Time to rebuild the 1100F

Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2017 3:50 am

Well, it's time to get stuck into the 1983 CB1100F I've been riding around for a while. Always planned to do a restoration, so as everything else is (relatively) settled, It's showtime. Been collecting parts for some time, from camchains and tensioners to hard to get rubbers for the primary shaft damper. Motor will be full of the good bits from all the guys on here with the upgrade parts. Got a repro stock exhaust somewhere, and lots of other bits as well. Heck, even imported a pair of Pirelli Phantoms for the period-look.

Getting ahead of my self a bit there, but this is where I'm starting from:

... and a little time later ...

Another day should see the frame ready for powdercoat, then I'll tear in to the motor, which in the way of these things was running perfectly fine

Need to stabilise the motor while I pull it to bits.

Then...off with it's head. No dramas with the cams or shims, but the first sign of trouble with the B chain tensioner.

Not too serious, as it's only the plastic sleeve, but fragments could block an oil passage somewhere.

Then a rather more serious issue with the A chain guide.

Left is the one I removed. It has split in two, and the locating dowel has come adrift. The middle is a good stock one, and right is the replacement Vince and Hyde Racing re-engineered piece. I put one in the 985 rebuild a while ago and they're the duck's nuts. Will also replace the A chain tensioner with their new race-proven version.

I've got the barrels soaking in a penetrating solution because as per usual, they're stuck fast and won't budge without chemical/mechanical assistance, but the bore look nice, and the tops pf the pistons are cleaner than any I have come across so far. The bike has 80K in it, and I've known the previous owner for years and he did nothing to the motor so I'm pleased with the condition of those. I'll get the barrels honed anyway, and I have a new set of rings, so I'll put those in anyway.

Hmmm. An issue peculiar to the 1100, which doesn't have the drain holes at the bottom of the stud tunnels the 900's have. Consequently all sorts of crud enters and builds up around the stud. I'm having a helluva time removing the barrel because of this, despite constant soaking in a 50/50 Acetone/ATF mix.

Well, had no luck getting in from the top, so I've gone in the back door.

Bearings are worn, but no damage to journals. Just normal wear and tear. I was expecting to have to change them anyway. Pistons look really nice too. I haven't checked the end-gaps yet, but I have rings anyway. Gears are all great, but I'm going to have to get the bearing pressed off that primary shaft so I can replace the rubber dampers. All in all, nothing unexpected.

For those that were wondering what a dismantled Primary shaft looks like (and perhaps that's only me )

New rubber dampers fitted into drum.

On to the 1100 now. Got some incoming from David Silver Spares after working up the courage to sell my first-born for a set of bearing shells. Naturally the local Honda dealer was unable to help, and even suggested I try 'off-shore'. Happy to oblige.

Now that I have the capital invested, I'm motivated to put this thing back together.

I've not been able to get my hands on the jigs necessary to separate the barrels, so I'll hone them in position.

This poor old thing has sat out in the cold long enough, so it's off to the powder-coater along with a tub full of miscellaneous parts.

Yeah, so naturally one of the small TRAC ball bearings has succumbed to the old "risk of losing a part is inversely proportional to the size of that part" theory, and has reverted to it's naturally inert state somewhere in my 12' x 18' shed. Looks like another DSS order has just begun Wink

[img]http://www.ianfox.net.au/forumPix/cb1100/2016-08-13 10.13.20.jpg[/img]

Forks done Wink

well, apart from a replacement ball bearing

I didn't drop the ball *completely* over the past few months. I did manage to clean and re-plate all the fasteners I'll need to put things back together.

Cam chain tensioner adjuster holes have been drilled and tapped for the new V&H racing tensioner.

Lots of little bits and pieces have been refurbished and ready to go.

I'm guessing it's everyone's least favourite job: prepping the cases for paint?

