Author Topic: CB550f in a lawn mower  (Read 6610 times)

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Offline goesman

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CB550f in a lawn mower
« on: July 27, 2013, 05:22:28 AM »
Yes i put a 550 in a lawn mower. :o  Why?  Well mostly because i can and its some thing i wanted to do for a very long time.  the motor was given to me back when i was in high school.  He gave me a complete bike minus the frame.  i let it set around for several years, so long i lost many of the parts to the motor.  Back in April i was given a Craftsman lawn mower that did not have a motor so i knew it was time for this build.  I guess the best way to explain it is to show you some pictures.

This is what i stated out with just to get an idea if it could be done.


Later on i ended up with this.  the front axle has been moved forward and the front and rear lowered 3.5 inches.


A couple of months later i had it all mocked up.


I have a series of videos on youtube explaining how i built this thing.  This is a start up video i made some time back.
Super Sport Craftsman mower start up

Its almost done right now, i need to finish up machining the rear axle and finish up some little things.

It may not be a bike, but it puts a smile on my face.

Offline toytuff

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Re: CB550f in a lawn mower
« Reply #1 on: July 27, 2013, 05:45:32 AM »
 8) 8) 8) 8)

tt

Offline dohcdelsol93

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Re: CB550f in a lawn mower
« Reply #2 on: July 27, 2013, 05:53:25 AM »
your profile says MO but you think like your from rural GA...for that i give you two thumbs up!
i'd rather be sailing

Offline rb550four

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Re: CB550f in a lawn mower
« Reply #3 on: July 27, 2013, 07:35:57 AM »
 :) Hooray! It's always nice to see other people  that are actually as twisted as I am! Been thinking about doing this very thing for years! I ended up doing something for snow but I've been threatening  to do something like this . I love it! It needs a couple fans and some cool air ducts before you burn up the motor but otherwise , thumbs up , a pat on the back, a kick in the ass , whatever you folks in MO do to say nice job.
A few Honda 500's, a few Honda 550's, a few Honda 650's, '72 cb 450, a couple 500/550/650 hybrids, and 2001 750. 
  550 Snowbike -Somebody had to do it.
  http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,101678.0.html             
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,137317.msg1550907.html#msg1550907

Offline seanbarney41

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Re: CB550f in a lawn mower
« Reply #4 on: July 27, 2013, 09:11:02 AM »
does it still mow? ...or is it just a speedy 6-pack fetcher?
If it works good, it looks good...

Offline davidtime

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Re: CB550f in a lawn mower
« Reply #5 on: July 27, 2013, 09:55:41 AM »
We need to see this thing in action! I'm surprised it fit under the hood of that thing.

Go find a guy with a $10k zero turn and ask him if he wants to race for pinks.

Offline 70CB750

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Re: CB550f in a lawn mower
« Reply #6 on: July 27, 2013, 10:36:06 AM »
We need more pictures!  Especially the drive train solution.

Do you think it will run cool enough with the hood over it and running (likely :))in lower speed than the motorcycle?   Any plans to add a fan to it?

Great project!
Prokop
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Offline TwoTired

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Re: CB550f in a lawn mower
« Reply #7 on: July 27, 2013, 10:45:16 AM »
Looks like a really fun project!  ;D ;D

How is it your grass in the picture is too long?

FYI, the choke doesn't add throttle when applied. It will start and stay running if you give it a bit of throttle when cold.
Air filters will help, too!

Be sure to post the maiden drive about video for us!

Lloyd... (SOHC4 #11 Original Mail List)
72 500, 74 550, 75 550K, 75 550F, 76 550F, 77 550F X2, 78 550K, 77 750F X2, 78 750F, 79CX500, 85 700SC, GL1100

Those that learn from history are doomed to repeat it by those that don't learn from history.

Offline zekd

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Re: CB550f in a lawn mower
« Reply #8 on: July 27, 2013, 11:14:41 AM »
very cool project! cant wait to hear more about it!!

