Topic: Just another 71 CB750 K1 (After over a year, I finally got some 4 into 4 pipes!)

[mwvachon]

With regard to the rebuild of the speed-o/tach, you noted that you powder coated the housings. I noted that the crimp rings have almost no clearance and I've managed to scuff/scratch the finish putting them back together when I've done these previously with just paint. In my experience, powder coat tends to be thicker than paint. Hints, comments?

[edhaeuser]

With regard to the rebuild of the speed-o/tach, you noted that you powder coated the housings. I noted that the crimp rings have almost no clearance and I've managed to scuff/scratch the finish putting them back together when I've done these previously with just paint. In my experience, powder coat tends to be thicker than paint. Hints, comments?

Yes it was a tight fit.  More so on the side that had the bent housing to begin with.  If I was to do it again I would tape the outer housing with thin tape before trying to slide the ring on.  I think that thin tape would protect the finish...even though it would make sliding the ring on more difficult.  I did end up with some small scratches on one side.

I hope this helps,

[edhaeuser]

Here is a quick update.

First of all, I cannot recommend that anyone use the budget rims from DSS.  The front was acceptable but the rear ended up being unacceptable.  I thought I could make it work by drilling out the spoke holes but in the end it did not work.  Even with drilling the holes to the angle that the spoke comes from, there was unacceptable bending of the spokes when I trued up the rim.  So I will be taking this rim off and ordering a DID rim for the rear.  I will leave the front as is because I did not run into the same problem there.

Here is a picture of the rear after trueing it up.  You can see that some of the spokes have an unnatural bend to them.

[edhaeuser]

Next. I am trying something totally different for the wheels.  I am going tubeless on spoked wheels.

I met a gentleman while I was working in Japan last year who manufactures motorcycle parts.  One of his products is a tubeless kit for spoked rims.  He is a great guy and we have become good friends.  I have discussed the possibility of distributing these kits and some of his exhaust systems in the US.  I finally have the opportunity to try one of the tubless kits so I am giving it a shot.

Here is a youtube video of him installing the kit on a wheel:


Tubeless kit for rim / Supermoto, DUCATI, OUTEX

Of course mine did not end up that neat.

First, I ground down any spokes that protruded from the nipple



Then I covered the nipples with the supplied tape dots from the kit.  I assume these allow the nipple to be adjusted after the kit is installed.  It is very important to degrease and clean the rim before starting.





Then I installed the double sided tape.  This is some really interesting stuff.  Very soft and gooey tape with a green colored plastic backing which gets peeled off after application.  It was a challenge to get this tape down into the concave rim, but not impossible.  It looks pretty rough with the backing still on it, but better after removing the backing.



tape applied and removing the backing



Then I applied the protective plastic tape that goes over the double sided tape.



Here is the tire pumped up and ready to go!



And, here are some of the advantages of the tubeless kit according to my friend Masato.  (the guy who produces the kit)

1. Greatly reduced risk of blowouts
2. Improved handling, less unsprung weight
3. Race proven and popular with many factory riders in Japan
4. Easy application and durable construction
5. Tyre changes made quick and easy
6. Specialised, clear, triple layer construction
7. Easily repairable in the event of a snapped spoke

Not listed here, and one of the main advantages for me is the fact that if you do get a puncture,  it is usually a much slower loss of air and you don't have to remove the wheel to do a roadside repair.  All that one needs to do is install a tubeless type plug in the tire and be on your way.

[edhaeuser]

I had sent out to have most of the hardware to be plated but of course I missed some.  Luckily, I have a caswell plating kit to do the pieces I missed.  After working on plating this morning I realized why I sent most of the parts out.  It is very time consuming to prep and plate even a few items.

It took me almost all morning to plate these parts and a few others.



I am also soaking most of the chrome pieces in vinegar tonight to ssee how that works.

[cheftuskey121]

Wow man looks great! that tubeless conversion sure is awesome. If I had that I would have had my tires mounted a while ago instead of mucking around with the tubes. let us know how longevity is! also what are the exhaust systems you mentioned of your buddy? I still have some rust to take care of on the tail light mount, not much though. I haven't posted an update in my thread in ages, but its just because its so time consuming and I either have time to practice for music gigs, or work on the bike, or work, or sleep. thats my life. too much time typing and uploading/linking pictures is not in the cards right now. update soon though I promise. keep at it Ed, I love watching your build!

[edhaeuser]

Wow man looks great! that tubeless conversion sure is awesome. If I had that I would have had my tires mounted a while ago instead of mucking around with the tubes. let us know how longevity is! also what are the exhaust systems you mentioned of your buddy? I still have some rust to take care of on the tail light mount, not much though. I haven't posted an update in my thread in ages, but its just because its so time consuming and I either have time to practice for music gigs, or work on the bike, or work, or sleep. thats my life. too much time typing and uploading/linking pictures is not in the cards right now. update soon though I promise. keep at it Ed, I love watching your build!

I was wondering what happened to you.  It sure has been a while. 

Masato makes some sweet Yoshimura style hand bent exhaust systems.  I may buy one for my CB400f if I ever have some spare cash :-)  Nothing for the CB750 though.  I'll be watching for updates.  Mine will be pretty much stopped after this week for a while as I have to head out to work for another 17 day stretch. Ugh.

