Author Topic: here goes....start of my restoration (Read 9482 times)

Gnat · « **Reply #25 on:** January 18, 2010, 08:15:04 AM »

There is crud on the cylinder walls. I am going to ball hone the cylinders using my drill press. The ball hone seems like the way to go as I don't think you can mess it up without really trying hard too. Then I will re-ring the pistons.

The only thing I have worrying me now is how to put the shift forks back into the transmission correctly and close the case up all at the same time?

Thanks for all the positive comments I need all the help I can get.

Gnat

Gnat · « **Reply #26 on:** March 17, 2010, 05:08:42 PM »

Well the months have gone by. So this will be a long update. I have not been idle although I'm not whipping through it like I wanted. Too many holiday's and other obligations slow me down. I have finished the cosmetics on the engine. I decided that I wanted a nice polish I wasn't concerned that it be flawless, matter of fact, I really wanted its flaws to show. This bike is almost 40 and a few well earned scars are good for conversation.

First I painted the cases with high heat aluminum paint and clear coated. I baked these in my wifes oven on 200 for four hours. I replaced every O-ring and Oil seal and gasket. I have the clyinders honed and replaced the piston rings. I lapped the valves and replaced the oil seals on them. Here is a trial fit.

Then I polished up all the side case work..not perfect but nice enough. The first pic is before polish.

After polish

Then I sent Mr. Frame and various other parts off to be stripped. Then my senses caught up with me and I decided to have it powder coated instead of painted. I went to pick it up today on the off chance it would be ready.......not......Friday Rick says. But he says he has talked with some old Honda Guys and since the bushings are still in the swing arm he has opted not to but them in the oven and i should paint these myself. Every thing else no problem. I had wanted the airbox only to be blasted so it was ready as was the arm.

Frame at Rick's powder coating about to go into the forge

Swing arm and airbox primed sorry about the pics here

painted

She who must be obeyed has a good sense of humor sometimes.

So I designed a graphic I am gonna use on the tank. I hate Glory Blue Black...It just sucks as a color So I am going with Mercedes 040 Black...which is a pure black...no blue or sparkles or anything. She has seen it and laughing approved (that was after I dodged the 20 gauge). Whoops almost forgot! Wifes name is Beth but when we are pokng fun at her we call her Betty...hence the name!

I have cleaned and referbed the engine innards and I should have them back in the case by this weekend.

more later...

Gnat

SHELLFISH · « **Reply #27 on:** March 17, 2010, 06:01:47 PM »

Looking really good so far! It's a great read and the pictures are very good too!

traveler · « **Reply #28 on:** March 17, 2010, 08:13:50 PM »

Looks great, gnat!

Paint the tins black.....can't go wrong....just get all the orange peel out of the clear and color sand and and buff it.

~Joe

theofam · « **Reply #29 on:** March 17, 2010, 08:51:12 PM »

Gnat, the engine looks really nice! That clear coat really makes it pop. Thanks for catching us up on what you've been doing.

fasturd · « **Reply #30 on:** March 17, 2010, 09:48:15 PM »

Great thread and nice job on the project. Great to see all the do it your self stuff!

Keep up the good work.

fastbroshi · « **Reply #31 on:** March 17, 2010, 10:54:29 PM »

Awesome, I'm going to have to do a stock resto one of these days. Reminds me of me and my brother picking up people's broke trash they left out front for the garbage men to take to the dump. We'd take all their crap home and try to fix it up. We didn't fix everything but we got some radios and things to work.
That motor really looks good with that clearcoat. Was that a flat silver color you used?

Gnat · « **Reply #32 on:** March 18, 2010, 06:37:30 AM »

No, the High Heat Aluminum had a bit of a shine...I would say semi-gloss. The Gloss Clear really made it pop.

Yeah I'm prone to seeing an old machine that needs care and feeding and redoing it.

Gnat

fastbroshi · « **Reply #33 on:** March 19, 2010, 03:07:20 AM »

Am I crazy or does your swingarm have a big dent in it? I have a different model bike haven't seen to many 350's...

SohRon · « **Reply #34 on:** March 19, 2010, 05:27:43 AM »

Looking great, Gnat! That engine is sweet! Keep up the good work... as you know, I'm partial to stock restoration, so this pleases me to no end. Looking forward to seeing the finished project!

Thanks for the great pics, too.

Gnat · « **Reply #35 on:** March 19, 2010, 05:53:06 PM »

No thats not a dent its a reflection under a weld seam. Scared the piss outta me; ran down to the garage (shades of SohRons build)just to make sure.

Anyway got the frame back from the powder coater today

BeeeUUUUTEEEEEFULL. Much beter than expected. No coat in the orafices anywhere except 3 screw holes for the air box and the upper welded on Shock posts so I ran a tap on it to get the paint off

a few of the extras Center stand and whatnot

Taking off the paint

I wanted the VIN plate to stay original and my guy was nice enough to carefully remove the brads so I will epoxy it back on with original brads and Mr. DOT can go fly.

