Author Topic: 74 CB550 Modern Cafe - Isn't this thing done yet? (Read 95300 times)

riverfever · « **Reply #200 on:** April 16, 2015, 07:36:33 PM »

Haven't been around in a while. Looking good Cal.

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #201 on:** May 11, 2015, 05:31:54 PM »

Cal,

On this bike, you have the Joker Machine triples. Are they a significant improvement over the stocks in terms of reducing twist and improving handling? Would you add a fork brace?

calj737 · « **Reply #202 on:** May 11, 2015, 06:14:53 PM »

I don't know how to answer that. The uppers are brand new Franks, springs are Progressives, and tapered bearings. Hard to imagine the need for a brace. A damper, maybe (probably a great idea) but the front end feels very stable. May be their 7075 stem?

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #203 on:** May 11, 2015, 06:18:29 PM »

The clamps are a substantial improvement. I was wondering if the negated the desire for a brace. Sounds like it.

Is this one getting close to re-completion?

calj737 · « **Reply #204 on:** May 11, 2015, 06:32:42 PM »

Kind of. Re-wiring the handlebar switches with new m-switches and that necessitates a clean up of the looms and harnesses.

Fixed the seat cowl, but need to finish the seat pan and have it upholstered. Then painted. And the tank needs to be repainted.

Still have to kill my rear set brackets, and make the swing arm. But about 2 weeks from now, my schedule is going to get pretty open (I hope) as soccer season will be over, and my daughter broke her arm 2 weeks back and had surgery this am, so no weekends with her traveling. And the boy comes from college this weekend (actually I go get him) so there's another set of hands to help finish things.

Just a few to-dos, huh?

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #205 on:** May 11, 2015, 06:36:53 PM »

Shoot, Cal. Bummer about your daughter's arm. There goes betting on her in arm wrestling tournaments! Hope she makes a full recovery but leaves your weekends open for bike building.

The prodigal son returns to finish the 500!

calj737 · « **Reply #206 on:** May 11, 2015, 06:45:56 PM »

Yeah, I may take some time and shoot some pics of the motor now that it's buttoned up

it looks awfully lonely for a frame

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #207 on:** May 11, 2015, 06:49:44 PM »

Pics or it didn't ... Yeah, it did.

Bigsam302 · « **Reply #208 on:** May 11, 2015, 06:51:08 PM »

I'm looking forward to seeing your rearsets!

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #209 on:** May 11, 2015, 08:09:46 PM »

Well, Cal, now I am excited to see what's coming from your garage this summer.

calj737 · « **Reply #210 on:** July 04, 2015, 09:23:52 AM »

Finally took the time to fab up a new seat pan and fix the seat cowl to better fit the hoop/tank. Now I have to drop the pan off to the upholsterer next week and wait for that to come back. While that's happening, I hope to have finished milling my (revised/new) brackets for the rear sets.

Restoration Fan · « **Reply #211 on:** July 04, 2015, 11:25:14 AM »

Dang, cal. That's a pretty nice weld there in that bottom photo.
You may have a future with this whole motorcycle thing!

calj737 · « **Reply #212 on:** July 04, 2015, 11:30:43 AM »

Those aren't even close to nice, Ron. Those will be covered completely, so I didn't worry about the spacing. When they have to be pretty (the seat hoop and swing arm for the 500 build) then the welds will be cupped. That will make them pretty and strong. This was seamed up in about 5' with a TIG.

Restoration Fan · « **Reply #213 on:** July 04, 2015, 12:33:18 PM »

Quote from: calj737 on July 04, 2015, 11:30:43 AM

Those aren't even close to nice, Ron. Those will be covered completely, so I didn't worry about the spacing. When they have to be pretty (the seat hoop and swing arm for the 500 build) then the welds will be cupped. That will make them pretty and strong. This was seamed up in about 5' with a TIG.

TIL, I will be shipping my welding needs to Cal in the future since he is apparently the man!

calj737 · « **Reply #214 on:** July 04, 2015, 01:42:12 PM »

If the postage doesn't get you, my fees will.

That's the secret to not becoming all of your buddies' go-to welder. Overcharge them!

bwaller · « **Reply #215 on:** July 04, 2015, 04:27:48 PM »

Step by step Cal, looking good. Don't forget to attack that base with a 2" hole saw and lighten that heavy aluminum!

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #216 on:** July 04, 2015, 05:03:42 PM »

Nice work Cal...

calj737 · « **Reply #217 on:** July 04, 2015, 05:30:43 PM »

Quote from: bwaller on July 04, 2015, 04:27:48 PM

Step by step Cal, looking good. Don't forget to attack that base with a 2" hole saw and lighten that heavy aluminum!

I was planning on drilling a series of 10mm holes throughout to do just that, Brent

It would be the cafe thing to do after all...

Thanks, Retro-

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #218 on:** August 19, 2015, 02:45:20 PM »

Did the upholstery come back okay? [Chomping at the bit for an update.

]

RAFster122s · « **Reply #219 on:** August 19, 2015, 03:43:08 PM »

Hole saw or drilling the bsse had to be a joke...right? It is silly the things people do for aesthetic reasons.
While a punched hole can sometimes add strength a drilled hole can weaken parts.
I would want my seat internals to remain dry if possible.

You have lots of talents Cal. What do you do for a living?

Daughter's arm healed up OK I hope. Is she back out there playing or playing another sport?

What is your son studying?

calj737 · « **Reply #220 on:** August 19, 2015, 04:07:34 PM »

Upholstery yet, maybe next week. I'm in Florida this whole week on business so I couldn't really get anything done anyway I'm still home waiting. I have the Roussin brackets to about 85% need a few final touches.

Dave – drilling the holes in the sheet and was the joke between Brent and me. Appreciate the compliment though. I do a lot of underwear modeling women's lingerie in my spare time ;-) this keeps my marriage spicy.

Daughter is back to hundred percent crashing and banging in soccer and swimming and gymnastics.

My son is studying transportation design in Detroit. We spent the last three weekends working on the frame and swingarm for his bike.

Justin · « **Reply #221 on:** August 19, 2015, 04:13:59 PM »

Quote from: calj737 on August 19, 2015, 04:07:34 PM

Upholstery yet, maybe next week. I'm in Florida this whole week on business so I couldn't really get anything done anyway I'm still home waiting. I have the Roussin brackets to about 85% need a few final touches.

Dave – drilling the holes in the sheet and was the joke between Brent and me. Appreciate the compliment though. I do a lot of underwear modeling women's lingerie in my spare time ;-) this keeps my marriage spicy.

Daughter is back to hundred percent crashing and banging in soccer and swimming and gymnastics.

My son is studying transportation design in Detroit. We spent the last three weekends working on the frame and swingarm for his bike.

HAHAHAHA! So much for browsing my wife's Victoria's Secret Catalogue, I'm sure that I don't want to run across a photo of Cal in some lacey budgee smuggler knickers...

calj737 · « **Reply #222 on:** August 19, 2015, 04:46:52 PM »

How do you know you haven't already!

Tews19 · « **Reply #223 on:** August 19, 2015, 05:22:27 PM »

Cal stop being modest. Those are some nice welds.

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #224 on:** August 19, 2015, 05:36:54 PM »

Quote from: calj737 on August 19, 2015, 04:46:52 PM

How do you know you haven't already!

I think I just threw up in my mouth!

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Author Topic: 74 CB550 Modern Cafe - Isn't this thing done yet? (Read 95300 times)