Topic: Was it a dumb idea to buy a SOHC4 bike?

[Magilla]

My bike has been nothing but trouble.  When I chose this bike over others it was because of the bullet proof reputation of Honda AND its price point.  I bought it in April and I have less than a hundred miles on it.

First it was fit after fit with the carbs.  They just would not lean out. Eventually it was discovered that the jets had been bored out.  So that is now fixed.  Then I painted it because I wanted to learn how to paint. That was actually fun, the only fun this bike has provided me.

Wen I finally had it painted and running it died on my first ride.  Oil blew past the advance and filled the points.  I thought it was a seal.  One that would require the cases to be split in order to fix.  At this point that would have been great.  Instead it was the timing advance bolt that came unscrewed and backed its way out.  In the process of doing this it galled the threads on the crank.  So the crank is junk.

Now my inexpensive little project/hobby is going to cost me.  I can either have this motor rebuilt at about $1800 or I can buy a doner motor, have it put in and cross my fingers that the motor is good.  That will be over $1000 for sure.

So now the cost of fixing it when added to what I have into it will push the limits of the bikes value.  Why an I doing this?  This sucks.  Something that was supposed to bring me enjoyment has only been kick after kick in the nuts. 

[Brandedone88]

Some advice, and don't take this personal, but grow up.  The realization is that you bought an OLD bike, and somethign like this can happen and did happen.   What you need to do it now use this as a lesson in learning how to work on your bike.  If you are so inclined or take the easy way out and find a motor or have it rebuilt.   if you choose to do it yourself this forum is a good resource and there are people who can help you out.

[fmctm1sw]

Sorry to hear your misfortune.  I too battle stuff all the time.  Just the other day I replaced my valve cover gasket and still have a leak somewhere near the bottom of my 650.  The CX500 I have needs a water pump seal.  CT90 rectifier was blown.  350F not running right, although I did fix the charging issue it had.  Always something ...  That said, it's probably much the same with any old bike.  I had a TX 500 once that I found had a cracked cylinder head.  These bikes often sit up for years and have who knows what done to them by POs.    Best of luck to you..

[RFogelsong]

Don't let it get you down.  I have an "engineer mindset" in the strictest of terms and I hate when things that weren't supposed to go wrong do, but patience and a willingness to learn will get you far.  Best of luck. 

Personal opinion, now that I've done a few odds and ends on my 550 and seen how well these bikes were designed, try to fix it up yourself.  worst case you still have a bike that needs a rebuild.  You'll start thanking the engineers who designed these once you get your hands a little dirty.  Pretty simplistic stuff really, just measure twice, cut once, and ask questions when you don't know.

[Mooshie]

I know how frustrating it can be.  I bought my bike in 2009 and have ridden it countless miles.  After my last 2,500+ mile ride I have been chasing issues down as they pop up. But I actually enjoy doing that and learning.  Soon I will know how to fix my 550 with things I can carry on my bike.  That is what happens when you choose a 37+ year old bike.  But stick with it, learn how to fix it, and you will be amazed at how it will perform for you once you get it going (and how many compliments you will get over other bikes).  But if you do not want to be that patient, or learn those new skills, then it is best to go with a more "modern" bike that won't give you problems until decades down the road (if you are lucky). 

[dhall57]

It's bad that the problems you've had with your sohc4 has taken away the pleasure and joy you should have owning one of these machine. Mag your frustrated right now, I would recommend taken a little break and regroup yourself and try to relax and get your mind on something else for a while. Don't come back to it until your ready.

Good luck
dhall

[oldbob]

I've been down that road. The CB400F I bought off of eBay was (surprise!) misrepresented. As I have been restoring it, I have had a few bad surprises. Each time, I say that's the end of the project, and I therapeutically put it on CraigsList for a a few days until I cool down.

Sure, I have way too much money in my 400, but (and this is the big but) when complete it will be *mine*. I will know the bike inside and out and I will have the satisfaction of knowing that it didn't beat me.

Take a few days or weeks off. It will look better to you.

My name is Bob and I'm a bike-aholic.

Bob

[Magilla]

It's just frustrating that after owning it for 7 months I have way more miles in the back of my truck than I do on the bike.

[madmtnmotors]

I would attempt a helicoil repair (in place) before writing off the crank completely. What have you got to lose? If it fails you have to replace the crank anyway. If it works, then you didn't even have to tear the motor apart! Seek advice from someone locally that has done this type of repair, or that might even be able to do it for you (machinist). Best of luck, I'm dealing with a broken case bolt on a project bike right now as well. Hoping to effect repair without pulling the engine, I'll post results in another thread.

[Pat_at_APE]

Just remember that once you get all the bugs worked out how nice it will be......   

Setbacks are just part of owning and restoring old vehicles.  You take them as they come and eventually they are all fixed.... Until the next one comes up, and then you fix that too....

Good luck!  Don't give up! 

Pat at APE

[gecko672]

Seriously I would recommend doing the engine yourself. I had never split a case or ever really done anything with an engine beyond general maintenance, but I have thoroughly enjoyed my rebuild and I've learned a lot. Between the shop manual this forum and ebay most people can do a full engine rebuild and it wont cost you $1800.

[Dimitri13]

Bulletproof and reliable ≠ invincible. Sorry you've had the misfortune of getting one that was improperly cared for or just plain worn out. You're not the only one who has had setbacks. Just about everyone in this thread has had one or more. Personally, the amount of work and money ive spent in mine could've bought the bike two more times over. I'm currently in the process of a complete rebuild and upgrade. Thiswas likely due to the POs negligence, but also me putting off major care that lead to this (primary chain failed).

