Ready to start my restore of the CB900F

Well nearly ready...waiting on a fuel petcock to arrive, and will be soaking
the gas tank in vinegar to prep it for some fuel. I had to take the helmet
lock down to the locksmith to have a key cut as the seller is "still
looking" for the keys...<sigh>..I got tired of waiting, and was too anxious
to see if the motor would turn over...<LOL>...Per y'alls advice, I pulled
the plugs yesterday and shot an ounce or so of MM Oil in the cylinders. The
manual came last week, so I have been studying the things I'm pretty sure
need attention, and when the moment of truth arrived, a gratifying turn of
the key assured me I hadn't picked up a complete basket case. Bike turns
over smartly, with no odd clanks or foreign noises. It appears all the
lights work, horn works, and the tires have been holding air for a week
now.....

I've laid in a supply of fluids, aerosol cleaners, brushes, buckets, etc,
and picked up a battery charger to keep the battery at full charge while I
try and get this beast running again. The first order of business is
probably going to be replacing the seals in the front forks. While I can't
say for sure just yet, as I haven't attempted to drain the fork oil, I'd bet
a dollar to a donut they need replacing. From what the manual says, this is
a shop operation to remove and repress the oil seal. Any thoughts on this ?

While I've got the front forks out, I'll flush all the nasty fluid from the
brake lines, rebuild the front MC, and check the front pads and calipers.
The rear needs the fluid flushed, but the MC appears to be functioning,
though it needs a new diaphragm it looks like. I found a pretty nifty little
tool at the parts store for bleeding lines. It has a check valve on one end
and a fitting that slips over the bleeder valve. Slip it on, and drop the
check valve in a container to catch the fluid, and then pump away until
clear...Close the bleeder and your done.

My biggest concern will be the carbs and the automatic fuel valve...Carbs
because I can pretty much guarantee they'll need a rebuild, and auto-valve
because if it's what went bad to start with, it'll be a pretty penny to
replace...Everything else that even looks suspect at the moment is
relatively inexpensive to replace. On that note, I've found that I can
probably put a $1000.00 into it, and still be below market value...I can't
imagine it will take anywhere near that, but one never knows....I'll try and
throw some progress pics up on one of the websites as I go along, but if I
can get it fired up, I'm afraid it'll be off to the MSF refresher course,
and then do some serious catching up.

I do have one more question, and though it's a subjective personal one, I
wouldn't mind some input...Repaint to original or go custom ?...The paint
isn't in bad shape, with minimal amounts of rust on the tank ( a few the
size of a pinhead, and one about the size of a quarter)...It's the Pleiades
Silver with Blue stripes, and the only plastic that needs paint is the front
fender to repair the DOD stickers from being cleared for use on the base,
and the stripes are a bit faded. I have a painter at work that shot autos
for 30 years before he came to us to shoot wood, so I can run this through
our shop and heat tunnel for the cost of paint....But...I can really see a
nice purple so dark it looks black with some silver
flames...<LOL>...Original ?...Custom ?...Any thoughts ?

 

It's not. But it often is a shop operation to separate leg and stanchion
in order to get at the seal in the first place.

 

Thanks..I may make a stab at it first, then decide if the Honda shop gets my
money

The Older Gentleman wrote:
::
::: From what the manual says, this is
::: a shop operation to remove and repress the oil seal. Any thoughts
::: on this ?
::
:: It's not. But it often is a shop operation to separate leg and
:: stanchion in order to get at the seal in the first place.
::
::
:: --
:: Trophy 1200 750SS CB400F CD200 Z200 x2 ST70 DT50MX YTC#3
:: GAGARPHOF#30 GHPOTHUF#1 IHABWTJ#1 BOTAFOT#60 ANORAK#06
:: BOF#30 WUSS#5 http://www.chateau.murray.dsl.pipex.com/

 

Diablo wrote:

<<Snip>>

I have one of those, too. The hose is nice because it's clear, and the
check valve makes a good weight to hold down in the jar, but I've found
you'll probably still bleed your brakes like the rest of us (pressurize,
open to bleed, close, release pressure, repeat).

<<Snip>>

Custom paint looks great when done right, but the resale value almost always
takes a big hit.

