Topic: Trad's 74 CB550 K0

[Trad]

Well, Benjie is pretty well done with the seat. Just needs to take care of some high's and low's on the alloy cowl but that's it. I am more than happy with the outcome. It was built exactly to my spec and he was super helpful the whole way through.

Especially digging the ribbed brown leather upholstery. I think that will go well with the green tank and should pop umoungst all the black and silver. I can't wait to mock it up with the tank.

[pieman]

that seat looks great! Just curious though, why did you not end up going with Kott?

[Trad]

that seat looks great! Just curious though, why did you not end up going with Kott?

Thanks man. Unfortunately Dustin didn't return any of my phone calls or emails. I had previous work done with Benjie at BCR and he was happy to work with me when I sent him the style and dimensions I wanted.

[SF]

Looks dam good!

[Trad]

SF, thanks mate.

I just noticed that Benjies seat bracket has a cross brace on it and I am in the midst of making my own. The one he has on there will no doubt hit the tire on compression. Bah, I better address that before he sends it out.

[tweakin]

love the tail section.  simple and understated....

[Trad]

love the tail section.  simple and understated....

tweakin, thanks for the compliment. Your builds are off the hook amazing, keep it up!

On another I talked to Benjie and the flat bar on the rear of the seat is just for mock up and not a brace or part of the seat bracket. I should have finished photos by the end of the week.

[Maurice]

Ah the bracket needs to be inverted at the very least, looks like all you need is an angle piece separate from the vertical ones. What a stunning tail, fits with the tank very nicely. I'd go this route but I like the ability to carry a passenger.

[Trad]

Ah the bracket needs to be inverted at the very least, looks like all you need is an angle piece separate from the vertical ones. What a stunning tail, fits with the tank very nicely. I'd go this route but I like the ability to carry a passenger.

Thanks Maurice. Benjie killed it! I was puzzled by the horizontal flat bar and thought it was a brace. It was good to hear it was just for mock up. I figured anyone should know that a brace that low would kiss the tires on ever bump and valley, I was right. haha

[Maurice]

Oh I missed that part... duh (facepalm smiley)

[Trad]

Oh I missed that part... duh (facepalm smiley)

Haha, no sweat.

[Trad]

Well, the seat is complete and Benjie will be shipping it off Monday morning. This is probably my favourite piece of this build. I was chatting with him and he incorporated my idea for the rear brace and seat mount together. So excited to receive it. The fit and finish looks amazing.

[calj737]

So, due to the unusual weather system this winter you've moved Christmas to next week!? Please, don't tell my kids...

Seat looks friggin' beautiful. Benjie does do some really nice work.

[Trad]

So, due to the unusual weather system this winter you've moved Christmas to next week!? Please, don't tell my kids...

Seat looks friggin' beautiful. Benjie does do some really nice work.

calj737, It sure does feel like Christmas. "friggin' beautiful" is a great description. haha. Cheers mate. 

[calj737]

Why need to set up a long weekend, somewhere that the weather can be anticipated, and get as many members together to "swap" rides around. The opportunity to see many of these builds in person, ride them, meet and tell lies, would be too compelling to miss.

I know there are some other rides of this nature, but we gotta figure some other options out too. He'll, I'll trailer across the country to get my bikes there. You up for it, Trad?

[Trad]

Why need to set up a long weekend, somewhere that the weather can be anticipated, and get as many members together to "swap" rides around. The opportunity to see many of these builds in person, ride them, meet and tell lies, would be too compelling to miss.

I know there are some other rides of this nature, but we gotta figure some other options out too. He'll, I'll trailer across the country to get my bikes there. You up for it, Trad?

Man that would be down right awesome! I live in Canada but would be more willing to load the bike on the truck and make the journey. West coat prefered. 

There are so many amazing bikes on here that I'd love to see in person, and even ride. Great idea.

[DustyRags]

OK, gents, gimme three months lead time, and I'll get a SOHC just for that!

[Trad]

OK, gents, gimme three months lead time, and I'll get a SOHC just for that!

Better get on it. Let's make this happen!

[Trad]

Got my rotor back from True Disk a while back. I decided to raw the paint and brush/polish the interior of the rotor. I'm glad I went this route instead of painting.







I installed everything but I'm having a sticking issue with the piston on the calliper. I'm going to pull it apart again tomorrow and re-grease it to make sure it's not getting hung up.

Other than that, not much progress has happened. I received my seat from benjie a while back but it was damaged in shipping so I had to return it back for repair. It should be back in my hands next week. After that it's just finish up the wiring and install the top end.

So many goodies in the top end. I'm excited. haha

[Stilltime]

Hey, you didn't request the custom Check-mark hole pattern???  Haha, lookin awesome!

What pads are you using?  I had the same issue and tore it all back apart, now it's working perfect with no sticking or squeaks. 

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Hey, you didn't request the custom Check-mark hole pattern???  Haha, lookin awesome!

What pads are you using?  I had the same issue and tore it all back apart, now it's working perfect with no sticking or squeaks.

That check mark pattern was a limited edition run. 

[Trad]

Hey, you didn't request the custom Check-mark hole pattern???  Haha, lookin awesome!

What pads are you using?  I had the same issue and tore it all back apart, now it's working perfect with no sticking or squeaks.

Haha, I should have.  And thanks man!

Tom did a great job, the finish was prime.

I am using EBC pads. They are brand new so the extra width with my previous setting is probably why they are dragging. I took the piston apart today and it's a bit better but still has a slight drag. I'm going to re-bleed the system next week. I'm thinking there is some air causing residual pressure which won't let the pads release all the way.

We will see 

[Stilltime]

My issue was the paint on the EBC pads.  Used my dremel to remove most of the top layer, then a file, and finished off basically polishing the outer edge of the driving pad so it would fall out when tipped upside down.

Then applied caliper grease to the polished edge to help it slide, removed the plastic spacer behind the pad and applied disc brake quiet to the face of the piston where it will contact the pad.

No squeaks or binding whatsoever, and the brakes work great.  A Speed Bleeder is my new best friend, they should come stock!

[Stilltime]

To be clear, I did not reinstall the plastic spacer.  Removal of this was necessary to allow the pad to retract and not touch the rotor.  With it in place, the EBC pads were too thick, no matter how much I adjusted it, one or the other would always be in contact with the rotor.

[Trad]

My issue was the paint on the EBC pads.  Used my dremel to remove most of the top layer, then a file, and finished off basically polishing the outer edge of the driving pad so it would fall out when tipped upside down.

Then applied caliper grease to the polished edge to help it slide, removed the plastic spacer behind the pad and applied disc brake quiet to the face of the piston where it will contact the pad.

No squeaks or binding whatsoever, and the brakes work great.  A Speed Bleeder is my new best friend, they should come stock!

I didn't even bother with that plastic spacer from the beginning, thanks though, it's reassuring knowing others are ditching them too.

In all my years of working on cars and bikes I have never used calliper lube, brake quite, or grease to the backs of brake pads and never had an issue. For how hot things can get down there it make me uneasy thinking the goo will thin and move where it shouldn't......like the face of the pad or rotor! haha. To me a little chatter or squeak at high speeds is worth the trade off....In my head anyway.

I always lube the piston though, don't get me wrong there.


I still need to bleed the system and report back. If that doesn't fix it I will be going with your dremel idea on the paint! Cheers man!