Author Topic: 1976 CB500/550 Project "Squirrel" (Read 285420 times)

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #375 on:** November 02, 2014, 09:06:50 PM »

Keep an eye on the clip-ons from Tarozzi. Both riser clip-ons have a tendency to slip because the do not groove or index the mating surfaces. You can tighten the bolts to their max but the bars will sometimes slip out of position. It's a design issue.

riverfever · « **Reply #376 on:** November 03, 2014, 06:20:51 PM »

Great. I wondered about that when installing them.

Stev-o · « **Reply #377 on:** November 03, 2014, 07:09:52 PM »

What's the plan for the triple top? Looks like it's missing something.

riverfever · « **Reply #378 on:** November 03, 2014, 07:11:20 PM »

That will eventually get replaced with a nicer one.

harisuluv · « **Reply #379 on:** November 08, 2014, 10:48:33 AM »

This thread is so long so forgive if this has already been asked. Are the current kits used still the K&L, with the exception of the emulsion tubes? They looked pittet.

Also, you have a picture where you say it was right before you adjust the choke butterflies, then when they are installed on the bike, at least #4 is clearly tilted quite a bit, while #1 looks in the non choked position.

riverfever · « **Reply #380 on:** November 08, 2014, 06:59:24 PM »

James...I ended up not using anything from the K/L kits but the gaskets.

The picture you quoted must be the camera angle.

riverfever · « **Reply #381 on:** December 20, 2014, 04:00:28 PM »

Got this exhaust installed today. I must say that I didn't think I would ever own one of these. The fit is amazing. The welds are beautiful. The sound is unreal. I love the way it looks. The ONLY thing I'm a bit bummed about is the fender hits the headers. I know most don't run the front fender but I really like the way it looks. Not sure what I'm going to do.

riverfever · « **Reply #382 on:** December 20, 2014, 04:28:25 PM »

I don't like the look of no front fender but I'm not sure how I want it to look yet. I like the look of this.

I think it would look strange to run the factory struts with the fender bobbed. Anyone have any ideas?

riverfever · « **Reply #383 on:** December 20, 2014, 04:49:34 PM »

What about this?

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #384 on:** December 20, 2014, 05:00:05 PM »

I use a bobbed front fender with mine.

riverfever · « **Reply #385 on:** December 20, 2014, 05:42:04 PM »

Thanks for posting that picture. After talking with Cal for a bit I'm wondering if it would make a difference if I rebuilt the forks (I'm sure they've never been rebuilt) and use progressive springs? I'd really rather keep the front fender as is. There's about 1 1/2" of clearance between the tire and fender. If rebuilding the forks wasn't enough I could modify the mount/brace but I'd also have to cut the struts, take a section out of each side and then weld them back together. That could be difficult.

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #386 on:** December 20, 2014, 05:45:53 PM »

Quote from: riverfever on December 20, 2014, 05:42:04 PM

Thanks for posting that picture. After talking with Cal for a bit I'm wondering if it would make a difference if I rebuilt the forks (I'm sure they've never been rebuilt) and use progressive springs? I'd really rather keep the front fender as is. There's about 1 1/2" of clearance between the tire and fender. If rebuilding the forks wasn't enough I could modify the mount/brace but I'd also have to cut the struts, take a section out of each side and then weld them back together. That could be difficult.

I am a firm "believer" in rebuilding these 40 year old forks. You can go with the progressives OR for a few $ more, I highly recommend the Race Tech springs and gold valve emulators, especially if you want a better ride and want to enjoy twisties. I run the Race Tech set up and a fork brace with the bobbed fender. It is a world better than the stock set up. Anyone who says their 40 year-old forks are just fine doesn't ride their bike much.

FunJimmy · « **Reply #387 on:** December 20, 2014, 06:08:44 PM »

Quote from: riverfever on December 20, 2014, 04:00:28 PM

The ONLY thing I'm a bit bummed about is the fender hits the headers. I know most don't run the front fender but I really like the way it looks. Not sure what I'm going to do.