 

Charlie Gary wrote:
:: Diablo wrote:
:: <<Snip>>
::: I
::: found a pretty nifty little tool at the parts store for bleeding
::: lines. It has a check valve on one end and a fitting that slips over
::: the bleeder valve. Slip it on, and drop the check valve in a
::: container to catch the fluid, and then pump away until clear...Close
::: the bleeder and your done.
:: <<Snip>>
::
:: I have one of those, too. The hose is nice because it's clear, and
:: the check valve makes a good weight to hold down in the jar, but
:: I've found you'll probably still bleed your brakes like the rest of
:: us (pressurize, open to bleed, close, release pressure, repeat).
::
:::
::: I do have one more question, and though it's a subjective personal
::: one, I wouldn't mind some input...Repaint to original or go custom
::: ?...
:: <<Snip>>
::
:: Custom paint looks great when done right, but the resale value
:: almost always takes a big hit.
::
::
:: --
:: Later,
::
:: Charlie

Thanks Charlie...
The tool was only a couple of bucks and I figure it's just the ticket for
flushing the lines. As far as paint goes, I hear ya on the resale
value...It's a nice looking scoot as is, and the touchup route is far less
work. I guess you validated my thought that I'd be better off restoring to
original...I can always change my mind this winter when the bike will be
mostly down anyway.

 

You may want to check out this site
http://cb1100f.net/modules.php?name...5&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=

It has the 900f factory manual online for downloading
Also much more vintage Honda DOHC info.

 

rhino wrote:
:: You may want to check out this site
::
http://cb1100f.net/modules.php?name...5&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=
::
:: It has the 900f factory manual online for downloading
:: Also much more vintage Honda DOHC info.
::
Thanks mate...I am a member of that dorum as well...I have the Clymer
manual, and unfortunately the manual in the forum is for the CB 900 Custom,
which is slighty different than the F Series...Unless I just haven't run
across it yet..There is a wealth of information there as you said...I have
"just so" much time to spend researching before the fair haired ones starts
that toe tapping stuff though...<LOL>

 

Look at chapters 25 and 26 as they have the "F" Addendums, all other
proceedures are the same as a "C'
Good luck with your resto.... Just snowed 8" here today and another 6"
predicted for tomorrow.

 

rhino wrote:
:: Look at chapters 25 and 26 as they have the "F" Addendums, all other
:: proceedures are the same as a "C'
:: Good luck with your resto.... Just snowed 8" here today and another
:: 6" predicted for tomorrow.
::
::
:: ::: rhino wrote:
::::: You may want to check out this site
:::::
:::
::
http://cb1100f.net/modules.php?name...5&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=
:::::
::::: It has the 900f factory manual online for downloading
::::: Also much more vintage Honda DOHC info.
:::::
::: Thanks mate...I am a member of that dorum as well...I have the
::: Clymer manual, and unfortunately the manual in the forum is for the
::: CB 900 Custom, which is slighty different than the F
::: Series...Unless I just haven't run across it yet..There is a wealth
::: of information there as you said...I have "just so" much time to
::: spend researching before the fair haired ones starts that toe
::: tapping stuff though...<LOL>

Thanks mate...will do...new petcock is due in tomorrow, and I can get into
things in earnest

 

Diablo wrote:
:: rhino wrote:
:::: Look at chapters 25 and 26 as they have the "F" Addendums, all
:::: other proceedures are the same as a "C'
:::: Good luck with your resto.... Just snowed 8" here today and another
:::: 6" predicted for tomorrow.
::::
::::
:::: ::::: rhino wrote:
::::::: You may want to check out this site
:::::::
:::::
::::
::
http://cb1100f.net/modules.php?name...5&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=
:::::::
::::::: It has the 900f factory manual online for downloading
::::::: Also much more vintage Honda DOHC info.
:::::::
::::: Thanks mate...I am a member of that dorum as well...I have the
::::: Clymer manual, and unfortunately the manual in the forum is for
::::: the CB 900 Custom, which is slighty different than the F
::::: Series...Unless I just haven't run across it yet..There is a
::::: wealth of information there as you said...I have "just so" much
::::: time to spend researching before the fair haired ones starts that
::::: toe tapping stuff though...<LOL>
::
:: Thanks mate...will do...new petcock is due in tomorrow, and I can
:: get into things in earnest

Well the beast runs !...I acquired a like new replacement seat for $4.00
US...(where else...another one of my eBay steals...<BEG> ) and a fuel
petcock for the gas tank...They arrived yesterday, so tonight I purged the
fuel tank with vinegar to seal off and convert any rust in the tank,
installed the petcock and filled it up with gas liberally dosed with
Seafoam. All I really wanted to do was suck some conditioned fuel into the
carbs to start them soaking prior to a good cleaning...Imagine my surprise
when the engine tried to fire up !...This bike has been sitting for quite
some time, and the reason I only paid $300.00 US was it "wasn't running"...I
twisted the throttle a couple of times, and hit the starter again, and she
caught and fired after about ten seconds of hesitation...I can't get a good
clean idle right now, but then again the engines only run a total of 3-4
minutes after all these months ?...years ?...no telling how long ?...I had
set a goal of having it ready to ride 4th of July weekend !...Looks like
I'll be on the road much sooner than that if my luck keeps holding...Front
suspension service, rebuild all the brakes, touch-up paint on the tank and
front fender, and a new front tire is all that is left...then lots of elbow
grease polishing and detailing, and I'll be on the road...Well after I take
the Rider Safety Course...I figure after being without a bike for a little
over 30 years, I could use a refresher...<LOL>..All in all, I'm pretty
jazzed...I had figured having to spend the better portion of the weekend
jsut tracing down the "Won't Start" problem. Now it has hopefully become
more of a tracing down replacement parts.