Starting to put a few bits back in the box

not too many to go

him: Sure hon, you take your mum to see Bridget Jones. I'll just clean up a bit. You may as well grab some lunch while you're out.
her: You're a treasure. I'm so lucky.

As I can't for the life of me separate the barrels from the crankcase, I've bought one of those ball-hone thingys to give the bores a light hone. Seems to have worked pretty well. They were in good nick to start with, but as I'm fitting new rings, I thought it best to give them the best chance of bedding in.

This is as far as I can go until a couple of $10 seals turn up

Starting to look more like a motor. All the bits seem to be going back in the right places too Wink

Dropped my head off at an engine-builder mate that reckons he's shit-hot at repairing busted fins. This should be an easy fix for him Wink

My brother is sure he knew the guy that owned this bike before, and he's sure the PO brushed a bluestone bridge out at Little River one dark night. It's a fairly romantic story that I choose to propagate without checking it's veracity Wink

Shades of the Isle of Man course Wink

Aquablasting? Just do it!

no need for before and after captions Wink

Well, I'm committed now Wink

heh heh. I found a forth option for rock-scissor-paper. "wire brush"

Bugger. Looks like I have a bit of filler work ahead of me.

Got my head back, and threw some black paint at it to suss it out. I'm pretty happy with it.

A good couple of days. Got the valves lapped in and fitted. Head torqued down now. Next comes the tricky stuff: cams and timing and shimming.

I don't enjoy shimming the valves, mainly because my math is shite, but it's a hellava lot easier with the motor on the bench Wink

All done now.

Every now and then I feel a little guilty for ordering my parts online, and more often than not, overseas. Past experience has repeatedly shown local prices to be far and away dearer than imported stuff even after postage is factored in. I feel less troubled about it when even the guy behind the spares counter suggest I look to the internet. It may have something to do with 'them' being reluctant to chase parts for a 30+ year old bike? Anyway, just for shits and giggles, I thought I'd try once again and monitor the results.

8 bolts, $65 and two weeks to arrive via the Honda dealer here. Same thing from David Silver Spares delivered for $55, and nothing I've had so far takes longer than 2 weeks. Not the discrepancy I usually see, but 10 bucks is 10 bucks I guess.

Well, here we go! Time to get busy again. I think I've finally found a Powdercoater that's interested in more than pool fences and commercial fittings. These guys have done a great job, masking all the threads, inserting sacrificial bolts where they needed too. Very professional.

Why the heck did I not buy one of these tools years ago. Worth it on the skinned-knuckle savings alone.

[img]http://www.ianfox.net.au/forumPix/cb1100/bearing tool.jpg[/img]

I've had a few done over the years, and this is the best result by far. Really happy with it and the other stuff as well.

Looks easy from this angle

Another new engine-install method developed. Slide the frame over it from the left, rather than push the motor on it's side and drop the frame down on it. Managed to do this method on my own. With the help of another quick and dirty motor support.

In the past, like a lot of people, I've replaced all these 8mm bolts with stainless socket heads. The theory being the originals are easy to damage, especially the Phillips-head fasteners (which are actually JIS). As always, it comes down to having the right tools, and seeing as I do, and Honda have gone to the trouble of chrome-plating these bolts, I decided to order new ones from DSS. Turns out it's only a bit more expensive than the polished stainless equivalents.

Panel test with Mazda's amazing Soul Red

Rear wheel fits OK Wink

Still have to refurb the rear shocks, and waiting on the swingarm shock bushes. Couldn't resist.

Fitting up the Marving exhaust I bought some 5 years ago for the project Wink

Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2017 6:34 am

Wow Ian what a awesome rebuild! deep respect for all your work.

Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2017 6:46 am

Thanks Wout, that means a lot to me. As always, there's plenty of your parts gone in to this Wink

Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2017 7:23 am

Impressive, Ian!!! (as usual) Wink

Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2017 7:48 am

Thanks Gene. Needless to say there's some of your stuff in there too Wink

CB1100F Joined: Feb 17, 2009 Posts: 2105 Location: Oz

Love the Phantoms!

Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2017 11:53 am

Ian,

First picture seems to have in the background an 1100R hiding under a cover.

Would you mind sharing a picture of it for myself and the other members?

By the way GREAT WORK--You have a lot to be proud of.

Thank you

Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2017 1:46 pm

Very nicely done! I can't wait to see the finished product.

(For those reading along, primary dampers are no longer hard to find. I make them and have plenty on hand. Just drop me a message.)

Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2017 10:51 pm

DonR wrote:

Love the Phantoms!

You won't believe the trouble I had finding those Don! It's a saga all in itself.

Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2017 11:15 pm

CBX1260cc wrote:

Ian,

First picture seems to have in the background an 1100R hiding under a cover.

Would you mind sharing a picture of it for myself and the other members?

By the way GREAT WORK--You have a lot to be proud of.

Thank you

Cheers. Never one to be shy about posting pics of the R Wink

For some reason this pic isn't as sharp as the original, but you get the idea Very Happy

Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2017 11:19 pm

bikeboy wrote:

DonR wrote:

Love the Phantoms!

You won't believe the trouble I had finding those Don! It's a saga all in itself.

i

Takes you back to "the day". They just look right.

Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2017 1:40 am

Ian - you're doing a great job and your bike is coming out great. I'm very disappointed that you didn't ship all your parts to me for powder coating though. Australia to Massachusetts isn't that big of a deal.

Man, your R looks sick! Is that restored or original? Wow, wow, wow!

Tom

Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2017 6:16 am

tomk1960 wrote:

Ian - you're doing a great job and your bike is coming out great. I'm very disappointed that you didn't ship all your parts to me for powder coating though. Australia to Massachusetts isn't that big of a deal.

Man, your R looks sick! Is that restored or original? Wow, wow, wow!

Tom

Thanks Tom. Yeah, I wasn't too worried about the shipping, but the wasted time would set me back too much Wink

Right up until then, you were in the mix Very Happy

As far as I can tell, the tank and fairings have been done, but the frame hasn't been touched. If I was to do anything to it, that would be it. Still undecided tho.

Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2017 7:50 am

wow beautiful job!

Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2017 2:42 pm

Your bike looks a lot like mine right now. Hope to have my engine back together by the end of next week.

Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2017 2:58 pm

Everything looks great. I wish I could come close on details like that. Everything I do is adequate, but they all are something that was a compromise.

What is the bike behind your beautiful "R"?

Toddk

Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2017 4:13 pm

Mazda Soul Red, you say. That is nice.
Just last week i watched a video on candy painting and he was using that colour.

More power to you on the progress, with all that lovely hardware nearby i would be constantly distracted.

Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2017 1:21 am

toddk wrote:

Everything looks great. I wish I could come close on details like that. Everything I do is adequate, but they all are something that was a compromise.

What is the bike behind your beautiful "R"?

Toddk

cheers Todd.

That would be my VF1000R Wink

Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2017 1:23 am

smurdoch wrote:

More power to you on the progress, with all that lovely hardware nearby i would be constantly distracted.

Yeah, it can be a bit of a problem. But a nice problem to have Wink

This build has taken me way too long.

Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2017 2:25 am

Beautiful, beautiful work.
Wish I wasn't feeling so inadequate right now Crying or Very sad

Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2017 9:54 am

Awesome!

You do an inspiring job.

Your local parts guy sounds like a bit of a drongo mate, it shouldn't be that hard.

Cheers,
Stuart

Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2017 1:08 pm

As always Ian, great work!

Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2017 7:47 am

Yes. I think I have a problem Sad

I've always thought the stuff in front of your eyes all the time needs to be clean and shiny. The logical extension of this is 'also new' if possible. Hopefully the left-hand switch block arrives soon Wink

Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2017 12:16 pm

What a stable you are bringing together Ian. Love your work and totally jealous!

Mark