COMMON MOTOR COLLECTIVE

Introducing Fixin' 2 Ride

Posted by on 2/26/2020
In our brand new "Fixing To Ride" video series, Common Motor's Jessi and Caleb picked up two Craigslist specials for about $500 each - a failed "cafe racer" project and an old "barn find." Our plan is to turn them both into fully reliable daily drivers for under $1,500 each.

The Long Haul Part 9: Keeping It on the Road

Posted by W. D. Hesser on 10/17/2018 to CB450 / CL450 / CB500T
The Long Haul Part 9: Keeping It on the Road
After 5000 miles, our 1974 Honda Long Haul CB450 gets a tune up to make sure it is still fit for the road. 

The Long Haul Part 8: The Ride Continues

Posted by W. D. Hesser on 8/17/2018 to CB450 / CL450 / CB500T
The Long Haul Part 8: The Ride Continues
We part ways after the 2018 AMA Vintage Days. While most of the crew rides south back to Texas, our 1974 Honda Long Haul CB450 heads northbound across Michigan and over to Minnesota before the 1200 mile haul back to Houston.

Mid Ohio Vintage Days 2018 Recap

Posted by Brenden on 8/7/2018
 Mid Ohio Vintage Days 2018 Recap
Common Motor returned to North America's largest vintage motorcycle swap meet event: Mid Ohio Vintage Days

The Long Haul Part 7: The Road to Mid-Ohio

Posted by W. D. Hesser on 7/14/2018 to CB450 / CL450 / CB500T
The Long Haul Part 7: The Road to Mid-Ohio
We finally hit the open road on our 1974 Honda CB450 starting in Houston, TX headed for Lexington, OH for the 2018 AMA Vintage Days.

The Long Haul Part 6: Finishing Up our Honda CB450

Posted by W. D. Hesser on 7/12/2018 to CB450 / CL450 / CB500T
The Long Haul Part 6: Finishing Up our Honda CB450
We put the finishing touches on our 1974 Honda CB450 in preparation for a 1,200 plus mile trip from Houston, TX to Lexington, OH for the 2018 AMA Vintage Days, on up to MN and all the way back.

The Long Haul Part 5: The Front End of a Honda CB450

Posted by W. D. Hesser on 7/3/2018 to CB450 / CL450 / CB500T
The Long Haul Part 5: The Front End of a Honda CB450
We freshen up the front wheel, forks, steering bearings, and hydraulic disk brake system on our 1974 Honda CB450 in preparation for a 1,200 plus mile trip from Houston, TX to Lexington, OH to visit the 2018 AMA Vintage Days.

The Long Haul Part 4: The Rear End of a Honda CB450

Posted by W. D. Hesser on 6/21/2018 to CB450 / CL450 / CB500T
The Long Haul Part 4: The Rear End of a Honda CB450
We freshen up the rear wheel, suspension, and drivetrain on our 1974 Honda CB450 in preparation for a 1,200 plus mile trip from Houston, TX to Lexington, OH to visit the 2018 AMA Vintage Days.

The Long Haul Part 3: Fuel & Spark for a Honda CB450

Posted by W. D. Hesser on 6/14/2018 to CB450 / CL450 / CB500T
The Long Haul Part 3: Fuel & Spark for a Honda CB450
Common Motor rebuild the carburetors and go through the electrical system on our 1974 Honda CB450 in preparation for a 1,200 plus mile trip from Texas to Ohio for the July 2018 AMA Vintage Days.

The Long Haul Part 2: Servicing the Honda CB450 Engine

Posted by W. D. Hesser on 6/5/2018 to CB450 / CL450 / CB500T
The Long Haul Part 2: Servicing the Honda CB450 Engine
We tear into the engine of our 1974 Honda CB450 in preparation for a 1,200 plus mile trip from Houston, TX to Lexington, OH to visit the 2018 AMA Vintage Days.

Honda CB550 Rebuild Overview

Posted by Brenden on 5/30/2018 to CB550K / CB550F / CB500K
We take a Honda CB550F Super Sport and go over all the parts and tasks that needed to be performed to make the motorcycle ready to ride once again. The Honda CB550 series of bikes (CB550K, CB550F Super Sport & CB500K) is the 4th official motorcycle supported by Common Motor Collective. 

