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It's time for a Build Thread - CMX450 - Miami Neglect Project

5K views 21 replies 6 participants last post by  Ed_In_Miami 
#1 ·
I can't believe how time passes by...

I bought a local Rebel in need of love while I was still working on my main project (which is FINALLY COMPLETED!)...
All of this happened while I was working full time and earning a college degree.

The idea was to finish both bikes and pass the Rebel to my wife so we could ride together.





I thought I could turn the Rebel project around in a short time, but little did I know, I had my work cut out for myself
It's time to FINISH THE REBEL after 3 years of hibernation!

More updates to come...
 

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#2 ·
I do complete rebuilds of the 450's. i take them all apart and redo motors, handle bar switches and all the fun stuff that comes with a motorcycle apart and going back together.
If you have any questions I can help anyway I can.
Let me know.
 
#3 ·
Assessing the situation

So I figured I would focus mostly on cosmetics and general items such as a carb clean and tune up to have the bike running.

First order of business was to sort the carburetors our, only to find out the nuances of a rebel and difficulty in sourcing parts.. hence, the thread i started long ago: https://www.hondarebelforum.com/f82/my-carb-rebuild-experience-part-sourcing-thread-80794.html... check the date on that thread... nearly 3 years ago...!!! :nonono:

Anyway... the carbs were in sorry shape as you can see in the pics...
https://www.hondarebelforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=94245&thumb=1

Though they looked HORRIBLE, they actually cleaned up well, and using all the new parts, o-rings, etc I was able to source (see previous thread), I made sure that one day the carbs would be ready to be installed in my project...

More to come...
 

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#4 ·
Next order of business was to put the Rebel on a diet.
The previous owner attached these saddlebags with wood screws and galvanized hardware most suited for chain link fence than automotive use... a complete botch job...







Out also went the rear fender, which had been finished on a weird black paint, with texture similar to rhino-liner..





I could tell this bike had not been as loved as the previous owner had advertised...

More updates to come...
 

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#7 ·
Yeah man... you're not kidding... I would say a doofus of the largest caliber by my book...
This bike was nearly ruined for the sake of "customization"....
The saddlebags had turn signals, connected to electric chord (120v), going nowhere.
The front turn signals had been eliminated completely, with all wires leading out of the turn signal controls cut.
Grade 3 galvanized hardware being used everywhere..
Bad bad stuff...
But the worst is yet to come...
 
#6 ·
Ugly, and cumbersome!

I recommend you keep the rear fender. If you don't want it, you could sell it on ebay as replacement parts for the 450 are hard to come by.
 
#10 ·
Moving on with the build!!!
I decided to focus on a couple of things that were bugging me.
The fork seals on this bike were completely destroyed, so the first thing I dealt with was rebuilding the front suspension. Within a weekend I had the forks ready to go with new seals and oil... no problem!!


I also moved on to try the bobber look.
I decided to give the front wheel a treatment to see how it would look with red and white-wall... Nice eh?


I think it looks pretty awesome, but I know some purists may have a different point of view... to each his own right?



Let's get her running again!!!
Sooo... when I picked up this bike, the previous owner stated he had pushed the bike around and the motor was turning perfectly...
You would assume with such a statement that in fact the engine would be free right...??
.
.
.
.
NOT!!!!
The engine was completely frozen....:nonono::nonono::nonono::nonono::nonono:
...
I had been had....
.
.
.
All of a sudden, this project had gone from "I'll just worry about some cosmetics" to "oh crap... we gotta do something about that engine"!
...
Not good... this was about 2 years ago... remember...
This project would be shelved, only to be started a few months back again...

More updates to come...
 

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#13 ·
As a first step to unsticking the engine, you might try filling the spark plug holes (add 4 oz or so) of marvel mystery oil or ATF and letting it sit in there for a week or so. Then try turning it using a wrench on the crankshaft. This may free it up if it is just stuck from sitting for a long time. Worst case would be it got stuck because the PO (doofus) ran the oil dry or something like that which would be worse.
IF you do get it free, its highly likely that you would need to at least hone the cylinder and replace piston rings because there's likely to be a mark on the bore where the rings rusted to the bore. It may run, but compression is likely to be below normal.
 
