Topic: 78' CB550 Build Finished then broke.

[deafcaferacer]

For the air box/air plenum. I don't have any close up pics of my personal setup at the moment, but check out this picture I attached. Its pretty damn close to how I did mine. I made a plate with a 2" hole cut in the center and 4 x 1/4" holes to mount it to the exisiting mounting holes in the air box. Then weld a piece of 2" pipe to the 2" hole you cut in the plate and bolt that whole unit to the air box. I used some sealer behind to make sure it was a tight seal. Then just get any 2" i.d. filter you want and mount it with a hose clamp. I don't remember the model number I got.

Also, because you retain the Honda velocity stack and stock air plenum, the tuning is a lot easier. Part of the problem with pod filters is the disrupted air flowing into the carb throat is not flowing smoothly due to the outside air turbulence when driving. The plenum allows the air to 'settle' down before entering the velocity stacks. While the larger K&N in theory allows more air flow for my open exhaust, big bore kit, porting and cam setup. TwoTired is the guy to talk to about the science behind the velocity stacks and airbox.

Kenny

I'm really interested in this- for when I do my 550 build. Based on what I''ve read, I'm starting to veer away from the multiple pods setup. Thanks for the details on this. I wonder what type K&N filter would be appropriate for a 4 in 1 on a stock 550.

[DaveBarbier]

For the air box/air plenum. I don't have any close up pics of my personal setup at the moment, but check out this picture I attached. Its pretty damn close to how I did mine. I made a plate with a 2" hole cut in the center and 4 x 1/4" holes to mount it to the exisiting mounting holes in the air box. Then weld a piece of 2" pipe to the 2" hole you cut in the plate and bolt that whole unit to the air box. I used some sealer behind to make sure it was a tight seal. Then just get any 2" i.d. filter you want and mount it with a hose clamp. I don't remember the model number I got.

Also, because you retain the Honda velocity stack and stock air plenum, the tuning is a lot easier. Part of the problem with pod filters is the disrupted air flowing into the carb throat is not flowing smoothly due to the outside air turbulence when driving. The plenum allows the air to 'settle' down before entering the velocity stacks. While the larger K&N in theory allows more air flow for my open exhaust, big bore kit, porting and cam setup. TwoTired is the guy to talk to about the science behind the velocity stacks and airbox.

Kenny

I'm really interested in this- for when I do my 550 build. Based on what I''ve read, I'm starting to veer away from the multiple pods setup. Thanks for the details on this. I wonder what type K&N filter would be appropriate for a 4 in 1 on a stock 550.

Hey Deafcaferacer, I've been looking into this a lot lately and a guy on this forum has a write up of what a K&N rep told him what filter was sufficient and he added a link to the product.

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=79958.0

When we try this we need to let each other know what works, haha. I'm going to be doing this mod along with some 4-1 headers that came with my bike and a reverse cone muffler from dime city. Everything else stock.


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1978 Honda CB550K

[deafcaferacer]

Hey Deafcaferacer, I've been looking into this a lot lately and a guy on this forum has a write up of what a K&N rep told him what filter was sufficient and he added a link to the product.

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=79958.0

When we try this we need to let each other know what works, haha. I'm going to be doing this mod along with some 4-1 headers that came with my bike and a reverse cone muffler from dime city. Everything else stock.


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1978 Honda CB550K

Yeah I read that thread. Definitely will discuss this in my build thread. Do you have one? I am going to go with carpy pipes.

[K_Kalynuik]

That K&N filter that eworth posted in that link is almost identical to the one I am using in size, except mine is tubular and not conical in shape. 2" i.d. mount.

My setup, with the big bore, webcam a, mild port with 42 slow jets and 110 mains and open exhaust was almost perfect. It was running a bit rich but I will cure that this spring. 

[USCG_C130]

wow that seat is gorgeous i love the cut out light, awesome bike man you did a great job!

