SOAP gets The Little Blue Honda out of the closet

[The SOAP]

A call was put out for anyone able to transport a bike from Auckland to Napier. After a few phone calls I offered to do so, in return for a few days break…the story begins….
Shot over to Frosty’s to collect his trailer (many thanks, Frosty), then off to pick up Skidmark. Once the change of ownership papers were located in some dark, forgotten corner of his room we were off to pick up the bike.
Up goes the gargre door and there is no bike to be seen. SM points to a bookshelf and proudly exclaims the bike is behind the shelf. Yeah right!
First we have to move a bucket of bolts that have been dumped in front of it. In the alcove, bike parts after bike parts appear, bags followed, fairings, bits and more bits. Suddenly there it is.
A lufferly blue Honda, ready to come out of the closet (it is after all, a Honda).
The bike actually starts and is put on the trailer. I reminds SM to tie it down properly. Imagine the thread that would appear on KB if it falls off….Jeebus, 40 mins later SM is happy “the bike is going nowhere”. Time to cut a track for Napier…
Uneventful drive. The bike bounced around over some pretty nasty roadworks. Coming over the Nap-Taupo Rd the rain sets in and visibility is about 2 metres. It looks like the bike has moved so out in the rain to check the tiedowns. I think “Yep, that bike is going nowhere” and the journey continues.
Met by Mstrs and Yungatart, and the rain is now torrential, but “the Lufferly Blue Honda has made it”
Unloading was fun…3 people, 1 brolly and was it pissing down, or what! And she sure was securely tied down!!!
A quick look at it in the dark, test the horn (pathetic!) and we decide, “Just a bit of maintenance, light adjustment, she’ll be sweet….
The Lufferly Blue Honda has other ideas….
I' ll leave it now,for Mstrs or Yungatart to take over
Thanks for your hospitality guys..was lovely to meet you!

[yungatart]

Sunday morning dawns wet and cool. After a breakfast of bacon ad eggs, Mstrs (henceforth known as Head Mechanic, HM for short), the SOAP and I head out to the gargre to sort the LBH, it shouldn’t take long…..

Battery on charge...contacts covered in that white powdery stuff that they are well known for creating….
Rear brake pedal is at some strange angle...to remove this you have to undo the foot peg assembly and partially remove the right hand exhaust pipe…
Tyres…rear is marginal, front is one of those tyres designed to kill bikers... Bike stropped to rafters and wheels removed. Rear wheel removal necessitates partial removal of the exhaust because the mufflers are perfectly aligned with the axle, droppping the tensioners out of the way and removing the tensioner retaining block, wheel then slides out with axle intact.
Front wheel removed and caliper nudged out of the way.
HM reminds us (on several occasions) “Don’t touch the front brake, OK” He even goes to great lengths to explain how grabbing the front brake will push the pads together, and create lots of unnecessary work for him and his “persuader”.
We understand and solemnly promise to not touch the front brake. Remember this!

Off to team Cudby for a bludge through his bucket bits…
Traded the tyres with him for 2 new ones…unfortunately in the process of fitting the tyres to the rims the tubes were ruined….
Looked at the brake pedal…decided not cut it but to bend it into shape. “try not to break it” Within 20 seconds, it has become ”Cut it, and weld the fucker”
Sourced another battery, a matching pair of mirrors and 5 million capsicum plants.
Thanks Team Cudby!

Back home to do an oil change. The manual says 2 litres, it dropped 1 l and took 1.6 l to fill according to the dipstick.
We learned not to screw the dipstick down….
Rear brake replaced…..the angle is almost perfect! Woohoo!
HM notices r/h carb airbox boot is not attached, half an hour cursing and swearing and judicious use of the persuader convinces the boot that it better comply.
Lights and indicators checked. Headlight doesn’t go on low beam but everything else works fine, including brake light on both brakes! Oops…remember the lack of front wheel.
The SOAP, comfortably reclining in a deck chair with cigarette and Woodstock in hand, bursts into uncontrollable laughter! At least someone remembered….too late. Lucky the persuader is still working!
The headlight bulb is really weird, none of us have seen anything like it before. I hope it is not going to be a problem.
As it is a Sunday, there is not much more can be done until the shops open tomorrow.
Must be time for a drink or two and maybe some dinner..it is nearly 8 pm, so I trudge inside to cook for hungry bike builders/destroyers.

