Author Topic: 1976 CB500/550 Project "Squirrel" (Read 338505 times)

rb550four · « **Reply #125 on:** December 01, 2013, 07:16:04 AM »

Nice job on the tank, it must feel good to have that behind you.
The heavy metallic sky blue is different, and should look sharp when it's finished. Did you mean that you are having the frame,tank and side covers painted that color or just the tank and the side covers? Just wondering.
Do your plans include a stock seat or a cafe seat? I mean now that you are familiar with the idea of body work, making your own cafe seat wouldn't be out of the question, there have been plenty of threads on this subject that could guide you through it. I like it either way, but for riders comfort I usually run a stock or heavily padded seat but that's just me.
Will you leave the headlight bucket black or plan to paint that too?
I see the tail light is still gone, have you chosen a different tail light yet? Have you decided on no blinkers at all or some nice little cafe style blinkers just to keep things a little safer?
Always questions... I'm interested.

riverfever · « **Reply #126 on:** December 01, 2013, 08:19:37 AM »

Big thank to you (RB) and to Mcwilliams as well for all of your help along the way. The tank was way harder than I thought it would be. Not sure if I'd do it again. I would really like to paint the frame gloss black but that's not in the plans right now. For now I just want the tank and side covers done in the blue metal flake. Headlight bucket will also stay gloss black. As for the seat, my wife will be riding on the back once she gets over the fear (we did one ride up the street but I never got out of first and she screamed a lot). We won't be doing anything long because it is my first bike but we thought it would be cool to ride it the mile through town to get a coffee once in a while. I do have a seat cover on the way from David Silver Spares and that should make things look a little nicer. I took the tail light off last night to start looking at how I was going to bob the fender. The only one I've really seen that I like is from Dime City and it's more of a bullet shape but it's about the only one I've seen that can pivot instead of simply bolting on. I also started looking at the license plate a bit last night. My plan for now is to fab up a simple bracket and weld it to a plate that I'll bend to match the curve of the rear hub. The plate will get mounted down there.

Still so much that I would like to do though and that list includes 2.5" gauges to clean up that area a bit, new condensers and points (and maybe coils and wires as well). I don't plan on running turn signals but I do need to figure out a way to get a horn working and a high beam switch figured out. I will be taking a motorcycle safety course this spring so I have a better idea of how to ride and then I just wanna ride it and see if motorcycles are something that I like and take it slowly from there.

I think I'm about 2 grand in right now but I really feel like this was the right way for me to go (despite lots of people telling me it was stupid to buy a 40 year old bike as a first bike). I know the bike pretty well and have had a blast learning along the way. I figure I could have probably spent 3 grand on a bike in slightly better shape but then I wouldn't have the knowledge (of the carbs, master cylinder, brake caliper or other stuff I dealt with along the way) that I have gained. I also didn't go drop 8 grand on a bike only to find out that I don't like motorcycles. Having someone paint the tank and side covers will make it harder for me to come out of this even if I decide this isn't for me but I still think I'm going to do it.

Funny story...I almost came to tears the other night. I have had Shingles for about 2 weeks now and am in a lot of pain. I really pushed hard on the tank these last several days because the really cold weather is right around the corner and I wanted to have the tank at a point where I could let it be until spring when I could deal with paint. 2 nights ago, I went to move the motorcycle and as I rolled it off the center stand, it started to tip to the right (away from me). My muscles were so tired that I just couldn't save it. It fell over on it's side and I stood there in horror thinking about the dent that was likely in the right side of the tank (originally the good side) now because of my clumsiness. I just stood there for a few minutes. Then I went around and picked it up. The bike had landed on a box and not hit the floor directly. The right side bar end mirror was broken but nothing happened to the tank. Dodged a real bullet there. So add a new mirror to that list above.

riverfever · « **Reply #127 on:** December 02, 2013, 05:34:24 PM »

I haven't looked into acupuncture but I need to because you're probably the third person to mention it.

I'll take your advice on the indicators too and put that on my list of things to do in order to get the bike road worthy by spring. Something small and low key from Dime City would be nice.

And I PM'ed you about that bracket. Thank you.

riverfever · « **Reply #128 on:** December 06, 2013, 02:41:50 PM »

Had snow days the last 2 days so I got to work on the bike a little bit. I put more filler on the tank because I kept finding little areas I didn't like when doing the fine sanding. I'm done now. I continue to find spots that I'm not excited about but I gotta let it go. They are minor. Today I worked on the rear fender. I bobbed it 4".