I also addded on some rubber bits that I had and couldn't resist attaching the swing arm if only for a moment. So as the sun sets

more tomorrow

Gnat

Zaipai · « **Reply #36 on:** March 21, 2010, 01:11:41 PM »

Wow that frame looks good enough to eat off of.. Nice work!

.: Scott :.

leogriss · « **Reply #37 on:** March 22, 2010, 10:31:43 AM »

As a CB350F owner, I gotta say I love this!
Can't wait to see how everything will turn out.

One question for you, Gnat.
What color powder coat was used on your frame? Looks like semi black but please correct me if I'm wrong.

Keep up the good work!

Gnat · « **Reply #38 on:** March 24, 2010, 05:55:06 AM »

We stood at the counter for like 30 minutes looking at different blacks (you would'nt believe whats available) finally decided on a color with the remarkable name of

OEM BLACK

seriously thats the name...and thankfully its also the cheapest.

Gnat

Gnat · « **Reply #39 on:** April 06, 2010, 07:18:04 AM »

I have finished the engine and am doing a mock up. As I finish eack part I am lightly attaching them to the bike. This has already paid off as I found that the brake rod clevis won't attach to the control arm with the center stand in place. (No room to get fat fingers in). Also how to snake the wiring harness back into the frame.

Polished up the brake panel and replaced the brake shoes, polished up the brake rod and retaining arm,brake pedal and spring

fooled around with the wiring harness until I figured that out, put the airbox and air distributor and tool tray in place

figured out the electronic components

polished up the front forks repainted the headlight bucket, ears and fork skirts

Gnat

Zaipai · « **Reply #40 on:** April 06, 2010, 04:22:24 PM »

Looking Great!

.: Scott :.

traveler · « **Reply #41 on:** April 06, 2010, 04:30:42 PM »

looks like a new bike!

~Joe

Ecosse · « **Reply #42 on:** April 06, 2010, 05:33:30 PM »

great work! tuned in to this project.

theofam · « **Reply #43 on:** April 06, 2010, 05:39:13 PM »

I say this with the utmost respect and, frankly, awe - I'm having flashbacks to the meticulous nature of SohRon's build. Man, does your work look exceptional so far! I thought I had done a nice job polishing my lower fork legs . . . until I saw yours! Back to the polishing wheel I go.

Gnat · « **Reply #44 on:** April 07, 2010, 06:23:08 AM »

For polishing may I recommend Caswell Plating's Polishing products. Their polishing kit for 48 USD is really good and includes just about all you need for a really good polish.

Gnat...and no I don't work for them

Zaipai · « **Reply #45 on:** April 07, 2010, 06:31:53 AM »

Is this the kit?

http://www.caswellplating.com/buffs/alpolkit.htm

Also are you using a bench polisher?

.: Scott :.

Gnat · « **Reply #46 on:** April 08, 2010, 11:38:03 AM »

Well I have a 1/3 horse lathe/motor. So bought this

http://www.caswellplating.com/buffs/buffing_kits.htm

But I suspect that if you are using a drill that that kit would work nice.

My lathe is a Baldor made in November of 1951 which has a slow speed of 1400 rpms and a fast speed of 3450 rpms. I think it needs some new brushes, can you believe, I only got 58 years use out the first set

. They just don't make em like they used too and thats a fact jack.

Gnat

Zaipai · « **Reply #47 on:** April 09, 2010, 06:02:59 AM »

Nice.. Well finding that motor or one like it won't be easy, so I think I will go look see what I can find as a bench polisher... My drill can't take much more of this..lol The thing is falling apart. However that explains why those parts of yours are so shiny!

.: Scott :.

strynboen · « **Reply #48 on:** April 09, 2010, 10:00:32 AM »

hey find an old elektric motor vith 1400 rpm..and veld an old patron??dont nov vord..from a hand drilling mashine ,,on,,and you have an selince and strong polish mashine,,

Gnat · « **Reply #49 on:** April 09, 2010, 07:45:45 PM »

+1

or go to any woodworking place...They have motors. If your hardup and cheap like I am. Electric motors and arbors are really easy to find used think old washing machines and old air conditioners. These get thrown out everyday as well as shafts and bearings. Harbor frieght has some. So does Northern tool.

I'm a dentist. That Lathe belonged to my father who practiced with me until his retirement at 82 ,4 years ago, he got it from the guy he started practice with 60 years ago. There are old dentists retiring everyday and dental labs closing everyday. They all had Lathes for polishing dentures. There is a used dental supplier somewhere near you and you could pick one up dirt cheap.

Gnat

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Author Topic: here goes....start of my restoration (Read 9482 times)

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