Topic: Trad's 74 CB550 K0

[Trad]

Received my Progressive rear suspension from Stilltime today. I didn't like the look of the top caps so I was able to compress the springs by hand, pull the stopper spacer out then pull out the caps. Who the hell needs a spring compressor. haha. I like the more retro look with them naked like this.

I will get the tank, seat, and suspension installed and mocked up asap.

Thanks again for the shocks Chris!

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I agree.  The caps look cheap!  They look much better without them.

[Trad]

I agree.  The caps look cheap!  They look much better without them.

You know it! Thanks for the input, I always value your opinion.

Did you get that 650 cam installed yet?

[Trad]

Bastahd! Now I have to unbolt my shocks and remove the caps from them... I'll never get this bike done if I keep trying to stay up with Trad 

Hahahaha! You have to agree though, it looks way better without the caps.

It's not a competition, but you're still ahead of the game Cal. I need to get to catching up! Still so much to do and it's already riding season. There is a nice CL 350 listed locally that I might pick up for a runner so I don't have to rush this bike.

[Trad]

So I installed the Progressive rear shocks today. I can't wait to ride with these on.

 I also bolted the seat in and made a few minor adjustemnts to the mounting brackets BCR supplied. I just threw on my B tank to see how the seat fit with the tank. I'm really happy with the fitment but already tell the seat is going to mess up the paint on the NOS tank. I need to ad a soft lining to the underside of the seat/tank blend. 

I'm debating doing colour matched side covers to the metallic green factory tank. I'd really like to find a NOS set.

I also posted a wanted thread for a 77-78 rocker cover with the pinned shafts. So if anyone's seen one for sale let me know, that would be great!

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=137836.0

It's not a competition!?!? Now you tell me... I missed the memo  Now, who wants to buy a bunch of once-installed overpriced parts from a nearly finished project?

I would. Can never have too much. haha

[P.abrera]

Have just the head and cylinders power coated with a clear. Give you the best of both worlds: protection and aesthetics.

How does a clear laquer over polished alloy compare to PC?

[Trad]

Shocks do look much better without their hats...

I've got a BCR whale tank that would look really good on that bike, Trad. Built for the 500/550 will bolt right on.

A comment? Please take no offense, because I've the same issue: the way the factory tank finishes (open, gaping hole to access the mounting rubber) creates the need for the seat to envelope that area. Benjie made your seat fit to it, then splay around the sides. "I think, he's made it a bit too puffy on the sides, almost inflated looking there". I love the fitment and lines to the tail section, and his work really is top shelf, but wondering how you feel about that area?

Perhaps it's limited pictures and camera angles, but your bike has a beautifully svelte look to it, just makes that pop out a bit. Might also just be the color contrast in the build up stage too... Perhaps as you near the completion with all the parts on, it will subside visually?

Yeah they do!

If you look through some early photos of my build I had a BCR dolphin tank and seat that I ditched. Having found that green NOS tank I knew I needed to run it instead so I sold the old setup and had Benjie do up this seat. In all honesty I asked for the blend area to be large to cover the gap. It's actually mimic'd from a Kott motorcycles seat and his are the same in that area. I think if you see a side view of the bike you will like it a bit more, maybe not though, haha.  I have this photo a harsh angle because it had my ugly white tank on it and it really clashed with the bike on the side view. I will get it mocked up with the tank the bike will actually have and take a nice side view. You're thinking it flares too much past the tank in the below photo? I honestly think it's the angle.



Thanks for the input though Cal, always appretiated!

[Trad]

Have just the head and cylinders power coated with a clear. Give you the best of both worlds: protection and aesthetics.

How does a clear laquer over polished alloy compare to PC?

My input is it wouldn't hold up well without some sort of primer. PC would be the way to do it.

[Trad]

Here is a side profile mocked up with the white tank I AM NOT USING 

It shows the tank/seat blend better.

Opinions on running side covers or not? I'd have them color matched to the green NOS tank.

[Trad]

To give you an honest impression on side covers, I'd prefer to see the ta that's going to be installed. But my initial instinct is to run side covers.

This is the new old stock tank I scored. Same color and year of what the bike was origionally. 1974 CB550 K

[Trad]

Black side covers with the pin stripes color matched to the tank. Vintage, but custom. Love that tank!

