Topic: My Stock to Cafe back to Stock Build

[albertaboy]

Hey all. My build have been idle awhile. Since December, my last post, it had gotten to cold to work in an unheated Edmonton Alberta garage and I had a basement bath to build. I've jackhammered cement, layed plumbing, poured cement, framed walls, hired and electrician, drywalled, ceramic tiled a floor, painted and installed a shower, toilet and sink. Phew... in between shift work... 6 months later.  In my meager down time, I've done little things but mostly spent a bunch of money on parts that have trickled in during this time.

I also shipped and received back my head and cylinder from Mreick.  More later.

I should /shall rename my build "Albertaboy'z 750, K5 resto mod"

If you've never read this build and just tuning in,  I'll save you some time. If it's been so long for you and you can't remember, here's a refresher.

I started with this in November 2010


Made it look like this by July 2011


And today, it looks like this-  See- there now your caught up. But if you want to have a look back, it's only two pages or so.


Basically, I didnt like the cafe thing after all and I want a classic bike with some modern touches. This is a nut and bolt restoration with subtle changes. More to come.  Cheers.

[albertaboy]

I had forum member 754 make a frame kit.



I cut the frame to spec.


It fits in likey so


Found a guy who know what he's doing. Tig was his thing.


Meh... good enough for the girls I go out with.

[albertaboy]

June 17 2014
Cut out the OEM swinger bushes per tutorials on this site.  Hack sawed two cuts.


Drive em out.


Surveying my handy work.


Then I dropped the frame and all of these parts off for powder coating.

[albertaboy]

Jun 18/14
Have to head off to a set of night shifts in just a few hours so I can't start anything. Here's a few shots of a Flake Apricot Red tank and oil tank side cover I picked up a few weeks ago. Man is it hard finding this color.  Looks like 35,000 K5 bikes were produced. I've no idea how many were Planet Blue vrs Red.  I've kept my eye on feebay for months and Planet blue came up regularly but rarely did f.a.r. show up. Only one or two very beat, scratched and faded tanks since December have come up.  I jumped on this one. Not pictured are a coupe soft dents on the right side. I'll get paintless dent repair done on those.

I should have taken a picture before I buffed this tank. I used Mother's stage 1 and 2 polish and I've yet to apply stage three.  The tank was very dull but wow did the color pop after I was done.  I know this color is susceptible to deep fading but I don't think this tank has faded much.

Here's an outdoor in sunlight shot


Here's and indoor under florescent lighting.


Here's the side cover under florescent, unbuffed. It's a fairly true color. The color under the 750Four badge is only slightly darker and the picture likely doesn't show the difference.

[Tews19]

Subscribed! I am in the same boat as you.... I cut up my 550F frame. Got the gsxr front end and now I am not sure I even want the gsxr set up. I am in the process of replacing the frame too. The one positive is I sent my head and cylinders to mike as you did too.

[albertaboy]

Subscribed! I am in the same boat as you.... I cut up my 550F frame. Got the gsxr front end and now I am not sure I even want the gsxr set up. I am in the process of replacing the frame too. The one positive is I sent my head and cylinders to mike as you did too.

Yes, Mike's work is nice. My engine build is next so I'll get some pictures up as I go along.

This is my first bike resto and though I like cafe's, I don't have the skills to machine something cool and difference than anyone else. I've a big collection of gixer parts too. lol. Swapping the tank and seat and bars wasn't satisfying at all. I've rode supersports for years and I figure this classic will make a nice cruiser.  My first cruiser even.  I think this one needs to be made into a nice restored rider. Not a trailer queen, not a living-room show piece.... a rider.  Thanks for stopping by Cheers.

[albertaboy]

Hey,
Been consumed by this. Have a read. Just an obstacle in the pursuit of CB restoration. http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=138906.0

I 've been working on my lower cases. Photo's to follow shortly. I hope to get my powder coated parts Monday.  Things are coming together.

[albertaboy]

Ok, June 29 2014, that Ebay Global International Shipping fiasco behind me, here's an update of what I accomplished this past week on days off.

I opened the cases to install new primary chains and tension-er and HD cam chain.  While I was there, I pulled the oil pump and installed forum member, Elan, oil pump rebuild kit, The rubber stopper, spring and o-rings.  Then I replaced the o-ring at the large dowel.  I put the cases back together with Hondabond but not before I did about 12 practice runs so I didn't screw it up before the glue set. I brush painted on the Honda Bond and after torqing the case bolts to spec, observed a proper amount of glue squeeze out all around the case.

