CB350 Top-End Rebuild: Day 1

Today was the day... I was finally able to set aside some time to start putting my motorcycle engine back together.  I tore down the top end of my 1971 Honda CB350 in March hoping that I could get it back together and into the frame by April so that I could race again in the AHRMA Corsa Motoclassica.  Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get all the parts and machine work done on time for the race.

It's been almost a month since I've worked on my engine.  I had business travel, a wedding in Baja, my kiddo came home from college and wanted to do a road trip to NorCal-- I got busy.  I intentionally planned to work on my motorcycle engine on this Memorial Day.  I reviewed my notes and even re-watched some great YouTube videos.  If you're looking for a great series on rebuilding a CB350, I highly recommend Saturday's Wrench Episode 21.

Using a folding table as my workbench.

 Unfortunately, as I was organizing the parts for my engine on the table I noticed I was missing a part.  I'm missing a circlip, which holds the pin for the piston in place.  This meant that I couldn't start my rebuild today like planned.  Also, I joined the HondaTwins forum where "Doode" recommended that I check the cam chain rollers because those tend to wear out.  Of course, I'll need to order those as well.  Check out the photo below.

See the notches down the center?  They should be smooth.

Today wasn't totally wasted.  I took this opportunity to clean the outside of the engine.  It was pretty grimy.  I first tried Simple Green but found that Purple Power was much more powerful in cutting down the grime.

I sprayed it with Purple Power, let it sit for 10 minutes,
scrub with a wire brush.

I wish I would have taken a shot at the same angle as above
but this is the best I have in showing the results for today's cleaning.

I'm ordering new circlips and cam chain rollers from Honda this week.  I hope to update you on some progress soon after I receive the new parts.  In the meantime, if you have any tips/guidance you can provide me on my engine rebuild please leave it in the comments below.  Thanks!