Topic: Project UFB 1975 cb550 (exhaust done)

[MoMo]

Matt, if you leave it black the fork ears will need to be painted black .  Right now the eye is drawn to them as the ears are the brightest part of the bike but if you paint silver as David suggested the chrome could work. see you soon...Larry

[RAFster122s]

Silver would look good I think. Seen the script honda in red? That would loook nice I think. Unique.

[goldarrow]

Pink polka dots on the tank body to match the baby's outfit?! Just kidding

Nice looking bike.  I'll go look for your blinkers now

[RAFster122s]

This is the script honda logo I was talking about...
Someone else had posted a photo of them...  They come in several different colors...don't have the backing like the traditional tank badges and they aren't as thick...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chrome-HONDA-long-script-3D-logo-emblem-decal-badge-sticker-/171015246857?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item27d14d9409&vxp=mtr

[Mcwilliams570]

This is the script honda logo I was talking about...
Someone else had posted a photo of them...  They come in several different colors...don't have the backing like the traditional tank badges and they aren't as thick...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chrome-HONDA-long-script-3D-logo-emblem-decal-badge-sticker-/171015246857?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item27d14d9409&vxp=mtr

Those are very nice looking but think I am going to stick with the blocky ones I have now.

Matt, if you leave it black the fork ears will need to be painted black .  Right now the eye is drawn to them as the ears are the brightest part of the bike but if you paint silver as David suggested the chrome could work. see you soon...Larry

Yeah Larry I havent painted the fork ears yet. I was going to leave them chrome because the heat shield on the muffler was going to be chrome and would tie it all in. I am going to leave them for now till I have got the mufflers done and the paint decided on. I think if I do paint them I will look on the forum and see if anyone wants to trade for some rough ones these are in very good condition and someone might want them for a restoration.

Silver would look good I think. Seen the script honda in red? That would loook nice I think. Unique.

Still undecided on the color original I was going to paint it the original orange color with some flat black stripes and black and white Honda lettering. Not sure now though the other night I was looking at carbon fiber wrap that goes on looks interesting and is very cheap to do

Right now my  hold up is finding a electrical panel and starting on the mufflers bought some exhaust pipe yesterday will start on that this week.

Matt

[Mcwilliams570]

Pink polka dots on the tank body to match the baby's outfit?! Just kidding

Nice looking bike.  I'll go look for your blinkers now

I think if I did that goldarrow Terry from Australia might be into the pink polka dots and that scares me 

Matt

[Mcwilliams570]

Well finally finished one side of the mufflers. This took me about 4 weeks to do with the new baby am lucky if I get out for 30 min to work on something lol. The muffler mounts are tacked on for right now and everything is just finger tight  adjustments will be done later just wanted to get a look at them.

The last few weeks I had the mufflers longer going to almost the end of the tail but I didn't like the look. The end of the tail narrows alot and there was a big gap between the mufflers and the body work that didn't look good. So I made them shorter and looks alright.

I also played around with the exhaust being chrome and the extra crispy thigh guards being black looked good but wanted to see it all black looks alright but when I do the other side will do it with chrome and black guards just to see what looks better.

I need to make a baffle for it so am thinking a chrome or black ring on the end with the baffle attached to it. If anyone has any advice on making a baffle please give me the homer simpson version of it. I will do some research before I tackle that project.

I will admit guys I am so far out of my comfort zone on this bike and the exhaust it is fun but so frustrating at the same time. I have the ideas just making them work is such a challenge. Yes I could throw money at it and have someone do it for me but I would have to deal with the wife and hmm nope that's not a fun conversation. I told my wife a long time ago I would give my left nut (well to be honest left or right doesn't really matter) to see Led Zeppelin live in 1972. I told her the other night I would give right nut to be able to fabricate what I have in my mind. Oh well I enjoy the hell out of doing these bikes.

Matt

[Mcwilliams570]

Car pictures Dad almost has his project done needs to finish up the fine tuning, graphics and roll bar. Enjoy









Matt

[MoMo]

Matt, your Dad's car is awesome.   I'd love to go cruising in that.  see you soon...Larry

[Mcwilliams570]

Hello all not much of a update still playing around with the exhaust, then finish the electrical and paint the bodywork and should be ready around July.

