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Resurrecting a 38 year old motorcycle

Resurrecting a 38 year old motorcycle
I was looking for a fall project, and decided to take on resurrecting a 1972 Honda SL125 that had been sitting in storage for 18 years.  The bike had been stored near some swimming pool chemicals and fertilizer, and every metal surface was either rusted (steel) or oxidized (aluminum).  The bike would not have been a suitable candidate for restoring to original, but was a good candidate for "resurrecting" as a rider.

The good news was that the motor and transmission was in good shape, with 9,000 miles on the odometer.  The clutch plates were stuck, but about an hour of rocking the bike back and forth with the bike in gear and the clutch lever pulled finally broke them free. 

The carburator was beyond redemption -- the idle circuit and air bleed were too corroded to rebuild, but an ebay carb took care of that problem.  I also replaced the horn, the ignition switch, and one of the rear shocks -- again, using ebay.

So, my instructable is focused mainly on rust and corrosion removal, which took the better part of two months to complete.
 
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Step 1Removing stuff

Removing stuff
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  • BeforeIMG_2282.JPG
  • BeforeIMG_2279.JPG
  • BeforeIMG_2289.JPG

I began by removing the seat, gas tank, fenders, exhaust system, side covers, and the rear view mirrors.

The seat was held on by two nuts, and once removing these I simply lifted up the rear of the seat and pulled the front loose from its bracket.  With the seat removed, the gas tank (after removing the fuel line) pulled free from its front bracket.

The front fender was held by three bolts, which I wound up having to twist off (too corroded to come loose, even with plenty of penetrating oil).  I drilled out these broken bolts.

The rear fender was held on by four bolts, and once removed I could get to the bolts that held the tail light/license bracket.  The wire for the tail light unit simply unplugged from the wiring harness.

The exhaust system surprisingly came free without breaking any of the studs that held it on.

The side covers were designed to simply pop on and off, so they came off easily, and the rear view mirrors unscrewed from their handlebar mounts.

Throughout all of the disassembly process I carefully kept track of all loose parts by putting them in labeled sandwitch bags.

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131 comments
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Mar 6, 2012. 10:53 PMKurokami says:
Your sl125 turned out really well, I hope to resurrect my '65 Honda Trail 90 for the second time since my brother blew the top end.
Jan 31, 2012. 3:09 PM7070x says:
looking acutely sweet there.

I own a 1978 Honda CB 100. Been on the dock for the last two weeks. Same idea: resurrecting. Bit hoping to rejuvenate or mind you, swap off, with Chinese-made of Honda GL Pro series. In my area, that Honda SL125 is used mainly for Forest Rangers. Hard to get by these days, when found, such restored...err resurrected bike with original/genuine parts costs definitely a fortune !

Super great job !
May 13, 2010. 7:44 AMbighamms says:
Can you tell me the name & cost of the system you used for the tanks interior?
Aug 19, 2011. 7:44 AMmilesduggan says:
Ps. its like $40 but it goes a long way!
Aug 19, 2011. 7:43 AMmilesduggan says:
Don't use "Kreem" it is terrible! I had to redo my tank because it started to break down. I followed the instructions to the letter. An acquaintance of my told me it doesn't hold up well to fuel which makes no sense to me but I saw it first hand. He recommended a product called "Phenol Novalac" by "Caswell". Look up their website, its a great tank sealer! I used it and am blown away how easy it was to use and the results I got!
Jun 25, 2011. 12:48 PMmilesduggan says:
I think the kreem is like $20 for just the sealer. Pretty sure the whole 3 step kit is $50(acid wash, conditioner, and sealer).
Jun 25, 2011. 12:47 PMmilesduggan says:
Ugh I hate cleaning gas tanks! I am in the process of fixing up a 1975 Honda CB360(got it for $500) and all it needs is a good cleaning(carbs, gas tank, motor) and new fluids. The gas tank is a little rusty inside and I have been procrastinating on getting it done. Well looks like the July 4th weekend is as good as any.
Aug 19, 2011. 3:35 AMmrlunna13 says:
Hello,
did you de-rusted your tank? I had the same problem. My tank was more than 40 years old. no paint, just rust. I did electrolysis on it. It looks awsome!!
You should try that if you haven't already. It really works wonders, and no fumes or harsh chemicals.
Here's the before and after. I just rinsed it with a hose.
Aug 19, 2011. 7:33 AMmilesduggan says:
Holy crap! What a difference! I did use the phosphoric acid to do my tank and it worked great, I just looked like a haz mat worker in the process. lol. Great job on your tank! Wish I would have gone your route although my results were just as good, just a little more work.
Aug 19, 2011. 3:40 AMmrlunna13 says:
Can anybody direct me on how to loosen up a seized engine?
Are there any "ibles" in here about seized engines? I looked but can't find one.
Thanks,
Mr. Lunna XIII
Jul 31, 2011. 9:07 AMMankut says:
everything perfect, but the engine has to be either painted or sand blasted.
Nov 30, 2010. 2:58 AMgonlgn says:
why don't you try to sand your engine with 1000cc sand paper it will make your engine shine or buffing will much easier . . . i Like your project . .
Jul 7, 2011. 3:29 PMac-dc says:
Sanding an engine is very very tedious, better to sandblast it instead.
Jun 11, 2011. 6:42 AMmastermakoko says:
great ible,im looking to buy and fix a cb100 is it any good?im a no brainer on motorcycles :)
Jun 27, 2011. 6:08 AMchip123 says:
I'm currently in the process of fixing up a cb100N, and if I'm honest it's not really worth the trouble. If you've already got the bike, or it's really cheap then you may as well go for it. But don't go spending that much on a bike to start with, as almost everything will probably be rusted.

