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Offline P.abrera

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New guy, first build
« on: March 12, 2014, 06:35:50 AM »
Introducing myself here. Caught the cafe bug a while back and have been on the lookout for a project bike. Good with my hands but don't have any solid mechanical experience...I may have bitten off more than I can chew with this pile I took home. '76 CB 550, hoping to go from crap to cafe  ;D

There are a couple of enthusiasts and one or two custom shops here in Manila but I'm foolishly gonna try and do most of the work myself. Hoping for lots of advice from you experienced builders out there, so bear with me.

Here we go…

Paolo
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Offline inv3ctiv3

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Re: New guy, first build
« Reply #1 on: March 12, 2014, 07:53:24 AM »
Welcome! But wow yea you have some work a head of you but as I learned this place rules and everyone here is super helpful!
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1975 CB400F

Offline iron_worker

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Re: New guy, first build
« Reply #2 on: March 12, 2014, 08:00:52 AM »
Did you dredge that up out of a sewage treatment pond?

lol

IW
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Offline 2strokeTrush

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Re: New guy, first build
« Reply #3 on: March 12, 2014, 09:08:15 AM »
Its possible don't worry.  Looks like you need to buy some serious degreaser though
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If You Aint First Your Last!!

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Offline edwardmorris

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Re: New guy, first build
« Reply #4 on: March 12, 2014, 09:22:19 AM »
Yikes!

My 2 cents, I'd suggest you take a VERY close look at the frame to make sure it hasn't rusted through. Granted its still possible to work with a busted frame, it may not be worth it unless you possess superior welding skills or know someone who does.

And Welcome!
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Offline dagersh

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Re: New guy, first build
« Reply #5 on: March 12, 2014, 12:17:50 PM »
WOW  :o

Before you do anything, clean, clean and clean.  Get each component in the picture free of dirt so you can really see what you are working with.

There are manuals here, get them.  Read as much as you can on here for each system and start your rebuild.  Take copious pictures and notes on what you take off and where it needs to go back.

You can do this, its going to be one heck of a ride though....

SUBSCRIBED!

Gersh
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1962 CA95
1966 Black Bomber
1966 CA77 Dream
1967 Superhawk
1970 CB750K0
1972 CL350
1972 CB450/500 Custom
1972 CB500K1
1975 CB550F
1976 CB400F
1975 CB750 Future Restoration
1976 CB750K6
1976 CB750F
1976 GL1000


1968 Suzuki T500 Cobra
1990 BMW K1
2001 'Busa
2003 RC 51
Bunch of Guzzi's

http://www.sohc4.us/gallery/v/members/personal/dagersh/

Offline P.abrera

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Re: New guy, first build
« Reply #6 on: March 12, 2014, 05:24:18 PM »
Thanks for the interest and encouragement guys. Im hoping its not as bad as it looks.
Its gonna be long and slow but ill share some updates as we go along.
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Offline P.abrera

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Re: New guy, first build
« Reply #7 on: March 14, 2014, 04:04:54 PM »
Any recommended gasket/ring kits for the 550? Gona be doing the top end and valves. Will probably need a carb rebuild kit too.
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Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: New guy, first build
« Reply #8 on: March 14, 2014, 04:46:36 PM »
Quote from: P.abrera on March 14, 2014, 04:04:54 PM
Any recommended gasket/ring kits for the 550? Gona be doing the top end and valves. Will probably need a carb rebuild kit too.

Cycle X has a good, solid gasket kit.  http://www.cyclexchange.net/500-550-Hi-Perf.htm
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1975 CB550K1 "Blue" Stockish Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=135005.0)
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"There are some things nobody needs in this world, and a bright-red, hunch-back, warp-speed 900cc cafe racer is one of them — but I want one anyway, and on some days I actually believe I need one.... Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube. That is why God made fast motorcycles, Bubba." Hunter S. Thompson, Song of the Sausage Creature, Cycle World, March 1995.  (http://www.latexnet.org/~csmith/sausage.html and https://magazine.cycleworld.com/article/1995/3/1/song-of-the-sausage-creature)

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Offline P.abrera

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Re: New guy, first build
« Reply #9 on: March 15, 2014, 07:40:27 PM »
Doin more reading before undoing any bolts. The e-manual i've downloaded is a pdf of a photocopied munual, the pictures arent too clear. Any downloads with clearer pictures out there?
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Offline P.abrera

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Re: New guy, first build
« Reply #10 on: March 18, 2014, 02:58:58 AM »
Whittling away at some smaller bits. Started on cleaning out the carbs. Still coaxing out the slide/needle. Its pretty stuck up.


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Offline stuartni

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Re: New guy, first build
« Reply #11 on: March 18, 2014, 03:17:26 AM »
good luck with the build any ideas on what you want it to look like once finished
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Offline P.abrera

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Re: New guy, first build
« Reply #12 on: March 18, 2014, 03:35:51 AM »
Leaning towards something lean and raw. Clip-ons and a bare metal finish tank, pods and a nice gap under the seat. Looks like gonnna have a lotta time to think about that before o get there
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Offline dagersh

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Re: New guy, first build
« Reply #13 on: March 18, 2014, 09:55:17 AM »
All things considered, those don't look too bad.

