This is all your fault!

[jmcelhan]

Hi Everybody! Newb here, starting my first cafe project. I was just looking for something small and simple to scoot around town on; but unfortunately, I stumbled upon Do the Ton. After seeing everyone's awesome projects and all the support people provide I somehow got the crazy idea to do a complete frame off build. So thanks a lot! (Extra sarcastic thanks form my wife as well. )

Anyway, since you got me into this, I'm really hoping you'll be there to help me through it. ;D

So here she is. Just a little '72 CB100. Already had the clubman handlebars, wasn't running and has a pretty shoddy repair of a gaping hole in the muffler. Beautiful, isn't she?

Cb100 by jmcelhan, on Flickr

So I cleaned the carb and replaced the jets and she fired right up. A little Seafoam and she's ticking like a clock.

Now that I knew she was a runner, I decided to start breaking her down. I got this far last night.

Cb100 by jmcelhan, on Flickr

I'm going to continue right down to the frame, taking pictures, labeling wires and boxing up parts and hardware so I don't lose anything. Here's my most immediate question though (and I'd be happy to post this in the cleaning forum if more appropriate), now that I have the engine off and the this cover exposed, is it still okay to spray engine cleaner and water in there or is there a chance that water could get in and damage something?

Cb100 by jmcelhan, on Flickr

I can clean a carb, tear down/put back together body parts and clean, but I'm no engine mechanic so any advise you could give me on how to clean this engine without damaging the guts would save me a lot of anxiety.

Future plans are to strip and repaint the frame, clean and polish the engine, cut down the fenders, new grips/mirrors, paint tank/fenders, hide the electrical, and make my own cafe seat.

So thanks again for all the inspiration and helpful tips on this site. It's awesome.

 

[locOleoN]

I was going to suggest that you ride the crap out of her this summer then do the frame off over the winter!.. But I was too late!..

 

[jmcelhan]

I was going to suggest that you ride the crap out of her this summer then do the frame off over the winter!.. But I was too late!..

Normally that would be a perfectly sensible suggestion but I live in St. Pete, Florida and it's too hot and rainy in the summer to do much riding and, if I'm honest, I'm not the most experienced rider anyway so I try to avoid riding in wet conditions when possible. Fall, winter and spring are the better riding conditions here. If I can get her back together by October, I'll be set!

 

[Maritime]

Can't argue that logic. As for the cleaning question the spot pictured is not a problem to hit with cleaner/degreaser it isn't sealed and water gets in there if you ride in the rain. the cover to the left in the pic has a gasket and holds oil so that one you don't want to pull without draining oil etc. and then keep chemicals out. Nice little scoot.

Cheers,

Maritime

 

[jmcelhan]

As for the cleaning question the spot pictured is not a problem to hit with cleaner/degreaser it isn't sealed and water gets in there if you ride in the rain. the cover to the left in the pic has a gasket and holds oil so that one you don't want to pull without draining oil etc. and then keep chemicals out.

Fantastic! Thanks for the advice. Can't wait to get home and get scrubbing.

 

[1sttimer]

Welcome! I have a little Cb175 that I'm looking to paint a seafoam color similar to yours.

As far as tearing into the engine goes, I am in the very same stages. I am no mechanic whatsoever but I found a local shop that can assemble a whole engine in about 5 hours worth of labor if I provide all fo my components all clean and nicely laid out. Knowing that, I felt freedom to tear into the motor to learn all I could without fear of not knowing how to put it back together. I have learned a ton in the process and that's all that matters to me.

Maybe try this route. When you clean, only soda blast engine components. This way you don't have to worry about tearing up gasket surfaces, seal surfaces, and machined surfaced with abrasives. Then paint with a high temp paint with primer, hand it off to the shop and get a nice, perfect engine back!

This was my noob way of doing it.

 

[suthern]

I don't know what it is about a small bike but they always look like they be a blast to ride. That seafoam and cream color combo looks great btw

 

[coyote13]

Love those little CB's, I'm on board for this one

 

[jmcelhan]

I don't know what it is about a small bike but they always look like they be a blast to ride. That seafoam and cream color combo looks great btw

Yeah, everyone I show seems to love that seafoam and cream but I'm set on changing it to dark Royal/Navy blue with white. I'm also going to chop the fenders (maybe get rid of the back fender depending on how I do the seat) and paint them the same blue with white racing stripes.

 

[buckaroo]

Since she runs very well, maybe just clean her up, paint the parts you want to paint, put it all together a have a blast riding the bike around. Small displacement bikes like yours are soooo much fun to blast around the neighbourhood on, they always put a smile on your face, however, soon you may want to explore a little farther from home and you might find that its not so great on a small bike. So before you spend money on tearing the engine apart ride it around to make sure its the right size for you. In the meantime enjoy the thrill of the CB100 they are great bikes and I would pick one up in a second if I have the chance.

 

[whynot]

welcome................cool little bikes.............I too have a 1972 CB100, and looks nowheres near good as yours.

mine has a locked engine, lots of rust and do want to make my own seat too.

So good luck with it, maybe I'll be able to pick up some pointers and give some too if I can.

 

[jmcelhan]

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone.

I have started a new project thread in case anyone is interested in keeping tabs on this project.
http://www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=51386.0

Thanks again!