Have a look at some different bikes, before commuting to a project. The Honda cb250 is easy enough to work on, and parts are everywhere. It's a much nicer bike than the cb100N that I'm doing now.

So basically: You might as well go for it, but have a look at some alternative bikes instead of the cb100. Hope this helps, and best of luck.

May 17, 2011. 4:39 AMwobbler says:
The finished bike looks good in its black metalwork. Nice work.
Apr 12, 2011. 3:42 AMZoDo says:
Seeing this gave me the ideea to post some pictures of my 1961 Simson. After I bought it, I gave it a new paint job and I had all the rusted pieces chromed. I have some before and after photos. Unfortunately I had to sell it...used the money to buy wedding rings. But that's ok, now I have a 1986 Yamaha XV 500 SE
Apr 12, 2011. 2:05 AMMRslave says:
I love it, very nice
Apr 5, 2011. 4:23 PMmilesduggan says:
Excellent job! I am buying a 1975 Honda CB360 at the end of the month and its not in as bad of shape as yours, but it will still require alot of tlc and oxidation removal. Great inspiration!
Feb 18, 2011. 9:55 AMlingg says:
It's good to start with a 4 stroke and I would get it running good before i spent lots of time doing anything cosmetic. then you know it will run (unlike the dirt cheap porsche 914 I disassembled and never reassembled -major rust and cash)! You did a awesome job!
Feb 3, 2011. 6:24 AMfegundez1 says:
good job! I do a lot of Honda bikes and this one looks great, you got lucky with the plastic parts and the logos were there! I do hope you put new tires as well
Jan 13, 2011. 10:32 PMunaffiliatedperson says:
looks way better now
Jan 12, 2011. 9:01 PMtioshrek says:
nice nice nice!!!
Nov 30, 2010. 2:53 AMgonlgn says:
does the paint you applied on your front fork didn't remove as is take preasure??
i mean if you put your weight on it does the paint stays on??
Nov 8, 2010. 3:57 PMdbdanbach says:
This awesome. I saw this and I had to join this website. I just bought a 1973 honda cl350 thats in similar condition to what your bike was. I've been having trouble organizing my steps, being that its my first restoration, and this is an awesome example to go off. So, thanks for putting this up.
-dan-
Aug 30, 2010. 1:20 PMgfiandy says:
Great job on the bike. How have the fork seals stood up as I didn't think you could get them to work on anything but a hard chrome finish and it appears yours are running on a painted finnish. Andy.
Jul 27, 2010. 10:14 PMsamregan says:
For the final paint, black for the frame and the yellow for the gas tank, by any chance what paint did you use? Brand? Spray paint or paint bucket with paintbrush?
Jul 19, 2010. 7:29 PMBapper23 says:
Working on my gas tank this week. 1977 Kawasaki. What did you use to plug the holes before cleaning it with nuts and bolts and liquid? i went to Lowe's to find rubber plugs for the petcock holes and they didn't have any....... Also...... what about the gas cap? Thanks! Rich
Jul 22, 2010. 8:03 PMBapper23 says:
Thanks! By the way..... Lowes does have a 2 inch plug for the gas tank in the plumbing section. It's rubber with a twist top and plastic on top and bottom. Put it in the tank fuel hole....... tighten the top and works like a charm...... NO leaks (shook it in a plastic bag just to be sure) ----- used Gorilla tape for the petcock holes and also no leaks.... Rinsed my tank out with water then used Purple Power (from Auto zone) with about 18 nuts and bolts..... Tomorrow is step two with a kit from POR15. Three-step bike kit.........
Jul 22, 2010. 7:58 AMXaqFixx says:
I've started work on a 1970 Aermachhi built Harley Davidson M65, but am selling that one for parts to work on my dad's 1972 CB175. I like what you've done here. Both the Harley and the Honda have pics over at my site http://Blog.XaqFixx.com, one was found under a friends house when he bought it, the other (the Honda) has been in my Grandmothers barn since my dad transfered to a different university in '75 and didn't take his bike.
May 15, 2010. 7:07 PMonefreewalk says:
Lets not forget everyone, a little bit of sand blasting will do wonders for your projects!!

Once finished, remove all oil or contaminants, primer & paint.
Even a very small compressor & a tarp make keeping things under control easy.

Be careful if you're blasting thin sheet-metal, as it can heat and warp. Buy washed sand, the cleaner the better. Or look around and make your own blasting cabinet to keep all your sand & mess contained.

Hopefully the 10 hours will turn into 2 or 3.
May 13, 2010. 7:23 PMmagic1969 says:

  yes i am restoreing a 71 honda rebel i am haveing trouble getting the tank to stop leaking.i have used marine tex,to stop all the leaks but new ones pop back up . there is a coating for the inside but i don't know what it is ,i can't afford a hunderd dollar coating.i got the rest going great. i will show it to you after it is finished. it stayed in the rain for over a year so i had some rust and other problems.like i had to use screen wire to cover some big hole in the tank. now it looks great but ............any advise be nice........

May 14, 2010. 9:14 AMromoshka says:
POR-15 will seal and stop leaks inside MC tanks - i have used it for years - there is another product called KREEM but I have never liked it - POR 15 is a bit more expensive but as they say - "Ya gets whats ya paz for"
May 14, 2010. 12:35 PMmagic1969 says:
thanks for the infro but what is por-15 called by what brand and where do you buy it??????also kreem?
1-40 of 131next »

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Author:knife141
I enjoy taking a pile of junk and making something unusual out of it. I like wheeled vehicles, and currently own two motorcycles, two electric bikes that I've built, and an electric scooter pushed b...
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