Member Rebuild Project !!!

Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2006 6:24 pm

Hello All,

I have an 81 900f and its tired (65500 kms). I wanted to do work on it and create a monster But..I have been reading posts and past posts and have been refocused. Its an old bike with class. I now understand if I want a beast, go and buy one end of story.

SOOO. I have decided to paint this one (got that covered) and revive the engine I have. Here is the group effort rebuild part. I am looking for ideas. I have little ( which means none) knowledge on engines. I am looking for ideas on how to get this motor reborn. I am willing to spend a couple of dollars on it as it will be handed down to my son.

A few modern up grades in speed and power are acceptable provided the original spirit of the bike isnt lost. Which ever ideas I (we) end up aggreeing on, the ideas will have to be written in language the guy I get to do the job understands.

Oh yah, anyone know a good mechanic to do this work?? Im in St. Catharines Ontario (10 minutes from Niagara Falls) I can get to Windsor (detroit area) and around to and past Toronto.

Thanks in advance for any assitance..

Todd Anderson

Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2006 7:22 pm

These are quite easy to work on.
I'm sure there at least a handfull of guys in the GTA that will be able to help you should you need it.

Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2006 7:32 pm

Right on man... make it a monster you will! Razz

here's a is a prime example of someone else who did:

....oh ya, welcome to the best site on earth.

Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2006 8:33 pm

Thanks Randy and Eatpasta,

Toronto will likely be the home for my "F" this winter. I will hopefully narrow that search to the right guy (or gal if she exists) to do the work.

Eatpasta, are you able to give a detailed specs on what was done to that 900 in the photo?? That is what i'm looking for. Holds true to the look but seems to have a little spice added.

Thanks for the input. If anyone else has any ideas I am wide open to suggestions be it good or bad..

Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2006 8:57 pm

There is a guy here in waterford, Mi (about 20 mns north of Detroit) thats all he does is restore and repair old hondas. He does good work and is reasonalble.
That is if you do not want to do it yourself.
If interested I can PM you his info
Welcome aboard

Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2006 10:12 pm

Quote:

If you can't make it stop, don't make it go!

I don't know who came up with that but it's good advice. I'd stay start with braided stainless steel brake lines. It looks cool and is a great upgrade.

Posted: Sat Sep 23, 2006 2:32 am

If you need an extra set of hands let me know. I have taken a few of these engine apart and have been working on my bike for a couple of years now and have good general knowledge of machines. It will just have to be up at your place. I don't have room in my garage as my car will have to be in there soon.

Posted: Sat Sep 23, 2006 11:04 am

Make it a monster is right Cool

dude, the sky can be the limit and you can still retain the "essence" of these beasts ...

just take your time and have a plan.

Posted: Sat Sep 23, 2006 2:35 pm

I copied this from an old post and saved it for future refrence. It refers to a 750, but you can adjust from there

Tigre ST: Without a doubt chassis mods will help one get the most out of the motor/bike combo, and my bike has been taken a few steps down the weight reduction road with mag wheels and stiffer swing arm and such which make it handle nicely with the engine performance. This may be one area we often over look,..the balance between power production and the ability to put it to use. A well rounded power package coupled to a good working chassis will go a longer way to increasing your rider enjoyment then a mountain motor in a chassis that is hard to handle.

Faster Spyder: Buy yourself an 823 Wiseco piston kit and some CR carbs. That along with a decent 4 into 1 and you will have more than you bargained for.

SuperSportCB750F: Big bore kit, 4-1 exhaust, Dyna 2000, and CR Specials

79cb750f: F2/F3 conversion

Matt at PSB: This is how I would do it on a limited budget. Assuming the starting point is a stock or near stock CB750F that you will be keeping for ten more years or more.

Zero, go to track school for the weekend and learn how to go around a corner that you are sure you entered into WAY to hot without touching the brakes & therefore crashing because you panicked & went for the brakes. If you have this down already skip step "Zero".

Posted: Sat Sep 23, 2006 3:58 pm

NOW WE'RE TALKING !!!

This is the type of stuff I'm looking for..

ZONDAR: Braided lines great idea always liked that look and they are in.

The Fox: Thanks for the offer for help..Depending on costs I may
do this or some of it myself and I would love the help.

Andy: A Plan is definately needed and with the feed back i am getting
a plan is rapidly coming together.

KWD: kinda understand most of what you sent.
To put it into action I would have someone expalin further later.
For those that read KWD's post, is there any pit falls in there that
not common knowledge?? Any of these things need to be upgraded
to fit or deal with a 900F?

Awesome guys..I am making a plan please send more

Posted: Sat Sep 23, 2006 9:51 pm

Todd, don't be afraid to get your hands dirty, challenge yourself and save yourself a couple bucks.