[Nasty]

hmm .. sounds good so far ... any pics???

[yungatart]

Day 2
Tyres dropped off at local tyre shop for repair and fitting to the rims.The two young guys state that they can’t do motorcycle tyres as this is a car tyre shop. The owner however is a very clever chap. He can do them, and assures us they will be ready by 10.30.
Righto, off to source this funny headlight bulb. Three bike shops later, the young guy behind the counter goes across the road to his supplier and returns with the correct bulb. Cheap as, at $10!
Pick up the tyres, as arranged. Total cost $24…this is working out really well, so far.
Wheels fitted, remembering to use exact reverse order….not. Luckily The SOAP sits there observantly, speaking little, but wisely…just a little late tho, ah, well, we are still learning.
The fuel tap has 3 positions, all unmarked. Removing the hose to the carbs it is obvious which setting is off, leaving an educated guess as to which is on and reserve. Remember this…
Mirrors attached, headlight bulb installed, quick check that all systems are go, side covers replaced, seat on, horn adjusted so it can be heard at more than 2 paces, fuel tap on…plenty of battery life and some fuel, lets start her up.
Key on, starter thumbed, lovely, she turns over, but will she fire? Hell no!!
The lufferly little Honda has other ideas….
We looked at each other…surely not the coils??
I figure that it is better to start with something simple like the plugs…out come the plugs and turn the bike over, hmmm, not a very strong spark, if at all…Mstrs heads off down the road again, cash in hand, looking for a pair of plugs….the local m/c wrecker has a box of AC GM plugs of varying sizes all brand new, in their packets, $2 a pop and as luck would have it, he had a pair of the appropriate grade.
Meanwhile I have the polishing cloth out…chrome (there’s a bit on there) all shiny and sparkling, a bit of elbow grease here and there, a “Reach” toothbrush into all those hard to get places….She is looking mighty fine!
Plugs fitted, hold our tongues right, pray to the biker Gods, and she lives!!
The last little bit, off to get a WOF, change ownership, and renew the rego, which has been on hold.
It appears that there is more air in the petrol tank than was previously though, as with a cough and a lurch, reserve position for the fuel tap is confirmed! At least, we guessed something right, although I did text a Honda owner or two, so they were educated guesses.
Mstrs finally returns, with the bike all legal, to be faced with questions like “How come you missed those gear changes?”
It appears that the clutch is slipperier than a greased eel…hmmm, might need to track down new clutch plates…
That can be tomorrow’s job...this bike mechanicking is hard work...they are demanding dinner and beverages....and so I am I!

[MadDuck]

The SOAP, comfortably reclining in a deck chair with cigarette and Woodstock in hand, bursts into uncontrollable laughter! At least someone remembered….too late.

What a very rude SOAP!

[MSTRS]

What a very rude SOAP!

Probably the 'S'tress...

[Clivoris]

:first:Haha. What a sweet read that was. Do you do house calls? My Little Yello Honda could always do with some attention. I have my own persuader so you can travel light.

[MSTRS]

Do you do house calls?

Until this little be-arch has been beaten or cajoled into at least a reasonable semblance of domesticity, the chain is short, my friend!!:whistle:

[yungatart]

Just to clarify things here...I'm the gofer...you know, go for this, go for that..make the coffee, hand over the spanner/crescent/screwdrivewr/whatever, make lunch, fetch the beer and cook the dinner at the end of the day.
Not one nut has been tightened by me, nor one screw loosened.
I did clean her and make her all sparkling and shiny with polish, but a fixer-upper I am not!
And Madduck, The Soap was actually quite a nice person...just had Auckland manners, eh? They are different to the rest of us....

[MadDuck]

hand over the spanner/crescent/screwdrivewr/whatever

....and as I have had the privilege of spannering on the odd occassion I just bet the tools are all on the "other" side of the bike right???

[Nasty]

PICTURES!!!! or it didn't happen?!?!?!?!

[MSTRS]

PICTURES!!!! or it didn't happen?!?!?!?!

Demanding little baggage!!!

Oh, all right. Here's one of the little darling without her clothes (or carbs)

[Storm]

Nice work thus far and a great write up, conveying worlds of feeling on the bike strip and re assemble joys:D

[Nasty]

man .. he is sexy that one ... looks great for a honda!!

