Newb assembling 1st minibike

[Doc Sprocket]

Anything to save a buck, eh?

 

[Russ2251]

Anything to save a buck, eh?

I know you're kidding, but how so?

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Not you, the Mfgr. Gasket goo (RTV)? C'mon...

 

[stargazer7467]

OEM Honda grey RTV is the best ever! I had a tube of "HondaBond" i found in a garage at a house i rented. Best sealant ever. And if you use the grey sealant it doesnt look bad. I actually used the grey thermostat/water pump adhesive from the parts store.

 

[robbie]

Yeah, I don't see a problem with it. If it works, use it.

 

[Russ2251]

If it works, use it.

What? Might as well use pop rivets, silly putty, wood screws, or flubber.

Sorry ... But, that black Honda snot is crap and looks like an afterthought. A cheap and easy fix for poorly mating parts.
To see this crap oozing out of my crankcase is just plain sloppy manufacturing.
It might be OK to use it to hang wall paneling where you can never see it, but on a precision built engine? NEVER!!!

 

[robbie]

Good for you. Why don't you build a better engine and sell it, and see how much more everybody wants to pay just because it's pretty.

 

[Russ2251]

Good for you.

Is this necessary?

Why don't you build a better engine and sell it

I have...many times.

see how much more everybody wants to pay just because it's pretty.

You'd be surprised.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Nothing personal, Robbie- But can you honestly tell me you've never looked at a product and thought, "Now why the he// would you do that?"

Nobody who has paid any kind of attention hasn't noticed something about any kind of consumer product that screams, "Jeezus, did we ever cheap out on this one!".

 

[Russ2251]

@stargazer7467:
If help is needed on your Honda, give me a shout.
Sorry for the otp's.
I just get carried away.

 

[stargazer7467]

well got most of it figured out, hooked up the throttle control tonight. Works good, but neet stronger return springs. Ill get some pics up soon. Now working on getting the brake installed and functional.

Took it out tonight for a quick test ride . Full throttle on any kind of incline and its wanting to lift the front wheel lol.

 

[robbie]

Is this necessary?

Not any less necessary than your pop rivet silly putty remark. Don't talk down to me and then act offended.

There's a market for custom made luxury items, and a market for utility products. Honda engines are utility products. What's the big deal?

 

[Russ2251]

Who's talking you down? I have no axe to grind with you.
Surely a misunderstanding.

 

[robbie]

Sorry. I always tell people that when in doubt, assume that the other person has good intentions. I should follow my own advice. You had a complaint about a well known product, and I happened to be standing between you and Honda at that moment. Should have known better.

Incidentally, I'm pretty sure the average buyer of industrial engines isn't concerned about black gasket material squeezed out of an engine case. They just want the thing to run, which Hondas are well known for. Honda apparently doesn't base their decisions on the 5% who are the exception.

For a really deluxe job, they could machine a groove all the way around one piece and use an O-ring for a seal, like the one on my Honda Civic water pump and valve cover.

 

[stargazer7467]

Well heres where im at now, got the engine on the frame and the #35 chain made up. Throttle is put together and is work fairly decent, still not right IMO but witht he strange Honda throttle setup its as good as its gonna get for now.

All I have to get as far as functionality goes is the brake. Last thing go figure lol. Got a band brake for the clutch just gotta make something to hold it on and get a cover for it.

One complaint i have it then the bike it up on a stand while rotating the rear tire the rotation has a "hard spot", does this mean my chain is out of alignment?

 

[Russ2251]

rear tire the rotation has a "hard spot", does this mean my chain is out of alignment?

It's more likely that rear sprocket is slightly off center.
This can (almost) never be perfect. Give chain a little more slack by moving engne slightly rearward until hard spot just disappears.