Offline Steve_K

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Re: CB550f in a lawn mower
« Reply #9 on: July 27, 2013, 11:27:05 AM »
I read last week that "Top Gear Magazine" asked Honda to build a faster lawn mower.  They used a 1000cc CBR engine.   I salute you for being ahead and doing it first.  Let's see the maiden ride! 
Be sure to note  if it was scary.
Steve
Steve_K

76 CB 550, 73CB750, 86 GSX-R750, 16 Slingshot
Old rides:305 Honda, CL350, 74 CB550
 05 SV1000S, 88 CBR600,92 VFR, 88 Hawk GT, 96 Ducati 900SS, 98 Kaw ZX6R, SV650

Offline strynboen

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Re: CB550f in a lawn mower
« Reply #10 on: July 27, 2013, 11:45:14 AM »
have you a elektric blower to cool the engine???...lokks like a atv rear aksel and chain train...kool done
i kan not speak english/but trying!!
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=60973.0
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=144758.0
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Offline LesterPiglet

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« Last Edit: July 28, 2013, 03:17:50 AM by LesterPiglet »
'Then' and 'than' are completely different words and have completely different meanings. Same with 'of' and 'have'. Set and sit. There, their and they're. Draw and drawer. Could care less/couldn't care less. Bought/brought FFS.


Les Ross.            Certified by a Professional

Offline trueblue

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Re: CB550f in a lawn mower
« Reply #12 on: July 28, 2013, 03:49:06 AM »
Line up next to some of these boys.  This is our local lawn mower racing club, for anyone to be competitive they have to be able to hit speeds of around 100kph (60mph) and some of them can do in excess of 120kph (80mph) ;D.

Maryborough mower racing
1979 CB650Z
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Offline LesterPiglet

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Re: CB550f in a lawn mower
« Reply #13 on: July 28, 2013, 03:52:07 AM »
They do a great job, I've never seen shorter grass.  ;D
'Then' and 'than' are completely different words and have completely different meanings. Same with 'of' and 'have'. Set and sit. There, their and they're. Draw and drawer. Could care less/couldn't care less. Bought/brought FFS.


Les Ross.            Certified by a Professional

Offline Steve_K

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Re: CB550f in a lawn mower
« Reply #14 on: July 28, 2013, 06:05:54 AM »
That sure is a V twin and that is the first video and pic  that I have seen.  Thanks for posting.
Steve
Steve_K

76 CB 550, 73CB750, 86 GSX-R750, 16 Slingshot
Old rides:305 Honda, CL350, 74 CB550
 05 SV1000S, 88 CBR600,92 VFR, 88 Hawk GT, 96 Ducati 900SS, 98 Kaw ZX6R, SV650

Offline goesman

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Re: CB550f in a lawn mower
« Reply #15 on: July 28, 2013, 07:11:50 AM »
Thanks every one sure am glad you like my little toy.  That honda mower is one cool machine, if only i had the budget they have. 
No it doesn't mow any moer and i have a hard time keeping my lawn mowed since i keep doing things like this.   
A couple of you mentioned some thing about keeping it running cool.  Im going to cut some more vent holes in the front of the hood.  What do you all think about running a fan cooled oil cooler, would that help also.

bracing the frame up.


Frame finished and painted


The shifter is the original lever that raised the mower deck up and down.  This is how i hooked it up.


you can get a look at how i did the rear axle in this video.
http://youtu.be/6hm_ZdFGxSk

Thanks

Offline strynboen

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Re: CB550f in a lawn mower
« Reply #16 on: July 28, 2013, 08:22:10 AM »
think a elektric blower from a car can make it...dont now ower there..but in europa all aur small cars have elektric ventilators  for engine kooling,,and a termostate to kontrol it
i kan not speak english/but trying!!
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=60973.0
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=144758.0
i hate all this v-w.... vords

Offline RAFster122s

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Re: CB550f in a lawn mower
« Reply #17 on: July 28, 2013, 11:06:08 AM »
Oil cooler would be good idea. Cowling the motor to force the air to pull from the front of the motor past the cylinders would be wise. I think neoprene could handle the heat if you want to have it contact the motor.

12v fan below motor sucking air might be harder to make work well rather than a pusher setup behind the grill. Just need enough clearance on fan so it doesn't melt the fan or fan shroud.
David- back in the desert SW!