Search around on here for Carb cleaning.  There are many household products you can use with some water and a bit of heat to clean up that brass.  I am not sure of your local brands, so you will have to do some comparisons.

Keep going, we're here for ya'!

Gersh
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1962 CA95
1966 Black Bomber
1966 CA77 Dream
1967 Superhawk
1970 CB750K0
1972 CL350
1972 CB450/500 Custom
1972 CB500K1
1975 CB550F
1976 CB400F
1975 CB750 Future Restoration
1976 CB750K6
1976 CB750F
1976 GL1000


1968 Suzuki T500 Cobra
1990 BMW K1
2001 'Busa
2003 RC 51
Bunch of Guzzi's

http://www.sohc4.us/gallery/v/members/personal/dagersh/

Offline rb550four

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Re: New guy, first build
« Reply #14 on: March 18, 2014, 04:28:19 PM »
Hair dryer will heat it without cooking it. When it gets that old fuel pliable you'll be able to take it apart.
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A few Honda 500's, a few Honda 550's, a few Honda 650's, '72 cb 450, a couple 500/550/650 hybrids, and 2001 750. 
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Offline Stev-o

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Re: New guy, first build
« Reply #15 on: March 18, 2014, 06:24:59 PM »
Welcome.....you can do it!  Subscribed....
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'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline P.abrera

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Re: New guy, first build
« Reply #16 on: March 19, 2014, 04:23:05 AM »
Again, thanks for the encouragement guys. I'm amazed at what one can learn reading back on the various build threads here. Man, you guys know your stuff!

Did a bit more wrestling with the slides (?) and needles today, one stubborn one left. Will try soaking a bit more break free, and maybe applying some gentle heat. Hoping to have the rack soaking in pine sol by the weekend while I polish up the bowls and top caps.
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Offline grcamna2

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Re: New guy, first build
« Reply #17 on: March 19, 2014, 06:05:34 AM »
Can you get any 'Liquid Wrench' product over there ? or 'PB Blaster' ? They work good as a penetrant to break free some of those frozen parts.
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75' CB400F/'bunch o' parts' & 81' CB125S modded to a 'CB200S'
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Do your BEST...nobody can take that away from you.

Offline dagersh

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Re: New guy, first build
« Reply #18 on: March 19, 2014, 09:46:00 AM »
Try a hair dryer as well, gentle heat...
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1962 CA95
1966 Black Bomber
1966 CA77 Dream
1967 Superhawk
1970 CB750K0
1972 CL350
1972 CB450/500 Custom
1972 CB500K1
1975 CB550F
1976 CB400F
1975 CB750 Future Restoration
1976 CB750K6
1976 CB750F
1976 GL1000


1968 Suzuki T500 Cobra
1990 BMW K1
2001 'Busa
2003 RC 51
Bunch of Guzzi's

http://www.sohc4.us/gallery/v/members/personal/dagersh/

Offline P.abrera

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Re: New guy, first build
« Reply #19 on: March 19, 2014, 03:39:56 PM »
meantime, the rims scrubbed up nicely. With a bit of paint and polish after some new bolts & bearings, these will do the job till i work out some spoked wheels.


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Offline grcamna2

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Re: New guy, first build
« Reply #20 on: March 19, 2014, 04:54:59 PM »
Kawasaki wheels,what model was the donor ?
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75' CB400F/'bunch o' parts' & 81' CB125S modded to a 'CB200S'
  I love the small ones too !
Do your BEST...nobody can take that away from you.

Offline P.abrera

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Re: New guy, first build
« Reply #21 on: March 19, 2014, 05:22:13 PM »

Quote from: grcamna2 on March 19, 2014, 04:54:59 PM
Kawasaki wheels,what model was the donor ?
not too sure but im guessing an early 80's KZ maybe?


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Offline grcamna2

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Re: New guy, first build
« Reply #22 on: March 19, 2014, 05:41:48 PM »
I think they are,they look nice.
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75' CB400F/'bunch o' parts' & 81' CB125S modded to a 'CB200S'
  I love the small ones too !
Do your BEST...nobody can take that away from you.

Offline bjbuchanan

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Re: New guy, first build
« Reply #23 on: March 19, 2014, 09:01:35 PM »
Seem like early 80's reg KZ rims, different models fit up different, not gonna be ltd bc of rear brake

If you can get simple green there try that out. It is a biodegradable degreaser that can handle being heated without flashing on you. It really works well with some heat, will loosen stuff up great
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The dirty girl-1976 cb750k, Ebay 836, Tracy bodykit
Round top carbs w/ 38 pilots, middle needle position, airscrew 7/8ths out, 122 main jet
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Offline P.abrera

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Re: New guy, first build
« Reply #24 on: March 20, 2014, 03:44:07 AM »

Finally! That last slide was a bear to get out. It seems like an extra tight fit in any of the carb bodies i try it in. Wierd. The rack is finally ready for a pine sol soak. Will try and fab up a soda blaster and hit it over the weekend. Needles and jets currently getting a soak in carb cleaner.


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