Just a couple more pix of the engine in situ with that gorgeous tank in place.
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1977 HONDA CB550/4
1976 HONDA CB400/4 F2
1977 Honda CB750 F1
THE RESTORATION OF 1980 HONDA CB250N SUPERDREAM
SEE ALSO - MY CBR BLOG
EMAIL : tommcq@ntlworld.com
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IN THE BEGINNING....
Way, way back in August 1980, I was working as a young steel-erector in Newcastle Upon Tyne and around the corner from where I worked was "Ken's Motorcycles" on the West Road. In the window was a brand new CB250N Superdream in shiny black - and I wanted it! So I got got the brochure (shown below), begged my future father in law to act as guarantor and signed on the £820 dotted line.
I loved that bike - it got me back and forth between Bolton and Newcastle with no problems or hiccups and lots of fun. From memory, it did something like 60 miles per gallon and could burn off most cars. What else does a young lad want?
Anyway, 28 years later, I decided to get another one and refurbish it over the winter months. I've done similar projects in the past and really enjoyed them, so I'm hoping that this one turns out as well as the others. Having said that, this project will be a REFURB as opposed to a rebuild.
The donor-bike looked to be in pretty good shape at first glance, but as usual, it all turns pear-shaped when you remove your rose-tinted glasses and start to see what's REALLY there!
The first thing that I want to do, is spend a little time finding out whether or not the engine needs a rebuild. If it doesn't really need it, so much the better. If it does need doing, then there'll be a significant delay as I spend time clearing out the garage to give me a lot more space.
I estimate that this project will take 3 or 4 months to complete but due to other interests/hobbies, it may go longer.
So, I'll start off with a few photos of the bike in its current condition and then log the progress of the refurb as I go along. Please feel free to comment or offer advice. Hope you enjoy!
Tom
http://www.mcqart.com/
SEE ALSO... HONDA CB450 K1.
I loved that bike - it got me back and forth between Bolton and Newcastle with no problems or hiccups and lots of fun. From memory, it did something like 60 miles per gallon and could burn off most cars. What else does a young lad want?
Anyway, 28 years later, I decided to get another one and refurbish it over the winter months. I've done similar projects in the past and really enjoyed them, so I'm hoping that this one turns out as well as the others. Having said that, this project will be a REFURB as opposed to a rebuild.
The donor-bike looked to be in pretty good shape at first glance, but as usual, it all turns pear-shaped when you remove your rose-tinted glasses and start to see what's REALLY there!
The first thing that I want to do, is spend a little time finding out whether or not the engine needs a rebuild. If it doesn't really need it, so much the better. If it does need doing, then there'll be a significant delay as I spend time clearing out the garage to give me a lot more space.
I estimate that this project will take 3 or 4 months to complete but due to other interests/hobbies, it may go longer.
So, I'll start off with a few photos of the bike in its current condition and then log the progress of the refurb as I go along. Please feel free to comment or offer advice. Hope you enjoy!
Tom
http://www.mcqart.com/
SEE ALSO... HONDA CB450 K1.
UK BROCHURE Pg1
UK BROCHURE Pg2
UK BROCHURE Pg3
UK BROCHURE Pg4
UK BROCHURE Pg5
UK BROCHURE Pg6
PERIOD MAGAZINE
PERIOD MAGAZINE
PREVIOUS REBUILD
1977 HONDA CB550/4
PREVIOUS REBUILD
1976 HONDA CB400/4 F2
PREVIOUS REBUILD
1977 Honda CB750 F1
6 comments:
Tom,
The bike is looking great! Now I have found this blog I am going to keep an eye on it and probably keep firing questions at you. I have just start a 'restore/rebuild' on a 1982 250 myself. The wife says its my mid life crisis!!!!
What have you had done to the forks?
In one of your earlier entires you talk about sending items for re chroming, where did you have that done? as it looks like an excelent job has been done.
Keep the pictures coming its a great job.
All the best.
Ian
Thanks for your kind comments Ian. I was going to polish the forks but changed my mind cos they never look good and would constantly need polishing. I decided instead to smooth them down with superfine Wet & Dry (applied wet) and then applied ETCH PRIMER before finally applying a few coats of silver paint.
It's not the best job in the world, but it looks a damn sight better than it would otherwise have looked.
As for the chroming, no matter where you live, there will be a chromer near you. Look in your local Yellow Pages under Metal Finishers or something like that. They're normally little "back street" places and they almost always do polishing too.
Send me some pix when you start work and feel free to ask any questions, anytime.
Tom.
Fantastic job on the engine Tom, looks like new. Do you at any point blast the crap off with a pressure washer before painting?
Hi Pete,
No, I didn't pressure-wash it for fear of getting water where I didn't want it. I started by using a few thin-profile wire brushes that I found in Halfrauds to get most of the crap off, then I applied a few layers of a "Gunk" type liquid using stiff bristle brushes. I got the degreaser from a Motor Factor on Lever Street in Bolton (well worth visiting).
Then I blocked up all the holes as best I could and carefully hosed it all down to get rid of the degreaser fluid. NOTE: This degreaser causes latex gloves to disintegrate (or any other latex clothing you may be wearing) LOL.
When the engine was completely dry and free from grease and muck, I began the multi-layer application of the Sperex Engine Enamel. I suspect it's not going to be very resilient out on the road, but what is?
Bike looks really good just bought a 250 superdream to do myself it's my first one so this is really helpful can I ask where you get new nuts botls etc as not sure where to begin looking
My God, I've just realised that I've not touched the bike since the beginning of March!!! Lazy me!
I can't figure out what's wrong with me. Normally, I go hell for leather with these projects until they're done, but I just can't seem to find the motivation these days - too many other things to do I guess! LOL
As far as the bolts go Anonymous(!) I simply take the old ones to a place here in Bolton called Brabbin & Rudd and they find me a match there and then (usually). If there's anything that's a bit oddball, I'd simply have it rechromed or zinced as appropriate.
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