Author Topic: Free 550F! (Read 13511 times)

CafeDawg · « **Reply #25 on:** July 20, 2012, 10:20:03 PM »

That's just brilliant, love the re-purposing of the Pepsi cooler! Seriously that is genius, a simple and elegant solution for a DYI blast booth. A work light or even a drop light in their would do the trick. I work in restaurants so I think I can find one like it pretty easy, thanks for the idea.

Respect
CD

sanglasmick · « **Reply #26 on:** July 25, 2012, 03:12:00 AM »

Thanks CD,

At the moment I hang a LED, one foot torch, in the cabinet as I blast. But the lens on the torch is now getting very scratched, and will need a polish to clear it! Ideally I will get the tube that was originally in the door hinge to light up the drinks, working. Then I won't have the scratching issue.

I also need to put in some internal sides to slope the sand/grit down to the centre, where I can drain it into a tub for re-use. This will alleviate the refilling of the canister you can see in the pics, which empties too quickly.

When thinking about the idea for a cabinet, I wanted to be able to blast bike frames, but I got lucky with a neighbour who blasted the frame and bits for this project for €50. Couldn't refuse. So now I only blast small pieces as I need them, and this is not a problem with the current set up. So it will, no doubt, be a long time before the cabinet is updated.

Keep watching, I need the encouragement.

Cheers,

sanglasmick · « **Reply #27 on:** August 07, 2012, 04:55:43 AM »

A little more progress.

Been trying to change the fork seals! Sounds easy, right? I have changed fork seals plenty of times on all sorts of bikes, and never had any hassle, but there's always a first time!

I removed the dust cover, the circlip, the stanchion or leg, and all the internal gubbins. Then I thought, just prise out the old seal, but it wouldn't move. Got a long pry bar, it still wouldn't move. It bent plenty, and the rubber sealing edge came away but the metal rim just would not move. Finally I drove a sharp small flat screwdriver down between the outer fork casing and the seal outer rim. This allowed me to bend the rim of the seal inwards.
It seems that as the fork slider corroded slightly, the corrosion forced itself into the outer rubber of the seal and this would not release. One down one to go.

Ordered some parts from David Silvers. Fork seals and dust covers, top stem nut, swing arm bushes. Great service as always. Got the parts three days later.

Will post pics as these parts find their new homes.

sanglasmick · « **Reply #28 on:** August 31, 2012, 07:17:49 AM »

The guilt is killing me.

I haven't done anything to the bike in ages. Lack of motivation is the only excuse. I have plenty to do, even have new bits to put on, but struggling with the enthusiasm.

Am I the only one who suffers from this? Surely not.

The build was coming along nicely, using SohRon's build as a reference, but then life got in the way, as it always will.

I'm not saying I won't finish this, just that it's stalled at the moment and I need encouragement!

WOW. I feel better already.

goldarrow · « **Reply #29 on:** August 31, 2012, 07:27:36 AM »

Don't worry much man. Just take your time. The bike isn't going no where unless you plan on selling it. a while back I was unmotivated like you. I torn down engine top end but no desire to put them back. Did nothing to the bike about a month, then just slowly working on it.

Finish it up man. You have readers waiting for your next chapters.

Teatimetim · « **Reply #30 on:** August 31, 2012, 10:35:08 AM »

Sometimes you just have to step away

mrtanner101 · « **Reply #31 on:** November 20, 2012, 07:50:31 PM »

i have a 77 550f that im slowly sgetting parts for my po sold a lot of arts off it and swap some out for 550k parts like the gas tank. and carbs. i cnant wait to get it stripped and to where you are at. keep up the good work

Stev-o · « **Reply #32 on:** November 25, 2012, 01:50:05 AM »

Ok, time to get back to it.

sanglasmick · « **Reply #33 on:** February 05, 2013, 08:00:05 AM »

Hi Guys,

This is terrible. I haven't touched the CB550 in months! It still lies in the shed calling to me. But alas another bike has taken over, purely because it was bought for me by my wife and kids as a birthday present. (I'm a lucky guy). But there was one condition........... I had to have it on the road by my next birthday!

It's a 1983 GSX550E Suzuki, which although is not running, is complete and turning over. I have to admit, it's an easier project than the Honda. It's also the first Suzuki I've ever owned. And at least it has got me back into the shed. Fettling is fun, but I need some progress to keep me enthused!
I know it's not a SOHC, but it's a damn good excuse not to work on my Honda.

CafeDawg · « **Reply #34 on:** February 05, 2013, 10:26:27 AM »

Suzuki's are good bikes I had the same bike in the '92 vintage and then a '94 Katana which is still one of my favorite bikes all time, of course I was younger and more addicted to speed back then. Everything with two wheels is a hell of a good time.