This is possibly a 13,000 mile engine. After discussed replacing the crank bearing with MRieck, I decided not to touch them for now.  Just a visual inspection but gear teeth, forks and gear dogs looked very good.  I doubt I'll put 2000 miles a year on this bike so it will be awhile before anything wears that badly.

Here's the cleaned cases.


All the parts

A close up of Elan's kit

New Honda OEM Primary chain and primary chain tension-er, New HD cam chain installed just before closing it all up again.

[albertaboy]

I picked up all my parts from the powder coater June 30 and spent today looking it over, cleaning up a few over spray areas and running taps through all the threaded holes.


Mock up my Flake Apricot tank for a photo op.


Now a hint of thing to come over the next week or 10 days. I'm back to work, then a busy weekend then switch over to night shifts. It may be a while for I get to it.


A Stage 2 port job by MRieck.  I like how Mike autographed it.

[Tews19]

Mike does some really great work.  Hey Vern, any pics of the truck?

[albertaboy]

Mike does some really great work.  Hey Vern, any pics of the truck?

Here's a glamor shot. This 1965 was frame off re-built between 1988 and 1992 by my late brother in law Ray.  Ray was just 18 when he started in 1989 and he passed away in 1999.  In the mind of a young guy he built it to race between the lights. Built 350 small block, with 150hp nitrous, Turbo 400, 4:10 posi rear end. My 68 SS398 Chevelle, kicked him in a race back in the 90's.  I think he won a few but likely lost a lot more.  It's still a heavy truck.
After Ray passed, the truck was stored on the family farm. I took it out 2 times a year just to keep it limber. Then last year, parent's in law were falling ill and forced to sell off the farm. I've taken ownership of it now.  The paint looks amazing for being 25 years old but it's only got 10,000 miles since 1990-1992 when it was repainted.

I take it to the occasional show n shine now but not much more. It's needs a 700R4 so it doesn't rev so high on the highway. Aw well... it's only gas...  haha.

[Tews19]

Great story Vern. Glad to hear it stayed in the family.

[albertaboy]

July 14 2014.

I've done a mega lot of reading in the last couple weeks to get to this point.  I also call it analysis paralysis....   I inserted Cycle X HD cylinder studs and gaped the piston rings, new o-rings on the case, plus new chain roller and guide to refresh all that old rubber. Here's a couple pics.

Real purdy.

I forgot to snap the MLS gasket that went under that head. So here's a pic of Cometic's sticker. MAn I was all nerves putting that cylinder on those pistons. HAd my wife help hold things while I lined everything up. I used hose clamps as ring clamps and It all went real well in the end. Phew.... All new rubber o-rings at the cylinder level as well.  After this, torque that head down.

[albertaboy]

A nut and bolt restoration. These parts,mostly from Yamiya But also Honda OEM parts as well.

A Yamiya replacement wiring harness

Center stand parts. collar, springs and.... what that thing called...

Z1 Parts. Reproduction controls, grips and levers.

Bronze swing arm bushing from. Honda OEM lower shock bushings, felts washers,

Hagon Rear shocks

Z1 Parts, steering lock.

[albertaboy]

Here are new parts going to the front forks. New Yamiya fork ears and Honda reflectors, inner rubber, boot collar, and new boots.


After all those recent photos of parts and more parts, this is where they all went.

[iron_worker]

You're really starting to rock and roll on this build. She's looking great!

IW

[calj737]

Hey, admittedly I'm no expert. But, if you review the manual, the way you have that rocker cover mounted doesn't look factory spec. I'm willing to bet dollars to donuts that you'll experience quite an oil leak like that.

I'm just saying... Given all the work and effort you've put in, you might put down the camera and pick up the Clymers. 

She looks absolutely stunning! Can't wait to see picks with your tank and bodywork on!

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Hey, admittedly I'm no expert. But, if you review the manual, the way you have that rocker cover mounted doesn't look factory spec. I'm willing to bet dollars to donuts that you'll experience quite an oil leak like that.

I'm just saying... Given all the work and effort you've put in, you might put down the camera and pick up the Clymers. 

She looks absolutely stunning! Can't wait to see picks with your tank and bodywork on!

That's a special bungee cord mod for extra cooling!      

Not sure exactly what is going on with the bungee cord to the loose valve cover but I'm sure you will get is sorted out. 

[albertaboy]

Hey, admittedly I'm no expert. But, if you review the manual, the way you have that rocker cover mounted doesn't look factory spec. I'm willing to bet dollars to donuts that you'll experience quite an oil leak like that.

