Author Topic: 1976 CB500/550 Project "Squirrel" (Read 279248 times)

riverfever · « **Reply #250 on:** April 12, 2014, 05:43:51 PM »

I got more Works toilet cleaner, Acetone, and Denatured Alcohol. Got Red Kote ordered as well as a Yuasa battery.

calj737 · « **Reply #251 on:** April 12, 2014, 05:58:00 PM »

Be REALLY careful with the Acetone. If you get it on the primer, it will peel off immediately. Some Saran Wrap over the tank would be a nice gesture. Also, with the RedKote, be dead certain you rinse the tank, then flush with soapy water, add a pint of Denatured Alcohol and swish it around inside fully. It will dehydrate the water left inside. Follow with some compressed air. Let fully dry before adding liner.

Then, pour in the RK, tumble it around the tank slowly, holding about 20 seconds as it adheres. Then tip the tank towards the petcock hole and put a catch basin underneath. Not too much slope. But enough so the excess does run out.

Then let FULLY dry (takes a good solid, week in my experience) until there's no hint of odor.

All these directions are on the data sheet, but follow them religiously (or dutifully if you prefer). Only way to insure success.

riverfever · « **Reply #252 on:** April 12, 2014, 06:13:47 PM »

Will do Cal. I'll wrap the top of the tank and be very careful.

riverfever · « **Reply #253 on:** April 14, 2014, 03:46:51 PM »

Anyone have some fender struts they are interested in selling?

Mortie21 · « **Reply #254 on:** April 15, 2014, 07:32:06 PM »

I have several sets laying around.. they don't look pretty but will do the job. If you pay for shipping I will send them to you.

riverfever · « **Reply #255 on:** April 16, 2014, 06:19:46 PM »

Thanks Mortie. I missed a set on ebay 2 days ago but found another set on there yesterday morning and the seller seas taking offers so I threw one out and he took it. They should be here soon. We'll see how they look.

Got the new Yuasa battery installed yesterday and all is well again with the electrics. I stopped on the way home and got more acetone, toilet cleaner, and denatured alcohol to clean the tank. Red Kote was waiting when I got home. It's dumping snow up here now though so hopefully this weekend I can get the tank cleaned and lined and then let it all dry.

dagersh · « **Reply #256 on:** April 17, 2014, 09:13:26 AM »

Riv,

Use a hair dryer after washing out the tank, it does a great job pretty quickly and won't damage anything. I am sure its been said, but the better you prep for the coating, the better the results. When its all done, it is really rewarding to know that the tank is pretty well protected forever - if not our lifetime, at least!

Gersh

riverfever · « **Reply #257 on:** April 18, 2014, 05:50:42 PM »

Thanks for the tip Gersh.

Today my fender struts arrived. They are in excellent shape. I really think it makes the front end look so much better.

I couldn't help myself.

calj737 · « **Reply #258 on:** April 18, 2014, 06:14:29 PM »

Vroom! Vroom!

Tews19 · « **Reply #259 on:** April 18, 2014, 06:18:43 PM »

The bikes looks good. Curious how old are your tires?

riverfever · « **Reply #260 on:** April 18, 2014, 06:32:10 PM »

Oh the tires are ancient. Front is a Sears tire. Completely dry rotted. Most of the time I don't even feel safe sitting on it in the garage. That's for sure on the list before I can ride it.

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #261 on:** April 18, 2014, 06:37:48 PM »

Quote from: riverfever on April 18, 2014, 05:50:42 PM

Thanks for the tip Gersh.

Today my fender struts arrived. They are in excellent shape. I really think it makes the front end look so much better.

I couldn't help myself.

Great looking bike! Did you make BRAAAP noises while you were in that tuck?

calj737 · « **Reply #262 on:** April 18, 2014, 06:55:59 PM »

Avon Road Riders! Your bike is going to look great when you install the side covers. Completely finished look then-

riverfever · « **Reply #263 on:** April 18, 2014, 07:01:59 PM »

Thank you sir. I also dropped your name today to a certain fella who's made a decent exhaust or two. I'm a little worried though about installing a 4-1. Eventually I'd like to run pods as well and de-tab the frame and clean things up more but I'm not sure how living at 9,000' is going to impact things and make the carbs act.

And those are the tires I've been looking at Cal.

calj737 · « **Reply #264 on:** April 18, 2014, 07:09:23 PM »

Stick with your air box at that elevation. If, you desire to run pods, switch to the CR-26 carbs. My understanding is they are a lot more tolerant of pods/velocity stacks.