[Stev-o]

Nice write up on the tubeless conversion. Interesting.

[Retro Rocket]

Nice write up on the tubeless conversion. Interesting.

+1

[Garystratos201]

Nice work on the tubeless conversion. The only problem I could see with plugging the tire would be where the hole is. Its my understanding that you cant plug in the sidewall or the curve at the edge of the tire............Gary

[edhaeuser]

Nice work on the tubeless conversion. The only problem I could see with plugging the tire would be where the hole is. Its my understanding that you cant plug in the sidewall or the curve at the edge of the tire............Gary

Yes, a sidewall puncture would be an issue Gary.  I guess then I would have to put a tube in it or replace the tire. 

Ed

[iron_worker]

A sidewall puncture on a bike is probably a pretty unlikely event.

It's too bad we went through what we did with our wheels ... but when I think back, trying to buy a wheel for ~$50 is probably expecting too much.

I also hear ya on the zinc plating. Our builds are very similar in a lot of ways.

IW

[Bankerdanny]

One other risk of the tubeless conversion is that a tubeless specific rim has a ridge to help keep the tire on the rim in the event of a loss in pressure. Our rims won't have that.

[Vinhead1957]

Why not run a tube and tubeless tire? Simple solution rather than worry about a seal. Any sidewall puncture the tire is junk no plug no tube just get new tire

[mwvachon]

With regard to the spoke fitment - I have to wonder if perhaps there is something else amiss? I've laced a number of wheels, and the only time I've run into a similar situation was when I had the wrong length spoke (throws off the whole geometry). I also wondered if you had before pictures (or even stock wheel images) to verify your lacing pattern? There is no way those spokes should be bent over like that... Just my two Lincolns...

[Retro Rocket]

Nice work on the tubeless conversion. The only problem I could see with plugging the tire would be where the hole is. Its my understanding that you cant plug in the sidewall or the curve at the edge of the tire............Gary

Plugs have been banned i motorcycle tires in OZ for nearly 30 years...

[iron_worker]

With regard to the spoke fitment - I have to wonder if perhaps there is something else amiss? I've laced a number of wheels, and the only time I've run into a similar situation was when I had the wrong length spoke (throws off the whole geometry). I also wondered if you had before pictures (or even stock wheel images) to verify your lacing pattern? There is no way those spokes should be bent over like that... Just my two Lincolns...

I can back up his claim to the spoke fitment being off. Same thing happened with my rear rim from DSS. I'm almost 100% sure the spoke nipple holes are not angled quite right. Even if you drilled them out slightly the "shoulder" of the hole would still tend to pull the nipple out of line and cause the wave in the spokes you see.

Pretty sure it's just a case of cheap wheels = poor quality.

IW

[edhaeuser]

One other risk of the tubeless conversion is that a tubeless specific rim has a ridge to help keep the tire on the rim in the event of a loss in pressure. Our rims won't have that.

True, our rims do not have the shoulder.  I asked about that and he said no problem.  He has been running tubeless for quite some time on his race bikes so I am not too worried about it

Ed 

[edhaeuser]

With regard to the spoke fitment - I have to wonder if perhaps there is something else amiss? I've laced a number of wheels, and the only time I've run into a similar situation was when I had the wrong length spoke (throws off the whole geometry). I also wondered if you had before pictures (or even stock wheel images) to verify your lacing pattern? There is no way those spokes should be bent over like that... Just my two Lincolns...

I'm 99.999 percent sure they are laced correctly.  The holes in the divot in the rim are off by quite a bit from the stock rim.  This causes the spoke to want to run at less of an angle than the stock rim.  If I were to make a guess, I would say that these rims are meant for a smaller diameter hub running slightly longer spokes.  then the angle out of the rim would be less.

Here is a picture comparing my original rim (on top) and the DSS rim.  The area with the arrows is what I am referring to.  The stock rim has a .5 mm distance from the edge of the hole to the main rim.  The DSS rim has over 2mm distance.  See Arrows on photo.  If I run a nipple and spoke through the old rim superimposed over the new rim, the spoke naturally wants to point directly at the correct hole in the hub.....not so with the DSS rim


Thanks for backing me up IW :-)



 

[edhaeuser]

Why not run a tube and tubeless tire? Simple solution rather than worry about a seal. Any sidewall puncture the tire is junk no plug no tube just get new tire

Because I can and I like to be different.  And the other reasons listed in my first post :-)

The way I see it, I will replace the tire either way with a sidewall puncture.  if I get a puncture in the contact area with the tubless setup, I can just put a plug inthe tire until I get home.  No having to remove from the bike and pulling the tube for roadside repairs.

[Vinhead1957]

Ah bubblegum  will get you home!

[edhaeuser]

Ah bubblegum  will get you home!

Ha Ha...yeah, that pretty much sums it up

[edhaeuser]

On a lighter note......This baby oughta purrrrr like a kitten!!!!!!!

[Garystratos201]

Ahhhhh kitty power !!!......Gary

[iron_worker]

Have you have it dyno'ed to see how many kitties you're getting to the rear wheel? 

Is that the correct routing of the wiring harness? Underneath the frame?

IW