This is where I want the plate to be. I'll probably end up making something here at the house out of aluminum and then get steel and weld it up at work.

riverfever · « **Reply #129 on:** December 07, 2013, 10:29:28 AM »

OK so I don't know much about the motor that came with this bike. I still have not checked compression. I know that information is valuable and will get it soon. I keep thinking that with it being such an old bike (and relatively unknown on the inside) that it might be a good idea to go through it but I don't know that I want to do that to a 500 motor. I'd rather get a 550 and install that (and maybe go all out and do a big bore kit then). Even if I find a motor locally, I'm still in the same unknown situation though. I know this is a stupid question but, how hard is it to rebuild a motor? What kind of cost am I looking at? Is there anyone on here that rebuilds motors that I could work with if I felt it was too much for me to tackle? I know there are some brackets that I would need to get to install the motor but how hard would it be to find everything else involved (I'm guessing the trans would come with the motor, I think I can use the existing carbs and maybe the exhaust)? I'm just getting excited about riding this bike in the spring and am trying to plan what I would do next fall/winter if I like it enough to keep it and stick with it (assuming this motor makes it through the summer). Sorry...I know that's a lot of questions.

rb550four · « **Reply #130 on:** December 07, 2013, 02:48:53 PM »

It seems like everyone here can rebuild a 500/550 for the most part, there is nothing that is relatively unknown.

If you want to upgrade from 500 why stop at 550 ? Why not go 650? Way more power, fits right in the frame........... wiring is a little different.....pipes.....
Rebuild cost on any motor depends on condition usually around a grand some less ,some more.
What are these brackets that you speak of?

riverfever · « **Reply #131 on:** December 07, 2013, 06:58:50 PM »

I thought I had read somewhere that there were some different motor mounts from 500 to 550?

rb550four · « **Reply #132 on:** December 08, 2013, 04:57:56 PM »

Spacers are all the same . Only difference between the brackets are the 500 clutch cable goes into the case and has a flat upper rear mount, where as, the 550 cable is mounted on the right side upper rear mount which has a tang that the cable is mounted through. Other than that the 500 550 is a direct transplant.
The 650 is a direct fit engine wise, only a little more difficult and expensive if you don't have a complete donor 650. Wiring
harness,air box and battery placement is not a direct fit , headers do not interchange, but 650 fits on the 500/550 frame.....
What is wrong with the running 500 engine in it now anyways?

riverfever · « **Reply #133 on:** December 08, 2013, 05:13:24 PM »

As far as I know...there isn't anything wrong with it at all. I guess I'm just thinking that this is more complex than a car motor. Meaning...if I went to go look at a car, I'd know what I was doing more when looking at it ya know? Thinking worst case scenario here. Guess I should just cross that bridge if/when I get to it huh?

rb550four · « **Reply #134 on:** December 08, 2013, 06:26:17 PM »

It's winter, we all tend to overthink things when it's winter. Do you suppose you are having these urges, the engine switching urge , because you haven't consistent spark in #2? And could it also be an anxiety about a carb sync, compounded by the Pamco ignition deficiency?
You may find that getting these issues under control first may relieve some anxiety both mechanically and financially .
To switch into a new plan with an unknown engine is sure to test your problem solving techniques further, plus, you may find that you will again be trying to solve these very issues that you have neglected to solve with this engine.
Just saying.

riverfever · « **Reply #135 on:** December 08, 2013, 06:33:00 PM »

No...you're absolutely right. Thank you.

riverfever · « **Reply #136 on:** December 15, 2013, 11:52:09 AM »

I started playing around with where I want to mount the plate today. This is what I'm thinking about.

The plate the "plate" will mount to will be curved and the same size. License plate will mount to it. The tab at the top is where the led will mount and I'll create a small "hood" and weld it around the top of that to hide the light and keep it shining down. Thoughts?

riverfever · « **Reply #137 on:** December 17, 2013, 06:16:54 PM »

Got some work done on the plate bracket today.

I thought a lot about how to mount this thing. I chose this route because I really wanted it to seem like it was floating. Once that bolt is tight the bracket doesn't move around so I don't think there will be any issue with it going into the spokes but I may weld on some small tabs underneath just to be safe.

I still need to work out the mount for the led but I'm waiting for it to get here before I start on that.

dagersh · « **Reply #138 on:** December 19, 2013, 10:44:08 AM »

River,

Beautiful work so far, the bike look s great!

After all that gorgeous work on the tank - do yourself a favor and seal it with Caswells or similar to pretect the inside, especially with today's ethanol levels in fuel. Its easy as pie and when done right is bulletproof (as far as protecting against corrosion - not bullets...)

Oh, and SUBSCRIBED!!!

Gersh

rb550four · « **Reply #139 on:** December 19, 2013, 02:09:02 PM »

Will you be running with a chain guard? Does it fit? Weld tabs on that bracket sounds like it should be done, definitely, only one mounting bolt that can act as the swivel point if it gets loose. No one wants to see the bracket in the spokes.

riverfever · « **Reply #140 on:** December 19, 2013, 04:49:56 PM »

Thanks Gersh…I'll look into the sealer.

