RC380 custom (from 1974 CL360)

The rear hub has a threaded bearing retainer on the sprocket side;it has 'stakes' on the threads to lock the retainer from backing-out.
You need to lightly drill those 'stakes',then get/make a special tool to un-thread the retainer.
 
The HSM isn't much help with the bearings. They are still in there... for now.
If you mean with respect to removing them for replacement, since there's no concern about ruining the bearing due to driving them by the inner race, you can simply drive them out using a drift on the inner race (slip the inner spacer between the bearings off to the side a little), or you can pick up a large concrete anchor, tighten it into the bearing center and drive it out from the other side that way.
 
The rear hub has a threaded bearing retainer on the sprocket side;it has 'stakes' on the threads to lock the retainer from backing-out.
You need to lightly drill those 'stakes',then get/make a special tool to un-thread the retainer.
Good point Bill, the sprocket side does require the threaded retainer to be removed first.
 
Good point Bill, the sprocket side does require the threaded retainer to be removed first.
Yes, on the back. But the front also is unclear. It appears that the speedometer driven gear is held in my a spring roll pin, but I'm not sure what is holding in the driving gear. And on the opposite side, not sure the best way to get it out. Is the piece with the four lugs on it to drive the speedometer gear integral to the bearing, or a separate piece?

Id like to have them out before bead blasting the castings.
 
Yes, on the back. But the front also is unclear. It appears that the speedometer driven gear is held in my a spring roll pin, but I'm not sure what is holding in the driving gear. And on the opposite side, not sure the best way to get it out. Is the piece with the four lugs on it to drive the speedometer gear integral to the bearing, or a separate piece?

Id like to have them out before bead blasting the castings.
Looking at the parts fiche, I was expecting a metal plate with 3 screws retaining it above the bearing but I guess in this case my memory is of a different model. The speedo drive gear is a separate piece and not part of the bearing.
 
Looking at the parts fiche, I was expecting a metal plate with 3 screws retaining it above the bearing but I guess in this case my memory is of a different model. The speedo drive gear is a separate piece and not part of the bearing.
Yeah, not really clear:

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I know the drive gear will come out, might have to remove the seal which could be prohibitive if a new one can't be found.
 
I've only ever priced out one build and even then I stopped when things were getting 'too expensive' before it was finished.
I'm of the opinion it's better not to know as either you won't use it as intended or, will eventually sell at a (known) massive loss.
I've been a lot happier abusing motors ever since (one of my first 390 conversions I had on dyno at 11,500 rpm after second ever start, forget about gentle running first 500 miles)
It's done several thousand miles since then doesn't smoke or burn oil and runs fine on 5W/40 full synthetic (I did the bore and hone though with 400 grit stones for finishing to 0.0017" clearance)
I want to pull top end off sometime just to see how everything looks inside, but, after having Brendon's apart after he beat the hell out of it for 2,000+ miles (he had it on dyno knowing timing was over advanced one side and holed a piston) and seeing everything else was in better condition than when assembled I haven't bothered. (BTW, it made 24bhp on one cylinder with stock cam)

As far as I remember, there isn't anything other than grease holding the speedo drive gear in place.
If you 'bump' the brake plate on a block of wood it should slide out (although I forget if it will pass seal?)
 
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If you 'bump' the brake plate on a block of wood it should slide out (although I forget if it will pass seal?)
Seems like I've tried to get one out with the seal in place and it caused difficulty, but it's been far too long to remember clearly. It isn't something you have to do very often at all.
 
Alright guys, what wisdom can you give me?
Pay someone, LOL. I'm just not good with lacing wheels, only done it a couple times in my entire life. But, we have more than a few here who will weigh in with suggestions, @ballbearian comes to mind right away because he worked at bicycle shops for years.
 
Whatever 4into1 sells. They are zinc plated. Rims are "Rising Sun" brand.
I've got a set to be laced, same rims and spokes, just haven't got around to it yet.

Just lacing doesn't require much tools, a spoke wrench, maybe. Save some labor and hand off the laced wheel to a shop with a trueing/balance stand for final tensioning and trueing.

