Paynter,

Goodluck with your build I myself am busy with a 500/550 racer for SAHMG track days. If you require aftermarket stuff you should contact Kevin(ttr400) or check out his website www.ttr400.com he knows everything there is to know about these ladies.

Cheers

Offline Mr.Paynter

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Re: Am I the only one on the African continent?
« Reply #35 on: December 18, 2012, 05:15:14 AM »
Thanks Johnnie, will do! I have heard of him, and am very keen to pick his brain but I believe he will be travelling this year and as such, he will be far less available!

@charlatan - Awesome wheel! I am so excited to be in and be setting up my little workshop! I am slowly getting toys together, just got a battery-tender/charger and a Dremel and   am debating building a tabgle, although I have been keeping an eye on gumtree for an older second-hand work-bench! We've taken ownership of the new place but wont be moving in til Feb after we have completed some renovations we need to get sorted! So come Feb (fingers crossed) I will be then getting my hands dirty as much as possible!

Also... Christmas came early!
Parts arrived today, all looking very shiny and new in their OEM Honda packets! Very, very exciting and it's defintiely keeping the excitement bubbling!
1973 CB500 K2 - needs a whoooole lot of work.
Some other, newer bikes.

Offline kjr4honda

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Re: Am I the only one on the African continent?
« Reply #36 on: December 19, 2012, 02:52:14 AM »
Greetings All.  Nice to hear from so many "new" guys.  I now know why I can't get all those 500s that keep popping up on various local selling sites.  Last one I saw was in the OFS - needed a cam and rockers but looked fairly complete.  Got no reply to my emails, so I guess someone else snagged it - not one of you lot, maybe?
73 CB500 - running
73 CB500 - soon to be a 605
73 CB500 - future rebuild project
Ductai 996 Biposto
Ducati 748R Track bike
Ducati 750ie Sport
86 250 KX
Masai 125 pit bike
TZR 50 RR race bike
69 Triumph Bonneville (Thruxton)
75 Yamaha TY 250

Offline Mr.Paynter

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Re: Am I the only one on the African continent?
« Reply #37 on: December 19, 2012, 03:00:21 AM »
Not me unfortunately!
I also saw one on gumtree for R6k for sale by an old man, had been running but left standing in fully original paint etc etc but I called and it was gone pronto! I've also heard of one via the local classics club but it's a touch pricey as it's in good condition.

Where are all of these other ones disappearing too?

1973 CB500 K2 - needs a whoooole lot of work.
Some other, newer bikes.

Offline kjr4honda

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Re: Am I the only one on the African continent?
« Reply #38 on: December 19, 2012, 03:04:42 AM »
Went to see one the other day - R8,500.00.  Looks like it had been stored in the ocean for a couple of years - there was even rust on the plastics!  Gave that one a miss, even though I saw it run.  Too much time and money to put it right again.
73 CB500 - running
73 CB500 - soon to be a 605
73 CB500 - future rebuild project
Ductai 996 Biposto
Ducati 748R Track bike
Ducati 750ie Sport
86 250 KX
Masai 125 pit bike
TZR 50 RR race bike
69 Triumph Bonneville (Thruxton)
75 Yamaha TY 250

Offline Mr.Paynter

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Re: Am I the only one on the African continent?
« Reply #39 on: December 19, 2012, 03:21:24 AM »
Really?! Even up there?
There go my dreams of stumbling across a pristine, rust-free Gauteng 500!

My bike is pretty rough, the photos I posted a whiles back dont do it any justice, lots of horrible little touches courtesy of the PO who said he wanted to Cafe' the bike, which is why he stuck trailer lights on the back-fender and painted (badly) the clock-casings and a few other bits and pieces gold.  :o

I am on the right track though, and I am just working towards doing what I can, as I can!

Speaking of which, does anyone have a spare tail-light assembly? It is the one OEM thing I am really trying to track down but a lot of guys wont ship them out here!
1973 CB500 K2 - needs a whoooole lot of work.
Some other, newer bikes.

Offline kjr4honda

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Re: Am I the only one on the African continent?
« Reply #40 on: December 19, 2012, 03:25:26 AM »
Keep on dreaming - that one came up from your neck of the woods!
Saw that 550 for R45k, actually saw it in the metal, looked like it had just come out of the factory.  Owner was upset because there was mud on the front guard.
73 CB500 - running
73 CB500 - soon to be a 605
73 CB500 - future rebuild project
Ductai 996 Biposto
Ducati 748R Track bike
Ducati 750ie Sport
86 250 KX
Masai 125 pit bike
TZR 50 RR race bike
69 Triumph Bonneville (Thruxton)
75 Yamaha TY 250

Offline charlatan

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Re: Am I the only one on the African continent?
« Reply #41 on: December 19, 2012, 03:32:04 AM »
If you're wondering what became of that ZAR45000  550, rest assured it didn't sell. See http://www.wilddog.za.net/forum/index.php?topic=111143.0

There's a nice looking one currently on gumtree for R14000 with RWC, down here in Cape Town:
http://capetown-westerncape.gumtree.co.za/c-Cars-Vehicles-motorcycles-scooters-HONDA-550F-SUPER-SPORT-W0QQAdIdZ441044828
Very low mileage!

