Author Topic: 1975 CB550K1 - Stock-ish Restomod - More Mods (Read 154245 times)

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #225 on:** November 18, 2014, 02:30:09 PM »

So, along with the fork lowers, I sourced a pair of new fork tubes from Forking by Frank. I'll use the existing Race Tech internals and swap forks. I'm planning to replace the Tkat with my Tarozzi brace.

Also hoping to use either my spare magnesium 4-piston AP vintage calipers or new 2-piston AP calipers. If, I can run the dual set up, I will likely upgrade my MC to a more stout 19mm Braking MC9601:

imagejpg1_zps6f4dcd4b by Donald Leonhardt, on Flickr

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #226 on:** November 18, 2014, 04:37:01 PM »

Quote from: calj737 on November 17, 2014, 01:02:39 PM

Interesting... From the rear, huh? You've obviously checked the bearings and bushings for proper torque? Wheels are trued and aligned front to rear?

How about double-checking the shock mounts for torque? And are you dead certain the shocks are truly plumb? If they are off (vertical axis) it can create a "swagger" as they rebound due to the uneven compression/expansion of the shock.

And as said previously, could all be down to the tire profiles.... But worth having a good, diligent look at those areas again with something specific in mind.

The shock mount bushings and wheel bearings are properly seated -- the bearings are less than a year old, too. It also has new steering head bearings and bronze swingarm bushings fitted correctly. Wheels are trued and aligned. The strange thing is that the wobble/oscillation only occurs on grooved pavement at higher speeds.

Quote from: calj737 on November 17, 2014, 01:09:22 PM

Where you been, Retro? Seems ages since you've been around. Hope you're well and cheery.

I bet if the cheap bastard would spring for some 120/160s front and rear that would settle it down

Given the more limited choice of rubber for 19/18 Cal, are you advocating a 120/85/19 front and 160/?/18 rear??
Have you tried these sizes on any of your projects?

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #227 on:** November 18, 2014, 06:03:00 PM »

Apparently rubber is available in those sizes for 19:18 but different profiles than standard. Not sure how well they would perform.

BPellerine · « **Reply #228 on:** November 19, 2014, 11:55:56 AM »

Quote from: CB750 Cafe Racer Fan on November 18, 2014, 02:30:09 PM

So, along with the fork lowers, I sourced a pair of new fork tubes from Forking by Frank. I'll use the existing Race Tech internals and swap forks.

I'm planning to replace the Tkat with my Tarozzi brace.

Also hoping to use either my spare magnesium 4-piston AP vintage calipers or new 2-piston AP calipers:

If, I can run the dual set up, I will likely upgrade my MC to a more stout 19mm Braking MC9601:

have you ever held these calipers up to your gl front end to see what the fit might be like?bill

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #229 on:** November 19, 2014, 12:18:11 PM »

Hi Bill,

I previously tried fitting the vintage AP 4-piston calipers to my 750 front (on my 750 build). The would not clear the spokes -- and those are the same spoke clearances on the GL.

This is for the 550 so I am not running a GL front. I have seen some folks match up larger calipers with Lesters since the spokes are not nearly as wide as the metal spokes.

FYI - I will likely swap to the 19mm MC over the 16mm MC, especially if I use the 4-piston calipers. I tend to like 2 finger braking -- I can one-finger brake on my RC51. I also managed to get the Braking Master Cylinder fairly cheap.

BPellerine · « **Reply #230 on:** November 21, 2014, 06:13:23 PM »

that sucks Don ,they would look so cool with nice rotors!working on my engine a little at a time over the winter but snow is not a great motivator!bill

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #231 on:** November 21, 2014, 06:19:15 PM »

Crazy blizzard snow at that, too!

Yes, the APs would have looked cool withe the EBC rotors. I'm very happy with the GL calipers with the EBC rotors.

Stay warm!

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #232 on:** November 21, 2014, 08:06:39 PM »

Woohoo!! Lesters acquired. 19" front. 18" rear.

Front:

1_zpsoperht0c by Donald Leonhardt, on Flickr

2_zpste1du2ka by Donald Leonhardt, on Flickr

Rear:

]

RL2_zps1ea5e169 by Donald Leonhardt, on Flickr

RL3_zpsf12269af by Donald Leonhardt, on Flickr

RL4_zpsed3b7eae by Donald Leonhardt, on Flickr

RL5_zps3c843831 by Donald Leonhardt, on Flickr

RL6_zps953c20c0 by Donald Leonhardt, on Flickr

This winter mod project is coming together. Now to get brake brackets designed to mount the AP calipers!!