If you feel like this project is going to take more money keep time than you're willing to put in, we won't judge you for passing it on to someone who will. But just complaining and badmouthing the bikes we love wont get you anywhere.

[Mister Gumby]

Setbacks are just part of owning and restoring old vehicles.  You take them as they come and eventually they are all fixed.... Until the next one comes up, and then you fix that too....

This.
I haven't been a SOHC4 member or owner for very long, but my obsession with older vehicles goes back as long as I can remember and every one has given me plenty of troubles at some point, making me question why. When its all said and done it actually is quite worth it. I'm battling with my 350f right now trying to get it on the road and it seems that everything is a struggle from dealing with a bonded title to emissions, but once it's tagged and on the road it'll all be worth it. At least that's what I keep telling myself!

[wrenchmuch]

The initial problems I had are just a memory now. Bike runs great now and I have confidence in it. It cost a fair bit to get it to where it is now but I know my bike back to front. Stick with it. I bet you'll be glad you did.

[ekpent]

Gee I am sorry you have had so much bad luck with this one. I have more of the 750's right now than I care to admit and have had really good luck bringing them back to life with no major issues. Not sure if this is your only bike,if it is buy another machine of some type that can get you on the road to enjoyment and kick up your fun factor and then slowly tinker away on this problem child. If you have old bikes you NEED more than one   

[Bailgang]

Sorry to hear your misfortune and yep it really sucks sometimes but unfortunately it pretty much comes with the territory when dealing with vintage bikes regardless of their make. I can only tell you this from my own point of view that even though my 550 is the very first bike I've ever owned I still knew it was going to be an uphill battle getting my 550 back on the road but I still had to have it when I first laid eyes on it even in the dilapidated shape it was in. I wanted a challenge and boy oh boy did it ever fill that desire! I knew from the very start that I'd probably be spending more than it was worth but I didn't care because it's resale value doesn't mean a thing to me until the day comes I want to sell it which I doubt will be coming soon because after 3 years of messing with it once I actually did get it on the road, it's finally running like it should and I'm having a blast with it and the adventure (if that's what you want to call it) getting it to this point was definitely a roller coaster ride.

Will I be doing it again to some other piece oh s**t that's been locked up and forgotten? You bet in fact I spotted a gl1000 on CL for $400 that fits the description above and it would be setting in my garage right now except I don't have $400 to play with at the moment. Bummer.

[anders288]

Magilla I live just outside Manchester NH and have been a machinist for 20 years and a mechanic 40 years. I doubt you need to replace the crank. PM me with your info.

                                                                                                                                                                                                        Anders

[oldbob]

Magilla I live just outside Manchester NH and have been a machinist for 20 years and a mechanic 40 years. I doubt you need to replace the crank. PM me with your info.

                                                                                                                                                                                                        Anders

Yet another reason why this is such a great forum.

Bob

[madmtnmotors]

Magilla I live just outside Manchester NH and have been a machinist for 20 years and a mechanic 40 years. I doubt you need to replace the crank. PM me with your info.

                                                                                                                                                                                                        Anders

Yet another reason why this is such a great forum.

Bob

+1!

[derelicte]

Seriously.

[Bailgang]

Magilla I live just outside Manchester NH and have been a machinist for 20 years and a mechanic 40 years. I doubt you need to replace the crank. PM me with your info.

                                                                                                                                                                                                        Anders

Yet another reason why this is such a great forum.

Bob

+2

[Don R]

I'm into street machines, rods, Drag cars and sohc 750's. Can't afford to do them all at once but it's all the same. Race car engine ate a bolt that backed out, street rod paint was incorrect material and is flaking off, Street machine is waiting for the race car to stop eating all my money. They all test your mettle. It has a lot to do with attitude. if you don't enjoy the work trade it off on a bike with warranty.

[Stev-o]

If you are totally frustrated with it, maybe you should cut your losses and sell it?
Sounds as if the PO didn't know what the eff he was doing and really screwed with it.
I know the feeling. I once had a CB550 and it ran just ok. Never could get it dialed in, even with help here and a buddy who really knows vintage bikes. After it died one day when I was headed to meet for a ride, I said that's enough and sold it the next week.
Bought another immediately and never had a lick of trouble with it and still have it.

[Gordon]

It helps if you think of this forum as more of a support group for people afflicted with the sohc4 illness than a group of people with a common interest.  I'm pretty sure most of the members here initially found this forum because they had a problem, or problems, with their bike and they were looking for help, not because it was running great and they had no complaints about it.  I know that's true for me.   

[cougar]

Magilla ; Like "madmtnmotors" said first "I would attempt a helicoil repair (in place) before writing off the crank completely. What have you got to lose?" Most holes can be repaired in 1 way or another, if you've got enough metal around it. And on a crank you got plenty ! Now you've got "anders288" pitching in to assist you with your problem ! You'll find out that SOHC4 folks believe in helping each other a lot more than people know ! Great bikes, Great people with tons of knowledge and expeirence to tackle all sorts of problems. With all these folks just about anything a person could have go wrong Somebody has had that problem before and will know how to deal with it ! Hang in there !! I love my 1976 CB750 more than any of the other bikes I've ridden and that's been a bunch of different brands, H-D, Yam, Suz, Triumph, + more . Currently I ride my 76 CB750 F1 and am building a 1985 Honda Rebel 400F/C for my wife. Old bike do need care but there worth the time !!  Stay with it and you'll see, things can be fixed.   ...cougar...