Restoration of Sandcast #97

[markb]

You guys have some great ideas.  I appreciate the feedback and it occurred to me that we should have a thread dedicated to just wire harnesses.  I've started one here:
http://cb750sandcastonly.com/smf_forum/index.php?board=12.0
Please contribute your ideas.  I'm sure I'm not the only one facing these challenges.
Thanks,
Mark

[markb]

Restoring the harness is going to be a big project.  Closer inspection shows it’s not as good as I thought.  I’m still researching and looking for sources.  I’m considering using the -050 for now to keep the ball rolling.  I’ve been working on getting parts ready for black anodizing too.  Here’s what I got ready to go.  Enough for #97 and 2 more projects.  I figured I might as well make it worth my while.

[Steve Swan]

Will be interested to watch this anodizing prep, Mark.

[markb]

I’m thinking of getting the engine in the frame this weekend but I want to finish one more thing.  Years ago I scrounged a bunch of the correct, early rubber inserts that go between the fins on the head and cylinders.  Later or replacements ones are black.  It will be the finishing touch on the engine.


I have good pictures showing the inserts in the cylinders but nothing showing the head.  The parts list shows 12 inserts on the head.  I have four sandcast heads and they all have only 8 total, 4 in front and 4 in back.  Here’s a pic of one of them showing the inserts in the front.


Here’s a pic of the back.  There is no indication whatsoever that there were any more than four on each side.  None of the dirt on the fins has been disturbed to indicate that there were any others.  All four heads are the same.  Can anyone confirm that there is only eight and that these are the correct locations?

[DW69K0]

Mark,
I have three spare  Sandcast cylinder heads not on bikes. They are all in the same location as your pictures with only 8 present as shown.
DW

[DW69K0]

Mark,
I went out to the shop to look at my four assembled Sandy's and can only see eight on those heads as well but it's not easy to see all the inserts on an assembled bike. Keep in mind that my lowest VIN engine is at 1100, so may not be much help with a two/three digit VIN like 97.
Best,
Duane

[DW69K0]

Mark,
Off subject, but do you have a source for these rubber inserts?
Thanks for any help,
DW

[markb]

Not sure any more.  I bought these maybe three or four years ago and got them from several sources.  I called many shops (dozens maybe) and asked them to look to make sure they weren't black.  The worst part is they cost me between $3 to $4 each.  If they had the right ones I took all they had.  There may be more out there but they have to be rare.  

[Ferenz62]

Hi there,

Tom from Germany. That is where you still can get them.
http://shop.honda4.nl/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=901_148_219_496&products_id=1037
Very best succes in your fine work...

Four4ever,
Tom

[markb]

check out this post on the SOHC4 site too.  Member FrankenFrankenStuff makes them too.
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=79183.msg1658051#msg1658051

[markb]

I decided that my other heads were correct so I installed my inserts that way.  Here’s a shot of the back.


Here’s a shot of the front.  I like it.


Here’s the engine pretty much done.  I’ve decided I’m just going to put in on a rotating pedestal to display it in my living room with colored lights shining on it.      Just kidding of course but the CB750 engine is sure a work of art.


Here’s another angle.  There are a couple of minor things to do – cam chain tensioner, polish the oil gallery plug, etc. – but I can do that after the engine is in the frame.

[4pots1969]

Mark, it's very nice work... Me too I like it well... ( And more with his beautiful black Gaskets!! )
The CB750 engine is superb and the entire bike has an aesthetic that I would say perfect in the equilibrium of the masses... You couldn't ask for better at the time and more even now!
Is that painting the cylinders and the head is the same as that used for the engine block?
Are you painting the tensioner?  Because I think that it was not painted in the original...
What is the procedure to directly display the images life-size on the site?
Gerard

[markb]

Gerard,

I paint the head and cylinders the same color as the cases.

I painted the tensioner housing a darker shade, more of a gray.  I am certain mine was painted.  Check out this thread for more info.
http://cb750sandcastonly.com/smf_forum/index.php?topic=657.msg9569#msg9569

I'm not sure I can explain the image procedure.  This link should help.
http://cb750sandcastonly.com/smf_forum/index.php?topic=228.0

Mark

[markb]

I have a C-hook that I sometimes use to install the engine but I decided to lay the engine on its side and lower the frame onto it.  I‘ll have to get these blankets home and get the bed made before my wife notices they’re missing.     


I use pipe insulating foam tubes to protect the frame during installation.  I should have taken pictures but I used a fork truck to pick up the frame and position it over the engine.  The engine was on a scissors table so I just gradually lifted the engine and it went in really nice.  The only problem I had was getting the rear, lower mount to go between the frame mounts.  There must have been just enough paint to make it really snug.  I finally wrestled it to the point where I used increasingly bigger screwdrivers in the mounting holes to coax it into alignment.


There it is in the frame.  That’s the first time they’ve been together in a little over 4 years.  It brought a tear to my eye.  I’ve got the two lower bolts in so it’s not going anywhere.  I still need to strap it down and install the motor mount brackets after I dig them out of storage.  They’re all painted and ready to go.  I feel good.  This is a major milestone. 

[Joe K]

Looks beautiful, Mark.  It reminds me of my restoration.  I like the bike with just the frame and engine only.  It looks like a piece of art to me.

Joe K.