Hey All,
So its been a while since I have posted on this build but I have mainly been reading and collecting parts for the build.
I got a bottom end from CleonCleon who is local and he has been helping me out a lot on the build. Once I got the bottom end in place I sealed it up with some 3m bond and torqued down the bolts.
Then I worked on getting kick start and clutch basket in place. I have the clutch basket all in place I just need to torque down the center nut and I need to make a tool to hold the unit in place. Ill probably do that tonight or sometime this weekend.
I was having troubles finding all the parts for a cam chain tensioner for the early 71 model. I was able to find the tensioner itself but not the plunger. I decided to just switch to the new style tensioner since I have a plunger off a later year. I ended up cutting the pin that the cam chain is wrapped around since I didn't want to split my cam chain.
Once I got all that done I was all excited to put together the top end. I started to inspect the pistons and took the rings off of one of them and sure enough the middle ring snapped in half.
So I found a set of OEM piston rings standard size on ebay for $20.00 since I dont think you can run the honda or acura rings on the 256. Currently waiting on those rings and then I will start to assemble the top end. I have already replaced the valve seals and lapped the valves to the head. Oh and yes I ended up buying a new head unit with rocker arms that actually moved. The valves and cylinder head was caked in carbon but I was able to clean off most of it.
That has been the story of the motor.
For the frame I havent been doing much to it yet. I took off both wheels and took the forks apart to lower them. When I took them apart I noticed lots of parts were missing. These forks are from a 72 btw. They were missing he spring compressors which I wasn't to worried about since I was going to lower them any ways and could just ditch those. The damper rods were rather interesting the top part of the damper rod which usually has a little rod that runs across it has a cotter pin style rod running through it. Didn't look that great but probably would work just fine. One of the damper rods and a space below the top head and the other didn't and then the piston space thing at the bottom of the upper tube was not there. Then I noticed the c clamps at the bottom of the upper tube were basically home made and looked pretty ghetto. Anywho I figured I would be able to find most these parts online. I send my Dampers to Hugh to put on some lowering kits and good ole usps lost my package
. So then I found a killer deal on a set of forks on ebay and pulled the trigger on those. I got those in and they were in great shape minus a little pitting on the upper tube. These ones had all the internals and I sent the damper rods from this once to Hugh to get the lowering kit put on. The day after I sent those out my old damper rods usps lost show up in the mail. I guess thats how the cookie crumbles.
I also got a gas tank that I am debating on using. It was rusted inside so currently I have it sitting in a molasses derusting mix. I bought redkote and need to line the inside. I was going to replace the current petcock on the gas tank with two new ones. Is it best to take out the old petcock weld up the hole and then line the tank? Or is it better to line the tank and then weld up the old petcock hole? Suggestions are much appreciated. I am also debating on whether not I am going to use the tank at all. It is a rather small tank and I am not sure I like the look. I kinda want to wait and see what it looks like when I get the clip on handle bars and a cafe seat on there. Plus its only a 1.75 gallon tank so I wont get far with it. Would have to figure out a way to make a couple gas canister mounts to carry extra fuel
I also picked up a pair of Rebel 250 shocks to drop the back. I haven't mounted them yet but hopefully soon.
Other then that I have just been getting more parts I know I will need. I picked up a Hugh PMA, Pamco Ignition, and a bunch of other parts for future builds.
Parts I know I still need are 34mm clip ons, tires, headlight, sparx capacitor and some other odds and ends.
James