It was quite the find I tell you, as if it's never seen the light of day in 40 years!!! It's almost a shame I'm going to run it. haha

I like your idea, black with the colour matched side covers. It might be a while, I'm going to run it without side covers for a bit. I don't have any right now and that's the biggest reason. haha. Going to make a tidy electronics/battery tray that will also hold the ignition. I'm going to fit it right under the seat in the trianguler side cover section. That's next on the list. 

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Black side covers with the pin stripes color matched to the tank. Vintage, but custom. Love that tank!

It was quite the find I tell you, as if it's never seen the light of day in 40 years!!! It's almost a shame I'm going to run it. haha

I like your idea, black with the colour matched side covers. It might be a while, I'm going to run it without side covers for a bit. I don't have any right now and that's the biggest reason. haha. Going to make a tidy electronics/battery tray that will also hold the ignition. I'm going to fit it right under the seat in the trianguler side cover section. That's next on the list.

That tank will look so great with black side covers!

[Trad]

Front fender? Color matched to tank green?

I rawed and chopped my front fender. 

I also bought two 77-78 style valve covers. They look pretty rough and corroded on the outside but the internals/cam journals on both look nice. Planning on mounting my new old stock rockers in one of these with the pinned shafts. I'm going to have a lot of cleaning/sanding to do on the outside of these to make them nice 

[Trad]

One step forward 2 steps back. I had my mic and bore guage arrive this morning. I was double checking the clearances on my pistons and cylinder before final installation and I found out that instead of the 2.8 thou piston to wall clearance there should have been, it was actually over 5 thou!!!!!! This will not fly!!!! I called the machine shop and it's been so long they are not willing to rectify.

At this point I am working with Mike (Mreik) to find a new block and I will be sending him my pistons asap to have everything done my him and the machine shop he uses.

I know have a 600 dollar paper weight in this block. I am not buying new 61mm pistons either GOOOODDDDDAMMMMIIIIT!

[Trad]

what is the final dimension of the jugs? And what size pistons would be required? I ask, as I may take it off your hands (for payment of course)

Final size would be 60.5mm It would require a re-bore or big hone for a 61mm piston.

[bwaller]

Tough bloody luck. On the plus side it's about to be done right. 

[Trad]

Tough bloody luck. On the plus side it's about to be done right. 

That's what I was thinking too. Crazy to think parts leave the machine shop out of spec.

[Trad]

Sorted out some of the fitment issues with the tank & seat. I think it's all sitting pretty flush now. The engine on this bike will be silver so the rear of the seat won't look so out of place. Sending pistons out to Mike and he picked up a cylinder for me. Cylinder boring round 2.

[Roar]

Great work! Wow!
Have you considered to lower the frontlight a little? I think that would make it look even better! Top of light in line with top of tank...?

[Trad]

Great work! Wow!
Have you considered to lower the frontlight a little? I think that would make it look even better! Top of light in line with top of tank...?

Roar,

Thanks man! I put the bucket on so it was level with the top of the triple but now that I think about it I may  level it with the top of the tank. It'll be a cleaner line from front to back. Thanks for the suggestion.

[Trad]

Rubbish. The whole thing's rubbish. I'll give you $100 and be glad that I'm feeling that generous to take that heap out of your garage, Trad. 

It's coming along really nicely!

Ah, I can small the sarcasim from here. Add 2 more zeros and we have a deal! 

Always appreciate the input buddy. 

[DustyRags]

Ha! Well played, Cal!

I'll give you a quarter to borrow it for the weekend. Oh, and I'll need to borrow the pinkslip too for, um, insurance purposes.

Trad- is that brake reservoir going to work at that angle?

[Trad]

$100.00 Sold!

HAHA, Touché. 

[Trad]

Ha! Well played, Cal!

I'll give you a quarter to borrow it for the weekend. Oh, and I'll need to borrow the pinkslip too for, um, insurance purposes.

Trad- is that brake reservoir going to work at that angle?

It sure does.  The fluid level is not accurate when looking at the gauge obviously. haha. I've always put my brake and clutch levers on harsh angles. It just feels more comfortable for me. I ride bmx bikes for a living so it may have something to do with that. 

[RobbyD]

Bikes looking great trad.  That seat turned out perfect