Offline TwoTired

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Re: CB550f in a lawn mower
« Reply #18 on: July 28, 2013, 11:09:08 AM »
A fan forced oil cooler will save the oil from damage if the engine is also kept cool.   But, this motor is not significantly oil cooled.  Wasn't designed that way.  The engine metal mass dominates the oil temperature. 
The dog wags the tail, rather than the tail wagging the dog.  (Unless your point of view is that of a flea on the tail.   ;D  ) 
  See all those fins around the motor?  That's where the engine sheds most of its high heat into the air that is moving past them.  Actually, the entire external surface area of the motor sheds heat into surrounding air, too.  But, most of the fins and the largest of the fins are located as close to the combustion point as possible, in the desire to shed the heat into the air as soon as possible.

If the air in contact with the fins reaches the same heat level as the fin metal surface, the heat does not move and increases in level toward that of the source, which is the combustion chamber flame kernel, or something around 2000 degrees.  Since the pistons melt or seize before that temp is reached, there will always be some temperature differential in a running engine as it sheds heat faster than it can heat soak.  But, I've seen exhaust headers glow cherry red, which is about 800 degrees.  To get that, the exhaust gasses must be of much higher temps.

I'd say the car fan addition idea, or a few smaller computer fans directing air over the fins would be prudent in this engine while spending more time stationary than moving, just to get the higher heat air away from the fins and replace it with cooler surrounding air.  Keep the engine cooled and the oil will be also be cooled.  You don't really need gale force winds to keep this engine cool (unless it is actually producing max power and the most heat generation possible).  But, you do need a constant air replacement scheme to keep from having the temps build up.

Think of it this way; saving this motor is cheaper than buying a replacement.   ;D ;D ;D

Rock on!
Lloyd... (SOHC4 #11 Original Mail List)
72 500, 74 550, 75 550K, 75 550F, 76 550F, 77 550F X2, 78 550K, 77 750F X2, 78 750F, 79CX500, 85 700SC, GL1100

Those that learn from history are doomed to repeat it by those that don't learn from history.

Offline chewbacca5000

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Re: CB550f in a lawn mower
« Reply #19 on: July 28, 2013, 04:30:46 PM »
Epic!  Please be sure to do followup post after you have had it running for a while.  I have wanted to take  twin or four and turn into a stationary engine.  And with your setup it is very similar in terms of air flow.

But then again you might be going 80MPH every where.  You could charge $5 dollars a lawn and make 120k per year.  Great project thanks for the post.

Offline RAFster122s

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Re: CB550f in a lawn mower
« Reply #20 on: July 28, 2013, 07:21:34 PM »
Might want to consider a roller tensioner for the chain so it doesn't disrail.
David- back in the desert SW!

Offline goesman

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Re: CB550f in a lawn mower
« Reply #21 on: September 07, 2013, 09:53:49 AM »
Well folks its done.  Its been done for a couple months now, i have just been so busy lately.

i have a video of a short ride i had.  I have only pushed it up to third gear cause that is way faster then a lawn mower should go.  Its kind of scary when i push it up around 60MPH.

Its one crazy ride.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwFIP26SpMg

Offline Tews19

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Re: CB550f in a lawn mower
« Reply #22 on: September 07, 2013, 01:09:57 PM »
That video is so cool!

Drive by video would be much appreciated too!
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1970 Honda CB750 survivor.

Offline strynboen

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Re: CB550f in a lawn mower
« Reply #23 on: September 07, 2013, 01:14:00 PM »
think i will put a 550 engine in the kids atv...
i kan not speak english/but trying!!
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=60973.0
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=144758.0
i hate all this v-w.... vords

Offline rb550four

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Re: CB550f in a lawn mower
« Reply #24 on: September 08, 2013, 07:38:23 AM »
My, that looks like fun. Is there a field that you can tear up, get sideways and out of control? That would make a nice video. Love that project, what a blast!
« Last Edit: September 10, 2013, 06:24:36 AM by rb550four »
A few Honda 500's, a few Honda 550's, a few Honda 650's, '72 cb 450, a couple 500/550/650 hybrids, and 2001 750. 
  550 Snowbike -Somebody had to do it.
  http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,101678.0.html             
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,137317.msg1550907.html#msg1550907