[SF]

Gord Bush Performance here in Toronto. Great guy and knows his stuff. Especially with these old Honda motors.
[/quote

Good stuff,he rebuilt my moms cb350. Can you tell me what he did for you exactly?

[K_Kalynuik]

wow that seat is gorgeous i love the cut out light, awesome bike man you did a great job!

Thanks Man

[K_Kalynuik]

Can you tell me what he did for you exactly?

I was waiting till I got my parts back from him to take some pics but here is a quick list of the new work he's doing

-inspecting and replacing all bearings if needed in bottom end and tranny
-Lighten, balance and knife edge the crank shaft, connecting rods and pistons
-Shot peening and polishing stock connecting rods for strength and stress reduction
-Installing brand new stock size kibblewhite valves and valve guides (seals, retainers and springs are brand new)
-Installing new hardened rocker arms

[DaveBarbier]

Yeah I read that thread. Definitely will discuss this in my build thread. Do you have one? I am going to go with carpy pipes.

Do I have a build thread? No, should I make one? I just did some basic stuff so far. Maybe I'll put one together. I have big dreams! Haha


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1978 Honda CB550K

[RustyOlive]

Interesting build. Good to see another Toronto bike.
Sorry about the bad luck with the engine.
I will using Gords services soon as well. Have a few engine builds coming up.

[K_Kalynuik]

Interesting build. Good to see another Toronto bike.
Sorry about the bad luck with the engine.
I will using Gords services soon as well. Have a few engine builds coming up.

Thanks Rusty! I hope to see you around this upcoming summer. Do you do east or west end riding more?

And yah I was just at Gord's shop and I never wanted to leave. He's got the coolest machines and a crap load of motors to look at.

[snowman]

Gorgeous bike and will follow to see the updates and your next build. Also Nice to see another fellow Canadian on the forum, aye.

[deafcaferacer]

Oops, forgot to apologize for my mini-jack of this thread. Looking forward to the next development.

[K_Kalynuik]

Thanks Snowman suitable name this time o year for you in Montreal. Go Habs!

No worries deafcafe. I'll report back in soon with some pictures of the motor.

[RustyOlive]

Interesting build. Good to see another Toronto bike.
Sorry about the bad luck with the engine.
I will using Gords services soon as well. Have a few engine builds coming up.

Thanks Rusty! I hope to see you around this upcoming summer. Do you do east or west end riding more?

And yah I was just at Gord's shop and I never wanted to leave. He's got the coolest machines and a crap load of motors to look at.

I used to ride with "the west end boys" chapter of dotheton. Back when I lived in Milton.
But now i live Danforth/Greenwood area. I ride what ever when ever I can. Theres a small group of us. 5-8 members. Of the ROmoto crew.. Aka. RustyOlive-moto... Lol not really a club. Just a bunch of friends with bikes and a drinking problem. Hahahaha.  Where abouts are you?
Perhaps we'll see you and this sweet ride next season at TownMoto bbq or something eh?

[K_Kalynuik]

 Im downtown in the east end near Jarvis. I mostly stick to up and down and around the DVP and its tributaries. Id love to come to a BBQ this summer to see and meet some bikes from Toronto. Hopefully I can remember when it is. Do you make a post on here when its happening?

[RustyOlive]

Oh really? You're just a hop skip and jump from me. Lol
Welcome to come on by the garage anytime. Always builds and bike talks going on. Lol

I haven't posted any events on here in the past... I just follow townmoto on facebook and instagram.. And their mailing list. Hahaha. Good bunch of kids over there.

You know about thursday nights meets at the Tim Horton/Wendy's on lakeshore and leslie? Good place to shoot the #$%* and see more bikes than you can count.

Just curious.... How much $ would you say you've invested in boreing  out and rebuilding that engine... Can't decide if i should do the same on my 550. Or picking up a cb650 and throwing that engine in...

[K_Kalynuik]

 Shop? Nice! Im jealous, I do all my work out of Hamilton. Where abouts is your shop? Just a personal shop? 

