Rizingson
Member
I thought I'd go ahead and post a restoration thread on one of my projects. Guess then we'll see if this forum is interested in build types of threads and original restorations. As an avid collector of vintage Japanese bikes from the '60s up to '75, original restorations is the only kind I do.
This was my third build of last summer, and I was starting to run out of ambition. Probably just normal for my old age. My goal last summer was to start redoing the bikes I had with non OEM paint colors or schemes. This little 1964 Sport 50 Honda was another bad color choice by the PO, but since the rest of it was nearly complete and rust free, I went ahead and bought it a few years ago anyway.
Here's what it looked like the day I bought it.
Having found out that the bike was originally white during dis-assembly, I really didn't want another white Honda. So I decided to do this one in the original Columbia Blue which Honda used on a few of their smaller bikes in the early and mid '60s. Not many were sold in that color, (maybe just less were actually shipped in Blue) however it now seems to be the most desired restoration color.
So anyway, I'll spare you the pics of the disassemble and inventorying the needed parts. All the plastic pieces were replaced with NOS in Columbia Blue so they wouldn't have to be painted, just as the original. I found out soon enough that the blue plastic parts were double the price of any other color.
Here it is, starting from square one, frame only.
And some of the many pieces that had to be painted. I decided to due an extra tank as well.
First thing to do was get the shock absorbers put back into the leading link front suspension
Once the forks and triple tree were put on, the horn and ignition switch is installed. New paint had to be die-grinded in order to get a ground connection to the switch. Magneto ignition is grounded through the switch.
Pulling in the main harness requires two wires to pull with as the harness is wye'd, and needs to come out a hole on each side of the frame.
Handle bars and some cables were installed next, after some switch wiring repair was done.
Adding the center stand, swing arm as well as both rear shocks. Also the coil and rectifier are now installed inside the frame.
After grinding a couple more grounding spots for the bracket and backing plate, the tail light assembly is installed and wired. Bulb was replaced and grounding confirmed.
More to come!
This was my third build of last summer, and I was starting to run out of ambition. Probably just normal for my old age. My goal last summer was to start redoing the bikes I had with non OEM paint colors or schemes. This little 1964 Sport 50 Honda was another bad color choice by the PO, but since the rest of it was nearly complete and rust free, I went ahead and bought it a few years ago anyway.
Here's what it looked like the day I bought it.
Having found out that the bike was originally white during dis-assembly, I really didn't want another white Honda. So I decided to do this one in the original Columbia Blue which Honda used on a few of their smaller bikes in the early and mid '60s. Not many were sold in that color, (maybe just less were actually shipped in Blue) however it now seems to be the most desired restoration color.
So anyway, I'll spare you the pics of the disassemble and inventorying the needed parts. All the plastic pieces were replaced with NOS in Columbia Blue so they wouldn't have to be painted, just as the original. I found out soon enough that the blue plastic parts were double the price of any other color.
Here it is, starting from square one, frame only.
And some of the many pieces that had to be painted. I decided to due an extra tank as well.
First thing to do was get the shock absorbers put back into the leading link front suspension
Once the forks and triple tree were put on, the horn and ignition switch is installed. New paint had to be die-grinded in order to get a ground connection to the switch. Magneto ignition is grounded through the switch.
Pulling in the main harness requires two wires to pull with as the harness is wye'd, and needs to come out a hole on each side of the frame.
Handle bars and some cables were installed next, after some switch wiring repair was done.
Adding the center stand, swing arm as well as both rear shocks. Also the coil and rectifier are now installed inside the frame.
After grinding a couple more grounding spots for the bracket and backing plate, the tail light assembly is installed and wired. Bulb was replaced and grounding confirmed.
More to come!
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to fit right but finally got them on as well as the left engine cover, shift lever and front foot pegs.