Q: I’ve just bought a bit of a basket case in the form of a 1982 Honda
CB750 four-cylinder. Well it used to have four-cylinders because it now only has three because the number three con-rod is hanging out of the crankcase! But it did only cost me R2,000, which seemed to be a bit of a bargain at the time.
So I’d like to ask if this ‘hole’ is repairable and what possible damage could I also find inside these engine cases when I pull them apart? Or am I just being a fool and shouldn’t have bought it in the first place, which is what my girlfriend said when I unloaded the bike out my van?
One last thing, do you know where I could get spares if I decide to rebuild this particular Honda?
Ian
A: It’s hard to say how to repair the damage you’ve stated without seeing the bike but generally if a con-rod is poking out of the crankcase on this bike the engine is a basket case.
The internal damage could easily be considerable and you’ll possibly need a new crank, which is virtually impossible to find for this bike nowadays. Spares, if you decide to repair, are also hard to find so you’ll have to source breakers yards and the Internet and you can still get some genuine parts from Honda themselves. But it will start to cost you a lot of money if you go that route.
But to be honest I’d try to get your money back and make it someone else’s problem, because your girlfriend for once is correct.