I would like some opinions on jetting this bike. I want to order some jets so when it comes to tune it I have several options of jets. The engine is stock the carbs have stacks on them (I know I know I raise my hand they look cool) and the exhaust is going to be rather open going to try and make some type of a baffle. Can anyone give me and idea on what size jets I should try will go up a few sizes and down a few sizes of what you guys recommend so I can fine tune it.

Any help would be very much appreciated.

Thanks Matt

[Mcwilliams570]

Washed the bike yesterday lol. Main sewer on the street got backed up with all the rain we had. All my parts and stuff are on racks and such no damage..



Matt

[davidtime]

Good thing you organize on the shelves. I have too much stuff on my floors. My new work bench is a perfectly restored rosewood table that got some damage in our last rain.

[Bankerdanny]

I bought those logos for my project. The basic script is very cool, but in person they definitely look like $7 items.

I need to have somebody turn them into a CAD file and have a set cut out of 1/4" aluminum on a water jet. Some beveling and polishing and they would be perfect.

[Mcwilliams570]

Not much of a update been working on the wiring. I moved the battery and the electrical panel in a few inches was worried about the heat from the exhaust. Got most of the electrical working just need to figure out the starter button and the right side turn signals come on wont blink.

I just haven't had much time lately with work and the new baby but good new's mom just sold her house in New Mexico and bought a house 2 streets away. I am looking forward to this I have been away from family for 15 yrs and will enjoy this. Its going to be a busy few weeks but when things settle down will finish the bike up not much left to do on it.

Matt

[Mcwilliams570]

I bought those logos for my project. The basic script is very cool, but in person they definitely look like $7 items.

I need to have somebody turn them into a CAD file and have a set cut out of 1/4" aluminum on a water jet. Some beveling and polishing and they would be perfect.

I looked at those they are nice looking but just don't think they are what I am looking for this project now if you get some that have been water jetted and beveled I could change my mind 

Matt

[Mcwilliams570]

Working on the paint I am not sure about the color I think i want it a darker orange lol. #$^#^% is bright

Things I have left to do.

-finish the paint
-finish the exhaust
-rebuild front M/C
-make a seat
-mount the foot pegs
-make mirrors
-make fly screen and skid plate



Thanks Matt

[Tews19]

What's the hold up on the exhaust?

[Mcwilliams570]

What's the hold up on the exhaust?

Having a hard time finding someone that can help me make the headers....

Matt

[ogsmakdade]

another awesome build, PM sent!

[Mcwilliams570]

Well i forest gumped my way on making the headers myself lol. I used four back headers from a yamaha vmax for the bends and about 6 cb550 headers for the straight parts. Was being cheap used what I had around. I don't have a pipe bender and I am not a great welder but this is how it turned out.









I am still playing around with the heat shields but I gotta say I don't like the way it came out not exactly what I had pictured when I started this. I think for now I am going to take off the body work and exhaust find a beat up exhaust and sidecovers and ride it like that for a bit until I decide on how I want to finish this one up.



Thanks for everyone who has helped me on this.

Well guess its time for the next crazy project 

Matt

[rb550four]

I was looking up welding and metal fabrication in your area .... slim pickins , most of these outfits are in PA. Most of your other companies are large commercial except this guy
http://www.rickthewelder.com/
 He travels , in your state, does small jobs.... maybe worth a call  ?
 We have guys like this up here , they pride themselves on their capabilities and wide range of experience , and for the most part, are fearless.

 Holy cow, my apologies, I thought that you were still having issue finding a welder, I didn't realize that you actually finished the pipes, my bad, sorry . I always liked the idea and the angle with the body. couldn't tell by pic if it was done or not, sorry again. RB

[Mcwilliams570]

Thanks RB.Its about as done as I can do right now will just let it sit for a bit while I think things out. Its got me excited cause I can start the next project and go back to it during the downtime.

Matt

[rb550four]

That is exciting! When will the new project thread be available to us?
 It's winter up here (in the teens) today, so there isn't much shop time, and to get my daily motorcycle fix  I have to live vicariously through others. no pressure.

[rb550four]

Matt, I was wondering,  have you fired it up with the finished pipes? What's it sound like? 

[SF]

Just found this, nice