Author Topic: Project: STF (Sweep The Floor Bike) (Read 17817 times)

Scott S · « **Reply #25 on:** April 30, 2012, 06:53:40 PM »

Laid the wiring harness today. One of those days where a lot of work gets done but not much to look at.

Apparently, this is a CB550F harness. So far, about 98% of everything I have....controls, etc. ....has plugged right in. I do have a few unanswered questions about some mystery wires.
I also need to do the tail light, aftermarket signals, a rear brake switch and an ignition switch.
One good thing is that the 550F routes the wires for the controls down on the backbone and not in the headlight. Since I'm running Clubman bars, that meant I could route the wires down around the neck and not have to stuff them in the headlight bucket.

Scott S · « **Reply #26 on:** April 30, 2012, 06:54:34 PM »

Like my shock mounting bolts? Another find in my parts pile....probably something I grabbed on a junkyard crawl.

Stev-o · « **Reply #27 on:** April 30, 2012, 07:03:42 PM »

Making ood progress...liking this build!

Greggo · « **Reply #28 on:** May 04, 2012, 12:00:16 PM »

Scott, are you using some sort of brace on the back of the frame, to bridge the shock mounts? You might get a lot of flexing if that's not addressed, me thinks.

Statenheimer · « **Reply #29 on:** May 04, 2012, 12:30:17 PM »

Good progress, I do however also agree with the below comment

Quote from: Greggo on May 04, 2012, 12:00:16 PM

Scott, are you using some sort of brace on the back of the frame, to bridge the shock mounts? You might get a lot of flexing if that's not addressed, me thinks.

I also know that, while I like the shock bolts, if they were mine, I would walk into them and swear about it like 10 times a day

Scott S · « **Reply #30 on:** May 04, 2012, 05:37:46 PM »

Quote from: Greggo on May 04, 2012, 12:00:16 PM

Scott, are you using some sort of brace on the back of the frame, to bridge the shock mounts? You might get a lot of flexing if that's not addressed, me thinks.

I plan on doing something about that when it comes time for seatpan fab. The P.O. cut out the factory brace.

Scott S · « **Reply #31 on:** July 01, 2012, 09:09:59 AM »

Found some metal and got a brace cut for the frame....just need to catch up with my buddy and his welder.
Also ran across a sweet deal on this seat on an XS650 forum. Snapped it up and mocked up some mounting options. I may have to change my tail light/tag holder idea, but I have something in mind....

Scott S · « **Reply #32 on:** July 01, 2012, 09:15:10 AM »

Also tore into the CB500 engine. This is the engine that came with my '71 CB500 (I swapped in a 550 engine). It has ~15K original miles and the P.O. told me that he had the top-end redone about 2,000 miles before parking the bike because of a broken triple tree clamp.
The engine always ran great but leaked oil around the head. I figured it had some dried out gaskets and O-rings from sitting in his barn for 28 years.
I was right. These are the O-rings that go between the cylinders and head. About half of the pucks on the head were cracked and rotten, too.

The pistons looke OK. A little carbon on the piston tops and combustion chambers, but not too bad.

Scott S · « **Reply #33 on:** July 01, 2012, 09:21:45 AM »

Using a brass brush, a plastic scraper and some SeaFoam, we got everything pretty clean.

I also did a "leakdown" test by leting the head sit on the bench with SeaFoam in the combustion chambers. Everything looked fine so we put it back together with fresh O-ring, gaskets and Hylomar.

Scott S · « **Reply #34 on:** July 01, 2012, 09:25:52 AM »

And painted up the Carpy's header in old school white.

Stev-o · « **Reply #35 on:** July 01, 2012, 09:33:15 AM »

Great looking seat. You found the reason of your oil leak.

Sparked · « **Reply #36 on:** July 01, 2012, 03:05:55 PM »

I am looking forward to the day I have enough spare parts to piece together a bike. This looks like a fun project!!

Scott S · « **Reply #37 on:** July 07, 2012, 11:08:42 AM »

Today, I used "The Works" method and cleaned out the gas tank. It was pretty nice to start with, but I got rid of some minor rust and sold old gas/varnish. Installed a new gas cap seal and the rebuilt petcock.

Scott S · « **Reply #38 on:** July 07, 2012, 11:10:42 AM »

Got the freshened up CB500 engine in the frame and installed the Carpy header.

Stev-o · « **Reply #39 on:** July 07, 2012, 11:21:58 AM »

The inside of the tank looks great. How bad was it before?

Scott S · « **Reply #40 on:** July 07, 2012, 11:58:17 AM »

Not too bad. That soft, powdery flash rust and some old gas and varnish along the bottom of the tank. Clean as a whistle, now. I blew it out with my air compressor and let is sit in the sun while we were working, then coated the inside with Marvel Mystery Oil to keep it from flash rusting again until I get some gas in it.
I've saved some fairly ugly tanks using this method. I had one sit at a bodyshop for a year after doing this and it was still clean when I got it back.

Stev-o · « **Reply #41 on:** July 07, 2012, 12:00:12 PM »

Thanks for the info, I have one that I need to try it on.

So, what's next?

Scott S · « **Reply #42 on:** July 07, 2012, 04:11:07 PM »

I need to get the frame brace welded on. Waiting on the tail light to show up so we can fab up a mount. Get the carbs in/on the bike. Swap out the guts of the alternator so that I have matching plugs for the wiring harness.

I also ordered a new piston for the caliper. That's the only part that I haven't replaced and I still have a small weep coming from the bottom. Funny, the piston looks OK. some small pits, but I've used worse with no problems. I guess they're just in the right place....or WRONG place.

Greggo · « **Reply #43 on:** July 07, 2012, 09:49:02 PM »

Will you be painting the tank and covers?

Scott S · « **Reply #44 on:** July 08, 2012, 07:19:52 AM »

Nope.

Not now, anyway. This is a budget build and I plan on leaving them "as is", dents, warts and scratches included.
Usually, if I remove a part, I clean, paint, polish or restore it. It's been fun doing this project and not really worrying about making everything pretty and perfect.

Cheffish · « **Reply #45 on:** July 08, 2012, 07:29:24 AM »

Bikes looking really good. I LOVE those wheels!

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #46 on:** July 08, 2012, 10:34:03 PM »

The mag wheels look great!

Gurp · « **Reply #47 on:** July 08, 2012, 11:34:36 PM »

Loving the build so far

Scott S · « **Reply #48 on:** July 09, 2012, 10:43:17 AM »

Swapped out the guts of the stator/rotor so that it would match the plug on the CB550 wiring harness. Also got the carbs installed. I pieced together a complete air box from left over parts from three diffent 'boxes. Since the plenum and filter housing were from a later 550 and the engine is an early 500, I just plugged the breather nipples with vacuum barbs. This engine didn't have any of that breather/PVC stuff on it to begin with, being an early '71 build date. The engine breather is even on the LH side and not the RH side, so I could even run it to the air box.

The first pic also shows the footpegs and brake lever installed. I have enough spare CB400F pegs to build a set of "rear sets", but I think I'm going to run the stock stuff right now. I actually prefer the feel of the rear brake with the stock lever. Plus, I'm considering a handle bar change. I'll see how (un)comfortable it is with the clubmans and stock pegs first.

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #49 on:** July 09, 2012, 12:04:34 PM »

dude, that white header is giving your bike tons of old school street cred...and I am surprised that I actually like how it looks...takes some balls to choose something that different...enjoy it while it lasts

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Author Topic: Project: STF (Sweep The Floor Bike) (Read 17817 times)