Author Topic: 1977 CB550F IDK (first build) (Read 178492 times)

minimo · « **Reply #150 on:** April 29, 2014, 05:10:08 PM »

That wasn't so bad. I got a Motion Pro Armor Rim Strip stuck on the inside and with a Motion Pro Bead Buddy and a pair of Motion Pro tire irons, I stuffed a partially inflated BikeMaster tube and worked on a 19" Dunlop K70 tire; all by myself.
Booyah!

minimo · « **Reply #151 on:** April 29, 2014, 05:10:50 PM »

Oh, and with LOADS of 99¢ Store baby powder for lube.

minimo · « **Reply #152 on:** April 29, 2014, 08:39:39 PM »

So it turns out I have one of those darn 16" rear wheels on my 550. FML.

There's an amusing thread about it here: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=37892.0

In addition to this, I went against the Hondaman grain and got myself a pair of Dunlop K70 tires, with the 19" at the front and mistakingly/hastily purchased 18" for the rear (not realizing my rear is 16").

Damnit. I suppose this 16" rear wheel now has more worth than the tire since it's spoked and trued by Buchanan's. I've been searching but I guess Dunlop doesn't make a 16" K70 rear tire.

Thoughts?

Should I just get a different set of tires? Will Bike Bandit accept returns (after front tires has been mounted)?

Or

Should I shop for an 18" spoked wheel?

minimo · « **Reply #153 on:** April 29, 2014, 09:12:54 PM »

Chopped rear and preparing hoop (upswept version courtesy of sohc4's very own, harisuluv)

minimo · « **Reply #154 on:** April 29, 2014, 09:31:05 PM »

Chopped/hooped

Tank mocked

Rear hoop may need a little trim

jtran000 · « **Reply #155 on:** April 29, 2014, 10:33:06 PM »

great work sofar! very inspirational and keep up the good work! going to pick your brain when i start tearing into my engine

minimo · « **Reply #156 on:** May 02, 2014, 10:12:31 PM »

Thanks, jtran000! Slow as it goes... Your bike is coming along handsomely; and it's running!

I ended up getting a pair of Dunlop D404s - 19" in the front and 16" rear. These were actually the tires that Dunlop Consumer Affairs recommended to me as being higher performance and better speed rating than the K70s.

Meanwhile, I sent Bike Bandit back the uninstalled K70 18" rear so I'm stuck with a 19" front which I'll uninstall tomorrow. Anyone interested in buying it from me? A never ridden on (once installed) 3.5-19 front Dunlop K70? $50. I'll pay half of shipping. Local pickup encouraged :-)

dave500 · « **Reply #157 on:** May 03, 2014, 05:42:55 AM »

use Dunlop 501 or Pirelli sport demons,those others are cruiser tyres man!

minimo · « **Reply #158 on:** May 03, 2014, 08:50:34 AM »

Thanks, dave500. I hear ya but as a first time rider, I think I'll be cruisin' at average speeds of 30 mph on straight roads :-)

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #159 on:** May 03, 2014, 02:27:46 PM »

You won't be doing 30 mph in LA for long -- or you will have people honking at you to get out of the way.

IMHO, there is ZERO harm in getting a better tire that offers better performance. It will offer better traction and be safer for you.

minimo · « **Reply #160 on:** May 03, 2014, 02:29:45 PM »

Word.

Still, the Dunlop D404 are higher rated than the K70 tires. But damn, I like that knobby look.

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #161 on:** May 03, 2014, 02:33:00 PM »

Quote from: minimo on May 03, 2014, 02:29:45 PM

Word.

Still, the Dunlop D404 are higher rated than the K70 tires. But damn, I like that knobby look.