I'm just saying... Given all the work and effort you've put in, you might put down the camera and pick up the Clymers. 

She looks absolutely stunning! Can't wait to see picks with your tank and bodywork on!

That's a special bungee cord mod for extra cooling!      

Not sure exactly what is going on with the bungee cord to the loose valve cover but I'm sure you will get is sorted out. 

Bawhahah... I knew somebody would speak up. Ya, and I left the cam out too.... sounded confusing. Looked like a lumpy useless stick. That bungee is a special high temp bungee. Very rare.
Cal, funny you should mention... I got a real nice tank and side cover set just the other day... stay tuned for pictures soon.  . 

[albertaboy]

Some updates

Last look before I button it up. Web 41a, adjustable cam sprocket, HD cam, SS valves, HD springs and the rest of MRieck's handiwork.


Z1 parts taillight. Honda oem rubber mounting bits Repop fender off of ebay.


Z1 parts signal lights, rubber mounts and signal post. My oem rear grab bar- polished, my oem tail light stand-polished. That fender is a lower end product IMO. I wish I had my oem fender re chromed but this one looks good from 5 to 10 feet away.

Slingshot cycles stainless. An extra hose for a future double disc.

I decided to give these Z1 Parts repop gauges a try. Now I can say my bike is all metric. New Yamiya dash and jewels. All new Honda oem hardware.

New brake parts to be installed. Shoes, lever, shoe cam, felt washer.

And a hint of things to come.  Freshly repainted Flake Apricot Red tank and side covers. Both jewels will be switched to yellow for 1975.  This is that tank I had trouble with where ebay's global shipper seized it and sold it to a liquidator. By chance, I spotted the liquidator's auction, then purchased it again, had it shipped to a State side friend who shipped it to me. It arrived at my house on my birthday.   How this all turned out has left a sly grin on my face ever since.

[calj737]

You're getting so close! Hurry up before winter sets in up there 

[albertaboy]

You're getting so close! Hurry up before winter sets in up there 

Yes, your not kidding about winter being around the corner. I'm feeling the pressure for sure. I can foresee two future events, one being my youngest kid (19) moving back home and my elderly mother (has cancer) needing my attention and free time.  This will derail my progress but no complaints here, I'll continue to just do the best I can as family is first. 

I've a wheel choice dilemma that I will have to take a short cut on if Im to get a ride on this bike this year. I had picked up some unrestored Lester wheels 3 years ago.  I pulled them out and discovered they don't match. I think I knew it at the time but forgot. I'll post some pictures to show the difference and explain where my indecision come from.  I will have to use my old and dirty rusty spoke wheels until I solve this.  I've already cleaned them up as best I can and mounted a new 120/90/18 on the rear. The rest of my bike will look factory fresh and clean... except for the wheels. 

[albertaboy]

Here's a couple pics of the Lester wheels I wrote about yesterday. The exposed aluminum edge doesnt match in that the rear is a rough surface where the front is smooth. I recall thinking I'll just paint them all black and it will fine for my cafe plans.  Now, I don't want all black on this resto mod so I'll shelve them again until I decide what to do. I could soda blast that rear and make it all brite but the texture will still be off.  It's a Cb500/550 wheel. I had picked up a 550 sprocket carrier, axle and spacers to make it work in my 750 swinger so it's close to working for me.

[albertaboy]

Brake day

New brake shoes, brake cam, actuator arm and felt seal.


Cleaned my old spokes the best I could. New sprocket, new oem hardware, new bearings as well.  Had a new rear tire mounted as well.


Installed


The front.  I rebuilt that caliper 3 years ago and it only had 300 miles on it. New seal, new pads, new caliper piston, speed bleeder.  I installed a new Honda oem fender today but used Yamiya's fender hardware kit. New bolts and rubber mounting bits.  Installed new SS brake lines from Slingshot.

Z1 parts- control

Z1 Parts control. Honda Gl1000 master cylinder, completely rebuilt.

Z1 parts seat latch, ignition and bracket came with the steering lock as a kit. Now I've one matching key. So far Im happy with Z1 Parts stuff. Seem to fit well, seems finished well.



I put my wiring harness in a few days ago. I'm sticking with the original regulator and rectifier, coils, starter solenoid as it all worked before I took the bike apart. I plan to up grade at a later date.  Hondaman's fuse box.  I did install a new flasher and I'm chasing down a couple wiring bugs. I may post wiring questions soon.
 

Final pic tonight. An overall, where she sits to date, shot.

[754]

Looks great, can you tell, us what the tank went for..second go around?