Topic: 1976 CB500/550 Project "Squirrel"

[RAFster122s]

If 40/105 is too lean you can richen the mix up to 4 slots lower on the needle, right?
or are you talking about it being too lean at - 1/4 throttle to 1/2 throttle?

I would try Cal's suggestion.

[riverfever]

I had to go into work today and deal with some crap before I officially go back next week. I decided to ride squirrel. I blast down the mountain from right about 8500' to Colorado Springs before finally getting to work at 5600'. Bike rode great but sounded/felt a touch on the rich side on the way down. On the highway (down in Springs) I noticed there were several times where I rolled off throttle and then back on and felt that slight stumble at 1/4 throttle. I did not check the plugs down there but before heading home I did stop to open up the IMS screws to 2 full turns and it seemed to really help. It was the most fun I've ever had riding that bike! On the way up there's a 14 mile pass that I climb and about 8 miles are in a canyon that's been blasted out. The Motogp pipe sounds incredible echoing off the canyon walls.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I bet that's a picturesque ride down the mountain.

[Stev-o]

Bike rode great but sounded/felt a touch on the rich side on the way down.

"Felt rich"?!  On what, your Butt Dyno?!!  Cal, can you help explain this?!??

[joeyvans]

"Felt rich"?!  On what, your Butt Dyno?!!  Cal, can you help explain this?!??

That's the beauty of jetting too rich AND too lean throughout the process. You learn how your bike reacts/sounds in each circumstance. I never knew what "8-stroking" was until I was jetted way too rich.



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[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Bike rode great but sounded/felt a touch on the rich side on the way down.

"Felt rich"?!  On what, your Butt Dyno?!!  Cal, can you help explain this?!??

Chris is the Carb Whisperer.  I can understand feeling the bike's throttle response changing as you pass through different altitudes.  Maybe it is so dramatic that this is what he is experiencing.  Butt Dyno!!!!

[Stev-o]

Bike rode great but sounded/felt a touch on the rich side on the way down.

"Felt rich"?!  On what, your Butt Dyno?!!  Cal, can you help explain this?!??

Chris is the Carb Whisperer.  I can understand feeling the bike's throttle response changing as you pass through different altitudes.  Maybe it is so dramatic that this is what he is experiencing.  Butt Dyno!!!!

Carb Whisperer?  HA!   [no disrespect, riverman]

[calj737]

Cal, can you help explain this?!??

I can not. I have been sober for decades 

[riverfever]

"Felt rich"?!  On what, your Butt Dyno?!!  Cal, can you help explain this?!??

That's the beauty of jetting too rich AND too lean throughout the process. You learn how your bike reacts/sounds in each circumstance. I never knew what "8-stroking" was until I was jetted way too rich.



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This is exactly what I was talking about. The feeling at 1/4 that I only slightly get now is the same feeling/sound/performance that I had (much worse) when the clips were in the third slot and when I had those 110 mains in. Within an hour from the front door I can experience anywhere from 5600' all the way to 14,115' so if I think there's a spot that's rich, all I have to do is head down the mountain, watch the altimeter, and then see what happens at that spot and then I know for sure if it's a rich/lean condition. And for the record...I'm far from a carb whisperer.

[riverfever]

Took squirrel on a vintage motorcycle ride today. There was about 20 bikes total including several older Triumphs, BMW's, a really sweet older Norton, some Goldwings, CB750's, a Moto Guzzi, and a CB360. We did a 125 mile loop through the mountains. Squirrel ran perfectly all day. I'll try to get a few pictures up later on. First time I've ever ridden in a group. Real fun day.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Took squirrel on a vintage motorcycle ride today. There was about 20 bikes total including several older Triumphs, BMW's, a really sweet older Norton, some Goldwings, CB750's, a Moto Guzzi, and a CB360. We did a 125 mile loop through the mountains. Squirrel ran perfectly all day. I'll try to get a few pictures up later on. First time I've ever ridden in a group. Real fun day.

And the Squirrel was one of the lookers of the bunch.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Apparently one of JWilde's acolytes was in the group (purple jeans and an open-face helmet with a bubble shield).

[riverfever]

Not much to report on squirrel but I've been riding it to work and everything is great. Really never thought I'd say that. Soon the snow will be flying (possibly this weekend) and she'll come off the road. This winter I'm hoping to do some more polishing, replace front wheel bearings and oil pan gasket, and then experiment with fiberglass to make a solo seat. Also need to put a new speedometer in as the current one has given up.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Not much to report on squirrel but I've been riding it to work and everything is great. Really never thought I'd say that. Soon the snow will be flying (possibly this weekend) and she'll come off the road. This winter I'm hoping to do some more polishing, replace front wheel bearings and oil pan gasket, and then experiment with fiberglass to make a solo seat. Also need to put a new speedometer in as the current one has given up.

And possibly a new front end?

[Stev-o]

Also need to put a new speedometer in as the current one has given up.

Want your old speedo back?!