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#14 ·
Which I did..
Left the cylinder soaking on mystery oil for two weeks, expecting the engine to be super soft to turn after said time.
Not!!
The engine was thoroughly and definitely STUCK...!
:nonono::nonono:

I tried to turn the engine with a wrench route to no avail, actually to the point I thought the bolt would snap from all the torque I put on it...
Last resort?? Put it in gear and rock it back and forth as hard as possible... which worked...
Stupid engine finally started to turn...

Next step? Compression test
Readings? L:185 psi, R:20 psi
Verdict.... possible stuck rings on the Right Cylinder
Disaster!!!

Yes... This project had taken on larger dimensions than I expected...

More updates to come....
 
#16 ·
I'm glad you got it unstuck.

I was a bit worried that no one said to first pull the plugs and valve cover and look for signs of a broken valve or other debris jamming one of the pistons.
 
#18 ·
I just finished this 86 rebel 450, love that size engine, its painted pearl gold by PO, looks great so I did not repaint, just bought a 450 nighthawk to restore, same basic engine
 

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#19 ·
Nice bike. Kennedy...

Regarding my project, I have been troubleshooting a lack of spark condition on my bike. Took me a couple of weekends of troubleshooting, but finally narrowed it down to a bad coil. Fortunately, an ignition coil is easy to find for this bike...

On a different subject, it's incredible how difficult it is to source parts for these bikes. I suppose that a bike that was only produced for two years is to be missed by the aftermarket, so it leaves us to scrounge around and try to make due with what we can find...
However...
Then you go on eBay and run into unscrupulous sellers that want to get rich on super old parts. Case and point...:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/86-87-CMX450C-Rebel-CMX-450-Intake-Manifold-Tube-Cup-Boot-Insulator-MM2-Pair-Set/372416905695?hash=item56b5c701df%3Ag%3A%7EJEAAOSwsrBckAda%3Asc%3AUSPSFirstClass%2133019%21US%21-1&LH_ItemCondition=4
What kind of subhuman would charge $400 bucks for intake boots... I mean really... What kind of douche does this...??

Anyhow, my bike has nice intakes so this dirtbag will never get my money, plus, I would definitely come up with any sort of inventive alternative rather than fork over my money so easily for something like this...

Pisses me off...

RANT OVER...
 

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#21 ·
Nice bike. Kennedy...

Regarding my project, I have been troubleshooting a lack of spark condition on my bike. Took me a couple of weekends of troubleshooting, but finally narrowed it down to a bad coil. Fortunately, an ignition coil is easy to find for this bike...

On a different subject, it's incredible how difficult it is to source parts for these bikes. I suppose that a bike that was only produced for two years is to be missed by the aftermarket, so it leaves us to scrounge around and try to make due with what we can find...
However...
Then you go on eBay and run into unscrupulous sellers that want to get rich on super old parts. Case and point...:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/86-87-CMX4...USPSFirstClass!33019!US!-1&LH_ItemCondition=4
What kind of subhuman would charge $400 bucks for intake boots... I mean really... What kind of douche does this...??

Anyhow, my bike has nice intakes so this dirtbag will never get my money, plus, I would definitely come up with any sort of inventive alternative rather than fork over my money so easily for something like this...

Pisses me off...

RANT OVER...
I found a set of NOS boots for $499, luckily I did not need them
 
#22 ·
I have been due for an update for a while.
I have been slowly chipping away at this project, and finally nearing completion.
Electrical issues were solved, and engine is now running perfectly. The 450cc is plenty enough to move this bike, and sounds super awesome!


I spent last weekend wiring all electricals, and it now has tail light, stop light, and turn signals


All that's left now is to license and tag it and she will be ready for the street! :)
 
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