Vol. 33, No. 1 February 2012 • $5 THE A Pesky Water Buffalo •Inside: The other ‘Yama’: Yamaguchi • CBX motorcycle diaries • Build your own restoration workbench • Hundreds of classifieds OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE VINTAGE JAPANESE MOTORCYCLE CLUB OF NORTH AMERICA, INC. THE COVER STORY 20 A sound ordeal Fixing that exhaust note turns into bigger undertaking FEATURES 10 A Colorado adventure 18 Japan’s other ‘Yama’ bike Riding a GT250 through a burn area Pre-Hodaka PABATCO import 14 Out, damn’d spot 24 The CBX motorcycle diaries Do-it-yourself electric rust removal New purchase ridden home, from SoCal to Fla. 16 ‘Wild Dragons’ 30 Building a bike stand Little-known CL tank sets A restoration workbench that tucks away DEPARTMENTS 04 President’s letter 33 Classifieds 06 Letters, news 38 Regalia Vol. 33, No. 1 February 2012 • $5 THE On the cover A Pesky Water Buffalo Shankar JayaGanapathy’s 1974 Suzuki GT750 went from weekend project to days of frustration and panic. •Inside: The other ‘Yama’: Yamaguchi • CBX motorcycle diaries • Build your own restoration workbench • Hundreds of classifieds OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE VINTAGE JAPANESE MOTORCYCLE CLUB OF NORTH AMERICA, INC. February 2012 www.vjmc.org 3 PRESIDENT’S LETTER THE VJMC magazine February 2012 Vol. 33, No. 1 New VJMC board looks to the future President Tom Kolenko wo days ago I was elected motorcycles. Most of them have 770-427-4820 president of this great or- multiple Japanese motorcycles [email protected] ganization. I appreciate ranging from tiddlers to super- Editor T Brendan Dooley the confidence board members slab ground-pounders that can have in my ability to lead this bring back the great feelings and [email protected] army of volunteers. Volunteers sensations of our youth. These Art Director make this club work. While I have folks also know that great times Rhonda Cousin served on the VJMC Board of on old bikes are enriched when Classified ads Directors in various offices and shared with like-minded riders Gary Gadd 817-284-8195 positions for the past decade, I and restorers. Anyone who has [email protected] have never been more optimistic been on a club ride, attended a Display Ad Director/VP about our club’s future. show or rally, or even posted a Gary Renna The reason for my optimism YouTube motorcycle clip knows 732-766-0827 is the quality of our volunteers on that fun gets multiplied 10 times [email protected] this governing board: both newly when shared. West Coast Rep elected and seasoned veterans. Many of these new direc- future of the VJMC. Bill McClennon 714-996-2278 Last December, field represen- tors have been contributors for Past volunteers also gave [email protected] much of their time and talents Mountain States Rep to help VJMC grow and thrive. Volunteer Needed To these troopers we owe a round THE REASON FOR MY OPTIMISM IS of applause. Past president Hal Central States Rep Volunteer Needed Johnson, VP Bob Billa and Di- THE QUALITY OF OUR VOLUNTEERS ON rector Dave Hellard piloted this Northeast Rep Gary Renna ship for the past two years into 732-766-0827 THIS GOVERNING BOARD: BOTH NEWLY today’s safe harbor. Secretary [email protected] Randy Mayes arranged our Southeast Rep ELECTED AND SEASONED VETERANS. monthly conference calls and kept Volunteer Needed club records for many years. She Membership Director also provided a procedural voice Bill Granade of reason, reminding parties of 813-961-3737 [email protected] tatives elected seven new board years to our excellent magazine, by-law requirements. Event co- Mission statement: members to join the four returning website, rallies and local show ordinator Jack Stein covered the The purpose of this organization is to directors. This new blood brings venues. They have staffed show Field Rep coordinator position promote the preservation, restoration and enjoyment of vintage Japanese creativity, diversity and energy booths and recruited members for and provided event kits, banners motorcycles (defined as those 20 years and guidance for our many state old and older, until 2012. We will em- to help shape this club’s future. many years. More importantly, brace 1990 until then). The VJMC also The new 2012 directors include they have demonstrated a willing- field reps in running shows, booths will promote the sport of motorcycling and camaraderie of motorcyclists Gordon East, S.C.; John Fiorino, ness to help others in our club and club rides. everywhere. Please support all our board Idaho; Ellis Holman, Ind.; Bob enjoy vintage motorcycles and © 2012, Vintage Japanese Motor- Leonard, Ariz.; Bill