Author Topic: 1976 CB550F - making it good, one step at a time (Read 126581 times)

jakec · « **Reply #525 on:** July 12, 2018, 12:26:33 PM »

Flatlander, I was doing some research about the dual dsic 550 swap and it seems that it's more than just a direct bolt on and that some fabrication is required. After reading this post (well, skimming it), It seems that the bike you have came with the conversion already done. Is that correct?

flatlander · « **Reply #526 on:** July 12, 2018, 02:03:42 PM »

correct, mine already came with dual discs from the PO. but it's not hard to do, with stock parts.
there's a description here: http://manuals.sohc4.net/cb500/technical_reference/TR500550_DUAL_DISK.pdf
if you want to go a bit more fancy godffery sells thinned and drilled rotors for either left or right hand side use, and also the adapted speedo drive.

jakec · « **Reply #527 on:** July 12, 2018, 03:19:39 PM »

Excellent stuff! Thanks. I knew the primary problems to overcome were the speedo drive and the offset for the right hand rotor. I am looking at a front end rebuild for my 400 (perhaps this winter) and I'm doing a little research to see if I can do a 550 swap

RAFster122s · « **Reply #528 on:** July 12, 2018, 04:04:43 PM »

EBC now makes sintered pads for our bikes, worth the little extra for a much more aggressive pad for better brakes when everything is setup properly.

SF · « **Reply #529 on:** July 13, 2018, 07:05:38 AM »

+1 on Godffreys work.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Godffery · « **Reply #530 on:** July 15, 2018, 08:17:51 PM »

Thank you for the reference regarding the "Godffery Goods"

If you would like to check out some of the bitz, here is a link to my new (still under construction) Website: https://godfferysgarage.com/

flatlander · « **Reply #531 on:** August 18, 2018, 03:01:33 AM »

went for a few days on a camping trip to the belgian and french ardennes - that's beautiful curvy roads in the hills and along creeks, nice little villages and great beers

there were 6 of us, a larger group than i usually prefer but it went all well. bikes were a mixed bunch: 2 k100 (one rs, one regular), a thruxton, a multistrada duc, an r80/7 and my 550.
so yes, the beemer fraction was strong and apart from the minority brit we were joking about being a two-wheeled representation of the axis powers... yeah we're not exactly a politically correct bunch

all the bikes lined up in some tiny place in belgium

campsite on the semois river

breakfast prep

lined up outside a roadside cafe/bar

planning session in the evening

in floreffe, in the baground the abbey where they make the famous beer.

sampling the local brews

as this is a build thread not some vacation blog, here some observations:

i took a litre of oil just in case - you know how much i used? nothing. nada. niente. that with luggage and pushing it hard on small roads, lots of accelerating and high rpms. considering that many people say that these old CBs will always leak or burn some oil, i'm pretty chuffed with that.

my 550 was the oldest and smallest capacity bike in the pack. however, it was definitely not slowing anything down. in fact, most of the time on these small roads it was me and the thruxton leading with the rest lagging behind. so the work put in the bike so far seems to have worked

of course on a wide straight highway it would've been a different game...

and <cough> <cough> the new cam worked a treat, especially for touring with gear it pulls rather nicely.
yeah i know... i owe an update on this but didn't get to writing it up yet.

flatlander · « **Reply #532 on:** August 18, 2018, 05:24:42 AM »

yes sorry, no side car. so both ladies had to stay home.
earlier this summer we went on a van trip through the alps, lily was part of it and loved it.

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #533 on:** August 18, 2018, 08:57:28 AM »

Quote from: flatlander on August 18, 2018, 03:01:33 AM

my 550 was the oldest and smallest capacity bike in the pack. however, it was definitely not slowing anything down. in fact, most of the time on these small roads it was me and the thruxton leading with the rest lagging behind. so the work put in the bike so far seems to have worked
of course on a wide straight highway it would've been a different game...

I've found this to be true as long as the road is technical and twisty -- the middleweight bikes can carry so much more corner speed, but lag on the open highways unless you rev them harder.

Great looking trip!!

RAFster122s · « **Reply #534 on:** August 18, 2018, 04:54:37 PM »

Lilly is a gorgeous dog, what breed? David

flatlander · « **Reply #535 on:** August 18, 2018, 10:58:50 PM »

she's a vizsla - hungarian hunting dog.
and here's another pic, just for you:

flatlander · « **Reply #536 on:** August 18, 2018, 11:04:32 PM »

Quote from: SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan on August 18, 2018, 08:57:28 AM

Quote from: flatlander on August 18, 2018, 03:01:33 AM
my 550 was the oldest and smallest capacity bike in the pack. however, it was definitely not slowing anything down. in fact, most of the time on these small roads it was me and the thruxton leading with the rest lagging behind. so the work put in the bike so far seems to have worked
of course on a wide straight highway it would've been a different game...