PM me if you want my phone number for calls or texts, or just use the PM if any questions, I can help with.
 
I've got a set to be laced, same rims and spokes, just haven't got around to it yet.

Just lacing doesn't require much tools, a spoke wrench, maybe. Save some labor and hand off the laced wheel to a shop with a trueing/balance stand for final tensioning and trueing.

PM me if you want my phone number for calls or texts, or just use the PM if any questions, I can help with.
Tom,I like OEM and Buchanan spokes because they are a hard-type/strong steel and can be tensioned strongly;I also like they are the proper flange size where they fill the holes in the hub best,imo.
I can imagine the 4into1 spokes are thin and may stretch a good bit,initially.. and later.
I think it will take longer to true the wheels w/ them.
 
Tom,I like OEM and Buchanan spokes because they are a hard-type/strong steel and can be tensioned strongly;I also like they are the proper flange size where they fill the holes in the hub best,imo.
I can imagine the 4into1 spokes are thin and may stretch a good bit,initially.. and later.
I think it will take longer to true the wheels w/ them.
I bet the Buchanon spokes are nice, I've not had the pleasure. Actually, I think I got spokes from Scramber Cycle too, ICR. I can't say if there were any wire gauge to hole diameter issues, but that is important. I think the 'neck' dimension (the bent part) has a lot to do with stretching, as the spokes adjust to tension when pulled up. I've also seen variations between NOS OEM and new production OEM, so not sure paying a premium for Honda labeling is worth it.
 
Got the front laced. Was brain-bending because I followed a YouTube video that was EXACTLY backwards about everything (I wonder if his camera was set on "mirror"?).

I'm going to take them to a shop to be trued and tensioned when I get the tires mounted.

Hub was glass bead blasted and burnished with fine steel wool.

Front spoke diameter is 3.2mm and rear is 3.6mm.

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EDIT: Here is a "Before"... tried to clean up the rims, but it wasn't working.

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Got the front laced. Was brain bending because I followed a YouTube video that was EXACTLY backwards about everything (I wonder if his camera was set on "mirror"?).
Yet another reminder that videos are often wrong, regardless the subject matter. Glad you noticed before you got too far.
I'm going to take them to a shop to be trued and tensioned when I get the tires mounted.
I'm far from an expert on lacing wheels as mentioned, but I wonder if you should wait until after the rims are trued?
Hub was glass bead blasted and burnished with fine steel wool.
I like the look, turned out really nice.
 
I'm far from an expert on lacing wheels as mentioned, but I wonder if you should wait until after the rims are trued?
I meant that I will have that all done when I take them in to have the tires mounted.

Speaking of tires. What is everyone's opinion on these:

Hidenau K34 3.50-18M/C 62S TT
Hidenau K36 4.00-18 M/C 64H TL


K34-1.jpg
 
I meant that I will have that all done when I take them in to have the tires mounted.
Ah, at first I thought you meant after you mounted the tires. Tires are no fun, but I still do mine myself because if anyone pinches the tube I want it to be me, and not be riding around on a tube someone else pinched and didn't tell me they repaired.
Speaking of tires. What is everyone's opinion on these:

Hidenau K34 3.50-18M/C 62S TT
Hidenau K36 4.00-18 M/C 64H TL
Many here use Heidenau tires and if you're going for a vintage look with a more modern tire, they fit the bill. I originally ran Dunlop K70s for the vintage, period-correct look but after a trip to the mountains and over 100 miles of twisties, I decided to go with modern tread tires for the improved handling so I went with Shinkos.
 
Ah, at first I thought you meant after you mounted the tires. Tires are no fun, but I still do mine myself because if anyone pinches the tube I want it to be me, and not be riding around on a tube someone else pinched and didn't tell me they repaired.

Many here use Heidenau tires and if you're going for a vintage look with a more modern tire, they fit the bill. I originally ran Dunlop K70s for the vintage, period-correct look but after a trip to the mountains and over 100 miles of twisties, I decided to go with modern tread tires for the improved handling so I went with Shinkos.
I run Shinko 712 tires on my bike and they do come in the vintage/inch sizes.
 
