Topic: ’75 CB550F for the Long Haul

[MD]

In my  previous project thread concerning this bike, http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,152134.msg1738963.html#msg1738963,  it covered getting the bike back on the road after a 20+ year nap.  In my last post on that thread, I shared about completing an Ironbutt Association Saddle Sore 1000 around Lake Superior, September 1, 2017.

Since then the bike has run two SS1Ks, first run was to visit the  45 degrees latitude/90 degrees longitude marker in Wisconsin,

,  and twelve hours later doing a 1000 miles all in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, June 2019.

This thread will cover preparing the bike to do longer rides such as 1500 miles in less than 24 hours and 4800 miles in less than 100 hours.

Some of the projects to meet these goals,

   Modify the stock tank to hold 11 gallons.
   Get high mileage tubeless tire
   Automatic chain oiler
   True cruise control

There are others but these are enough to keep me busy for the next year.

-MD

[seanbarney41]

just stellar...so many kids here can't get their 550's to go 20 miles in an afternoon.  Put a little of the right love into that 550, and it will do anything you want.  Make sure any further videos include the facial expressions of other iba riders that DONT ride 40 year old $500 bikes lol!

[MD]

just stellar...so many kids here can't get their 550's to go 20 miles in an afternoon.  Put a little of the right love into that 550, and it will do anything you want.  Make sure any further videos include the facial expressions of other iba riders that DONT ride 40 year old $500 bikes lol!

Sean,

I think I only paid $250 in 1988.  The expensive part started in 2015. 

-MD

[Bankerdanny]

I had several 400+ mile days on my 550F on a trip I took in 2017. The final number was 4700 miles in 13 days, but only about 10 riding days.

[MD]

Bankerdanny,

I remember you posting about going 2000 miles without an oil change.  Thinking about looking for additives and better filter so that the oil change can be stretched out to 5000.  Additives for the clutch would be added every 1500 miles is my present contemplation.

-MD

[MD]

The dust boot on one of the front forks decided 44 years was enough bouncing and stretching.  Bought the new set of boots last year but didn't start the project until June this year.  While I had the forks off decided it would also be a good time to replace the steering head bearings and install progressive springs in the forks.  Had the idea that it would be nice to polish the lower forks.  Well it is now August and the GL1200A is down with a bad starter.  Time to get a  road bike ride-able, skipped polishing the front forks and got the new springs, seals and boots installed today.  Got the tubes in the triple tree.  Next step will be filling the tubes with ATF.

Took a short ride one the Mini-50 to get some riding in.

-MD

[MD]

Time to revive the thread.

Ordered a CCS100 cruise control.  Installed one of these on the GL1200A so if I get stuck, I'll have a working example to look at.

Replaced the oil pan gasket last fall but did not get the new one in correctly.  When it warms up I'll be replacing it again.

-MD

[MD]

It was sunny today with temps about 40/5 till the clouds came and dropped the temp to 35/3.  Lot of snow has melted so it was comfortable to work on the bike.  When I drained the oil to Replaced the oil pan gasket, discovered the bike had less than a quart of oil left in it.  This gasket was NOS and fit perfectly.  It stayed in place during the installation.  The drain plug was also dripping oil.  It had stripped out.  Years ago I replaced the drain plug with a slightly larger one.  Time to do it again.  The plug was 12mm.  Could not find a 13mm locally so opted to tap the threads to 1/2".  Cut down a 1" long bolt to the same length of the plugs.  Installed with the aluminum crush washer and a rubber washer.  It is now holding oil so I took the bike for a quick shake down run. 

2/27/21

[MD]

Wrote about this ride in Show Your Bike On the Road.  Also posting to give context to what the "Long Haul" is.  At the bottom of the page is the link for the complete ride report.

-MD





https://markdconsulting.com/MN-2022/MN%202022%202000.htm

[MD]

The heads are weeping oil like an old '70s English bike.   Looking for recommendations for gaskets that will allow the use of synthetic oil.

Thanks,

-MD

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

The heads are weeping oil like an old '70s English bike.   Looking for recommendations for gaskets that will allow the use of synthetic oil.

Thanks,

-MD

I'm not sure how well the clutch will function on synthetic.

[MD]

The heads are weeping oil like an old '70s English bike.   Looking for recommendations for gaskets that will allow the use of synthetic oil.

Thanks,

-MD

I'm not sure how well the clutch will function on synthetic.
[/quote

Yes the oil would have to have zinc additives. 

-MD