Offline kjr4honda

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Re: Am I the only one on the African continent?
« Reply #42 on: December 19, 2012, 03:40:31 AM »
There are two of them out there - the one I saw was in Sandton.  I think I'll stick with the CB500F, not much improvement in the 550 models.
73 CB500 - running
73 CB500 - soon to be a 605
73 CB500 - future rebuild project
Ductai 996 Biposto
Ducati 748R Track bike
Ducati 750ie Sport
86 250 KX
Masai 125 pit bike
TZR 50 RR race bike
69 Triumph Bonneville (Thruxton)
75 Yamaha TY 250

Offline Mr.Paynter

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Re: Am I the only one on the African continent?
« Reply #43 on: December 19, 2012, 06:41:30 AM »
Oh wow!
I work with Louis' brother Braam, so yeah, I saw the tank on that 550 in the flesh, looked so great!

He actually has sold it now for even more with some firestone tyres on it, to a man whom I believe has a loooot of money as he bought Braam's custom CX500 for a lot of money too!
I was also very keen to see how the local paint guy handled it and was impressed because I want my 500 painted back to the close-to-original-as-possible orange flake and black colour!

It's a small world after all!
1973 CB500 K2 - needs a whoooole lot of work.
Some other, newer bikes.

Offline CB-Cape

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Re: Am I the only one on the African continent?
« Reply #44 on: January 06, 2013, 04:41:15 AM »
Hi There,

Cool to see that there are more SOHC lovers around in South Africa! I'm from Holland but live and work in Cape Town for the last 6 years. I restored a 78 Cb550K and love to ride it now daily. I took a lot of part back from Holland to South Africa while visiting my parents there. I'm curious where you guys find your parts over here? Do you have experience with ordering parts online (cmsnl.com or ebay) and does it get to your house? Or is this very risky?
Thanks!

This is my bike

Offline TimD550

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Re: Am I the only one on the African continent?
« Reply #45 on: January 18, 2013, 03:30:52 AM »
Hi all,

I am new to the forum and the SOHC 4 world.

Recently purchased myself a CB550F which I'm in the process of fixing.

Quick question, know of anyone in Johannesburg who recovers seats and fixes the foam?
Mine is in a sorry state.

The only other option I have is to try and find someone do do the foam as I have mamanged to source the actual seat cover for around 20pounds
1977 CB550 F

Offline charlatan

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Re: Am I the only one on the African continent?
« Reply #46 on: January 29, 2013, 12:57:10 PM »
Hi There,

Cool to see that there are more SOHC lovers around in South Africa! I'm from Holland but live and work in Cape Town for the last 6 years. I restored a 78 Cb550K and love to ride it now daily. I took a lot of part back from Holland to South Africa while visiting my parents there. I'm curious where you guys find your parts over here? Do you have experience with ordering parts online (cmsnl.com or ebay) and does it get to your house? Or is this very risky?
Thanks!

This is my bike

Very nice!

I've ordered from eBay (several times) & David Silver in the UK. Shipping is expensive, so you have to choose your sellers carefully so you can combine as many parts as you can in one parcel.

There is no import duty on bike parts to South Africa (you just pay the ~R31 processing fee at customs, but you have to arrange with the seller that they mark the contents clearly as motorcycle spares, and add the customs code which you can look up here:http://www.cargoinfo.co.za/customs/CustomsChapter.asp?C=87
I normally ask them to use "8714.99: CD4 - Motorcycle Parts & Accessories"

Got any more pics? Which area are you in? (I'm Southern Suburbs, Marina da Gama - lots of ex-Hollanders here!)

Offline 01Thomas

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Re: Am I the only one on the African continent?
« Reply #47 on: April 23, 2013, 02:33:51 PM »
Greetings - I'm also here in Durban. Have been on this site for quite a while but I never saw this regionalised sub-forum


Come on, there has to be more of us out there!  I'm in the Johannesburg area - 1700m above sea-level.
1971 Honda CB750 Four K1 [Engine: CB750E-1113521 / Frame: CB750-1113838]
1977 Seeley Honda CB750F (F1) [Engine: CB750E-2551214 / Frame No: SH7-655F]

'96 Yamaha YZF750SP & '81 Moto Guzzi SP1000 & '80 Moto Guzzi 850 LeMans II & '82 Bimota KB-3 [Frame No 49] & '66 Ducati 50 SL/1 & '53 Miele K-50 & '38 Miele 98

Offline TimD550

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Re: Am I the only one on the African continent?
« Reply #48 on: May 02, 2013, 12:34:52 AM »
Hi all,

Does anyone know where I could find a good, and reasonably priced, upholsterer in Johannesburg?

My original CB550F seat is in a terrible state and needs some love. I am not looking to do a restoration of the bike so I would like a custom leather cover for the seat.

Any help will be great!
1977 CB550 F

Offline Johnnie

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Re: Am I the only one on the African continent?
« Reply #49 on: May 02, 2013, 01:02:24 AM »
Hi Guys,

I have a CB500 frame and swingarm for sale, all brackets removed and no papers, was going to be a track bike build. For R500 collect in Klerksdorp.

Regards,

P.S 550 and 650 sohc engines fit as well if I'm not mistaken!