Author Topic: Sweep the Floor Bike #2 (Read 28833 times)

Scott S · « **Reply #100 on:** April 30, 2016, 04:19:36 AM »

For whatever reason, I was having some issues with the brake backing plate rubbing on the wheel (maybe because this bike is built from 3 or 4 bikes, a pile of parts and some aftermarket wheels??

).
Here's a "before" showing how the backing plate is somewhat counter sunk in the wheel.

The rear wheel had a persistent slow leak that I couldn't stop. After changing the stem a couple of times, I just pulled it to have a tube installed. While it was off, I used three thin washers to space the backing plate out. It turns out that air-cooled VW alternator belt pulley shims are the perfect size to slip over the axle. They're also very thin, so it's easy to stack them and get the proper spacing needed.
No more rubbing and no issues getting the wheel and axle spacers back in.

"after"

Scott S · « **Reply #101 on:** April 30, 2016, 04:24:14 AM »

And while I really dug the little dirt bike headlight, it was causing my OCD more trouble than it was worth.
The tach on the Danmoto is bad, so that meant an added tach. I could see wiring, the tach cable wrapped around the headlight, etc., etc. I also disliked the shape of the master cylinder when compared with the rest of the lines on the bike.
So I ripped it all off.

Here's the new, lower profile master cylinder installed and a (possible) mirror solution.

I have plans for the headlight and dash. A little more traditional, but a lot less headache and I think it'll work just fine with the build. Stay tuned.

Scott S · « **Reply #102 on:** May 10, 2016, 04:12:13 AM »

When I pulled the forks out of the pile, I cleaned them up and changed the oil, but not the seals. That was a mistake. They didn't leak badly, but they did leak.
I figured that if I had the front end this far apart reconfiguring the light and controls, it would be stupid to NOT do the seals.

I found some NOS Honda seals, the thicker ones that are the updated part number for CB750 forks (which are what I'm using, even though this is a CB550).

Scott S · « **Reply #103 on:** May 10, 2016, 04:15:35 AM »

I also dug into the carbs. These carbs....and this engine....were in my '71 CB500 at one time. It ALWAYS ran rich and got poor mileage. That's the main reason I pulled it and why it got the overbore/rebuild.
However, I've since learned from working on another CB550 that the symptoms I was experiencing were most likely worn needles/emulsion tubes.
Installed four NOS Honda/Keihin needle sets and new 105 main jets. Still need to bench sync them and get them back on the bike, hopefully later today.

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #104 on:** May 10, 2016, 08:25:53 AM »

Scott,

I'm glad to see this bike back in the game, especially after you had to sell the others this Winter. This one is pretty amazing -- love the paint and Henry Abe wheels. Now get her done so we can nominate you for BOTM!

Scott S · « **Reply #105 on:** May 10, 2016, 09:43:30 AM »

I'm working on it! Waiting on some parts to get here so I can keep moving forward. As soon as I get the lights and controls wired up, I'll fire her back up and sync the carbs. Hopefully, after that all I'll need is to get the seat pan covered.

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #106 on:** May 10, 2016, 09:55:32 AM »

I love the shape of the seat. It gives the bike a street tracker look.

Scott S · « **Reply #107 on:** May 11, 2016, 04:18:00 AM »

I've read about carb vents needing still air to work properly. Some people have said this can be a problem with the open triangle.
I also heard from one forum member that complained of tuning issues with the K&N plenum filter like I'm using.
I was sitting around in the garage one day and saw the ends of the vent tubes hanging there...

I figured, "why not?" and wrapped them lightly with some UNI foam from a sheet I had laying around. I'll see if this helps or hurts anything.

Scott S · « **Reply #108 on:** May 11, 2016, 04:20:03 AM »

I did manage to get it back to a roller. Just waiting on some parts to show up so I can wire up the controls and lights and I'll fire it up and set the timing and vacuum sync the carbs.
After that, hopefully all I'll have left is to get the seat covered.

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #109 on:** May 11, 2016, 09:07:44 AM »

Just see if you can complete it sometime before June 15 so I can nominate it for next month's BOTM!!

Trad · « **Reply #110 on:** May 12, 2016, 10:53:11 AM »

Nice work Scott. It looks really tidy. Can't go wrong with that outcome via mostly spare parts.

mrfish2 · « **Reply #111 on:** May 12, 2016, 12:21:17 PM »

Quote from: Scott S on May 11, 2016, 04:18:00 AM

I also heard from one forum member that complained of tuning issues with the K&N plenum filter like I'm using.

