Tuesday 18 December 2018

My Bike: My MBX80 restoration story so far...

Update: As this year draws to a close and with the weather miserable I have taken some time to draw up a things to do list for the MBX to push it over the line and get it finished. With the end in sight I thought It might be nice to do a story so picture post, all the original posts are archived so if you want a closer look at each stage click here and you will see only posts relating to 'my bike'.

as it was
strip down to base components
Bare frame ready for paint
fresh powder coated frame
Swing arm and shock in + vin plate
forks and wheels on
refurbished engine in
exhaust on
mud guard, res tanks and loom
radiator and handlebars on
bodywork test fit

Monday 10 December 2018

New project bike, Honda MB8

If you have a keen eye you may of noticed the black MBX80 in the header image has morphed in to a black MB8, well there is good reason for this as my second 'spare' MBX80 is now sold and I have just replaced it with a German import Honda MB8 via the Honda M Shop

So, why a MB8?

The answer for me is quite simple, way back in the mists of time I learnt to ride a geared bike on a black and gold MB5. At School we had a lesson called 'road traffic studies', I took this as an option as my 'soft' subject to balance the triple science I was already doing... Anyway in this lesson we got to ride some mopeds around the school playground, the fleet included a Suzuki FZ50, Honda Camino, Honda C50 Cub and the MB5 which I immediately took a shine to, so I have always loved this model. Fast forward to today I had the opportunity to move on my spare MBX and take the plunge on buying a MB.

I do love the MB5 but I'm not overly keen on 50cc bikes (sorry!), so the obvious solution was a French or German market MB8. The MB8 is pretty much identical to the 50 apart from a variation of the tank graphic and obviously the 80cc head and parts to make the 80 work, but basically and most importantly they are the same bike. Lastly I really like the idea of running the MB8 with my MBX80 as they make a great pair of 2-generations of  Honda's 2-strokes and will display well together.

After making the decision to change it seemed I was spoilt for choice, with Dirk and the Honda M Shop having 5 bikes at the time plus a bike on ebay. After much deliberation I opted for a black and gold bike (like the 50 I learnt on) from the M Shop that needed only light restoration, but all the important bits were either done or good. It just had an engine rebuild, all the electrics sorted, new battery and the most importantly the rims were excellent. The deal was done and Dirk and Patricia delivered it to my house in their van.

My new bike is a German model so it has a restriction to 80KPH (French bikes are full power), this can be removed but I'll need to do a little more investigation in to whats involved first. The bike was first registered in Munich, West Germany (yes, remember East and West Germany?) in 1981 and came with its original log book with the owners name who was Paul Westner, and the original Honda hand book which is handily in multi language with English. The exhaust has seen better days and Dirk kindly gave me a replacement.

As it is the bike could be used and enjoyed for many years, but the point of it will be to restore it to a good overall condition, as always I will share the story with you on this site.

The first thing to do with an imported bike is to register it on the NOVA (Notification Of Vehicle Arrivals) system, this is the governments website that you must declare an imported bike on. HMRC will then notify you if there is any duty to pay but on an old bike this there shouldn't be any tax due, but it is a legal step that you must do and failure to do so could result in fines from HMRC. To make the declaration you will first need a Government gateway account, its easy to set up and once this is done you can can add the bike to a new deceleration. Once your application is complete you are issued with a NOVA certificate and with this you can then register the bike with the DVLA. I applied for my NOVA today (10/12), I'll update on the next step of importing a bike as soon as I hear back.

UPDATE: HMRC got back to me on the 11th informing me I made a mistake on my submission (I mistakenly submitted it as an amended claim rather than a new claim). That evening I re-submitted the form and had and instant reply saying it went straight through with the NOVA ref number and that I had zero VAT to pay. This is the first stage of getting it legal.













Friday 30 November 2018

Honda M Club Website

We now have a new website that specialises in everything relating to the Honda 'M' stroke series of small motorcycles. The aim is to create a catalogue page for each model with model history, specifications, variants with a selection of brochures before all the information is lost in the mists of time.

In addition we would like to feature owners bikes and restorations, so please get in touch if you would like your bike featured and can write a few words to go with it.

Models covered will be:

MB50, MB80
MT50, MT80
MBX50, MBX80, MBX125
MTX50, MTX80, MTX125, MTX200
MVX250
MCX50, MCX80
MM50
TLM50
MB100/ H100

Monday 5 November 2018

My Bike, brake parts and picture updates

This week I manged to get a few things for the front brake rebuild including a caliper and master cylinder rebuild kits. I also found a microfiche for the FWD which I thought would be a nice thing for the archive but I would also like to scan it/ read it, so if anybody has any suggestions here please leave in the comments bellow.