I'm a fan of fenders too and unless you're planning on spending a lot of time riding in the rain, short fenders work fine.

riverfever · « **Reply #388 on:** December 20, 2014, 06:36:29 PM »

I've always liked what you did with the fender Jimmy. I could bob mine like that. The rivets on the brace in the center are loose but I guess I could drill them out and do it again.

Bootsey · « **Reply #389 on:** December 20, 2014, 08:36:24 PM »

Quote from: riverfever on December 20, 2014, 04:49:34 PM

What about this?

That looks good and keeps the stays, did you find that from a build on here? Might be one to copy.

brett_bike · « **Reply #390 on:** April 12, 2015, 08:24:25 AM »

Any updates?

Wondering about the front fender mod. I'm trying to decide between a Carpy's 4 into 1 or MotoGPwerks pipe.

Nice to see a fellow Coloradan here with the same bike as mine.

riverfever · « **Reply #391 on:** April 27, 2015, 07:11:23 PM »

Well the project sat for a while over the winter while I fished a lot but I'm motivated to work on it again. I have progressive springs, new seals, fork oil, and tapered head bearings on the way.

Nasty old oil.

Nasty old seals.

I've also started sanding the fork legs out and would like to buff them but we'll see how nuts I get as that job just plain sucks. Sorry for not seeing your reply Brett. I should know more about the clearance on the fender/header soon.

joeyvans · « **Reply #392 on:** April 27, 2015, 07:21:09 PM »

But Chris.... you're so good at polishing, I was thinking of sending you some parts from my bike! (I agree... worst job ever.)

riverfever · « **Reply #393 on:** April 27, 2015, 07:48:52 PM »

Haha. The real problem with the fork legs is all the nooks and crannies. One leg looks pretty good to 600 now but I'll go a bit more before I put it on a buffer and see how it ends up.

Hopefully after this I can ride it (although we got hammered with snow the last 2 days up here). I'll have to go back to square one and tune all over with the new exhaust but I really wanna hear it (heard it very briefly in the garage before walking away for the winter).

riverfever · « **Reply #394 on:** April 27, 2015, 07:53:25 PM »

This is the leg I've worked on for about 3 hours now.

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #395 on:** April 27, 2015, 08:21:10 PM »

You're a good man, Charlie Brown. Polishing sucks. I woosed out and paid. Someone to do mine.

riverfever · « **Reply #396 on:** April 28, 2015, 07:08:29 PM »

Thank you sir. Unfortunately, I have infinitely more time than money so I can't blow my wad on farming out things like this and save it for jobs like motor work and paint.

However...this does suck. In fact I may have coined a new term tonight while slaving away on these areas.

If something such as this and the areas around the castings is a pain the ass (and this certainly is) and it's also the current bane of my existence then...does this constitute a bane in my ass?

Tews19 · « **Reply #397 on:** April 29, 2015, 06:19:13 AM »

Get a buffing wheel. Cost like 60-100 bucks. A brass wire wheel. Will strip them in a matter of minutes. Then buy buffing pads. Takes like 20 minutes to transform if done in 3 steps.

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #398 on:** April 29, 2015, 11:47:54 AM »

I would add to Tews post that you may want to shop for a higher HP motor buffing wheel (check out Harbor Freight sales). The higher hp models will speed up your polishing time. You should be able to get a 3/4 hp model Central Machine buffer/grinder for about $80 right now on sale.

riverfever · « **Reply #399 on:** April 30, 2015, 06:26:39 PM »

I have a buffing wheel. The problem with this project is that it was in pretty rough shape. The fork legs were scratched up badly and I had no choice but to go in and sand them down. Tonight I wet sanded with 1200 but then found some spots that I'm not happy with (I'm a bit of a perfectionist). I walked away for the night but may go back to 400 tomorrow and rework a few areas before buffing them. Parts should be here tomorrow and then hopefully I can get it back together in the next week.

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Author Topic: 1976 CB500/550 Project "Squirrel" (Read 285420 times)