McClennen, the rides they provide. members as they take on the gov- cycle Club of North America, an IRS-approved Not-for-profit 501(c) Calif.; Gary Renna, N.J.; and Peter This 11-person board will ernance task for the next two years, (7) corporation. All rights reserved. Slatcoff, Fla. Please congratulate help carve out the future path and thank those who served in the No part of this document may be re- produced or transmitted in any form these folks when you see them at of this club. We are still forming past for their help. I will provide without permission. a show, swap meet or ride. committees, accepting responsi- more details in the months ahead The VJMC magazine is published six These unpaid individuals bilities, filling offices and getting as we begin our work. times per year, in February, April, June, August, October and December. The share a commitment to service, to know the talent pool available. views and opinions expressed in let- ters or other content are those of the giving their time, expertise and We will have agendas and pri- Tom Kolenko author and do not necessarily represent resources to make the VJMC the orities to share in the upcoming VJMC president VJMC policy. The VJMC accepts no liability for any loss, damage or claims best organization focused on the months after lots of hard work. occurring as a result of advice given in this publication or for claims made by enjoyment of vintage Japanese Expectations are great for the advertisers of products or services in this publication. 4 www.vjmc.org February 2012 Garys Radiator Our Services include: • Gas Tank Repair & Seal Before • Motorcycle Radiators & Gas Tanks • Oil Coolers After • Plastic repair • New Recore, Rodout, Clean & Repair Radiators • Custom Aluminum Radiators • Industrial Radiators • Block Flushing •Thermostats • Water pumps • Air Conditioning Services • Recharging AC 225 W. Truslow Fullerton, CA 92832 Phone: 714.526.3367 LETTERS, NEWS AND MISCELLANY Sharing ideas in of the piston. For that I used a 10mm bolt problem solving about 3/8” long and drilled a hole straight through it, end to end. The hole was Does the VJMC have a problem- appropriate for a tap to fit a grease gun solving and idea database that allows fitting I had. I took special care to bore members to share their knowledge and the thread end enough that the grease- tricks of the trade? For instance, in my fitted-bolt-adapter would not damage the short time learning restoration I already pressure flange in the caliper housing. have a couple of winners that others Now I pumped grease into the unit until might like to know about: it came out the bleeder hole. The bleeder 1. I was able to make a valve was tightened to seal it and then a high- compressor tool by just using a standard pressure grease gun provided the force C-clamp with a super easy adapter I necessary to squeeze the piston out. (A threw together in the shop. I put two ¾” standard grease gun did not have enough copper tubing end caps onto a 2” piece of pressure to do it.) If you are a better ¾” copper tubing (torch and solder like shopper than I am, you might be able to a plumber). I drilled a ½” hole on one find a grease fitting already made to fit end (for the valve stem to push up into the 10mm hole or the bleeder hole, and the tube) and two ½” holes on the sides then this is super easy! human element as next to the drilled end, so now the valve These might be obvious tricks for all of the technical keeper clips can be removed (or replaced the experts, but I bet I am not the only details. Of course, its later) during a valve job. A little flat filing guy out there that found these fixes to be main appeal has to be made the side holes a little bigger so useful. One method was described on the to those of us lucky tweezers fit in easily. It took one hour to Internet and the other recommended by a enough to own a CBX make and it worked like a champ. I used mechanic at work. (or two or three), but a small piece of scrap wood to protect – George Mauer this book is so wonderful, I the valve face from the other end of the think it will appeal to any C-clamp. Honda devotees or other 2. My 1973 Honda had completely vintage Japanese bike lovers. corroded/seized hydraulic front brakes. Book Review: Some of the best chapters I drilled and tapped the brake pad and ‘The CBX Book’ of Ian’s tome cover: removed it with a 3/8” bolt inserted Author Ian Foster’s “The CBX Book” • Other in-line sixes, with facts I into my new tapped hole. The piston is probably the best tribute to a single never dreamed of, like daring 1921 was also frozen solid to the caliper. The motorcycle ever written.