My First build, '71 cb175 *lots of help will be asked through this*

[binks]

Ive been lurking this site quit a bit lately so i figure itll be the place to ask for assistance with all this. this is my very first build on my own, ive helped with cafe racer builds and bobber style builds that my buddy did, so i understand some basics about motorcycles.
It was a parts bike that came in a trade. Came with two motors and a few bins and buckets of parts, everything is not there, so i will be ordering stuff to replace what i need.
It came with the original service manual so its about to help me along the way quit alot.
1971 Honda Cb175
35xx miles on it

 

[binks]

That was how she sat when i brought her home, the motor had already been pulled.
I will be taking pictures of everything that i have for it layed out so anyone can possibly tell me what im missing.
after 3 hours of labeling the harness, and pulling parts off i got her down to bare frame.
above the battery box in the frame i found a dead mouse, theres a little bit of damage to part of the wiring from it, ill post pictures of that when i spread everything out.

 

[binks]

I want to end up with a result like this. Im going with a 175 frame because i want a small bike, im a small guy and i feel comfortable on a 175.
i know in order to get this look, i need to extend my swing arm, or could i use one from a different bike? and i may possibly need to do some frame modification. i have a guy who can handle welding like that, but hed like to not do my swing arm if it needs stretching, so ill have a shop do it.

i also have a spare tank that came with it, a smaller sportier looking one, not so bulky. will supply a picture later.

 

[ljonny18]

Looks like a cool project !!! I will keep posted and look forward to some progress Good luck !!!

Jon.

PS - If you have any questions, just ask on this site - I have had very good and fast advice here

 

[binks]

Thanks man.
Anyone know where I can order nice handle bars, a seat, swing arm extensions? Wider back tire?
Those are 4 things I need to start this project. I plan to have it done in a month or two

 

[binks]

Well my thread is getting plenty of views, but no input. I need help guys, that's why I started this thread.

*progress.
Cut out the mud guard and grinded it nice and smooth. Blasted the frame with air craft paint remover and getting things ready for paint and welding.

Will post pics within the next two days.

 

[ljonny18]

Thanks man.
Anyone know where I can order nice handle bars, a seat, swing arm extensions? Wider back tire?
Those are 4 things I need to start this project. I plan to have it done in a month or two

Depends what sort of stuff you are after (used / new). Obviously EBay is a good place to start (especially for used parts...). I believe that companies such as WrenchMonkeys and Cafe Racer Dreams also have web stores with aftermarket / used specials etc... (oh and also Classified Moto maybe worth a look) :

http://www.bricksite.com/wrenchmonkees
http://www.crdmotorcycles.com/shop/en/
http://classifiedmoto.bigcartel.com/

Im not sure if this is of any help... I personally get all my parts from EBay, but most of the time it takes some time trawling through it all and a bit of patience to get what you (exactly) want / need...

 

[binks]

heres one massive picture post.

heres everything i have layed out, from going through the service manual and comparing parts, i seem to only be missing a Battery, Chain, kick start pedal and misc nonsense.

can anyone tell me what this chain and single sprocket is? i think its the starter chain..welll the spare starter chain, theres a new starter and everything on the motor already.

speaking of starters...is it safe to remove the electric starter and just runt the kick start? would i benifit at all from it besides handle bars not looking clustered as shit?


heres some shots of the motor...everything looks great to me. nothing seems missing or damaged, everything looks clean

i had some up closes of the carbs and what not, but my computer wouldnt save them after the resize. they look freshly rebuild and super clean.

heres the tank im using, im still grinding down the original mounts on it so itll fit around the frame, i think it looks much better then the stock thank

misc parts halfway through paint prep

but as i keep posting. can someone please tell me where to order swing arm extensions? i cant find anything for a 175 anywhere, and id like something to start with instead of just cuting and welding in extra pipe.
i found the handle bars im ordering, and ive decided to build my own seat using an old skateboard deck as ive seen some other guys do. it should turn out great after i mold the foam for the shape i want.

im re using the stock rear fender, but hacking it so itll be smaller and building a custom tail light with rear turn signals in it, i live in michigan, gotta have a tail light.

still on a hunt for a good size back tire.
im running stock rims too, painting them of course.

i really dont know what else to say at the moment, im just gunna go get back to work before i have to go to work.

