CBX Stripdown - page 2

Throttle cables, clutch cable, plug leads were disconnected. Then we discovered the oil hoses looped over the top of the frame tube. It was now also hard to get at the sump plug. Bugger.

Two of us held the engine up while son Richard moved the wood and brick support to allow access to the sump plug. The oil was drained, the hoses removed.

The nuts that connect the oil hoses at the bottom are a little awkward to get at. Thompson's miniature socket set did the trick.

Only one bolt to go, the bottom rear, the only one now holding the engine in. Get ready lads.

With everything else removed the engine swivels forward on the remaining rear engine bolt (obscured by the brake pedal here). The engine will come out over the brake pedal if the weight is taken on the back wheel. Easier to take it off of course.

Here it is. The engine removed and balanced on a contraption consisting of bricks, wood and a child's stool. Be aware that the engine is heaviest at the top - it falls forward.

Six-into-one pipes for sale mate, going cheap, says 'Swainey'. New, original pipes will be fitted later.

A problem. The weight of the engine was all on this bolt (and the suppport beneath). We'd need to lift the engine to allow the bolt to be tapped out. Here's where the hydraulic jack would have been handy.

A minute's thought provided the solution. We'll get the whole thing lower by allowing the back wheel to rest on the floor by pivoting the bike on the paddock stand via those little wheels. This was easy enough with FOUR of us. Me supporting the back of the bike on the little wheeled paddock stand, Dave and Anthony supporting either side of the engine, and Richard tapping out the bolt!

It was free. Then a problem. It wanted to fall forward and we had no way of sliding it out to the side of the bike. So, we lifted the bike away instead and supported the engine on its wood and brick plinth with extra support under the crankcases to stop it falling forward.

Job done. The engine is currently with John Wyatt in Tadcaster and his stripdown will feature in the next issue.

Meanwhile the rolling chassis will be cleaned up, various bits of rust rubbed down and repainted and the forks re-chromed. Other bits will be done over the winter.

I never intended this to be a 'full' restoration and to be honest, the bike is in good enough nick for me (and Webster) to enjoy around Rutland when the sun comes out next spring.

The engine casings will be cleaned and polished and original exhausts fitted so I'll need to make a decent job of the rest but, so far, everything looks reasonably tidy.

--Bob Berry

   

SECTION:	HOME PAGE	Whipping out the Engine	Preparation and top end strip	Starting on the Bottom End	Stripping the Bottom End	Putting it Together