[Surfernick]

Greetings!

I'm new to the forum - I found it while researching RE's for my next bike purchase.  I'm glad I found this forum as it has a wealth of information on the RE and I've learned a lot by reading the posts.  Thanks!

I'm a long-time Honda owner (my last British bike was a 1969 BSA).   As soon as I sell my 1983 CB1100F, I intend to get serious about buying a new RE. 

I've attached a photo of my current "thumper", which also happens to my daily rider (anybody recognize the year and model?).  I'm wrapping up the restoration of a second one of these little Honda's (the red version).

Nick

[72westie]

'69 SL90?

[Surfernick]

You nailed it!  It's a 1969 SL90. One of Honda's "one year wonders."   

[Surfernick]

Here's my second SL90 (the red version) - it's my current restoration project and it's about 90% complete.   

[motorman2whel]

Very nice 90's  . I always wanted a CL or SL 90, I'm partial to the CL's though, I like the pressed steel frames & padded tanks. That blue is a great color, Candy Sapphire Blue? . Id still love to have one . I Always wanted to make a hybrid CL/SL with a CT Hi-Lo range & retain the hand clutch. FYI to match the Honda cases that were painted use "Import Magnesium" silver engine paint, most auto detailers carry it & I've seen it on ebay recently. Never seen it in a auto parts store though.

[motorman2whel]

This is the brand that matches the Honda case's color. Until its baked on ( oven or engine heat), don't spill gas on it though. Its kind of a satin finish, if you want it glossy apply clear over it later. Hondas weren't glossy but it looks nice. I did the cases, head, kicker & misc bolts on this Z50 with it. I added clear on side covers & valve covers just to spiff it up some. You can see the diff between the kicker no clear & the cases with clear.

[Surfernick]

Thanks - I like the CL90 series too.  I had my eye out for a CL90 or an S90 and I ended up with an extra SL90.  I think the Cloud Silver paint on Ebay is actually being sold by a guy who restores vintage Hondas, so the color should be right on.  I'm working on a set of spare SL90 cases to install on my red bike after I get it running and registered. 

Yep, my blue SL90 is painted candy sapphire blue.  If you look closely at the gas tank in the photo, you'll see white clouds reflected by the paint (shiny stuff!).  The red bike's paint looks kind of "off" in the photo due to the lighting, but it's actually a close match.  It took me awhile to get it matched and it came out pretty close to original.  BTW, here's a photo of what I started with for my red SL90 project.  You can see why a new RE Bullet is appealing - I'm getting a little tired of complete re-build projects!

[Surfernick]

This is the brand that matches the Honda case's color. Until its baked on ( oven or engine heat), don't spill gas on it though. Its kind of a satin finish, if you want it glossy apply clear over it later. Hondas weren't glossy but it looks nice. I did the cases & head on this Z50 with it. I added clear on side covers & valve covers just to spiff it up some.

Cool!!  Thanks for the photo of the paint - I can use it, for sure.  I have two sets of cases that I can restore and they will look good on the bikes. 

[Surfernick]

Here's a better photo of the Candy Sapphire Blue...

[Surfernick]

That's one very nice Z50!  Great job!

[motorman2whel]

Thanks, it was My grandkids Christmas present this year. Beautiful job on the SL tank  . Honda had some great colors back in the late 60's early 70's . The blue & red candies are my favorites. I also loved the large metal flake in that orange they had on the fours too, but it faded quickly if left outside. I just realized the pic of the paint is too blurry to read, The brand of that silver is Burford's®, part # PRO A-2326 they are a auto detailer supplier.

[Surfernick]

What a great Christmas present  .   Thanks for the paint name/number, that helps.

The late 60's Honda paints were really bad when it came to weathering - the paint on my red bike had faded/sunburned back to the sliver undercoat (you can see it in the photo).  Fortunately, there was a good section on the rear fender hidden underneath the seat frame that allowed me to do a match.   

Now I'm dealing with frozen case screws with PB Blaster and a Japanese Industrial Standard impact driver...  no fun. 

[motorman2whel]

That can be a real pain, especially if they were rounded out by someone prior . I've worn out quite a few of those impact drivers over the decades. Snap-on makes a nice one that isn't (or wasn't when I bought it ) too expensive, has a lifetime warranty and a 3/8 drive so you can use it for any screw or bolt. Sometimes you have to hit them so hard your worried it will break the case !. Good Luck

[AgentX]

That's some nice work--good luck with the case screws and welcome!!!

[pknopp]

 I'm not afraid to admit that I love the old Honda upright bikes. I've had a bunch of them. I currently own a 71 CB450.

[motorman2whel]

I'm not afraid to admit that I love the old Honda upright bikes. I've had a bunch of them. I currently own a 71 CB450.

+1 .I owned a 68 CB450, I loved it too. Except for the lack of cornering clearance due to the foot peg mounts. With most of the old Hondas you really need to know how to adjust the cam chain & valves, then they will last a very long time.

[rtillery02]

Is that "71"  450 the twin with DOHC?