I might have mentioned this before Scott (can't remember if I did or not) but my tuning issues were related to buggered emulsion tubes. Once those were replaced I was up to a 120 main jet with that K&N setup (and it was still the slightest bit lean, but could have run fine there) before deciding to go back to the stock air box. I also have the MotoGP Werks exhaust installed, so that almost free-flowing exhaust coupled with the extreme flow of the K&N at WOT is what drove the main jet up so high. Since you've replaced your needles and emulsion tubes I think you shouldn't have many problems at all.

Loving those Henry Abe's!!

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #112 on:** May 12, 2016, 03:49:12 PM »

Scott,

I'm too lazy to go through the thread again. What's the story on your seat? Metal or fiberglass? Purchased or made by you?

Scott S · « **Reply #113 on:** May 13, 2016, 08:10:24 AM »

It's metal, made by Mitch at Vulgar Cycles using my ideas/specifications.

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #114 on:** May 13, 2016, 08:41:28 AM »

Quote from: Scott S on May 13, 2016, 08:10:24 AM

It's metal, made by Mitch at Vulgar Cycles using my ideas/specifications.

Very tasteful. It reminds me of a cross between a Yamaha RD seat and a flat tracker seat. That matte, metallic paint is killer. Some friends of mine did a SEMA show car with a similar finish in deep ruby. They nicknamed it a velvet finish.

Scott S · « **Reply #115 on:** May 17, 2016, 03:24:54 PM »

Well, here's the new headlight/dash/gauge combo. Whatta ya think?
It's just finger tight right now and the headlight needs aiming. I'm also up in the air over painting the cowl blue like the rest of the bodywork or a satin/matte black like the old headlight. The paint on there now is just spray bomb and it needs a little body work.

Mini tach and speedo and mini LED idiot lights. Blue = High Beam, Green = Neutral, Red = Oil Pressure.

The above pic is outside on the (overcast) daylight. They're very bright.

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #116 on:** May 17, 2016, 04:03:38 PM »

I think the new cowl will look killer if painted to match the bodywork.

Scott S · « **Reply #117 on:** May 17, 2016, 04:12:09 PM »

That's most likely what will happen.

Stev-o · « **Reply #118 on:** May 17, 2016, 04:43:03 PM »

What did you use for a mount for the gauges? I need something similar for my K3.

Scott S · « **Reply #119 on:** May 17, 2016, 05:03:15 PM »

They come with brackets. I just used the factory triple tree holes.
I made a small panel from thin metal for the idiot lights.

Scott S · « **Reply #120 on:** May 18, 2016, 10:27:05 AM »

New brass cured the carb issues. I used NOS Honda emulsion tubes and needles and new Keihin 105 mains. Everything else is stock.
First, I figured out a way to get my timing light on it (harder to do with the lithium battery down on the swing arm) and set the timing. It was off a fair bit; too advanced. Got it dead on at full advance now.
I set the mixture screws at 1.5 turns out and that's where the bike likes them, more or less, with a couple of them needing maybe an 1/8th of a turn out. I put the vacuum gauges on the carbs and probably could have walked away at that point. I made some very, very minor adjustments to 1 and 2, since I had gone to all the trouble of setting it up (no trouble, really....but I was in there, so....).
Starts right up, idles at just over 1,000 (could bring it down a little, but it sounds good there), pulls great in every gear and all throttle positions. Even pulls away from a lug in 3rd or 4th gear. No bogging, snapping, popping, etc. I'm happy so far!

Oh, and that Kerker exhaust.... gives me a chubby every time I twist the throttle! It sounds like denim ripping or a MotoGP bike! Amazing.

I'll pull the cowl and get it painted. I have a message in to the upholstery guy for the seat. The front brake is a little spongy, like there might be some air still in there, so I'll deal with that.
Shouldn't be long now!

Bankerdanny · « **Reply #121 on:** May 18, 2016, 10:33:32 AM »

Damn, that is just beautiful. What color are you think ling for the seat? Seems like it needs a rich tan.

Scott S · « **Reply #122 on:** May 18, 2016, 10:44:02 AM »

Gonna keep it dark, along with the rest of the theme. I have thought about some contrasting stitching in a graphite or titanium color, maybe.
The fly screen will be matte blue like the rest of the body work.

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #123 on:** May 18, 2016, 12:04:22 PM »

Hot damn, Scott. I'm nominating this for BOTM once you finish the paint and seat, unless someone beats me to the punch.

Scott S · « **Reply #124 on:** May 18, 2016, 01:08:24 PM »

I'm trying to get it done! It's dragged on forever, it seems. There was a spell there when I was ready to give up on it. Glad I didn't now!

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Author Topic: Sweep the Floor Bike #2 (Read 28833 times)