Powder coat or polish CB450 Build!

[Zonda]

Got some more done today, switch gear, grips, bar end mirrors done and headlight and indicators aligned ;D I had to cut off the brake leaver perch and gring the switch block smooth so it would look factory and, well, meet the standard fitted some bar end weights, don't know if i'll need them or not. They need some colour so will paint them black and see after i ride the scoot if they stem some of the predicted vibration

Picked up the Koni's from RAD shocks hear in Brisbane, they rebuilt them for me as the main seal is no longer available so the upper "nut" needs to be spun in a lathe to accept the new seal, this is a closely guarded secret : ah-well they have too make a living too i guess ;D So tomorrow I'll repaint the bodies and fit up the "New" (re-chromed) chrome springs etc.

Once this is done i'll make the final mod to the exhaust system because i've scolloped the mufflers to go around the shocks, I still need to do a small scollop neer the front of the muffler to clear the frame and then smooth out the welds but this will keep the scoot looking narrow and give me clearance for my "legs to pegs".

I pulled out the NOS Tach and Speedo today for a trial fitting and the brackets i made, yonks ago need to be modded somewhat mainly to lower them and tuck the in closer. As this happens i'll post up pics.

Rod from OZ 8)

 

[JRK5892]

I love those mirrors!!! i am really really digging the painted lower section on the down tubes has a wild effect to it.. catches your eye but not too much! great subtle touch man

 

[diesel450]

Okay man, you are killing me! lets see the tank and seat!! Lets see the tank and seat!!

 

[VonYinzer]

WOW... I mean, just....wow.

 

[Zonda]

Okay man, you are killing me! lets see the tank and seat!! Lets see the tank and seat!!

All in good time grasshopper the truth is the tank is still in primer and the seat base and foam is finished but not covered ;D

Rod from OZ 8)

 

[Zonda]

The finial on the lower forks, Oh and the new brake line : the brakes have been a pain in the ass as the piston was stuffed and i found it impossible to buy a new one in OZ so i've had 10 made out of stainless steel, i'll keep two and offer the rest to the group at cost price + post (around $50+post) the fitting on the caliper is a unique JIS thread and unavailable so i had to remove an old one to use, hey that life.
The instruments i bought about ten years ago for the pricey sum of $60 Aus, yep, just like a squirrel i put these bits away for later. Onto the instruments tomorrow, i want the headlight and instuments to be very close so the cables will run up through the headlight bowl and out the top, why, you'll see later when the finishing touches go on :

Rod from OZ 8)

 

[Swagger]

That's looking so good amigo! Once these customer bikes are done I want to show a couple of my own builds....but I'm hesitant after looking at some of the stuff posted here!

One question: where did you get the 'honda beat down' sticker on the fork leg? That's great!

 

[diesel450]

All in good time grasshopper the truth is the tank is still in primer and the seat base and foam is finished but not covered ;D

Rod from OZ 8)

I'll show you mine if you show me yours. Sorry, couldn't resist, I don't actually have anything to show you yet.

By the way brand spankin' new gauges are SEXXYY!!

 

[Zonda]

That's looking so good amigo! Once these customer bikes are done I want to show a couple of my own builds....but I'm hesitant after looking at some of the stuff posted here!

One question: where did you get the 'honda beat down' sticker on the fork leg? That's great!

They were on Evilbay but have been pulled, but their web address is teamhard.com. Hey show us your stuff ;D i love the builds that this site produces there all great and all individual with a style that is unique, I've learnt so much from the "brotherhood of the ton" even the stuff that might seem simple to you is new to me, so bring it on
This is such a low agro site, nice and peaceful with great respect for people and there builds ;D ;D

Rod from OZ 8)

 

[Zonda]

I love those mirrors!!! i am really really digging the painted lower section on the down tubes has a wild effect to it.. catches your eye but not too much! great subtle touch man

Mate, the mirrors are form a sixties MZ and appear on evilbay from time to time. If you really want some try the "German" evilbay, search for "MZ spiegel"

Rod from OZ 8)

 

[jayellay]

man, HURRY UP!!! can’t wait to see this bike done. anyway, just kidding. awesome work. truly awesome work.