When I looked at Shinko, those were the ones that caught my eye. Would the handling be substantially different than the Hidenau?
I've never purchased Hidenau yet,it looks like a nice touring tire.
The 712 handles very well.
The roads out here are strangely 'contoured'/damaged from too little/too late lack of care and together with the constant and strange winds.. :rolleyes: I feel confident on the road w/ the Shinko tires.
 
I've thought about doing a block tread on the rear and a ribbed tread on the front. Saw an RC174 picture that was wearing those shoes.
 
Got the front laced. Was brain-bending because I followed a YouTube video that was EXACTLY backwards about everything (I wonder if his camera was set on "mirror"?).

I'm going to take them to a shop to be trued and tensioned when I get the tires mounted.

Hub was glass bead blasted and burnished with fine steel wool.

Front spoke diameter is 3.2mm and rear is 3.6mm.



EDIT: Here is a "Before"... tried to clean up the rims, but it wasn't working.
Looks good. Blistered chrome is good excuse to go proper alloy rims.
 
Looks like you figured it out OK.
'Reversed image is from using phone camera, personally I find it quite annoying.
You only really need to remember to fit the 'outside - in' spokes first (fit from outside of hub.)
I just fit all of those then fit 'inside - out' spokes after so you can get the 'cross two, cross three or whatever'
Straight pull spokes may look cool but personally I feel you need a much stronger hub flange than would otherwise be needed.
Not sure how many shops have someone who can true and tension wheels nowadays?
May have more luck (and be cheaper) at a bicycle shop?
I always liked the Dunlop K81 'Trigonal' tyres although most people found they wore too fast and were 'twitchy' due to the narrow contact patch when upright (but 30%~40% more contact when leaned over)
They were developed from Malcolm Uphill's 1968 Bonneville lap at IOM (hence the name, TT100, first 100mph lap by a 'production' machine)
I don't ride that hard any more so more rounded profiles are fine today, block and ribbed will give better handling as that's what old bikes were designed for
 
Are you guys picky about tubes or rim wrap? I was looking at this Michelin standard thickness tube ($16 each). Also wondering about cloth tape rap instead of rubber -- opinions?

1729699333665.png
 
Personally not a fan of cotton rim strips, they will get wet and never dry out properly.
Usually cause spoke ends to rust making future truing or tightening 'difficult'
If your not riding MX, no need for heavy duty tubes.
Michelin are lighter than some out there but definitely hold air better than many 'Chinese' brands
 
While I wait for the motorcycle fund to be replenished I've been trying to figure out what I'm going to do for paint. Here's what I've come up with:

Frame, swing arm, and etc.:
- VHT Roll Bar and Chassis, satin black (directly on bare metal) SP671
Tank:
- PRIMER: SprayMax 2K Epoxy Primer, beige 368-0032
- TOP COAT: MTN 94 synthetic resin matte top coat in "Light Red" EX0143020M
- Apply decals
- CLEAR COAT: SprayMax 2K Clear Glamour 368-0061
Fairing:
- PRIMER: SprayMax 2K Epoxy Primer, beige 368-0033
- TOP COAT: SprayMax 1K Wheel Paint Silver 368-0040
- Apply decals
- TOP COAT: SprayMax 2K Clear Satin 368-0067
 
While I wait for the motorcycle fund to be replenished I've been trying to figure out what I'm going to do for paint. Here's what I've come up with:

Frame, swing arm, and etc.:
- VHT Roll Bar and Chassis, satin black (directly on bare metal) SP671
Tank:
- PRIMER: SprayMax 2K Epoxy Primer, beige 368-0032
- TOP COAT: MTN 94 synthetic resin matte top coat in "Light Red" EX0143020M
- Apply decals
- CLEAR COAT: SprayMax 2K Clear Glamour 368-0061
Fairing:
- PRIMER: SprayMax 2K Epoxy Primer, beige 368-0033
- TOP COAT: SprayMax 1K Wheel Paint Silver 368-0040
- Apply decals
- TOP COAT: SprayMax 2K Clear Satin 368-0067
Choosing colors on the internet is always a crapshoot, but that red looks pretty dang close, perhaps a touch softer that the HRC R134 "Fighting Red", which surprisingly looks like it has a touch more of an orange tint to it. Color Rite does sell that exact paint code if that's what you were going for https://www.colorrite.com/product/honda-r134-fighting-red-1335.cfm

Don't forget a really good ventilator/mask with that 2K Spraymax!
 