  Never heard of Townmoto. Just looked it up, its a gear store I guess? Looks cool. Ill def have to check it out.
  Ive never been into any of those Facebook type sites. So maybe ill have to get the wife to let me know when they post something on facebook this year.
  I have heard many things about the Lakeshore Leslie Thursday nights. A friend of mine, Glen from Flying Squirrel has tried to get me to go a few times this past season but I was always busy with work or whatever. Ive heard is a trap for cops to catch idiots in the past and I don't want/need to be caught in the cross fire of a cops bad day. Custom bikes always get scrutinized by the police around here. And Id rather avoid the possibility of getting tickets for stupid things like no rear fender and having my vin powder coated over ( even though you can still read it - cops are just dicks about that stuff )  On that note, I do want to check out other guys cafe's here in the city so that might be a good chance.

[RustyOlive]

Ya. I have small garage in my back yard. Big enough to have a few builds on the go and storage over the winter.  I'll PM you the address.

Ya. TownMoto is gear and casual motorcycle apparel. They have rides, bbq and tech nights. Just up on Ossington/Queen. Just go on their website. Join the mailing list. They email you a little news letter with events and stuff coming up. http://townmoto.com

Glen is a good friend of mine!! Lol he's man of great knowledge and resources.. Think I'm in his store at least a few times a month.. Or week.. Lol

Ya. Those meets attract a lot of cops attention. But. If you're not doing anything wrong, you have nothing to worry about. Let them deal with the young idiots with egos. Haha. My bike is pretty mod'd out and non-conventual to standards. They haven't given me any trouble... yet. Lol   I actually had a cop drooling over it once. Hahaha.

[K_Kalynuik]

 Glen is the MAN! I love em! Most things on my bike have been bought through him. Im the same. In his store once a week or two. I work just down the road from him so its easy for me to pop in at lunch.

 Thanks for the info on Townmoto. I will def sign up for the email list.

And Like the look of your bike too, do you have a build thread by any chance?

  Funny story about the cop drooling over your bike. I was on my 3rd test ride this past summer, just plated the bike, and decided id give the bike some decent throttle for one of the first times ive had it out and there happen to be a cop just on the other side of a hill crest. He clocked me doing 110 kmph in a 60 and turned that car around faster than ive seen. He reduced the ticket to just 5 over and spent the entire time asking me about the mods I did to my bike. All the time I figured he was finding something wrong with the bike but ended up telling me he loved it and was a fellow biker. He sent me on my way only after tailing me back to my buddies shop. Where he now stalks, since my buddy builds High performance cars and does all his testing by his house. The best part was I had my GoPro running mounted to the bike and the entire conversation was recorded. Ill post up the video when I get time to edit and compile all my video from the summer. Just been too busy.

[K_Kalynuik]

And ya PM your address, ill stop by in the spring when the bike is back on the road.

[SF]

you guys should exchange xmas gifts! nice bikes both of ya

[K_Kalynuik]

you guys should exchange xmas gifts! nice bikes both of ya

 

[RustyOlive]

Lol. Theres only two guys in T.O. i get parts from. Glen and this guy Tai, who someone is able to get ome honda parts from Japan where others can't.. Lol

Its not much of a build thread. But something i put together : http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=81683.0

Wow... You lucked out with the cop Haha. Coulda been ugly. Lol. The old cop that was drooling over mine was telling me he had a 78 same color as mine back in the 80's.. Rode all over Canada/US. Kinda broke his heart i think.. Lol but he thought my bike was a really cool modern vers of his old memory ride. Funny how these old bikes inspark old forgotten and cherished times in ones life. One glimpse, and it all comes rushing back like it was yesterday. Lol  just goes to show, motorcycles move the soul.

[RustyOlive]

you guys should exchange xmas gifts! nice bikes both of ya

Wanna join our secret santa?! Hahahaha.