Preface

Today, I will introduce customizing parts of HONDA SOLO with HONDA’s popular, eternally basic item, horizontal engines. These are a little technical custom parts of SOLO.

Theme of building the vehicle

The theme is “a tough, comfortable commuting motorcycle.”
This may be a little unsatisfied for those who want a lot of customs. However, I hope this article helps those who will start customizing for the future.

Parts I used this time

The parts I used this time are as follows.

KITACO: 85cc LIGHT Big Bore Kit	KITACO: DLC Piston pin (Straight) 13 x 36	KITACO: DLC Locker Arm Shaft Set
SP TAKEGAWA: Reinforced Centrifugal Clutch Kit	KIJIMA: Oil Catch Tank	KIJIMA: Dress up Tappet
MINIMOTO: Oil Cooler Outlet Port 12V	SP TAKEGAWA: Z Style Exhaust System	SHIFT UP: Crankshaft Single

Choosing and installing each part

I had thought about displacement a lot. This time, the vehicle I used is capable for almost 106CC, combining 85CC(Φ51) and 52mm stroke.

KITACO : 85cc LIGHT Bore Up Kit
SHIFT UP : Crankshaft Single

 

Though the cylinder head is stock due to the budget, I chamfered the ports, referring to KITACO’s “bible.”
As a result, the valve was stock, I have just leveled off to make smooth intake from the manifold, not sharpening too much.
*I put them together after surface polishing.

 

Actually, I thought it might be interesting to make high-speed rotation type SOLO, combining triangular crank shaft and 75cc engine which makes high piston speed. However, I also thought it might not be suitable for there-speed rotary…
As I have no budget to customize transmission, I made the engine torqueing full.

 

SP TAKEGAWA : Reinforced Centrifugal Clutch Kit
ENGINE 845 : TCO 5W-40 4 Cycle Engine Oil

The more torque it has, the more I cared about slip of clutch. So, I chose basic TAKEGAWA’s clutch.
Even stock, it might be okay if it is combined with the stock clutch and ENGINE845’s oil. However, thinking about the work and as insurance, I did all at the same time.

A small point is the parts of DLC which I used for some parts.

What is DLC…?
*DLC Diamond-like Carbon Processing
DLC is a kind of coating which can be hoped for wear resistance, abrasion resistance, improvement of surface strength, and reduction of friction loss.

 

KITACO : DLC Piston pin (Straight) 13 x 36
KITACO : DLC Locker Arm Shaft Set

 

Actually, I really like these as I want to use for other parts.
Especially for piston pin, it surprisingly prevents from sharpening when I overhaul the engine after processing. It rotates smoothly!
I love this so much that I think it cannot be missed in order to make the tough engine I wrote at first.
Those who processed sometimes may know that it will transform to be H-shaped and should be replaced. However, with this coating, the case will be less than usual.

The other point is that KIJIMA’s oil catch tank and MINIMOTO’s extracting port of oil cooler.

 

KIJIMA : Oil Catch Tank
MINIMOTO : Oil Cooler Outlet Port 12V

Φ51　sleeve is very thin. I can’t ride on road 246 in summer if I don’t counter with temperature.
In order to prevent from blow, the countermeasure against temperature is needed.
I like this extracting port of oil cooler because of not only its price but also its design, and I bought.
I like the fin’s height which makes me feel that it can cool on its own and the high thermal conductivity of aluminum.
Though, I dare not use any oil cooler.
If you do this like me, please do on your own responsibility. I planned to increase the capacity of oil by connecting this with the oil catch tank.

 

The oil capacity of horizontal engines is 0.6L in refilling. All the capacity is approximately 0.8L.
It is supposed to rest the oil by connecting the sub tank and making the oil capacity 1L.
Furthermore, it would be perfect to pour ENGINE845’s oil that is acknowledged for its heat countermeasure.
Though I forgot to write, I also changed the oil pump to reinforced one.

I measured with DAYTONA’s temperature gauge with dip stick oil. It didn’t reach over 90 degrees while riding in August.

I was bothered by choosing muffler because the number of SOLO is not much.
I chose the Z style as I thought the upper type for Monkey might be suitable.

 

SP TAKEGAWA : Z Style Exhaust System

Though the bracket of exhaust didn’t fit and I changed it to　general one, it was installed without discomfort.
I like the sound of this exhaust like a helicopter.

 

Also, I got rid of blow-by gas from the cylinder head.

SP TAKEGAWA : Breather Cap

As I found the parts in my garage, I don’t know the manufacturer. I think it is necessary for 4mini which has been increased displacement. It depends on each person, but I try to reduce the gas enable to be reduced. In order to prevent from gasket detachment and make the rotation smooth, I want to reduce the resistance as much as I can…

Recently, many internal pressure control valves are sold, and these are attractive. However, as horizontal engine, I want to get rid of the gas from clunk and head as minimum.

 

Anyway, I have written roughly so far.
In order to make a tough, comfortable commuting motorcycle without breakdown, there are two points to counter, “blow-by gas” and “heat.”
To reduce the frequency for maintenance, I can’t miss the parts related DLC.

Riding Impression…

Though it has PC20 carburetor and set 70%, I feel very excited!
As it is firm and stable, riding with the engine’s sound is really good!
I rode around my house twice at my age.
Though there are still some points to need processed, I can start the comfort ride for going to work from this September.

Conclusion

This time, I have introduced the points of my customized SOLO, a comfortable commuting motorcycle.
Though there are a lot of parts which give vehicles more powerful, it is good to stop at the moderate point and take the safety.
Deciding the budget and point of compromise, enjoy your life with horizontal engines. I will report about durability next time! Don’t miss it!

See HONDA Moto Index Page
See Accessories for HONDA solo

 

Special Promotion Rizoma – 100% Genuine

 

 

• Customize bike, HONDA SOLO, แต่งมอเตอร์ไซค์