I also took a few photos to show where the bike is a the moment!



Monday 29 October 2018

My Bike, Restoration update front brake part 1

When looking at the front brake assembly of my MBX80 it quickly became apparent the spare parts may not be as easy to come by as the double front brake set up of the UK specific FWDD model.

The front brake of the FWDD has a different master cylinder as it has to push a different ratio of fluid compared to the single disc model. The brake calipers are single piston sliding calipers (LH and RH) opposed to a single twin piston caliper. Obviously there are three hoses opposed to one and also a splitter unit.

Here are the parts diagrams from CMS


So the first task was to find replacement brake hoses, which if you want to use steel braided brake lines is actually easy as everybody seems to list the FWDD and will sell you a set. However as this bike is meant to be factory spec build I needed to find replacement rubber OEM style hoses.
Looking online on CMS and also speaking to David Silver Spares at the Stafford Classic Bike Show only one hose is now available as a spare part so I needed to find an aftermarket supplier.

Google unearthed Brake Quip rubber hoses via Proflex hoses so I sent a speculative e-mail to see if this is something they did, the reply came back and they said they could make them no problem and would just need the original hoses as patterns. I posted my hoses and they made a replica set for me and also supplied all the bolts and copper washers. The price is comparable to the braided hose kit, so if you want a set for your restoration give them a shout and say I sent you!

Old hoses on the left, new on the right


Thursday 26 July 2018

Owners bikes, Dene Gorfin, bike 3, part 4

"A quick update from me.

Finished? Not quite, but it's come on quite a way since I photoed the heap of parts in the garden!

Thanks to my mate Steve for another excellent job on the paint/decals that was done in quick time even though he is very busy at the moment. I confess I like the white ones better as that is what I originally had but as this was originally black I thought id go with that.  I must also thank Luke for the cleaning/coating of frame/ wheels/ swingarm/ torque arm/ stand/ mudguard brace/ footrests/ headlight and fairing mount etc etc.

Still unable to source a good condition rad guard hence the purple one I had was put on until I find another, may end up getting this painted (thanks Steve) if nothing else shows up.

Not happy with the performance of the front brakes so they are coming apart again (could be master cylinder?)

Also the pattern ignition I bought I'm a bit disappointed with, it sticks out through the clocks about an inch longer than the genuine one and the connector on the back had to be cut as different to the loom, my fault should have bought genuine.

Leaving the standard exhaust on for now as its nice and quiet especially as running it quite a bit to set it up and the seat I like the look of and its a lot firmer than the standard one.

Once I've sorted the brakes and got an mot there will be another MBX 80 on the road which I am happy to see!

I've had fun building this, is anyone else out there doing one as well as Dan, id like to see it on the site?"

You can read part 3 here
You can read part 2 here
You can read part 1 here








Thursday 12 July 2018

Owners bikes, Dene Gorfin, bike 3, part 3

Here is a restoration update from Dene Gorfin

"Slow progress, I replaced kick start shaft to correct size and while i was there replaced the clutch friction plates. I am currently still doing the wiring which I find is the least enjoyable part of rebuilding bikes and
at the moment I still got the temporary European forks/front brake. The UK forks are ready after replacing fork tubes, oil seals, dust seals and oil but whilst stripping the UK brakes one of the bleed nipples sheared so tha'ts another job to do/delay. 
The exhaust is also temporary until i decide what to fit. While the standard seat is being recovered i found this seat to go on for now.
The paintwork not yet started so my target date for completion of Aug bank holiday may well slip."







Monday 25 June 2018

Owners Bikes, Dene Gorfin, bike 3, part 2

Here is the latest restoration update from Dene Gorfin:

"I have decided to make a start with the build even though still after some bits and some parts which turned up were wrong and have been sent back.
The forks and brakes on the bike are temporary while I wait for parts on the UK spec brakes/forks (twin caliper/discs) rather than the European single disc set up.
Rather a slow start as when I started to fit steering bearings noticed the lock stop on the frame had taken a hit so this had to be welded and then coated again.
While checking the engine i noticed the kick shaft was a bit thicker and wouldn't accept the kick start so that's another job to do.
Apart from that its starting to take shape, more soon!"