Author Topic: CB550 Gulf road race build 592cc (Read 78956 times)

Dimitri13 · « **Reply #100 on:** July 16, 2013, 06:07:00 PM »

Just ordered some more parts!

- Tarozzi fork brace
- Stainless steel allen head bolt set (don't worry, I'll be using anti-seize)
- Billet triple tree top clamp
- Tapered steering bearings

Got an update from the powdercoater. The tank is coming along, slowly but surely. The engine parts will be ready for powdercoating soon. Everything should be done early next week.

Dimitri13 · « **Reply #101 on:** July 21, 2013, 12:05:35 AM »

Stuff always looks prettier in real life.

Stev-o · « **Reply #102 on:** July 23, 2013, 08:31:06 PM »

Parts look great. You are doing it right on this build, sparing no expense.

Dimitri13 · « **Reply #103 on:** July 24, 2013, 11:10:14 AM »

Thanks Stev-o! It sucks having to look at all these parts just sitting here though. Just waiting on my parts from the powdercoater and I'll be able to start assembling!

kyre · « **Reply #104 on:** July 24, 2013, 04:39:52 PM »

Make sure you compare all stainless bolt length to the original bolts. My stainless valve cover bolts i bought from someone were surprisingly a good 4-5 mm shorter than oem. I was getting some oil seepage through the valve cover because I couldn't torque the bolts down due to too little thread catching. I just ended up putting the oem bolts back and no problems since.

Dimitri13 · « **Reply #105 on:** July 24, 2013, 06:27:59 PM »

I'll be sure to do that. If any are the wrong size, I can run down to the local hardware store and get some replacements. A bit more expensive than buying online or in a kit, but shouldn't be too many.

goldarrow · « **Reply #106 on:** July 24, 2013, 08:00:28 PM »

very nice......love the look of those new shiny bits....

i know jack about performance, but out of curiousity, how many HP gain compared to stock 550?

Dimitri13 · « **Reply #107 on:** July 25, 2013, 01:08:26 AM »

No idea. Depending on how well I can tune everything, maybe 55-65hp? My goal is to be at the stock 750 hp, but I don't think that's going to happen

bambuhiphop · « **Reply #108 on:** July 25, 2013, 08:24:22 AM »

Quote from: Dimitri13 on July 25, 2013, 01:08:26 AM

No idea. Depending on how well I can tune everything, maybe 55-65hp? My goal is to be at the stock 750 hp, but I don't think that's going to happen

Ditto

Dimitri13 · « **Reply #109 on:** August 02, 2013, 12:47:20 AM »

Quick mockup and a crappy pic. Everything is powdercoated except the head. I'm too lazy to pull the covers out of the box.

Anyway, the "chrome" wasn't exactly what I expected, mainly because the top case got a coat of acrylic clear, so it's glossy and is just a bit less glossy than the "chrome." The reason we decided on the acrylic top coat is just in case of any fuel leaks from the carbs. The top case before any work was done was pretty yellow from fuel leakage, so I wanted to protect my investment.

I'm scared of pounding in the bearing that goes behind the oil pump since it's like offset from the oil pump hole and can't fit in the press. So I spent about 6 hours going through my carbs completely (disassembling all the linkages and lubing them), and lightly polishing the carb top and float bowl. I'll try my hand at it tomorrow though and then start assembling from there.

RAFster122s · « **Reply #110 on:** August 02, 2013, 03:22:10 AM »

Acrylic or urethane? Only the later is fuel resistant.

Dimitri13 · « **Reply #111 on:** August 02, 2013, 11:36:10 AM »

To my understanding, an acrylic top coat is what OEM now does for fuel resistance on tanks. Obviously the fuel won't be left anywhere longer than it takes to wipe it off.

But I am curious why urethane wasn't suggested to me. I googled and there is such thing as urethane powdercoat. I'll ask.

apetersonboy · « **Reply #112 on:** August 06, 2013, 09:50:42 PM »

jaguar · « **Reply #113 on:** August 07, 2013, 10:23:19 AM »

Nice build

Dimitri13 · « **Reply #114 on:** August 15, 2013, 04:08:28 PM »

Last week I went to assemble my crankshaft, and found that one of the rods was binding. Likely the one that had the spun bearing. Ordered a set of 4 off ebay (all D1 markings) and two more sets of brown bearings. Now I have 4 nice rods with brand new bearings and all their clearances measure .001" with plastigage.

