Author Topic: CB550 Gulf road race build 592cc (Read 78955 times)

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #75 on:** April 14, 2013, 02:22:04 PM »

Yeah, the second picture looks straight, but the first looked pretty wonky. Whew!

Dimitri13 · « **Reply #76 on:** May 23, 2013, 02:20:39 PM »

Jay at APE hooked me up real good.

Now I just need to figure out what bearings I need.

Stev-o · « **Reply #77 on:** May 23, 2013, 05:30:58 PM »

Looks beautiful

Dimitri13 · « **Reply #78 on:** June 19, 2013, 03:01:25 AM »

One step closer.

Just waiting on my bore gauge and Mitutoyo digital calipers to measure for crank bearings, then I can finally start making progress on the engine.

SF · « **Reply #79 on:** June 19, 2013, 06:56:26 AM »

looking good did the same on my swing arm to

Viktor.J · « **Reply #80 on:** June 21, 2013, 04:07:36 AM »

That swingarm looks great, who did that ?
Any info on how much weight added ?

Tews19 · « **Reply #81 on:** June 26, 2013, 08:04:44 PM »

Build is really coming along!

DO you mind pm'ing me about the cost of your set up?
I got the gsxr front end for my build and I an debating if I want to go into the engine right away. I bought a 650 cam but if your set up is feasible and the power gains are substantial I may have to look into it...

Dimitri13 · « **Reply #82 on:** June 29, 2013, 11:43:03 AM »

Viktor, a local custom chopper shop fabbed and welded the brace. I'm not sure how much a stop arm weighs but I can weigh mine when I get it back.

Tews, ask away

Also I *finally* took my frame swingarm and bottom clamp for powder coating. It's RAL's traffic orange, I think #2009. Will have the guy take a look at my tank and see what he can do for me. Also took the cases to the local machine shop to get cleaned up and the head stud threads cleaned and chased.

Dimitri13 · « **Reply #83 on:** July 01, 2013, 02:06:51 PM »

Decided to powdercoat the valve cover, head, cylinder, and cases. Did a bit of research and it shouldn't affect operation temperature. The one issue it may have is durability because of the heat cycling, but I read mixed stuff about it.

I just need to figure out what colors I want. Anyone have a suggestion?

Tews19 · « **Reply #84 on:** July 01, 2013, 02:23:24 PM »

Hey D I sent a pm.

FunJimmy · « **Reply #85 on:** July 01, 2013, 02:30:14 PM »

Looking good. Very good.

Dimitri13 · « **Reply #86 on:** July 02, 2013, 08:54:23 PM »

PM returned tews.

Thanks Jimmy!

I was thinking maybe a silver/aluminum for the cases, head, and cylinders. Then magnesium(gold hue) on the valve cover and it's side covers, maybe alternator and points cover. Then industrial chrome for the sprocket and clutch covers.

Wha do y'all think about that?

Dimitri13 · « **Reply #87 on:** July 03, 2013, 08:16:28 PM »

Taking everything to the powdercoater tonight, don't let me make a mistake guys!

Stev-o · « **Reply #88 on:** July 03, 2013, 08:38:41 PM »

Silver motor sounds good. Not sure about magnesium, would have to see it.

There was a thread last year with custom motors, use it for inspiration.....

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=103475.0

Dimitri13 · « **Reply #89 on:** July 04, 2013, 11:31:54 AM »

Well, I wasn't able to take everything over there. Left the cases in the Jeep after I picked them up from the machine shop and someone was driving it when I went home to get it >:| I'll be dropping off the engine stuff when he's finished coating what's there now. Should be Saturday.

He recommended against coating the head, because that's where most of the breathing is done, and any sort of coating would hinder cooling, even just a little bit. But being in Hawaii, with Hawaii traffic, ESPECIALLY with all the go-fast goodies, I'm gonna play it safe. He showed me that even from the factory, lots of heads are left uncoated, even on his Harley. Could barely even tell it was uncoated. Actually, after browsing the engine color thread, I see lots of heads painted. But I'm sure most of them aren't as hopped up as mine... Should I still leave it uncoated or is it safe to coat it?

We tentatively decided on "new case silver" or something like that for the cases and cylinders. It's very close to the factory aluminum/silver finish on a lot of cases. He didn't have a color card for it and they didn't list it on the website, but he's gonna call them about it.

We also tentatively decided on Prismatic Powder's "US Golden Bronze". That's about as close to Ducati's magnesium covers we could get with just his color cards at 11pm. I'm can't decide on whether I want to do the valve cover side covers the same color as the valve cover, or if I want them to be the same color as the clutch and sprocket covers... I've generally seen them polished on engine most engines with the valve cover being whatever accent color.

As for the sprocket and clutch covers, maybe even oil pan and oil filter cover, I was thinking a "chrome." It's not the chrome you think though. It's not like Harley chrome. It's basically a silver base, similar to the color chrome is, with a high gloss clear. It's not going to be as reflective as polished aluminum or chrome, but should look nice without taking too much attention away from the rest of the engine.

Stev-o, after browsing that thread, which I completely forgot about, even though I've read the whole thing like 5 times at least, something I didn't notice before really stuck out. nvr2old's XL250. With it's bright red frame, the side cover's color REALLY pops without being too overwhelming. Gonna PM him about it and hopefully he hasn't deserted us.

Aw dammit, I can't find the engine with the bronze side covers! Anyway, I'm sure you get the idea?

Dimitri13 · « **Reply #90 on:** July 08, 2013, 10:45:13 PM »

The color for the main engine parts is going to be Dull Aluminum with a not so glossy clear. Maybe 40%.

