Honda CA95 Indiana Spokes New Project

Spokes · Post by **Spokes** » Sun Jun 09, 2013 9:08 am

Time Stamp 6-9-2013

The 3rd toughest challenge was the gas tank. This build had some odd corrosion profiles. The side panels had tiny rust specks that polished out. The outside of the tank was extremely rusty. The inside was rusty and filled with dirt and unidentifed "stuff". The tank smelled so bad that while transporting the bike in the back of the pick up truck, you could smell it. The odor was extreme rancid fuel. But someone put oil in the tank at some point in time and saved the tank. The petcock was salvaged as well.
Below is a pic of the tank before.

This is what I dug out of the tank

This is a shot of the tank today, on my test stand. It appears that it is leak free. I will keep it on the stand full of gas for a few days. Note the original badges! The badge set was $15 on ebay. They were in bad shape....as so the seller thought. I refinished the plastic surface and re coated the backs with 2 part acrylic black paint. One has to look real close to see the mico flaws.

ByTheLake · Post by **ByTheLake** » Sun Jun 09, 2013 9:14 am

It's amazing how rusty the original parts were and how nice they look today. Very nice work. Hearing a ancient engine start up for the first time just never gets old, does it?

Spokes · Post by **Spokes** » Sun Jun 09, 2013 9:28 am

Thanks. Yes, firing up an old engine is sweet..even if there was an oil leak to fix. This project build is put together a little smarter than the previous bikes. The engine has been hanging on my Build from Scratch bike and has run 50 miles without an oil leak or puff, so it's ready to go.

So once the wiring is done and tucked away (except for the stator connections) it's a matter of installing engine and the rest of the parts...and we're done.

But along with this build I have modified some Buco Bags by removing the lights. This bike gets the bags with the original crash bar it came with.

The next project may be looming in the future. There's a 50/50 shot at a CA77 305 barn find.

Larzfromarz · Post by **Larzfromarz** » Sun Jun 09, 2013 2:28 pm

As usual well done and thought out. I'd love to see some before and after on the badges.
I've been rebuilding simultaneously a 150 for the primered CA95 acquired a while back as well as a CA160 engine for a friend. The evolution is very cool for me. Stuff is cleaned up and waiting for a good day to spray the Eastwood product Spokes used on this build.

Spokes · Post by **Spokes** » Sun Jun 09, 2013 6:12 pm

These are the before pics of the badges

I will supply the after pics on the bike soon, but in the meantime,

I recoated the backs of the badges with black 2 part acrylic enamel thinned about 10% with reducer.

The black paint seeped into the cracks and sealed them, thus giving me a good near perfect look.

I sanded the badges with wet/dry 400-then 800 then 1200 then 2000 grit paper using a dishsoap solution in a spray bottle (tablespoon of Dawn in an empty Windex speay bottle.

I final hand polished with 3M clear coat polish.

They turned out extremely nice. The badges were mounted back on the tank panel. I applied Loc-Tite in the tank panel threadsNot on the screws! The Lock-Tite product may react with the old plastic. I have seen this reaction take place in m past...so I am cautious with Loc-Tite & plastic

Larzfromarz · Post by **Larzfromarz** » Mon Jun 10, 2013 6:11 am

Great tips!

Steverinomeiste · Post by **Steverinomeiste** » Mon Jun 10, 2013 9:20 pm

I am really looking forward to the after pics!

Sam Green · Post by **Sam Green** » Fri Jun 14, 2013 12:16 am

So am I but I'm still waiting,

come on Chip, get your butt into gear.

Sam.

Spokes · Post by **Spokes** » Fri Jun 14, 2013 4:16 am

Sorry guys, the tank was going through my leak test in the shed. 5 days, filled with fuel @ 90-98f in the shed on the test stand. Passed, This weekend the bike will be on the road.

Below are the finished pics of the badges. The badges are not perfect, but your seeing them really close, and for $15 for the pair, ya can't beat them.

I am having trouble uploading the 2nd pic. This side was the absolute worst.

Larzfromarz · Post by **Larzfromarz** » Fri Jun 14, 2013 6:59 am

Will you bring this bike to Helen(n back)?

Spokes · Post by **Spokes** » Fri Jun 14, 2013 6:29 pm

Regrets on the VJMC show. I have a managers regional meeting that I cannot get out of.

Anytime your close to SE GA. swing on by. But the bike has several interested people. It may be gone shortly after it's finished.

I have been given (no charge) a barn find CA77. I am working on a way to get it down to my shop. It to is rough...

Larzfromarz · Post by **Larzfromarz** » Fri Jun 14, 2013 8:20 pm

Where is coming from? and congrats. Sorry you'll miss the meet, their loss and mine...

Spokes · Post by **Spokes** » Sat Jun 15, 2013 4:16 am

The bike is in Williamsport Indiana. I have a friend of mine coming down from Cleveland, Ohio in his new PU truck. I am trying to get him to PU the bike.

Yea, it's sad not to make the meet. Perhaps someday.

Larzfromarz · Post by **Larzfromarz** » Sat Jun 15, 2013 5:15 am

If not I have shipper from Ohio should be able to do it for about $300...

Spokes · Post by **Spokes** » Sat Jun 15, 2013 5:41 pm

Thanks Larz. I will let you know if I need it transported. BTW, I considered your comments regarding the engine vent tubes on this build. I built a vent for the crankcase port and modified the air filter with a port. The engine is ready to reinstall.