[MSTRS]

The mis-behaving clutch gets a seeing to….
Off comes the side cover. Easy-as this time! But – one look at the nut that holds the pressure plate on…bastard, need a destroyed socket special tool. Ah fuck it…let’s try a hammer and coal chisel. Yippee! Must be only 50lb torque. She comes off without even putting in gear. Plates out and down to the wreckers first to get an idea of how worn they might be. Funny – the wrecker has umpteen dozen identical plates off models such as SL125 and GL145. Mr Honda must have decided he couldn’t improve on his early 70s design? Every one of them is thinner than what I was trying to better. Back to the online manual and wouldn’t you know it…these plates are all to original spec. Glazed, maybe? Dunno but treat them all to a gentle rub on some P800 anyway, and do the same to the metal ones using P400. Put it all back together, using the coal chisel special tool. Nice blue Hylomar gel takes care of the torn gasket. Refill with 15/50 motorcycle oil this time. Test ride. All good. No longer slipping. But now the engine is showing distinct signs of Bill Gates syndrome (rich). Bugger…bet the diaphragms in the CV carbs are toast. Or something. Back to removing stuff, so one can remove the wanted part. Carbs stripped, cleaned, airbrushed (and toothbrushed). No signs of water damage tho. Jets cleaned and sizes taken note of…hmmmm, 98 mainjet on one and 92 on the other. Manual says mainjet primary 68 and secondary 95…isn’t there only one main jet in there? Some mechanic will get his brain picked tomorrow.

[skidMark]

Good to see you guys are having err fun with my baby :bye:

Ahh well it's good to know she has a owner who will treat her right, had offers of people wanting to change the motor and make it a bucket, of which i refused to sell her...

Enjoy :yes:

[NinjaNanna]

keep it coming guys - very enjoyable read

[Nasty]

What a very rude SOAP!

Well truth be told ... it was a SOAP after all .. I mean .. how else would a SOAP behave.

[skidMark]

Well truth be told ... it was a SOAP after all .. I mean .. how else would a SOAP behave.


Rubber ducky yourrrr the one, rubber duckyyyy having fun.....

As you were :laugh:

[yungatart]

That demanding little baggage of a motorcycle is still not going!
Well, actually she goes, but she is running very rich... I doubt it could make it to Waipuk on a tank...
Still haven't been for a ride:crybaby::crybaby:

[skidMark]

That demanding little baggage of a motorcycle is still not going!
Well, actually she goes, but she is running very rich... I doubt it could make it to Waipuk on a tank...
Still haven't been for a ride:crybaby::crybaby:


Ran fine when i had it, just too rich smoke, was still very much rideable. :Punk:

[MSTRS]

Ran fine when i had it, just too rich smoke, was still very much rideable. :Punk:

'Some' people would ride anything...it ran like a sack of arseholes.
The bike was overfueling to hell. The factory spec for the jets calls for 95, and the jets in the bike are respectively 92 and 98, However, those jets have been drilled and best guess is that they are equivalent to maybe 130!!! I've put a pair of Mikuni 95 jets in and it feels almost spot on now. But, since it should have KeiHin brand jets, I'm attempting to find a pair of those. Or at least get a comparison between the flow rates of 95s in either brand.

[skidMark]

'Some' people would ride anything...it ran like a sack of arseholes.
The bike was overfueling to hell. The factory spec for the jets calls for 95, and the jets in the bike are respectively 92 and 98, However, those jets have been drilled and best guess is that they are equivalent to maybe 130!!! I've put a pair of Mikuni 95 jets in and it feels almost spot on now. But, since it should have KeiHin brand jets, I'm attempting to find a pair of those. Or at least get a comparison between the flow rates of 95s in either brand.


lol okay, errr have fun? :yes:

[Mully]

The factory spec for the jets calls for 95, and the jets in the bike are respectively 92 and 98

Well, shit. That averages out OK.

Some people, eh?

[skidMark]

Well, shit. That averages out OK.

Some people, eh?


Don't look at me, i didn't put em in :laugh:

[MSTRS]

Don't look at me, i didn't put em in :laugh:


Of course you would say that....
Listen up people...bigger jets = more fuel----DOES NOT = greater performance. You also need to increase the airflow AND open up the exhausts.
Actually, I didn't put Mikuni 95s in...:Oops::spanking: they were 86 in one side and 90 in the other. Have gone through the Keihin/Mikuni comparison tables and I'm happy with that combo. Keihin 95 = Mikuni 88.1. So left side is slightly richer than it should be...not enough to cause a problem. And since the rubber boot from the airbox is an odd shape and restricts the airflow to the right carb, that is the one with the smaller jet. The whole thing should now be in balance. He said hopefully.
Certainly the bike performs properly now.