Again props to APE for their beautiful work on the crankshaft.

I just cleaned up all my trans parts (9 months of garage floor dirt) and will bite the bullet and start assembling. This is my first full rebuild and it is very daunting.

Stev-o · « **Reply #115 on:** August 15, 2013, 06:24:45 PM »

Looks great

Dimitri13 · « **Reply #116 on:** August 15, 2013, 10:27:23 PM »

It's always great to get praise from some of the forum legends

Small update. Took me about five and a half hours, with half an hour of that being spinning the transmission and watching it shift.

Just need to figure out where the shifter shaft and kickstart shaft goes, get some gasket sealer on there, and button it up. After that I need to figure out where all the shifter springs and pulleys and retainers and #$%* go, then it's a simple assembly from there.

Dimitri13 · « **Reply #117 on:** August 20, 2013, 07:28:21 PM »

Dammit. Set back a week on my engine because a dowel is missing. "Gear shift fork guide pin." Keeps the outer race of the mainshaft needle bearing from spinning in the case.

I THOUGHT it was pressed in when I first disassembled, because I couldn't get it out with pliers. Might have fallen out at some point in the 9 month period it was sitting or in the powdercoating oven.

Guess that gives me time to work on the Ranchero. Ignition tuneup (rotor cap wires), still tuning the carb, brake service (fluid looks like mud, needs bleeding, check shoes and wheel cylinders), and cooling system service (coolant also looks like mud, thermostat, top hose), and replace the Flowmaster 40-series mufflers with Flowmaster Super 44s (little bit louder, plus it doesn't rattle because the ones on there do).

Oh and work on the Vette. Full suspension rebuild, install the exhaust, computer, replace fuel tank, and probably some more stuff.

Stev-o · « **Reply #118 on:** August 20, 2013, 07:59:22 PM »

Vette, wha?? Missed that somehow, year? Pic??

Dimitri13 · « **Reply #119 on:** August 20, 2013, 08:03:30 PM »

Haha I haven't talked about it in this thread before. I'm sure I've mentioned it somewhere on the site before though.

It's an '81 in two-tone beige and dark bronze, 4spd stick. Got it for cheap but needs a bit of work.

Stev-o · « **Reply #120 on:** August 20, 2013, 08:13:57 PM »

Very cool. My brother had the '78 Silver Anniversary model, similar body style. I remember taking it for a joy ride. Told him I was going around the block and was gone 45 min! He freaked but no harm done.

Dimitri13 · « **Reply #121 on:** August 20, 2013, 08:15:33 PM »

Mom had a 78 anniversary as her first vette. After that she had an 82 (crossfire injection is the devil). Had that for almost 20 years and traded it in on an 00 that's basically just a parade car now, has about 12k mi on it.

I actually have all the emblems for a 78, got em in a trade along with a bunch of other c3/78 parts.

Stev-o · « **Reply #122 on:** August 20, 2013, 08:18:20 PM »

You got it made: Vette, Ranchero, awesome bike and living the dream in Hawaii!

Dimitri13 · « **Reply #123 on:** August 20, 2013, 08:22:03 PM »

What I like about the Ranchero's engine (400M) is that it can make some decent power (torque moreso than hp) for very little.

Dimitri13 · « **Reply #124 on:** September 15, 2013, 12:46:27 AM »

Damn, been a long time since I've updated.

Fuel issues with the Ranchero. Fixed it. Lots and lots of work on the Vette. Replacing engine stuff (hoses, sensors, carb rebuild, etc), all suspension, and new exhaust.

For the bike, I'm ready to assemble the cases. Other than that, not much. I can't wait to get the engine assembled finally. I have a Distinguished Gentlemen's Ride at the end of the month, I REALLY hope I can make it.

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Author Topic: CB550 Gulf road race build 592cc (Read 78956 times)