Author Topic: 1977 CB550F IDK (first build)  (Read 178532 times)

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Offline minimo

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Re: 1977 CB550F IDK (first build)
« 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!
« Last Edit: May 05, 2014, 10:01:15 AM by minimo »

Offline minimo

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Re: 1977 CB550F IDK (first build)
« Reply #151 on: April 29, 2014, 05:10:50 PM »
Oh, and with LOADS of 99ยข Store baby powder for lube.

Offline minimo

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Re: 1977 CB550F IDK (first build)
« 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?

Offline minimo

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Re: 1977 CB550F IDK (first build)
« Reply #153 on: April 29, 2014, 09:12:54 PM »

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

Offline minimo

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Re: 1977 CB550F IDK (first build)
« Reply #154 on: April 29, 2014, 09:31:05 PM »
Chopped/hooped

Tank mocked
Rear hoop may need a little trim

Offline jtran000

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Re: 1977 CB550F IDK (first build)
« 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 :D

Offline minimo

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Re: 1977 CB550F IDK (first build)
« 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 :-)

Offline dave500

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Re: 1977 CB550F IDK (first build)
« Reply #157 on: May 03, 2014, 05:42:55 AM »
use Dunlop 501 or Pirelli sport demons,those others are cruiser tyres man!

Offline minimo

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Re: 1977 CB550F IDK (first build)
« 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 :-)

Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: 1977 CB550F IDK (first build)
« 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.
1975 CB550K1 "Blue" Stockish Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=135005.0)
1975 CB550F1 frame/CB650 engine hybrid "The Hot Mess" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,150220.0.html)
2008 Triumph Thruxton (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,190956.0.html)
2014 MV Agusta Brutale Dragster 800
2015 Yamaha FZ-09 (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,186861.0.html)

"There are some things nobody needs in this world, and a bright-red, hunch-back, warp-speed 900cc cafe racer is one of them โ€” but I want one anyway, and on some days I actually believe I need one.... Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube. That is why God made fast motorcycles, Bubba." Hunter S. Thompson, Song of the Sausage Creature, Cycle World, March 1995.  (http://www.latexnet.org/~csmith/sausage.html and https://magazine.cycleworld.com/article/1995/3/1/song-of-the-sausage-creature)

Sold/Emeritus
1973 CB750K2 "Bionic Mongrel" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132734.0) - Sold
1977 CB750K7 "Nine Lives" Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=50490.0) - Sold
2005 RVT1000RR RC51-SP2 "El Diablo" - Sold
2016+ Triumph Thruxton 1200 R (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,170198.0.html) - Sold

Offline minimo

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Re: 1977 CB550F IDK (first build)
« 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.

Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: 1977 CB550F IDK (first build)
« Reply #161 on: May 03, 2014, 02:33:00 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!
1975 CB550K1 "Blue" Stockish Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=135005.0)
1975 CB550F1 frame/CB650 engine hybrid "The Hot Mess" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,150220.0.html)
2008 Triumph Thruxton (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,190956.0.html)
2014 MV Agusta Brutale Dragster 800
2015 Yamaha FZ-09 (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,186861.0.html)

"There are some things nobody needs in this world, and a bright-red, hunch-back, warp-speed 900cc cafe racer is one of them โ€” but I want one anyway, and on some days I actually believe I need one.... Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube. That is why God made fast motorcycles, Bubba." Hunter S. Thompson, Song of the Sausage Creature, Cycle World, March 1995.  (http://www.latexnet.org/~csmith/sausage.html and https://magazine.cycleworld.com/article/1995/3/1/song-of-the-sausage-creature)

Sold/Emeritus
1973 CB750K2 "Bionic Mongrel" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132734.0) - Sold
1977 CB750K7 "Nine Lives" Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=50490.0) - Sold
2005 RVT1000RR RC51-SP2 "El Diablo" - Sold
2016+ Triumph Thruxton 1200 R (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,170198.0.html) - Sold

Offline minimo

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Re: 1977 CB550F IDK (first build)
« 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.


Offline minimo

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Re: 1977 CB550F IDK (first build)
« 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.

Offline minimo

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Re: 1977 CB550F IDK (first build)
« 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)

Offline minimo

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Re: 1977 CB550F IDK (first build)
« Reply #165 on: May 03, 2014, 07:50:49 PM »
Awesome. Thanks, calj737!

Offline minimo

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Re: 1977 CB550F IDK (first build)
« 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.

Offline Tews19

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Re: 1977 CB550F IDK (first build)
« 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. 
1969 Honda CB750... Basket case
1970 Honda CB750 survivor.

Offline minimo

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Re: 1977 CB550F IDK (first build)
« 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!

Offline Tews19

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Re: 1977 CB550F IDK (first build)
« 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.
1969 Honda CB750... Basket case
1970 Honda CB750 survivor.

Offline minimo

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Re: 1977 CB550F IDK (first build)
« Reply #170 on: May 06, 2014, 09:18:04 PM »

Previz

Offline minimo

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Re: 1977 CB550F IDK (first build)
« Reply #171 on: May 06, 2014, 09:22:53 PM »

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

Offline minimo

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Re: 1977 CB550F IDK (first build)
« Reply #172 on: May 06, 2014, 09:28:12 PM »
Should these pinched peaks be ground down and bead welded with the hoop?

Offline neevo

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1977 CB550F IDK (first build)
« 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.

Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: 1977 CB550F IDK (first build)
« Reply #174 on: May 07, 2014, 12:09:11 AM »
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.
1975 CB550K1 "Blue" Stockish Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=135005.0)
1975 CB550F1 frame/CB650 engine hybrid "The Hot Mess" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,150220.0.html)
2008 Triumph Thruxton (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,190956.0.html)
2014 MV Agusta Brutale Dragster 800
2015 Yamaha FZ-09 (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,186861.0.html)

"There are some things nobody needs in this world, and a bright-red, hunch-back, warp-speed 900cc cafe racer is one of them โ€” but I want one anyway, and on some days I actually believe I need one.... Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube. That is why God made fast motorcycles, Bubba." Hunter S. Thompson, Song of the Sausage Creature, Cycle World, March 1995.  (http://www.latexnet.org/~csmith/sausage.html and https://magazine.cycleworld.com/article/1995/3/1/song-of-the-sausage-creature)

Sold/Emeritus
1973 CB750K2 "Bionic Mongrel" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132734.0) - Sold
1977 CB750K7 "Nine Lives" Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=50490.0) - Sold
2005 RVT1000RR RC51-SP2 "El Diablo" - Sold
2016+ Triumph Thruxton 1200 R (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,170198.0.html) - Sold