My 550 crackles like Rice Krispies in cold milk. Gotta get them tuned up better

riverfever · « **Reply #265 on:** April 18, 2014, 07:22:44 PM »

That's what I was afraid of. Wonder if I should just stick with the current exhaust? I kinda like the way they look and they're in great shape. If I keep the stock box then the electrics will stay there as well. Less work but not quite the look I was hoping for in the long run but running down to Colorado Springs is a drop of 4,000'. Gotta be tough to tune for that.

calj737 · « **Reply #266 on:** April 19, 2014, 04:23:25 AM »

I think it would be tough to tune your bike for the terrain you live in. Wish I had that problem; must be awfully fun to live out there.

I like the 4-4 exhausts when there are side covers. If they are in great shape, see what price you can get from selling them compared to a replacement system. I'll jump out on a limb here, not sure a 4:1 exhaust would change your tune that much, outside of maybe a jetting change? But with stock air box, I bet you can dial it in pretty quickly from another members experience on your area/situation.

riverfever · « **Reply #267 on:** April 19, 2014, 11:32:27 AM »

Looking for an alternator cover. I don't need the entire cover...just the piece that pops into place with the Honda logo on it. Anyone got one collecting dust? In looking for one, I've seen 500 and 550 motors with two different types of covers. This is what mine looks like.

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #268 on:** April 19, 2014, 06:13:26 PM »

David Silver Spares sells NOS ones. $45 but it's nearly impossible to find an undamaged used one.

http://www.davidsilverspares.com/CB550K1-1975-USA/part_70551/

TyMatthews · « **Reply #269 on:** April 19, 2014, 07:14:57 PM »

I've got a stator cover insert collecting dust. It has two scratches in it from the PO. I ended up buying a replacement from DSS as Cafe Racer Fan suggested, as I didn't have the patience to buff these out. It's a solid chunk of aluminum, though, so if you've got the time you could probably make the scratches disappear. Make an offer on PM and I can ship it off this coming week.

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #270 on:** April 19, 2014, 08:04:54 PM »

Quote from: TyMatthews on April 19, 2014, 07:14:57 PM

I've got a stator cover insert collecting dust. It has two scratches in it from the PO. I ended up buying a replacement from DSS as Cafe Racer Fan suggested, as I didn't have the patience to buff these out. It's a solid chunk of aluminum, though, so if you've got the time you could probably make the scratches disappear. Make an offer on PM and I can ship it off this coming week.

That's a good option. I just checked the DSS site and they are temporarily out of stock.

riverfever · « **Reply #271 on:** April 19, 2014, 08:10:25 PM »

Yeah I checked DSS a while ago and they were out. Mine is bad. It's not even worth trying to sand. It's dented pretty badly. PM coming Ty.

And yes 750 Fan...I made all kinda noises sitting on it. Really liking the way it's looking.

riverfever · « **Reply #272 on:** April 19, 2014, 08:17:09 PM »

Quote from: TyMatthews on April 19, 2014, 07:14:57 PM

I've got a stator cover insert collecting dust. It has two scratches in it from the PO. I ended up buying a replacement from DSS as Cafe Racer Fan suggested, as I didn't have the patience to buff these out. It's a solid chunk of aluminum, though, so if you've got the time you could probably make the scratches disappear. Make an offer on PM and I can ship it off this coming week.

Hahaha. The theme of this build is "Got more time than money."

riverfever · « **Reply #273 on:** April 20, 2014, 12:23:45 PM »

I got the inside of the tank cleaned with Works. This is the second time I've done that job now. Rinsed it with soap and water afterwards then used denatured alcohol and, finally, acetone. I blew the tank out with compressed air for 15 minutes and now it's sitting. I may try and do the Red Kote later tonight or I might wait until tomorrow.

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #274 on:** April 20, 2014, 01:48:54 PM »

Quote from: riverfever on April 20, 2014, 12:23:45 PM

I got the inside of the tank cleaned with Works. This is the second time I've done that job now. Rinsed it with soap and water afterwards then used denatured alcohol and, finally, acetone. I blew the tank out with compressed air for 15 minutes and now it's sitting. I may try and do the Red Kote later tonight or I might wait until tomorrow.

I would use a hair dryer on it and coat it ASAP. Otherwise, you might get some flash rust.

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Author Topic: 1976 CB500/550 Project "Squirrel" (Read 279248 times)