The frame, swingarm, and lower triple are almost done, but the ceramic is taking forever in the mail. If it doesn't come in tomorrow I'll drop off my engine parts. If it does then I'll just stop them off when it's done.

Oh, and I'll be treating the valvetrain to a set of titanium valve spring retainers. I wish I could drop some dosh on hard welded and coated rocker arms, but that's just one thing I can't swing.

On an unrelated note, my 78 ranchero is lookin pretty sexy after its bath. Will be buffing its sexy hood in the morning.

Dimitri13 · « **Reply #91 on:** July 09, 2013, 04:44:24 AM »

Spent several hours cleaning this stuff for powdercoating.

Dull Aluminum:
Top and bottom cases
Cylinders
Valve cover
Oil filter cover

US Golden Bronze:
Valve cover side covers
Oil pan
Alternator cover
Points cover
Tapper covers

Chrome (silver with a gloss top coat):
Breather cover
Starter cover
Clutch cover
Sprocket cover

Although I am having a dilemma. I can't decide if I want to use the chrome color, or if I want to use the golden bronze color on them as well... I'm looking at a picture of an engine and trying to visualize it.

If I used the chrome, the engine would look closer to stock with the golden bronze being an accent color.

If I used the golden bronze, it would be a two-tone engine with the golden bronze taking up a lot of "space."

nvr2old · « **Reply #92 on:** July 09, 2013, 10:12:10 AM »

Thanks for the compliments on the XL, I appreciate it. No, I haven't deserted the site. I still stop by and lurk around almost every day. I was a little bummed when my "Got Paint" thread went away, but that's OK, too.

To me, contrast is really important to the overall effect a bike presents. The engine on my XL has 4 colors on it, but I think they're all subtle and blend together nicely in contrast to the champagne color of the body parts and the black wheels and such. Even the cast iron grey on the left side cover was to highlight that little piece w/o standing out too much. Even on my totally black engines, I use different shades of gloss and satin finishes to give contrast. I hate it when an engine looks like it's been dipped in a barrel of paint..especially when all the bolts are painted, too. Even an all silver engine looks way better if the bolt heads are clean and original finish retained..even better yet when replaced with stainless bolt heads.

Dimitri13 · « **Reply #93 on:** July 09, 2013, 11:33:51 AM »

To be honest I didn't even realize that the generator (?) cover was a different color

I think I will be using the chrome color as well, for a bit more contrast.

nvr2old · « **Reply #94 on:** July 09, 2013, 01:27:42 PM »

To me, the engine has to match the over-all theme of the bike. A restored bike looks better imo with the stock finish, and the engine in a custom bike should contrast with what the rest of the bike looks like. The colors of the frame, the wheels, and the body parts all need to work together as an overall statement. What you're doing with yours is very much a custom/performance approach, so the look of the engine could/should reflect that as well. Just my personal take on it.

kyre · « **Reply #95 on:** July 09, 2013, 05:42:12 PM »

Is there a reason to even paint the cases/head at all? I decided against and instead got the side covers and valve cover Powder coated for contrast. I love the look of the bare aluminum and it dissipates heat better. My side covers and valve cover stay hot longer than my head due to powder.

Dimitri13 · « **Reply #96 on:** July 09, 2013, 11:52:58 PM »

Well, I really need this to look good. I don't plan on riding it in traffic (all that much), so I'm willing to sacrifice a little cooling.

I also decided on different pieces being different colors.

Dull Aluminum:
Top and bottom cases
Cylinders

US Golden Bronze:
Alternator cover
Points cover
Valve cover
Oil filter cover
Oil pan

Chrome (silver with a gloss top coat):
Breather cover
Starter cover
Clutch cover
Sprocket cover
Tappet covers
Valve cover side covers

Dimitri13 · « **Reply #97 on:** July 10, 2013, 10:50:45 PM »

Dropped off the engine mount brackets to the powder coater (damn I really wish it wasn't a 40-mile round trip getting 10-13mpg). They're gonna be chrome too.

Will be rebuilding my forks with Progressive springs and shiny new CycleX fork tubes.

I also have to do some reading on how to assemble the transmission. Or at least get my nerves up to do it when it comes time. It seems fairly complicated and I'm SUPER nervous. So nervous in fact, that I'm contemplating shelling out the $2-300 for the local shop (that I trust) to do it.
Anyone have tips for it? Or is it just straightforward if I follow the manual and match everything up to the pictures?

I contemplated getting a race transmission cut, but it's too far (time-wise) into the build to do so, as it would probably add another 2 months to the completion time.

Dimitri13 · « **Reply #98 on:** July 12, 2013, 12:57:55 AM »

Mailman brought some goodness today. Normally he drops off any package at the door, but this small USPS priority box sat in my mailbox til I checked the mail

Now I have to wait til tomorrow to assemble the head.

But before that, I have to measure for rod bearings because I am missing one set (the set that spun and started the whole thing) and need to check if the ones I have fit the new crank.

Dimitri13 · « **Reply #99 on:** July 12, 2013, 05:56:58 PM »

Lookin' good!

- Kibblewhite Black Diamond valves. +1mm oversized intake
- Kibblewhite heavy duty valve springs
- Kibblewhite titanium retainers
- Kibblewhite bronze valve guides
- MRieck stage 3 (2.5) ported head and port matched intake runners

Now to plastigage the con rod bearings and figure out what size bearing I need to replace the spun one.

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Author Topic: CB550 Gulf road race build 592cc (Read 78955 times)