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #233 on:** November 21, 2014, 08:54:26 PM »

Very nice....

bwaller · « **Reply #234 on:** November 21, 2014, 08:57:13 PM »

Nice indeed.

FERALWORKS · « **Reply #235 on:** November 22, 2014, 02:28:05 AM »

WOW ! Lesters in boxes..... That would be a very rare find here in the U.K.
It took me 3 years to find a 3" wide rear Lester for my BMW !

Maurice · « **Reply #236 on:** November 22, 2014, 04:27:09 AM »

Wow! Can't wait to see the result.

bwaller · « **Reply #237 on:** November 22, 2014, 04:59:20 AM »

Don would you mind posting individual weights for those wheels?

slikwilli420 · « **Reply #238 on:** November 22, 2014, 08:07:43 AM »

A man that thinks like me! Hope your front end comes together as well as mine. You want unique, Lester wheels and AP calipers is pretty damn near at the top of the heap.

Blackfin5 · « **Reply #239 on:** November 22, 2014, 11:50:48 AM »

Don, you scored on those Lesters. I really like them. I call first dibs.

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #240 on:** November 22, 2014, 05:19:50 PM »

Quote from: bwaller on November 22, 2014, 04:59:20 AM

Don would you mind posting individual weights for those wheels?

Sorry Brent, my scale is broken (maybe I broke it getting on it

). I think the rear weighed around 20. I dropped them off to my friend Jay to have him take a look at fabricating some front brake mounts, trying to incorporate Matt's brackets.

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #241 on:** November 24, 2014, 10:06:35 AM »

I rode the 550 yesterday to a Movember fundraising event at Indian OC. The bike ran solid, but seems to have a petcock leak. Even when shut off, fuel is still dripping to the carbs and out my overflow hoses. Not much gas but enough to want to fix it. It's a brand new NOS petcock, too. I purchased a spare rebuild kit for the strainer, but it's the seal to the valve that's the problem. Any idea where to get the internal seal for the valve?

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #242 on:** December 08, 2014, 01:32:59 PM »

I dropped off my tank to my painter Bondo. He forgot to Caswell coat it before painting, so he's removing some flash rust and then coating the tank -- while the wheels and front end get sorted out. I managed to find another NOS petcock to replace my leaking one.

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #243 on:** January 26, 2015, 11:56:53 AM »

Clear powdercoating finally came back for the fork lowers. It looks perfect -- no different from the polished aluminum, but just protected. Now comes fabrication of new brake mounts for the AP Racing calipers.

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #244 on:** March 23, 2015, 11:45:16 AM »

Fork transplant complete. Racetech internals transplanted into new clear powdercoated lowers and new upper tubes, ears, etc.

Front Lester needs some new paint to clean up some scuffs.

Jay is making mounts for the AP Racing calipers.

flatlander · « **Reply #245 on:** March 23, 2015, 01:07:39 PM »

you're pretty good with the telegraphs now how about some pictures?

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #246 on:** March 23, 2015, 01:13:14 PM »

None taken, since (right now) it looks pretty much the same as it did before the winter project started. The forks look nearly identical, except that the bottom legs are about an inch longer. The stock wheel is mounted but without the rotors since they will bolt onto the Lester once it gets a spray of black paint.

I know. Pictures or it didn't happen. Except in this case, pictures won't say a damn thing. So, pictures once there is some visual progress.

flatlander · « **Reply #247 on:** March 23, 2015, 02:04:09 PM »

excuses... excuses...
you know, this only means you need to work faster so that you can finally take some pics!

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #248 on:** March 23, 2015, 02:20:47 PM »

Quote from: flatlander on March 23, 2015, 02:04:09 PM

excuses... excuses...
you know, this only means you need to work faster so that you can finally take some pics!

Unfortunately, my attention has been distracted in working on this bike, in sourcing parts for my new 750 (Mongrel) and making repairs to my old 750 (Nine Lives). I am happy the front end is this far along.

I'll try to get some pictures when Jay finishes the brake mounts.

flatlander · « **Reply #249 on:** March 24, 2015, 12:36:29 AM »

i know how it feels. i'm also waiting for parts that seem to take ages. actually, they do take ages.

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Author Topic: 1975 CB550K1 - Stock-ish Restomod - More Mods (Read 154245 times)