RB…I will have to trim the chain guard ever so slightly to make it fit. I'll plan on welding some small tabs for insurance. I've learned a lot doing this project but I'm still pretty naive and continue to pick up things along the way. Like…wiring. My original plan was to make something simple to hold the led in at the top so it shines down on the plate. I was going to run the wires underneath the plate to the bottom of the bracket and then bring them along the swing arm securing them with some zip ties and then up into the electrics. Now I'm not so sure. Should have thought this through better. Maybe I'll end up putting the plate back on the fender but I really wanted it in this spot.

rb550four · « **Reply #141 on:** December 19, 2013, 06:23:10 PM »

I've never done that kind of licence plate holder in that position. But if I were to do one exactly like yours , I would consider soldering or brazing a piece of flexible metal tube from the top of the bracket at the light, attach it to the radius behind the plate, add a offset solid tab to be held in place by the mounting bolt w/lock washer, continuing the run either on the side or underneath the swing arm to a hard bend just past the swing arm bolt and into the V in the frame . This is all for housing the wires, I would probably make a small bracket and attach it to the front chain guard bolt on the swing arm instead of a zip tie, paint it black and run wire through it. But that's me shooting from the hip. You have problem solving skill , why give up on your design so quickly? No pressure here, you have time, see what you can come up with.

rb550four · « **Reply #142 on:** December 19, 2013, 08:48:39 PM »

Maybe some shinny new brake line as the tube? Stainless? Still thinking about it.

riverfever · « **Reply #143 on:** December 20, 2013, 03:42:25 PM »

That's exactly what I was thinking about RB….brake line. It'll be super small, hardly noticeable, and easy. LED showed up today. After winter break, I'll get that all buttoned up.

riverfever · « **Reply #144 on:** December 23, 2013, 02:34:12 AM »

Today I painted the master cylinder, sanded and polished out the lever, and installed new grips in lieu of the rock hard ones that came with the bike.

riverfever · « **Reply #145 on:** December 23, 2013, 07:59:36 AM »

It's amazing what a little elbow grease will do. The headlight bucket and top triple tree are probably next.

riverfever · « **Reply #146 on:** December 24, 2013, 05:31:40 PM »

This is a hideous seat cover.

My kick ass wife took careful notes and ordered me a new cover from David Silver Spares. She also let me install it today. It was a PITA. Looks so much better now. The loose area in this photo is on both sides and is because the foam was broken down a little from the stock strap. I can live with it. My new mirrors showed up today and those went on too. It's really starting to come together.

I also got out for a bit today and did some fly fishing. This is one of the most lit up Bows I've seen in a while. Gorgeous. Happy Holidays everyone.

riverfever · « **Reply #147 on:** December 27, 2013, 12:50:15 PM »

Nothing new to post yet but I did pull the top triple tree, headlight bucket and the ignition bracket off and the paint is drying right now. Looking at the head tube got me thinking. I haven't ridden this bike much at all but once (right after it died and would not restart) I was coasting it back down to my house (I was at least smart enough to ride uphill although I didn't plan it that way). This is going to sound really stupid but I'm gonna present the situation/question anyways. I know this is not smart to do and I don't plan on doing this but I let go of the handlebars and the front end almost immediately started to shimmy and get worse until I grabbed the bar again. This would not happen as long as I had at least one hand on the bar (again…this is not routine but now I was trying to figure out if there was an issue). I may have been doing 15mph when it happened. I have had the bike up to maybe 45 and never experienced anything like this (although I keep both hands on the bars). The only reason I am asking is because if there is an issue, I want to get it addressed this winter. I do not feel any play in the steering bearings but I had planned on swapping to tapered ones before the spring. I have heard of a tank slapper and just don't want there to be any issues like this while riding safely. Should I be concerned?

riverfever · « **Reply #148 on:** December 27, 2013, 03:19:03 PM »

The paint on the triple tree was hideous from the brake fluid leak.

I removed it, the headlight bucket, and the ignition bracket that I made and painted them all up. This picture is horrible but just a little elbow grease went a long way here.

riverfever · « **Reply #149 on:** December 27, 2013, 03:51:10 PM »

OK that's what I thought too. While there is a weight on the rear wheel, there is nothing on the front. It wouldn't doubt me if the guy I bought it from opted to not balance the front. The motor didn't match, the carbs did need going through and the front tire is on backwards. I'll probably wait a while though because I was hoping to get new tires before I really started riding it. Thank you.

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Author Topic: 1976 CB500/550 Project "Squirrel" (Read 338505 times)