[skidMark]

Of course you would say that....
Listen up people...bigger jets = more fuel----DOES NOT = greater performance. You also need to increase the airflow AND open up the exhausts.
Actually, I didn't put Mikuni 95s in...:Oops::spanking: they were 86 in one side and 90 in the other. Have gone through the Keihin/Mikuni comparison tables and I'm happy with that combo. Keihin 95 = Mikuni 88.1. So left side is slightly richer than it should be...not enough to cause a problem. And since the rubber boot from the airbox is an odd shape and restricts the airflow to the right carb, that is the one with the smaller jet. The whole thing should now be in balance. He said hopefully.
Certainly the bike performs properly now.\

Wheelie pics or it didnt happen :bleh::niceone:

[MSTRS]

Right...now that I have got it going right, I need to be able to stop better. The front disc is a little warped, not dangerous, but certainly doesn't feel nice. Does anyone have one to suit that they would like to donate for the cause?
It measures (as best I can tell with it still being on the bike) 240 outside, 115 inside, with the braking surface being about 34mm. 4 bolts @ 95mm centres, 5mm thick. It is for a spoked wheel.
It should be a very standard Honda disc from the early 80s.

[FROSTY]

Mate take a picture of the actual disk.
Top of my head its same disk as the CMX400 but thats sight unseen.
Have you tried brakeclean and sandpaper on the disk -enough to clean any nasty slippery residue off?

[MSTRS]

Mate take a picture of the actual disk.
Top of my head its same disk as the CMX400 but thats sight unseen.
Have you tried brakeclean and sandpaper on the disk -enough to clean any nasty slippery residue off?

The disc hasn't been treated with CRC....nobody would put that shit on a brake system. Would they??
It does have a heat-related discolouration where it is warped. The warp is about 3mm...I'll try a little leverage with a persuader. I can't make it worse. Can I?
Here's a photo...

[MSTRS]

.... I can't make it worse. Can I?


Well, sort of...
The disc might be slightly straighter....perhaps because of the broken bolt flange in the wheel hub. :Oops: Don't know how that happened :innocent:
I can get it welded, no worries. But I have to dissemble the front wheel to give the welder access to 'V' the crack etc...he says more trouble than it's worth and it'll be fine with the other 3 bolts holding it. Second opinion sought from an old school Honda mechanic/expert = same advice. He also advises that I've done something right with the carbs thing, and that it is a sweet-sounding little biarch. So she now has a nice engine AND a custom cracked hub/disc flange :blink:
Wheels both balanced today. Front rim is slightly 'off'. Bike has a barely noticeable sort of shimmy/bounce up front. At least it is barely noticeable once you get used to it....:whistle: I think I'll leave that alone since some of the spokes are a little rusty especially where they thread into the rim collars. I don't want to get into the whole broken spokes replacement thing if I can help it.
So now the wee beastie is about as good as she can be. YT should have a bit of fun with her until she gets her full.

[MSTRS]

Some photos for the morbidly curious...

[vifferman]

Well, sort of...
The disc might be slightly straighter....perhaps because of the broken bolt flange in the wheel hub. :Oops: Don't know how that happened :innocent:
D'Oh!
That is to say, :doh: or perhaps :Oops:
You didn't really need to take the disk off. What you can do with these non-floating disks is firstly to spin the wheel on its axle, with a marker held near the disk, advanced slowly till it hits the warp, which it will then mark.
Then get a large persuader (12" crescent or similar) and with some card or similar to protect the disk surface, and gently lean on the persuader to bend the disk in/out as required.

Might sound tricky, but it's easyish. Improved a pair of wiggly VF500 disks this way (and by adding gasket paper washers behind the disk as appropriate to remove any remaining minor wiggles).

[MSTRS]

What you can do with these non-floating disks is firstly to spin the wheel on its axle, with a marker held near the disk, advanced slowly till it hits the warp, which it will then mark.
Then get a large persuader (12" crescent or similar) and with some card or similar to protect the disk surface, and gently lean on the persuader to bend the disk in/out as required.