I've found this to be true as long as the road is technical and twisty -- the middleweight bikes can carry so much more corner speed, but lag on the open highways unless you rev them harder.

Great looking trip!!

yes right. but this is not a modern middleweight. with this group of bikes and riders i was surprised how well the old lady did - and so were the others, they commented on it scratching their heads

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #537 on:** August 18, 2018, 11:41:47 PM »

Quote from: flatlander on August 18, 2018, 11:04:32 PM

Quote from: SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan on August 18, 2018, 08:57:28 AM
Quote from: flatlander on August 18, 2018, 03:01:33 AM
my 550 was the oldest and smallest capacity bike in the pack. however, it was definitely not slowing anything down. in fact, most of the time on these small roads it was me and the thruxton leading with the rest lagging behind. so the work put in the bike so far seems to have worked
of course on a wide straight highway it would've been a different game...

I've found this to be true as long as the road is technical and twisty -- the middleweight bikes can carry so much more corner speed, but lag on the open highways unless you rev them harder.

Great looking trip!!

yes right. but this is not a modern middleweight. with this group of bikes and riders i was surprised how well the old lady did - and so were the others, they commented on it scratching their heads

I've been on rides with CB750s and comparable 750/1000cc vintage bikes on my CB550. In tighter corner-laden roads like Palos Verdes or the Snake in Malibu, I can carry much more corner speed.

Stev-o · « **Reply #538 on:** August 22, 2018, 08:08:45 AM »

Looks like a great trip...

flatlander · « **Reply #539 on:** August 23, 2018, 11:00:53 PM »

it was, but too short! having a madly busy time at work now, no time for bike stuff

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #540 on:** August 24, 2018, 10:07:14 AM »

Story of my life.

flatlander · « **Reply #541 on:** September 11, 2018, 12:55:04 PM »

during the engine build i installed a megacycle 126-00 cam. the webcam 358a is a similar, mild performance profile but i could not find any direct comparison between the two.
when the opportunity arose to pick up an unused 358a i grabbed it and dropped it.

overall they are very similar, the important difference being that the 358a brings in max torque a bit earlier which suits me very well. so i'll be keeping that one.

resulting dyno chart:

more here: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,134461.msg2025855.html#msg2025855

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #542 on:** September 11, 2018, 03:57:43 PM »

10,122.8 rpm!!! That thing was screaming for mercy.

flatlander · « **Reply #543 on:** September 12, 2018, 06:11:38 AM »

let it scream!
the max numbers are a bit misleading, it's more interesting to see in the chart where power starts coming in.
past about 8k it starts climbing over 50hp and from about 9k on it has peak hp. there's nothing wrong with using that range. realistically, on the road i don't see myself keeping it at 10k for extended periods. an occasional spike should not hurt, though.

MRieck · « **Reply #544 on:** September 12, 2018, 07:14:05 AM »

It is nice to see the power does not drop off well past 10,000 RPM. Would be interesting to see what a 126-20 would do....definitely more peak power and torque would stay the same but not be as strong as early.

flatlander · « **Reply #545 on:** September 12, 2018, 07:42:09 AM »

yes mike, the early pull is what i was looking for as it's not a race engine that's constantly pushed to high revs. i'd be willing to try out a 126-20 for comparison if someone can donate one

remember, we discussed this and that's why we went for the milder cam? maybe of interest for you as well: the 358a gives max torque earlier than the 126-00, with peak values for both hp and torque being equal.

MRieck · « **Reply #546 on:** September 12, 2018, 12:09:13 PM »

Quote from: flatlander on September 12, 2018, 07:42:09 AM

remember, we discussed this and that's why we went for the milder cam?

I clearly remember talking about and how happy you were with the overall increase in torque....something like 10 or 12 ft lbs. I can pretty much help develop a head/piston combination to help get whatever the rider wants.

flatlander · « **Reply #547 on:** September 13, 2018, 04:36:09 AM »

ha, yes! the living proof is in my frame. if i ever get to meet you in person i have to buy you a beverage or two.

Stev-o · « **Reply #548 on:** September 13, 2018, 06:53:40 AM »

Very impressive.....can I do a test ride so I can compare it to my stock 550F?!

flatlander · « **Reply #549 on:** September 14, 2018, 03:00:57 AM »

give me a shout when you come to amsterdam, and we can arrange that!
cal has been here but it was crap weather and he had no riding gear so it was only a visual inspection.

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Author Topic: 1976 CB550F - making it good, one step at a time (Read 126581 times)