68 CB450 Rebuild with pictures

[Mike546_imp]

Thanks for all the encouragement.
What I did to the motor was take it down and split the cases. I've never split cases or held the transmission in my hands before. It seamed like a daunting task but it was very straight forward. I soda blasted the cases, cylinder and head and painted them with hi temp paint. The cylinders were still in speck so I had them honed and replaced the rings. I found new valves and lightly lapped them in. I also replaced the timing chain because you have to break it to remove it. I polished the cam holders and bolted it back together. I have NOS (new old stock) clutch, chain and alternators coming UPS today.
[url=http://s1190.photobucket.com/user/Mike_Bova/media/CB450/image_zpst9lv8adn.jpeg.html]

[url=http://s1190.photobucket.com/user/Mike_Bova/media/CB450/image_zpsblmmlqn9.jpeg.html]

[url=http://s1190.photobucket.com/user/Mike_Bova/media/CB450/image_zps98iysgvr.jpeg.html]

[Cormanus]

It's a lovely example of that particular style of CB450 Mike. I don't think they sold well in Australia; there certainly weren't many of the next styling iteration.

[Chapomis_imp]

What did you do to polish the aluminum parts ?

[Mike546_imp]

What did you do to polish the aluminum parts ?

I either stripped off the clear coat with paint remover or soda blasted them. Then a few minutes on the buffing wheel. I didn't go too far, I'm not looking for the chrome like finish that can be achieved. I'm looking for a more stock finish. Then a couple of light coats of clear lacquer. The clear dulls it slightly. I just got new old stock covers today and they match pretty good?
[url=http://s1190.photobucket.com/user/Mike_Bova/media/CB450/image_zps5zeun2hj.jpeg.html]

[Chapomis_imp]

the parts look great, whats soda blasting ? Just Googled it, pretty cool. Did you buy a machine ?

[Mike546_imp]

the parts look great, whats soda blasting ? Just Googled it, pretty cool. Did you buy a machine ?

It's like sand blasting but with baking soda. It won't etch metal but will remove paint and grease and light rust.

[Retsel_imp]

Just to add that soda blasting is fairly inexpensive, if you already own a decent compressor. Harbor freight sells the blaster and media fairly inexpensively. I use it to remove paint from stone memorials without affecting their polished surfaces. I never thought of using it to remove clear coat from aluminum. Thanks Mike! I have a couple of problems you just solved for me! Love this forum!

Sent from my SM-T710 using Tapatalk

[rboe]

I found out clear lacquer is NOT what to use. Alas, I don't know what to recommend.

[Mike546_imp]

I found out clear lacquer is NOT what to use. Alas, I don't know what to recommend.

I've read that too because it has no UV protection. I thought I would try it because the bike will be indoor unless the motor is running.

[huxley2_imp]

Really cool. Love it.