Category Archives: Motorbikes

Rolling Chassis Complete!

Honda CBX250RSD, Motorbikes

What a day! Had all sorts of issues with the new taper roller headset bearings. Had to go back to the stock ones in the end, but they are OK. To top it off I knocked the donor bike over onto Anges GSR750 and scratched frame and engine case. I’m very sorry Ange I will try and touch it up soon.
Something is up with swing-arm bushes, need to investigate next weekend. I’m gonna paint the engine and move it over next weekend as well. Starting to look alright now 🙂
I have new shocks on order, should be here next week. Still gotta work out what to do for a front mudguard and I need to shorten the stock rear guard. I have a new number plate holder and rear light on order too. Frame still need work to accept the new tank and seat as well. And then there’s the brakes and electrics….. not looking forward to the electrics.

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Cub engine is back in, but will have to come out again :-(

Honda Super Cub, Motorbikes

Well, I’ve had a busy weekend. I reassembled the Honda engine yesterday and put it back in the frame today. It was all going so well. While I was messing about with the installation I fitted a new rear tire and cleaned up the 50 years of grime from the chain covers and back wheel (thank you Thomas for persevering with that dirty back wheel job and the Dremel). Anyway, the kick starter worked for a bit, then decided that it wouldn’t engage any more, like something was stuck. I think I know what the issue is (my Thailand supplier had the shaft zinc plated and everything is now slightly oversize and “sticky”, I had to polish 0.1mm of zinc plate off the end of the shaft to get it to fit in the crankcase correctly) but I will have to strip the engine again 🙁. I did push start it and had a quick ride down the street and after the valve grind and cylinder hone it was more awesomely powerful than ever 😉 At least 5HP! Next weekend if Ange let’s me I will disassemble and fix the issue.img_20160925_155655 img_20160925_155700 img_20160925_155712 img_20160925_155720

Engine reassembly complete

Honda Super Cub, Motorbikes

I got the engine reassembled today, looking good!
Managed to slice my finger open with a chisel while scraping old gaskets off. Ooops.
Done the valve clearances and adjusted the clutch (I think?) so will put it back in the frame tomorrow.
Hopefully it will go. It seems to go through the gears properly.
The kick starter spindle from Thailand wasn’t machined correctly so I had to grind a bit out of the shoulder so it didn’t foul on one of the gears.
I’ve lost the kick starter somewhere in the garage. I remember putting it somewhere unusual so tomorrow I will have to have a proper look for it.

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C100 Engine Painting Complete

Honda Super Cub, Motorbikes

I have painted the left and right hand side engine cases with engine enamel, also the cylinder, cylinder head and rocker cover. I must say that I am very pleased with the result! They look as good as new. I’ve lapped the valves and honed the cylinder. All ready now for re-assembly as soon as the new kick starter spindle and gasket set arrives. I am also wondering whether to put a coat of clear on the cases, they look awesome as they are now, but may be more durable with a coat of clear, I guess I might as well while I’ve got them ready for paint.

Before

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After

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New Project Bike for Me!

Honda CBX250RSD, Motorbikes

Ta da! here is my new project bike! a 1986 Honda  CBX 250 RXD. I’m going to make a cafe racer!

I got this because:

  1. It’s a Honda and was cheap.
  2. It’s got spoked alloy DID 18″ wheels
  3. It’s got a disc front brake (I know drum brakes are retro cool, but I don’t want to die just yet!)
  4. It’s allegedly 30HP stock and 130Kg, so when I strip many things off it should have good power to weight.
  5. I am told it will do over 100MPH stock (when it was new anyway).
  6. Thomas will want to ride on the road in 18 months time and it will make an uber cool learners bike for him when I finish it.
  7. I was bored and had nothing else to work on in the garage now that we all have new bikes.

Once I know for sure that it runs and the engine isn’t completely knackered I will begin the process of buying many parts on the internet.

Watch this space for updates and more photos.

1986 Honda CRX 250 RXD
1986 Honda CRX 250 RXD