[riverfever]

Not much to report on squirrel but I've been riding it to work and everything is great. Really never thought I'd say that. Soon the snow will be flying (possibly this weekend) and she'll come off the road. This winter I'm hoping to do some more polishing, replace front wheel bearings and oil pan gasket, and then experiment with fiberglass to make a solo seat. Also need to put a new speedometer in as the current one has given up.

And possibly a new front end?

That would be cool.

[riverfever]

Also need to put a new speedometer in as the current one has given up.

Want your old speedo back?!

No sir I want you to use it on your next build. I will probably grab another mini gauge (although I'm disappointed that this one didn't last very long at all). My uhhhh needle went limp.    I'm guessing it's an issue with something breaking internally in the gauge. If I roll the bike the needle does move a tad but that's it. Cable was new.

[Stev-o]

Also need to put a new speedometer in as the current one has given up.

Want your old speedo back?!

No sir I want you to use it on your next build.

Thanks, I plan to use it on the 550 I picked up a couple months back. 

Sorry to hear about limp needle....

[riverfever]

I picked up some foam supplies and started looking more closely at the frame. I have a few questions.

I would like to avoid cutting the frame and putting in a hoop but I'm having a hard time seeing how I can make something work and look good without cutting that portion off the frame for the seat hinge. Does that pretty much need to go if I want to do this?

I have watched videos of people using foam to create a mold but I'm guessing you want the height of the foam between the rails and fiberglass to be very minimal or else the seat will sit much lower once removed from the mold. After grinding off that hinge tab from the frame and removing the tool tray, could I tape some thin cardboard (just for structure between the rails) and use painters tape between the frame rails? In that area, the seat will wrap around the sides of the frame rails and not just sit on top of the frame rails. Then at the front of the seat and on top of the tape, use foam to shape a bit of a transition at the tank and use foam at the back to create the cowl and then tape over all of that and then do the fiberglass? When the seat is popped from the mold I would obviously need to trim it up and do a lot of prep work but am I on the right track with how I'm thinking? Also...any issue with running without that tool tray or the seat interfering with air to the air box?

[calj737]

I’m surprised you want to modify your bike  Personally, I think it looks stellar as is. Maybe a final pant job from Chris (evogt?) and you’d be off to the races!

To make a seat cowl function, you’ll need to do a fair bit of frame mod and you REALLY need to consider the rear tire conflict with the hoop (which basically means it needs to follow the stock lines, which eliminates the space under that portion of the seat).

Might I suggest instead, buying a 500/550 Guilari seat instead? Then you get stock mounting, solo seating, and don’t need to do jack-hoop to the frame.you could spend a bit of dough on having it reupholstered to your fancy with suede or alcantara and then have a “custom” but correct bike.

[Stev-o]

I’m surprised you want to modify your bike  Personally, I think it looks stellar as is. Maybe a final pant job from Chris (evogt?)

+1.  No offense intended, but I've seen too many "custom" seats that didnt turn out so well

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

The Guillari (sp) has the added benefit of keeping the functionality of the hinges, helmet hook and storage underneath (gloves, registration, hat, etc.).

[joeyvans]

Is anyone still making he Giuliari reps? I told Chris about the Texavina (ebay seller) that I've had my eye on. Same deal.... Seat pan bolts right on and others from the forum have had praises for the Texavina options. Not as cool as the Giuliari's, but a good option nonetheless.


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[riverfever]

Please...no offense taken at all. That's why I asked. Like I said, I really don't want to cut the frame up at all. I guess I'm just feeling the need to do something but I certainly don't want to ruin anything in the process. I also considered either having something similar to what Joey mentioned made on an existing pan that I have and covered in nice suede or simply having my current seat covered in suede. Here's the seat Joey mentioned.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Honda-CB500-Four-K1-K2-CB500K-1972-1973-CB550-CB550K-1974-1976-seat-CODE-E2051-/112254624789?hash=item1a22e5a415:g:MPAAAOSwt5hYaCkT&vxp=mtr

I suppose I should just stick with my original plan of making what I have better this winter since I'm now actually able to ride the thing. Winter plans will be to:

-Sadly...revisit the front fender and MotoGP exhaust issue. I can run it like it is but the pre-load spacers I installed have the suspension a little harsh and it would be nice to soften things up a touch but removing them will mean the fender will hit the header again. So I may look at a Motolanna fender. While I'm considering the front end, I'd be smart to lose the stock rear shocks and get something decent under my rear.

-Replace the tachometer. I'm wondering if I didn't mount the gauges correctly and that's why the tach broke and the speedometer needle bounces all around? I used a rubber bushing between the gauge bracket and the top tree but it's really compressed and can't be providing that much isolation. What would be a better solution?

-Rear sets. As I looked at Cam's 650/550 project and my own bike I noticed that this is really going to move the pegs considerably further back and slightly up. I didn't think it was going to be that drastic but I think it will be good.

-And as Cal mentioned...there's paint. Which I no longer have any sort of clue as to what I'd like to do or what would even look good.

[RAFster122s]

You could fit the bike with a custom fly rod tube carrier along with a satchet to strap on behind you for your waders and any other gear needed to go fishing...Then you could have a smile on your face for when riding to and coming back, not caused by the fishing, if the fishing is good it could be all the broader smile across your face.