Might sound tricky, but it's easyish.

Easy as, bro. And that is exactly what I did. Until I heard an evil *crack*...

[yungatart]

Well, it is up and running.
Total spend to date
$20.00 Woodstock for the courier
$10.99 Doz beer and sundry favours for a pair of tyres
$10.00 Headlight Bulb
$24.00 Tyre fitting and puncture repair
$ 4.00 Pair of Plugs
$ 6.00 Pair of Jets
$39.00 Motorcycle oil
$20.00 Wheel balancing
$113.00 TANZ's blood money (wof etc)
Free Matching pair of mirrors
Invaluable Tool locating service
Priceless Ham fisted lucky mechanicking


I reckon there's a few things that it needs that would make it even sweeter, despite Mstrs's Scots heritage and his hands' unfamiliarity with his wallet...

USD Forks
Heated grips
LED Indicators
Stebel Horn
Ohlins
Corbin seat
Yoshi system
Givi screen (Double Bubble, of course)
Disc Brakes for Rear
Oggy Knobs
Billet Mags
Custom paint job
GPS Unit

Thank god for Mastercard.......

[MSTRS]

The tool you require is ALWAYS on the other side of the bike.
Old bikes have a mish mash of nut and bolt sizes…both metric and imperial.
Guessing can be a very technical art.
Sometimes you get lucky and get it right. More often, you don’t.
If there is an easy way to do things, forget it, they didn’t use easy when they put this baby together.
It can’t get any more complicated, or more convoluted than an old Honda.
Never underestimate the power of a “persuader”
Don’t be bothered by people aimlessly watching your every move…they are invaluable for telling you where all those leftover nuts, bolts, screws etc really belong.

And an old bike is always a work in progress....

[FROSTY]

Er mate sorry I meant to clean up the disk.get rid of any fork oil and general spoog thats built up.
Given the type of bike and speed capability of it Id suggest you look for a cmx400 disk or similar. Dont worry if ya get slotted disk itll be fine.

[MSTRS]

Er mate sorry I meant to clean up the disk.get rid of any fork oil and general spoog thats built up.

Now-about that bill to be sent to the vendor...............

Actually, the entire front hub area was/is surprisingly clean...
Is it too late to pad the above accounting?

[MadDuck]

USD Forks
Heated grips
LED Indicators
Stebel Horn
Ohlins
Corbin seat
Yoshi system
Givi screen (Double Bubble, of course)
Disc Brakes for Rear
Oggy Knobs
Billet Mags
Custom paint job
GPS Unit


I think the Stebel Horn is just a bit over the top :shit:

[Brian d marge]

Some photos for the morbidly curious...

Actually I am curious ,,,,hows that bike held up ...the front wheel is off , so is the back and its on its centre stand ??? Those things have great balance ..but even Ten kate Honda would dream of that !

I have a soft spot for those, they actually handle quite wel...

Stephen

[MSTRS]

Actually I am curious ,,,,hows that bike held up ...the front wheel is off , so is the back and its on its centre stand ??? Those things have great balance ..but even Ten kate Honda would dream of that !



Trade secret, mate. I could tell you (in a PM, of course) but then....
Centre stand, (front heavy), remove rear wheel, press down on the seat to raise the front, strops on the bars to a rafter

[skidMark]

Now-about that bill to be sent to the vendor...............

Don't downsize the font if its worth saying say it in proper size, please do elaborate.


...

I could send you a bill for a replacement gpx engine if you are going to make cheeky comments.

[FROSTY]

mstrs--GB250 disk --I finally remembered what ya should use

[yungatart]

Wow what an awesome looking wee bike. Once you have made all the above modifications I may be interested in buying it off you.

Although I think the Stebel Horn is just a bit over the top :shit:

If the price is right, Ducky, I will remove the horn, just for you......

[Nasty]

She coming along nicely.

[yungatart]

Well, she did me proud!
And I really had some fun times on the luffly blue Honda.
Now that I have my full licence, she has gone....off to Nelson!
Her new owner has just ridden out the driveway with promises to look after her and do her up. I'm sure she will be well looked after and well loved...but I'm a bit sad, all the same...

[MadDuck]

...but I'm a bit sad, all the same...

The journey of the luffley blue honda will continue no doubt. Well done on getting the full. Her job with you is done :yes: