1970 Honda CL450 "Ginger"

[milehighcj360t]

Progress is good. Had a stripped hole on the head side cover, so thats helicoiled now...ran the wires through the bars, which looks real damn nice. Fixed the electrical system charging issues, which also makes for some vast improvements. Rewired the bike with some radtastical chinese finger trap coverings. Still searching for a bag for the tools...something to match the seat.

The bad: i have to wait for new gaskets to come in as fixing the oil leak required the removal of the inspection plates, stator cover, and a side cover. One of the side covers, the leaky one, was pretty chewed up on the inside, contact with the cam, so it must not have had the correct clearance or perhaps it was just off center and was rubbing incorrectly on the cam. Nonetheless, that is being replaced parts in the mail.

Question: is there a shim for the side cover that should go between the cam and the side cover? the only thing i can think of is that the gasket holds the side cover enough away from the cam that they don't have constant contact, but i'm not entirely sure.

Other than that, had my mechanic buddy come give it a go and he was impressed at how damn well it worked, so that was reassuring. Starts first kick, has a hesitation at the top end, probably from too large of a main (it bogs and then shoots some nice black smoke when its opened up WOT). After parts arrive and I reassemble, we will know the answer to that.

Thanks,

Henry.

 

[milehighcj360t]

oh, and it might help if my garage had a litttttttttle more space for working... not in the photo is the suzuki 80cc quad i just inherited--going to have to make it something out of the ordinary...

The big beast of a "motorcycle" or lazy-boy as i've always called it, is my dad's '93 fatboy (same one from terminator), which has a tremendous amount of engine work on it, but doesn't run at the moment, so thats also going to be fixed. Going to need a bigger garage.

 

[JustinLonghorn]

Whose 360 is that?

 

[milehighcj360t]

Progress is good. Had a stripped hole on the head side cover, so thats helicoiled now...ran the wires through the bars, which looks real damn nice. Fixed the electrical system charging issues, which also makes for some vast improvements. Rewired the bike with some radtastical chinese finger trap coverings. Still searching for a bag for the tools...something to match the seat.

The bad: i have to wait for new gaskets to come in as fixing the oil leak required the removal of the inspection plates, stator cover, and a side cover. One of the side covers, the leaky one, was pretty chewed up on the inside, contact with the cam, so it must not have had the correct clearance or perhaps it was just off center and was rubbing incorrectly on the cam. Nonetheless, that is being replaced parts in the mail.

Question: is there a shim for the side cover that should go between the cam and the side cover? the only thing i can think of is that the gasket holds the side cover enough away from the cam that they don't have constant contact, but i'm not entirely sure.

Other than that, had my mechanic buddy come give it a go and he was impressed at how damn well it worked, so that was reassuring. Starts first kick, has a hesitation at the top end, probably from too large of a main (it bogs and then shoots some nice black smoke when its opened up WOT). After parts arrive and I reassemble, we will know the answer to that.

Thanks,

Henry.

As to the shims previously referenced, i think that is what they are talking about in this part of the manual...but does anyone know where to get them?

 

[milehighcj360t]

So, i'm an advocate for change. I like to keep things fresh and like any good work of art, you aren't ever really finished. So....i've decided that after all the time spent fixing the motor again, i'd take another go at the cosmetics. Changed quite a few things on the bike this go round. This is just a sneak peek as its not completed yet (have to finish the fender this afternoon), but i think it looks loads better already.

-new levers
-repainted motor
-internal wires for the bars
-chinese finger trap style wire sheathing (awesome)
-polished lower tree
-fabbed new spring bushings for the front forks
-new tail light
-removed knee pads
-removed 2k and sanded tank to a bare finish
-Gibbs penetrating oil over the tank for protection (shits awesome)
-new Honda badges from the junk yard--they cleaned up real nice with some nevr-dull.

Thats about it for the cosmetics. Re-adjusted the valve clearances, fixed an oil leak, new side cover, fixed charging issue, and carbs are about 90% perfect. I've gone on some awesome rides, ridden her like a dirty rental with the insurance option, and she turns quite a few heads, most of which are probably in disgust because she is pretty friggin' loud.

 

[JustinLonghorn]

Yep. Now put some serious miles on that beast.

 

[shamus]

So fresh.

 

[pr design]

Looks great MH. I agree get some miles in the saddle

 

[Whitey80]

looks real perdy, but I'm on my 3rd set of tires. yep

 

[theconjuring]

nice finish on the tank. loving that brown/steel combo.

 

[DreadRock]

Henry again man Fantastic work and have really liked everything you have done !

 

[Hoosier Daddy]

I thought the machine turned tank looked great but this version takes it to the next level... CONGRATS

 

[AJWatUC]

bike looks awesome its come a long way

 

[milehighcj360t]

been doing some riding, me thinks the last round of improvements have helped significantly. It runs nicely, it looks simple and clean and rides nicely. So, its time for some pics...more to come.

 

[JustinLonghorn]

I'd ride it.

 

[DreadRock]

Ok i really hate saying this as i really want to see something other then a honda for BOTM ! But Man im telling yea right there is a BOTM ! Enjoy that bike man you did some nice work !

 

[rays650cafe]

;D

 

[milehighcj360t]

So here are the rest of the good photos from my little photo shoot this weekend. The pictures were taken at the house i grew up in...where my mother still resides. Makes for a nice back-drop anyway...

 

[milehighcj360t]

and some more...

 

[milehighcj360t]

and again...more...