When I first joined this site, I considered myself an extremely "mechanically challenged" individual. Although I am NO master mechanic compared to many on this site, the guys here, truly "had my 6" so to speak. If I ran into a unknown territory and lost my confidence these guys picked me up.

Now granted you will still need someone to do any major machining on the motor, (i.e. big bore kit Wink

), just for example, but pulling the motor yourself and putting it all back together when the internals are complete is something I have no doubt you can do yourself. If I could do it, you can do it.

One other thought, SS brake lines on the front are a premo upgrade, but add to that Progressive Fork Springs with a good fork oil and it will stop unbelievably!!

Good luck!!

Posted: Sat Sep 23, 2006 10:24 pm

Big Dave,

SS Brake lines sounds good! any objections to these anyone pros/cons to the idea??

Well I think i will do the labour myself Dave. Great idea. I do woodworking and have renovated to homes and built an oak kitchen and bath from rough lumber ( no leaks and they are all still standing...LOL) so I should be able to get through this very veryu slowly and CAUTIOUSLY

I have always had a fear and frustration to go beyond my abilities too far as when I screw up and see how obvious the mistake was I go ballistic. Mind you I never make the same mistake twice..just alot of 1st timers..ha ha.

OK boys (and girls if your out there) Job still the same plan has now changed to work I can do and that which must be farmed out to ensure I end up with a M/C and not a really cool lawnmower!!

Come one come all with your ideas. I am thinking the paint will require small print somewhere crediting all those who partook...

Posted: Sat Sep 23, 2006 11:55 pm

Peacekeeper wrote:

Big Dave,

SS Brake lines sounds good! any objections to these anyone pros/cons to the idea??

..

no cons.....all pros

P.S. add the 's' to St. Catherine

Posted: Sun Sep 24, 2006 12:21 am

+1 to all.

Posted: Sun Sep 24, 2006 2:01 am

OK.. so lets see:

corbin gunfighter, ss brake lines, braided hoses, black paint with smoke decals ( subdued look, airbrushed) i like the look of the different rims I see what is avail with minimal mods. Fatter the better. Swing arm mods that arent to complex?? What about exhaust?? And new gauges. mine are faded bad and the bulb or fuse is gone.. drive by feel in the dark right now..

NEED MORE IDEAS.....

Posted: Sun Sep 24, 2006 3:40 am

Consider Sargeant as an alternative to Corbin for your saddle. Smile

Posted: Sun Sep 24, 2006 3:41 am

Consider Sargeant as an alternative to Corbin for your saddle. Smile

Posted: Sun Sep 24, 2006 4:04 am

Peacekeeper wrote:

Mind you I never make the same mistake twice..just alot of 1st timers..ha ha.

Peacekeeper,
I have heard that as a saying before: "Never make the same mistake twice because there are plenty of new ones available" Laughing

You sound like you are in the same place as I was before I went through my 900F last winter. I really didn't have a lot of experience working on bikes but did for other motorized toys. The only piece of advice I have is something you have already done. That is to do the research here first and if you cannot find the answer, just ask.

Taking the time to use the Search function and compiling the many great pieces of information made me more comfortable working on my bike. I would cut and paste sections of threads into MS Word Documents and file them with the Service Manual PDF files I got off this site. Here are some of the things that I did last year that you will probably do yourself this year:

Valve Adjustment
Compression and Leakdown Tests
Testing Electrical and Ignition Systems
Changing Steering Head and Wheel Bearings
Rebuilding Front Shocks
Rebuilding Front & Rear Brake Calipers
Adding Stainless Steel Brake Lines
Rebuild Carbs

Read up on Pod Filters, Real Carbs, Spark Plugs, Oil, Gasoline and Fork Oil vs ATF. That way you won't restart any historic debates that have already taken place. You can just read them and learn.

Lastly take pictures before during and after your work. I wish I had taken more before pictures. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.

Dave

Posted: Sun Sep 24, 2006 12:13 pm

Andy wrote:

Make it a monster is right Cool

dude, the sky can be the limit and you can still retain the "essence" of these beasts ...

just take your time and have a plan.

Thats a nice bike Andy! Shocked

What gives with the fin additions around the cylinder base?

Posted: Sun Sep 24, 2006 1:39 pm

Mark

Posted: Sun Sep 24, 2006 2:31 pm

Andy wrote:

Either way the satisfaction of standing back and looking at a bike that YOU made is wicked

_________________
'04 White Wing w/Full Traxxion Suspension
'81 CB900F w/1125cc OMT motor
'81 CB900F
'83 CB1100F "Big Blue"
'84 VF1000F Interceptor "Museum Piece"