I ride in LA, OC and the IE. I don't like to ride in rain. If you are going to be riding on surface streets, get a street tire. The knobby tires might look cool, but they will offer inferior traction on an asphalt/concrete riding surface. I don't want to be a buzz kill, but go for function over looks, especially if you are an inexperienced rider. You want every advantage you can get. People in LA drive like crap!

minimo · « **Reply #162 on:** May 03, 2014, 02:37:29 PM »

Thanks, CB750! I hear you, loud and clear. Per Dunlop, here are specs on the D404:
http://www.dunlopmotorcycle.com/tire-catalog/road/street/d404/
An all-around good-performing tire available in many sizes to fit a wide variety of standard, cruiser and older bikes.
Tread compound helps deliver impressive balance of mileage and grip.
Front and rear tread patterns enhance water evacuation and wet grip.
Bias-ply construction helps deliver a smooth ride for enhanced comfort.
Offset center groove for enhanced straight-line stability.
Dunlop performance in a great value package.
The D404 is not meant to be used on Harley-Davidson motorcycles.

minimo · « **Reply #163 on:** May 03, 2014, 06:41:25 PM »

Do I need some special seal or washer to make my valve stem fit? The hole is way too big.

minimo · « **Reply #164 on:** May 03, 2014, 07:36:00 PM »

Thanks, calj737.
I'll look into that retaining washer. I'll call BikeBandit on Monday.
I measured the hole diameter with my calipers and it's roughly 15mm. Could it follow that a TR-15 type stem work in this situation?

Some other notable details regarding my rear rim/tire:

- fitting a Dunlop D404 130/90-16
- the valve stem hole on the rim is offset (found opposite of the chain sprocket side)

minimo · « **Reply #165 on:** May 03, 2014, 07:50:49 PM »

Awesome. Thanks, calj737!

minimo · « **Reply #166 on:** May 04, 2014, 04:03:37 PM »

Bob @Johnson & Wood in NoHo sorted me out on my rear tube conundrum. The PO probably stuck on this wheel from an old Harley. Ultimately, I had to get a 5.00/5.10-16 TR15 (offset) inner tube to make it all work. This setup with the 16" rear was a common mod back in the day.
Got my dose of gym-time today muscling these rubbers on with my handy Motion Pro tire irons. Getting the hang of this B)

Next, a mock up of the rear wheel in position so I know how far I want the frame hoop to hang over it. I'm leaning toward a stubbier rear end with part of the fender cowling over the wheel. Does it sound like I know wth I'm talking about? IDK.

Tews19 · « **Reply #167 on:** May 04, 2014, 05:49:50 PM »

I have a 550 rear rim if you want... pay shipping and it's yours if you do not want to use the Harley wheel.

minimo · « **Reply #168 on:** May 04, 2014, 06:04:38 PM »

Tews19! Very kind and cool offer that I may take you up on. I will PM you. Thanks!

Tews19 · « **Reply #169 on:** May 04, 2014, 06:06:23 PM »

No problem. I can snap some pics. Send me number in PM and I can text you the pics.

minimo · « **Reply #170 on:** May 06, 2014, 09:18:04 PM »

Previz

minimo · « **Reply #171 on:** May 06, 2014, 09:22:53 PM »

Previz with hoop (trimmed down)
Ready for welding? Oh my

minimo · « **Reply #172 on:** May 06, 2014, 09:28:12 PM »

Should these pinched peaks be ground down and bead welded with the hoop?

neevo · « **Reply #173 on:** May 06, 2014, 11:23:51 PM »

Not sure about you, but personally I would remove the whole stamped bit, weld the hoop into the tube underneath with plugs in between. Then look to cut some new thick plate stock to put back in the corner so I could weld back in some new shock mounts. Would look much slicker plus probably a bit stronger than playing around with the stamped section.

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #174 on:** May 07, 2014, 12:09:11 AM »

Quote from: neevo on May 06, 2014, 11:23:51 PM

Not sure about you, but personally I would remove the whole stamped bit, weld the hoop into the tube underneath with plugs in between. Then look to cut some new thick plate stock to put back in the corner so I could weld back in some new shock mounts. Would look much slicker plus probably a bit stronger than playing around with the stamped section.

The whole backbone is stamped.

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Author Topic: 1977 CB550F IDK (first build) (Read 178492 times)