Respect
CD

pmurph1x · « **Reply #35 on:** February 15, 2013, 11:30:14 PM »

Nice project and story Sanglasmick . I’m originally from outside New Ross myself so good to see another Wexford man on here. I picked up a ’78 750F before Christmas so I’m trying to get that back on the road before the summer. I’m as slow as tar though. Hopefully you’ll get back to the 550 soon. Good luck.

sanglasmick · « **Reply #36 on:** February 16, 2013, 09:05:54 AM »

Hey Murph,

Just read your posts, nice 750! They don't come up here at any sort of reasonable money any more. I ll be watching.

Cheers.

pmurph1x · « **Reply #37 on:** February 16, 2013, 09:53:30 PM »

Mick - I helped a friend of mine get a 550 running a few years ago over here. It was in good condition. I even rode it around a bit but the reg was about 20 years expired so I didnt go far. He has since moved back to Cork and he brought the bike with him. I know its still gathering dust. Next time I'm talking to him I'll ask him if he plans on letting it go and let you know.

mrtanner101 · « **Reply #38 on:** November 05, 2013, 07:39:22 PM »

Just wondering if you have ever gotten anywhere on this project or if its officially dead?

sanglasmick · « **Reply #39 on:** November 07, 2013, 01:50:26 AM »

Hi mrtanner.

This project is stalled long term. (but not selling). You may have seen in an earlier post that my wife and kids bought me a Suzuki GSX550 for my birthday earlier this year. I got it running after a long battle! but couldn't get along with it. It was just too rev happy and noisy for my liking.

After a while I finally picked up the courage to tell my family that I had to sell it, I hated it that much. I lost a heap of money too, but whats the point of keeping a bike you don't like, and will not ride?

Anyway, I bought another bike to replace it, an XJ750A 1981, Japanese model, which I love to bits. Just doing some small bits and pieces to it at the moment.

So finally in reply to your question, my 550F has stalled. But I now own three of my all time favorite bikes. 1974 Sanglas 400E, 1977 cb550F, and 1981 XJ750A. These are my bikes for life. I have even stopped looking on ebay and Donedeal.ie for projects.

Funds are tight and I will update the post (if it's still here?) when I get back to the 550F.

Thanks for asking.

sanglasmick · « **Reply #40 on:** November 07, 2013, 07:03:47 AM »

Hi All,

I have been dipping in and out of the forum for a couple of years now, but have a question.

How long will a thread be view able/amendable? Does it eventually fall off the edge and disapear forever? It's just that at the pace of my bulid (or lack of it!) I'm curious.

Thanks.

Bankerdanny · « **Reply #41 on:** November 07, 2013, 07:55:16 AM »

I have seen threads resurrected after 3 years, so it will stay out there for quite a while. If a thread has been dormant for over 6 months you get a warning when you add a post, but you can still do it.

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #42 on:** November 07, 2013, 08:32:45 AM »

That might be in reference to my K7 Cafe Nine Lives build that had a three-year hiatus but is now nearing the finish line.

sanglasmick · « **Reply #43 on:** November 08, 2013, 08:15:34 AM »

This is a pic of what my new baby looks like.

Although, I must admit, posting again here shows me just how good this forum really is! And how helpful and positive everyone on it is too. I am on other forums where this is not the case.

On some of these you must stick to what a couple of "experts" say is right, without question!

So, thanks again to everyone for their input so far.

sanglasmick · « **Reply #44 on:** April 29, 2014, 06:52:10 AM »

Hello Again!

It's been a long time since I've posted, but I have visited from time to time to try and get some inspiration.

My long suffering wife and I had a conversation recently about her biking life, which was cut short with the onset of children! It's been over ten years since she had a bike of her own.

The idea came up about her wanting to get out there again, and on something a bit different to the plastic covered bikes she owned previously. Well we have a CB550 in the shed which could be put back together in a way which she likes and would suit her shorter stature. Cafe style seems to be the flavour she likes.

We have to sort out the basics and see what we have to work towards, but keep an eye out!

Cheers.

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #45 on:** April 29, 2014, 07:58:09 AM »

Dust off the cobwebs and finish that sucker!

sanglasmick · « **Reply #46 on:** February 12, 2016, 09:09:25 AM »

grcamna2 · « **Reply #47 on:** February 12, 2016, 09:21:12 AM »

Quote from: sanglasmick on February 12, 2016, 09:09:25 AM

.

I hope you pull the parts out to give the 550 a new life soon.

News:

Author Topic: Free 550F! (Read 13511 times)