First Bike- Rebuilding

[PrisonCityMatt]

Last year I bought a 66 Honda Scrambler for about $350. I was told the only thing that really needed to be done was replace pistons, hone the cylinders, and reassemble. Since then, I had torn the bike down, cleaned what I could, painted what I could, polished what I could. I bought oversized new old stock pistons that would fit the new bore size in the cylinder.

Now I have to buy new valves and have a valve job done. (What I was told from the bike shop that honed my cylinders) Im entirely new to motorcycles. I used to ride BMX and work at a bike shop as a kid and was involved all the way through to my early twenties. I bought the bike last year around 26 years old so there were some familiar things that definitely stabled my interests.

I've just been stuck not knowing a lot of the tricks of the trade or the right people that can point me in the right direction. I have questions.

-Is it possible and easier to find another engine altogether? Honda or other makes?
-Are there matching "universal" valves from other makes/models/years that would fit?
-E Bay has some but is that the cheapest path?
-Are there any PDF engine rebuild manuals online for correct torque?







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[mike horvath]

Hi Matt
Welcome to the forum. I feel your pain with where your at regarding your bike...been there and done it. "Done it" with the help of a few key people from this site. To address your questions:
*Another engine altogether? I presume you to mean a complete motor, ready to go. Usually not. If somebody does...open your nostrils reeealy wide. It's more fun to grind through and take ownership of the rebuild, at least what you are capable of doing.
*Valves? Don't know of a "universal" type. Best to stick with what you have, or if you know they're bad, you may have to Ebay them or check with Nick at Ohio cycles. Please check his website first for availability and part numbers before calling. Actually the best tip I can think of is getting in touch with LOUD MOUSE and enquire of a valve job.
*Restoration guide? I hear Bill Silvers has a good manual, although I've never seen it. Maybe another can post as to it's accurateness (did I spell that right?)

Hang in there, do what you can and be patient with the stuff your not sure. Sounds as if you have some mechanical background and thats good. Also, you may want to consider (seeing what you've done so far in the pics) is to install new seals throughout. Hope this helps.

Mike

[conbs]

Matt, If you can find an original low-miles, complete motor you may want to consider it. You would probably need to be able to drive to pick it up as there is not a cheap way to ship a complete motor. When the price starts getting too high, you might as well spend the money to rebuild so you know what you have when you finish. The bad thing about a complete motor is you won't know how it was maintained.

Before you rebuild your head, test to see if your vavles may still seal alright. It is pretty easy and people do it different ways. Search this site. If you do replace your vavles, search this site. I am pretty sure LM has posted urging against anything but OEM Honda valves. You can find them on ebay, but new ones are usually not cheap.

Do yourself a favor and get the Bill Silver engine and scrambler rebuild manuals. You will still have questions to ask on this site, but the manuals will answer a lot of them as you go along. Hope this helps you. Good fortune on your project.