The Points Situation: Modifications Necessary for Honda CB350, CL350, SL350, CB360, CL360 & CJ360 Ignition Points

Posted by Brenden on 5/16/2018 to CB350 / CL350 / SL350
The new supply of ignition contact points for the Honda CB350 / CB360 / CL350 Scrambler / CL360 Scrambler / SL350 & CJ360 must be modified for proper ignition timing adjustment. The old stock of Japanese-made ignition points for these motorcycles have pretty much dried up, and we have to turn to points made in China to keep our bikes alive. As is, the new points won't cut it, however with a few simple DIY mods they get the job done and your bike back in tune. Follow along and we will show you the modifications necessary to make these ignition points work right. 

The Long Haul - Part 1: From Houston to Mid-Ohio & Beyond on a 1974 Honda CB450

Posted by W. D. Hesser on 5/10/2018 to CB450 / CL450 / CB500T
Follow along with us as we fix up, maintain and ride a 1974 Honda CB450 on a 1,200 plus mile trip from Houston, TX to Lexington, OH for the 2018 AMA Vintage Days.

Honda CB350 / CB360 / CB450 / CB550 Motorcycle Battery Comparison: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

Posted by Brenden on 5/2/2018 to CB350 / CL350 / SL350
With several styles and dozens of brands out there, it is hard to know which type of battery to use on your vintage Honda CB350 / CB360 / CB450 / CB550. We've put together a comparison guide of the main styles of batteries that you will encounter out in the market with the pluses and minuses of each style.

Honda CB350 / CB360 / CB450 CB350 How to Access and Clean the Oil Filter

Posted by Brenden on 4/25/2018 to CB350 / CL350 / SL350
The oil filter or oil "rotor" found on the Honda CB350, CB360 and CB450 often gets neglected during standard oil changes. It should cleaned out every other oil change at 3000 miles / 5000 km. Accessing the oil rotor for cleaning takes some engine disassembly and parts to complete the job correctly. Follow along as we show you how it is done.

Honda CB350 / CB360 Carburetor Diaphragm Installation Video

Posted by Brenden on 3/14/2018 to CB350 / CL350 / SL350
A video on how to replace your carburetor diaphragms on your Honda CB350 or Honda CB360.

Honda CL / CB350 Carburetor Rebuild Guide Part 2: Emulsifier Assembly, Float Height Adjustment & Jet / Float Bowl Installation

Posted by Brenden on 4/25/2017 to CB350 / CL350 / SL350
Our Honda CL350 & CB350 carburetor is ready to be reassembled. We begin by installing the critical parts in the float bowl area of the carburetor and getting the float height correctly set. 

Honda CL / CB350 Carburetor Rebuild Guide Part 1: Identification / Parts Overview & Disassembly

Posted by Brenden M. on 4/7/2017 to CB350 / CL350 / SL350
The Honda CL350 & CB350 family of motorcycles used three different carburetors over the production run. We show you how to identify the carbs type, how to take them apart and which pieces you might need to replace during a rebuild.

Honda CB450 Rebuild: Engine Disassembly, Part 2 Project Diamond

Posted by Brenden Macaluso on 1/20/2015 to CB450 / CL450 / CB500T
The disassembly continues on our 1973 Honda CB450 engine from project Diamond. Part two focuses on the engine bottom end (crankshaft, transmission, crankcase, etc).

Honda CB450 Rebuild: Engine Disassembly, Part 1 Project Diamond

Posted by Brenden Macaluso on 1/20/2015 to CB450 / CL450 / CB500T
We are taking apart the 1973 Honda CB450 engine from project Diamond. Part one focuses on the engine top end (head, cams, jugs, etc).

Honda CB450 Rebuild: Removing the Engine, Pt. 2. Project Diamond

Posted by Brenden Macaluso on 12/9/2014
The engine removal from project Diamond continues. We will show you how to use an impact driver , along with the final parts coming off the bike to get the engine out of the frame an on the bench. 

Honda CB450 Rebuild: Removing the engine, Pt. 1. Project Diamond

Posted by Brenden Macaluso on 11/25/2014
In order for the engine to be rebuilt, we need to pull it out of the bike. This takes longer than you might expect, so here is part 1 of the engine removal process.

Honda CL360 / CJ360 / CB360 Cam Chain Tensioner Replacement

Posted by Brenden Macaluso on 11/17/2014
New cam chain tensioners and chain guides are here for the Honda CL350 / CJ360 / CB360 Family of motorcycles. We will show you how to swap out the old ones for a fresh set.

Honda CB450 Rebuild: Project Diamond

Posted by Brenden Macaluso on 11/11/2014
Our winter project here at the Common Motor Collective is a 1973 Honda CB450K that has been named "Project Diamond." Over the next few months; we'll show you what parts, tools and process necessary to rebuild this vintage Honda from the ground up.