Any recommendations of how I can find a front fender like this one? Are there any specific years or models that would look similar and could fit on the CL360?

1729788594724.png
 
Choosing colors on the internet is always a crapshoot, but that red looks pretty dang close, perhaps a touch softer that the HRC R134 "Fighting Red", which surprisingly looks like it has a touch more of an orange tint to it. Color Rite does sell that exact paint code if that's what you were going for https://www.colorrite.com/product/honda-r134-fighting-red-1335.cfm

Don't forget a really good ventilator/mask with that 2K Spraymax!
I ended up going with RAL 3020 (traffic red) on the seat cowl. Trying to match that on the tank. The MTN is as close as I've been able to get in a rattle can (I think that explains the 3020 in the product number). I like the fact that it is flat (will have a high gloss clear coat).

I still don't have the seat. Been waiting for a while. Ordered from REMmotorcycle with custom paint. I would have painted it myself, but the fabric is stapled directly to the seat pan/cowl.
 
1972 CB 175 is the exact same style. Finding width on those is always tough
Pattern front mudguards for the Honda CG125 are a good match for the CB175 part, and cheap as chips. Just a little too long at the rear. All mounting holes line up correctly. Seen here on my CB175 in the foreground. Honda Modena Red car paint under 2K clear coat.

CK6jtUu.jpg
 
I always liked the Dunlop K81 'Trigonal' tyres although most people found they wore too fast and were 'twitchy' due to the narrow contact patch when upright (but 30%~40% more contact when leaned over)
They were developed from Malcolm Uphill's 1968 Bonneville lap at IOM (hence the name, TT100, first 100mph lap by a 'production' machine)
I had my final crash on my CB250G5 on those tyres, they were not that grippy on a cold wet morning. That said, I have the modern equivalent K82 tyres on my CL175. They grip fine in the dry, but are still 'twitchy' when upright, compared with the more modern rounded Avon and Michelin tyres on my other two 175s.

 
Thanks for the tips. This new aftermarket CB175 fender is $45 from China. Not a fan of the chrome, but I can paint it to match the fairing except with high gloss clear coat.

Screenshot_20241024_141234_eBay.jpg
 
I started restoring the speedometer tonight. It wasn't working when I spun it with a drill. Come to find out, sitting for 35 years in a hot barn made all the grease melt down and harden up at the bottom of the inverted aluminum dish to which the needle shaft is attached.

While I was at it, I removed the odometer and set it back to zero. The way the shaft is installed is meant to be permanent, but I was able to release it. Here's to new beginnings!

Reinstalling the odometer assembly I noticed the gears that drive it were seized. The grease on them had turned to tar. I massaged them with a q-tip soaked in lacquer thinner until I was able to break them free.

Screenshot_20241024_205035_Gallery.jpg

Screenshot_20241024_205613_Gallery.jpg

Screenshot_20241024_205557_Gallery.jpg
 
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Choosing colors on the internet is always a crapshoot, but that red looks pretty dang close, perhaps a touch softer that the HRC R134 "Fighting Red", which surprisingly looks like it has a touch more of an orange tint to it. Color Rite does sell that exact paint code if that's what you were going for https://www.colorrite.com/product/honda-r134-fighting-red-1335.cfm

Don't forget a really good ventilator/mask with that 2K Spraymax!
For reference
Screenshot_20241024_210504_Brave.jpg
 
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I had my final crash on my CB250G5 on those tyres, they were not that grippy on a cold wet morning. That said, I have the modern equivalent K82 tyres on my CL175. They grip fine in the dry, but are still 'twitchy' when upright, compared with the more modern rounded Avon and Michelin tyres on my other two 175s.

Personally I never liked the K82, way too 'flat' profile.
I did use Continental ribbed/block F/R same as on the BMW's we sold and also liked Metzeler's, both were way better than AVON Roadrunners which always wore 'square'
 
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