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Grease degunking

Started by Motofun, February 26, 2019, 04:23:01 PM

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Motofun

OK, so I decided to rebuild an old CB400F I've had in the barn for 15 years.  It was originally bought to be a parts bike but when I got the engine to run I had a change of heart.  The bike is stripped to a rolling frame at this point but the gunked on 50 year old grease is like tar.  Any suggestions on the best way to clean this piece of crap to get it ready for a repaint?  Kerosene doesn't make a dent and it's to cold to try and pressure wash it...wish I had a steam jenny. :Facepalm:
'69 Honda Trail 90
'75 Honda CB400F
'85 Yamaha RZ350
'85 Yamaha FJ1100
'89 Yamaha FJ1200
'09 Yamaha 125 Zuma
'09 Kawasaki KZ110 (grand kids)
'13 Suzuki GSXR 750 (track)
'14 Yamaha FZ-09
'18 Suzuki GSXR 1000R (track)
'23 Yamaha Tenere 7
SOLD: CBX,RZ500,Ninja 650,CB400F,V45 Sabre,CB700SC,R1

ZOA NOM

If you're re-painting try easy-off oven cleaner. Spray it down, let it sit for a few hours, hose it off.
Rick

Current:
2010 Honda VFR1200 DCT (Full Auto!)
1993 FJ/GSXR 1200 (-ABS)
1987 Porsche 911 Carrera (Race)
1988 Porsche Carrera (Street)
Previous:
1993 FJ1200 (FIREBALL)
1993 FJ1200ABS (RIP my collar bone)
1986 FZ750
1984 FJ600
1982 Seca

Tuned forks

+1 on Easy Off.  Just be aware that the active ingredient is lye.  Protect your skin, if you don't you'll know it in a hurry.  Also be aware where you are rinsing off the mess too.  Your wife's flower garden won't play well with lye.  On the other hand, if you have a neighbor or relative you really don't like....

Joe
1990 FJ1200-the reacher
1990 FZR 1000-crotch rocket

T Legg

I use a rag dipped in fresh motor oil to loosen old dry grease.sodium hydroxide will discolor any aluminum it touches.
T Legg

Pat Conlon

 Cold dried on grease? Take a torch and gently heat it up, see it that softens it enough for solvent to work.

I love those little I-4 Honda's...I had a CB500 back in '74 and that was a great bike. Took me all over the country. Mile after mile that bike purrred, smooth as silk.
Does your CB have pipes like these?



A beautiful little jewel of a motorcycle.
1) Free Owners Manual download: https://tinyurl.com/fmsz7hk9
2) Don't store your FJ with E10 fuel https://tinyurl.com/3cjrfct5
3) Replace your old stock rubber brake lines.
4) Important items for the '84-87 FJ's:
Safety wire: https://tinyurl.com/99zp8ufh
Fuel line: https://tinyurl.com/bdff9bf3

Tuned forks

Back when chrome was king.

Joe
1990 FJ1200-the reacher
1990 FZR 1000-crotch rocket

Motofun

Quote from: Pat Conlon on February 26, 2019, 06:30:28 PM
Cold dried on grease? Take a torch and gently heat it up, see it that softens it enough for solvent to work.

I love those little I-4 Honda's...I had a CB500 back in '74 and that was a great bike. Took me all over the country. Mile after mile that bike purrred, smooth as silk.
Does your CB have pipes like these?



A beautiful little jewel of a motorcycle.
Yes that's it...I'm thinking of going with parakeet yellow for the tank.  I have a new OEM exhaust which is the key to this bike.
'69 Honda Trail 90
'75 Honda CB400F
'85 Yamaha RZ350
'85 Yamaha FJ1100
'89 Yamaha FJ1200
'09 Yamaha 125 Zuma
'09 Kawasaki KZ110 (grand kids)
'13 Suzuki GSXR 750 (track)
'14 Yamaha FZ-09
'18 Suzuki GSXR 1000R (track)
'23 Yamaha Tenere 7
SOLD: CBX,RZ500,Ninja 650,CB400F,V45 Sabre,CB700SC,R1

CutterBill

Don't overlook the fact that plain ol' gasoline is a pretty good (and cheap) solvent.  Use an old toothbrush to scrub.  No smoking, of course...
Bill
Never Slow Down, Never Grow Old.

Current Stable:                                                     
FJ1100                                              
FJ1200 (4)
1999 Yamaha WR400 (street-legal)
2015 Super Tenere
2002 Honda Goldwing

Paul.1478

Strange, I was just looking at these yesterday. I was thinking about the 350-4 and this bike came up. I remember seeing it round back "in the day".
2006 GL1800
2009 KLR650
1976 RD400
1993 FJ 1200 ABS