 

Now there's an interesting tip. Never heard of this. Does it work? I've
always used handfuls of nuts and bolts, swilled in petrol inside the
tank, and haken hard, but it's a job that has to be done several times.

 

The Older Gentleman wrote:
::
::: I purged the
::: fuel tank with vinegar to seal off and convert any rust in the tank
::
:: Now there's an interesting tip. Never heard of this. Does it work?
:: I've always used handfuls of nuts and bolts, swilled in petrol
:: inside the tank, and haken hard, but it's a job that has to be done
:: several times.
::
::
:: --
:: Trophy 1200 750SS CB400F CD200 Z200 x2 ST70 DT50MX YTC#3
:: GAGARPHOF#30 GHPOTHUF#1 IHABWTJ#1 BOTAFOT#60 ANORAK#06
:: BOF#30 WUSS#5 http://www.chateau.murray.dsl.pipex.com/

It's one i picked up in another group mate...I tried it on the gas cap
first, and it appeared to loosen the surface rust, and the deeper rust
became extremely difficult to brush off..The theory being that vinegar (use
"white vinegar") is an acid and reacts with the iron oxide to dissolve
and/or combine with it...Made sense to me, and I decided that a couple of
gallons of ninegar was far cheaper than Kreem or POR-15....and at the very
least it could do no harm. While it was in the tank, I also started sanding
the outside with an electric sander which caused it to agitate. Blew it all
out with compressed air after draining, and immediately filled the tank with
gas dosed with Seafoam.I figure that while I'm working on everything, it
will be good to crank the bike up and let it run several times a day, and
then prior to getting out on the road, I'll drain the tank again and see
what it looks like before i do the seroius break in / run in.

 

Diablo wrote:

<<Snip>>

This has to be in the top five of the most intelligent things I've ever read
here.


--
Later,

Charlie



Fix the e-mail address and it will get to me

There are about 100 different sorts of insects in Mexico that some people
eat on purpose.

 

Charlie Gary wrote:
:: Diablo wrote:
:: <<Snip>>
:: ...Well after I take the Rider Safety
::: Course...I figure after being without a bike for a little over 30
::: years, I could use a refresher...<LOL
:: <<Snip>>
::
:: This has to be in the top five of the most intelligent things I've
:: ever read here.
::
::
:: --
:: Later,
::
:: Charlie
::
::
::
:: Fix the e-mail address and it will get to me
::
:: There are about 100 different sorts of insects in Mexico that some
:: people eat on purpose.

Hopefully I will have forgotten all the bad habits, and can start
fresh...<LOL>

 

I know the course has been revamped, so hopefully it's a little less tedious
than the Riding and StreetSkills course was. Once you get some legs under
you, see if you can go back and take an Experienced RiderCourse. Those are
much more fun, as they're only one day, and the focus areas on the range are
turning, swerving and braking. They figure you already know how to change
lanes and ride in circles. And turning your head as far as you can to
look through the turns will score points with the instructors. Have fun.


--
Later,

Charlie



Fix the e-mail address and it will get to me

There are about 100 different sorts of insects in Mexico that some people
eat on purpose.

 

Charlie Gary wrote:
:: Diablo wrote:
::: Charlie Gary wrote:
::::: Diablo wrote:
::::: <<Snip>>
::::: ...Well after I take the Rider Safety
:::::: Course...I figure after being without a bike for a little over 30
:::::: years, I could use a refresher...<LOL
::::: <<Snip>>
:::::
::::: This has to be in the top five of the most intelligent things I've
::::: ever read here.
:::::
:::::
::
::: Hopefully I will have forgotten all the bad habits, and can start
::: fresh...<LOL>
::
:: I know the course has been revamped, so hopefully it's a little less
:: tedious than the Riding and StreetSkills course was. Once you get
:: some legs under you, see if you can go back and take an Experienced
:: RiderCourse. Those are much more fun, as they're only one day, and
:: the focus areas on the range are turning, swerving and braking.
:: They figure you already know how to change lanes and ride in
:: circles. And turning your head as far as you can to look
:: through the turns will score points with the instructors. Have fun.
::
::
:: --
:: Later,
::
:: Charlie
::
::
::
:: Fix the e-mail address and it will get to me
::
:: There are about 100 different sorts of insects in Mexico that some
:: people eat on purpose.

Thanks mate..I intend to...The tank has been redone, and I'm waiting on the
rubber mount for the rear...it's either forks or brakes this weekend...and
another batch of detailing...<groan>