Author Topic: 1974 CB550 Four Backyard Build (Atl) (Read 33089 times)

Main Street · « **Reply #25 on:** October 16, 2012, 08:03:34 AM »

I'm following this! I like the way things are going. Keep up the good work.

stereosilence · « **Reply #26 on:** October 16, 2012, 08:19:57 AM »

I just read an interesting thread about the ole' "can I polish this and then clear coat it" question. There were some really good reviews about a clear coating product from POR15. You might check that out when you get the tank stripped.

christopherk · « **Reply #27 on:** November 10, 2012, 08:57:41 PM »

following, did you have to do any major mods for the gl1000 shocks?

cprice9 · « **Reply #28 on:** November 12, 2012, 06:44:15 PM »

nope, just put it on the lift and bolted them right on. Sorry for the lack of updates, seeing as this is my first build and Im just hacking away at #$%* I took it to a shop dow the street to have their tech give it a look, make sure Im not going to ton up and die. Pics to come soon.

Strangexj86 · « **Reply #29 on:** November 13, 2012, 02:12:27 AM »

keep going with the updates. We have VERY similar bikes. Looking forward to your progress.

greenjeans · « **Reply #30 on:** November 13, 2012, 06:01:25 AM »

Your progress is great. That's going to be a good-looking bike when you are done - you have a good eye.
I feel for ya - I built my first bike outside on a concrete pad. Then, I worked out of a 8 x 10 shed for years and now I'm lucky enough to have space.

I like the look of the SS tank and that low profile hump on the back. Suits the bike. Those Carpy pipes look great as well. Since your in ATL, stop by Fuller hotrods next time he has a shop party - He's got some crazy CBs in there.

keep the updates coming.

Garystratos201 · « **Reply #31 on:** November 13, 2012, 11:00:40 AM »

Hi cprice9 I`m in Covington Not far from you guys. My project is still a ways off but maybe we can hook up for a ride some time soon..........Gary

Jay D. · « **Reply #32 on:** November 13, 2012, 01:22:46 PM »

Great progress so far. Any interest in some extra project funds via sale of the orange tank and side covers?

Strangexj86 · « **Reply #33 on:** December 28, 2012, 11:35:57 PM »

updates?

WhyNot2 · « **Reply #34 on:** December 29, 2012, 06:21:46 AM »

Yeah........updates pleeeeezzzzz.......!!!!

Strangexj86 · « **Reply #35 on:** March 08, 2013, 07:16:02 PM »

update?

cprice9 · « **Reply #36 on:** April 25, 2013, 05:56:06 PM »

UPDATES!!!!

sorry for the disappearing act, long story short I bought a house and had a baby so needless to say some things got put on the back burner... however Im now in the thick of it with this machine and man do I have questions!

The bike basically sat for the last few months, I only got it running once after fooling around with the electrical so I was pretty bummed. Since moving to the new house I still dont have a garage, yet, but I do have a porch and basement so work should be easier. After sitting though I have decided to take it down to the frame and do it as right as I can.

SHUT UP AND POST PICS!

Heres where Im at as of the last 2 days.

And today with the motor out!

I have another update or two to post so I will break those off in another update. Thanks for the encouragement.

cprice9 · « **Reply #37 on:** April 25, 2013, 05:59:48 PM »

So I have always thought raw steel would be a great look, however recently Ive been thing of raw steel with a little paint. Ive only had time for a couple of photoshop mockups, here are the questions I have for you all.

1. should I black out the rims, spokes, and hubs?

2. black the lower fork arms?

3. gloss or matte black for the exhaust?

Here are the mock ups, would love your opinions

cprice9 · « **Reply #38 on:** April 25, 2013, 06:07:47 PM »

Now for the bad

First off it is outrageous to put a motor together with phillips head bolts, F U 1970's Honda engineers. Having said that, and after having drilled out the left side sprocket cover I found a ton of gunk, and some metal fragments!!!

After further exploration the metal fragments have come from a broken oil pump housing wall on the case and the cover. It appears that a broken chain is the most likely culprit.

It doesn't appear that a repair is possible, the only solution I can imagine would be replacing the entire engine case which Im not trying to do.

My question deals with importance, does the oil pump have to be completely isolated from chain splatter or is it something that can be cleaned up and left alone? How make or break is this? Has anyone dealt with this issue before?

Thanks.

cheftuskey121 · « **Reply #39 on:** April 25, 2013, 06:42:54 PM »

so glad to see this again! I have a friend in Avondale Estates and I may be moving there soon. he has a cb360 cafe/brat and I'm sure would love to have another guy right near him to ride with. if you want to PM me your deets I can give them to him. as soon as I finish my build I plan to ride up there and we can all go riding

Bankerdanny · « **Reply #40 on:** April 25, 2013, 07:55:31 PM »

The problem with the case screws is that they aren't Phillips, they are JIS. They look very much like Philips, but the profile is different and a regular Phillips head screwdriver doesn't grip well.

cinqmars2 · « **Reply #41 on:** April 26, 2013, 02:26:19 AM »

Glad to see this build back up again! Been stalking it since the start

In regards to your question about blacking out the wheels, I really, REALLY dig them chromed man, with black rims you lose a lot of the character of the tyres, chrome rims make them stand out.