Jay

 

[chris73cb175]

the polish is clean i'm going to be getting some parts polished here at work can't wait i'm getting close to putting her back together.

 

[Zonda]

Konis are done and fitted, not cheep but they will out last the rest of the shocks on the market, i hope ;D Painted in 2 pack and the decal fitted they look pretty swanky. Should have the instrements finishe tomorrow and the cables all hooked up. She's starting to look lik a scoot ;D and it makes me very happy

Rod from OZ 8)

 

[Swagger]

Those turned out pretty! I dunno if you mentioned it elsewhere....but what did they charge you for the rebuild? I've got a few pair of various koni shocks that could use some love..

 

[Zonda]

Those turned out pretty! I dunno if you mentioned it elsewhere....but what did they charge you for the rebuild? I've got a few pair of various koni shocks that could use some love..

Have to put this into perspective first, Ikon's are $475 Aus with black body and chrome springs. Ok these cost me $80 to buy $240 to rebuild, re-chromed shafts, modified bodies to accept modern seals and new valves, $80 for re-chromed springs (heat treated after to remove hydrogen embrittlement) and other parts, $5 for Koni sticker and $10 for paint, all up $435 Aus
Ok the good, they are original Koni's and are built very well and from Holland not China and I know the mechanics are perfect they are painted to my standard. Ikon's are assembled in OZ from parts made in China, how long do they last and are they made from quality materials. The bad i saved $40 for what ??? to put 30 year old shocks on a 30 year old bike, a lot of work for what : will be able to rebuild the Ikon's in 30 years? :

So in all, it believe it was worth the effort to get shocks that made my bike handle well and look 1970's in style and i know they are for all intense and prepossess"new" ;D

Yes, i could have bought "redwing" for around $180 Aus landed here, but they are i believe not rebuildable and have no rebound adjustment

Rod from OZ 8)

 

[Zonda]

Been making cables today, clutch and speedo are fine but had to make a longer tacho cable (used a speedo cable cut down) and finished the throttle cable. So started on the wiring, have the ign switch rewired and new plug fitted, run all the earth wires and recovered and fitted plugs to the switch wiring. ;D

Rod from OZ 8)

 

[goodfornothing]

How do you make cables? We need a how-to!

 

[diesel450]

Here, here! at least knowing how to shorten and/or repair your own cables would be great. Its molded solder on the ends, correct?

 

[Zonda]

Here, here! at least knowing how to shorten and/or repair your own cables would be great. Its molded solder on the ends, correct?

I didn't take any photos of this as I'm on the final strait and going nuts getting it finished, but I'll do one up this week ok ;D

But why do they do this! I'm assembling this Scoot from the remains of several bikes and am having to search through boxes of spares to find the bit i need only to find out that F%$ken Honda change parts at will ARHHHH.
So todays little humdinger is the triple tree top yoke tube clamp bolts (wow what a mouthful) i have had the bolts re-plated and was just fitting them and and and what the! don't fit :'( consult the 450 manuals, yep 8X56, measure the hole, nope that's one tight hole these 8mm bolts aren't going to have any joy with.
So I think to myself, aha maybe this top yoke is from a 500T, could they be different, nope 8X56, ok, lets check the online CMSNL part fich :'( Sh$t yeah Honda changed the suckers to 7mm at the end of the 500t production :'( And off couse the only place you can get them is HONDA thank God it monday tomorrow i don't thing i could have waited another day

I feel better now breath in, breath out, in with the good, out with the bad Honda boogyman

Rod from OZ

 

[Zonda]

Old Honda brake piston and new stainless steel one big day tomorrow hopfully some photos of the electrics and and well what ever gets done ;D

Rod from OZ 8)