 

[binks]

still no input eh? owell.
heres what ive been doing for the last two days, and wire brushing the frame down the bare metal, which is going with me to my buddys step dads tonight to see what were doing about extending the swing arm and relocating the rear shocks more forward.

couple of question,
how do i install a petcock on my new tank? is there one specifically i should use for this bike or will it matter if i get a different one that just fits? fuel lines, how are they ran? on the stock tank, theres two nipples on the bottom of the tank, is one a fuel return line? do i have to intall the same setup on my new tank or can i get a petcock with the feed and return lines on it?

spark plug wires, can someone take a picture of where they connect, i dont seem to have a distributor, or i might, i just dont know because i know nothing about motorcycles(i build honda civics, 4 wheels, not 2)

 

[binks]

Oo..and i discovered my spare back tire i have is a 3.25, im pumped because i dont have to order a new rear tire now.

 

[binks]

Am i allowed to bump threads here? I need questions answered.

 

[leggers]

spark plug wires, can someone take a picture of where they connect, i dont seem to have a distributor, or i might, i just dont know because i know nothing about motorcycles(i build honda civics, 4 wheels, not 2)

Bikes have coils: 2 cylinder motors typically come in two single coils or one double coil and usually resemble something like this:

Did you say you had a manual? If not get one, its gonna be your best friend for questions like this and final assembly since you're not familiar with what things looked like in their original state.

Go to some bike swap meets. As far as prices go, Ebay is full of jacked up prices and I would only go there if I was looking for things I "must have" or used parts. Good luck with the build!

 

[SeekingZero]

still no input eh? owell.

Story of my life. I have found that this site isn't the best if you are looking for a lot of input. Most people don't give two shits about the smaller bikes unless you are doing something radical or have access to machining hardware. Maybe I'm biased, definitely indignant, but that's what I have experienced.

That said, I am also building up a 175 and I'll try and help you out with what I have found out so far. For aftermarket parts, Dime City Cycles has a great deal of products that I am planning on getting to build my bike. Ebay typically has many things, but as was stated, be wary and always double check what you get and where you get it from. For OEM parts, check out Bikebandit, they also have nice diagrams to help you out if you need it. I was going to go the route you are but have since changed the direction of my build. You can check out my thread and see if any of your questions are answered there too.

Good luck with the build and I'll try and help you out where I can.

 

[Yamatech]

If you can find a petcock to fit and wont leak it should be fine. All they do is stop and start the flow of fuel when turned off and on. Some have a reserve which basically has another filter going into the tank that sits lower than the "on" filter. Just in case you run out of gas while using on you can switch to reserve to get you closer to a gas station haha.

Also Im going to be watching this build, I like seeing new takes on a build from people who are new to bikes....fresh ideas. Im here to help, ask away brother.

 

[binks]

well thanks guys.
im gunna take my tank up to a local shop in the next few days and see if they have something thatll fit. and as far as a coil, i dont have one so ill be ordering one when i order a new battery.

and yes i have a manual, it came with the bike, but it didnt say shit about the coil in it except how to inspect it, no good picture of it, so i couldnt figure out what i needed.

updates.
tonight i tossed parts back on to measure how far im going to extend the swing arm, would a 5 inch stretch be safe or is that quit a bit? with running stock rear shocks, a 5 inch stretch gives me the look i want of the rear tire sticking out a bit and still gives me play room if i buy aftermarket rear shocks in the future, which will most likely be happening so i can drop the frame just a bit closer to the ground.

i also started grinding down all the nonsense tabs on the frame, and the tank mounts on the tank so i can get it to fit its new placement..it was a bitch, still not done cuz i cant get the grinder up into the frame groove, tomorrow ill file it down till it fits then start the bondo work on the tank itself.

 

[Yamatech]

just as long as its not too extreme of an angle on the shocks. Too much and things get squirly.

 

[binks]

the angle isnt too bad at all. i wanna say its close to a 65* angle off the swing arm, i should prolly check on that. but i plan on, in the future, buying shorter rear shocks so that the ass end of the bike will be lower. right now its not in the budget.

i am jobless as of last saturday, so i spend everyday doing what i can to get this done, it will be my only form of transportation here in about a week when i sell my car, so im trying to get this done asap.

todays list of things to do...bondo gas tank, finishing grinding random shit off frame, find a ride to welders shop to drop off swing arm.

ill snap a few updated pictures later tonight.

again thanks for the input now, i really need it seeing as i dont know what im doing.

 

[binks]

what am i missing besides the petcock? im assuming the nipple deals on the stock tank are fuel lines or something...again, i dont know anything about this stuff.
so would i install my own?

and no updates still, been waiting on my swing arm to come back from the shop. its taking them more time then i thought to finish it. and its been to cold up here to paint my frame.

 

[1chrisb]

Those nipples are for a fuel crossover line, so the fuel on each side is at the same level. (and so the fuel on the side opposite the petcock can actually get used instead of trapped)

 

[binks]

See...I didnt know that.
Thank you.
Are they needed on my new tank?