And Bankerdanny, that tip about the philips/JIS difference has just changed my life, ha!

Bankerdanny · « **Reply #42 on:** April 26, 2013, 08:32:04 AM »

I only know about the difference because of postings from others here over the 2 years I have been a member. before then, despite owning several old Japanese bikes starting when I was 15 in 1980, I would have had no idea that they weren't just phillips heads.

However, despite knowing this I still haven't bought a couple JIS screw drivers. I suppose I will do that before I really get going on my 550 project. The screws on it are in good shape and I would like to keep them that way.

cprice9 · « **Reply #43 on:** April 26, 2013, 08:56:08 AM »

yeah the debate rages in my head when it comes to blacking these wheels. As they stand they are in good shape so Im going to leave them for now but I will say it looks slick to have everything black except fork tubes, engine, and raw steel on top.

Thanks for the tip about JIS bits, I had no clue, apparently neither did the folks before me who stripped all of these bolts.

Today Im grinding away whats left of the tabs that remain, and sanding down pieces before paint tomorrow. Im going to get everything ready thats outside and then it is down to the basement for a couple of weeks to work out this engine and carbs.

Anyone have any suggestions/leads on a good set of fork tubes, these are roached beyond a polish and I need a budget friendly solution.

cprice9 · « **Reply #44 on:** April 26, 2013, 09:00:39 AM »

Quote from: cheftuskey121 on April 25, 2013, 06:42:54 PM

so glad to see this again! I have a friend in Avondale Estates and I may be moving there soon. he has a cb360 cafe/brat and I'm sure would love to have another guy right near him to ride with. if you want to PM me your deets I can give them to him. as soon as I finish my build I plan to ride up there and we can all go riding

Im down for ride buds, never really had anyone to ride with. Id actually love to see a little SOHC club start up around the Decatur, Oakhurst, Eastlake, Kirkwood area as Im sure we could get some rad sh!t done with a bunch of minds on these bikes... plus theres a brit cafe bike club rolling about east atl and itd be fun to get in leather jacket rockabilly knife fights with em, or just grab beers whichever. I will send my email over to ya.

Bankerdanny · « **Reply #45 on:** April 26, 2013, 09:02:23 AM »

Have you looked in the for sale section of the forum? You can also post a 'wanted' thread. I am sure that someone has a spare set that they would be happy to let go.

WhyNot2 · « **Reply #46 on:** April 26, 2013, 09:07:43 AM »

Quote from: cprice9 on April 26, 2013, 09:00:39 AM

Quote from: cheftuskey121 on April 25, 2013, 06:42:54 PM
so glad to see this again! I have a friend in Avondale Estates and I may be moving there soon. he has a cb360 cafe/brat and I'm sure would love to have another guy right near him to ride with. if you want to PM me your deets I can give them to him. as soon as I finish my build I plan to ride up there and we can all go riding

Im down for ride buds, never really had anyone to ride with. Id actually love to see a little SOHC club start up around the Decatur, Oakhurst, Eastlake, Kirkwood area as Im sure we could get some rad sh!t done with a bunch of minds on these bikes... plus theres a brit cafe bike club rolling about east atl and itd be fun to get in leather jacket rockabilly knife fights with em, or just grab beers whichever. I will send my email over to ya.

Wish I had the confidence in mine to join y'all.

stereosilence · « **Reply #47 on:** April 26, 2013, 11:01:45 AM »

I'm just south of avondale near I-20. I'm down...except my bike is still in ziplock bags.

I just ordered a full stainless bolt kit (hex caps) for like $45. Looks great and should save a lot of effort. Got it from someone on the forum. Great guy.

I like non-black on the spokes, helps you be able to see them. You might could try a cast iron color to match the tank. Seems like everybody does the "blacked-out" thing these days. It makes me think that the bike was crappy so they just covered it up so you can't see the imperfections. Or maybe I think cause I did it on my SV1000 fairing.

davidtime · « **Reply #48 on:** April 26, 2013, 03:22:56 PM »

I had the problem with the stripped out JIS heads and I went to harbor freight and got an impact driver to take them out. Just had to hit the handle on the driver and bam they were lose. Best $7.00 tool I bought in my life.

After reading about your project I may be looking for that tank, did you have to modify it any?. I was thinking about a 500T tank but yours looks much better.

cprice9 · « **Reply #49 on:** April 26, 2013, 04:16:14 PM »

The wheels are in such good shape i think im going to leave them alone, still unsure about the lower fork tubes though.

Stereosilence Id be interested to see what u think about the stainless hex, theres sets on ebay Ive been thinking about snatching up.

News:

Author Topic: 1974 CB550 Four Backyard Build (Atl) (Read 33089 times)