Author Topic: New guy, first build (Read 58276 times)

NobleHops · « **Reply #200 on:** February 24, 2015, 05:35:57 AM »

Quote from: P.abrera on February 21, 2015, 02:49:00 PM

Thanks guys. Out of the factory fork tubes are flush with top triple, which makes for a very stable ride. Steepening the head angle quickens the steering but obviously too much of a good thing is bad. Was hoping to get a starting point based on the experience of those who've set up thier 550's as cafe's.

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I'd really suggest you should sneak up on it, in 5mm increments, but IMO 13mm is about the outer limits. You're changing the ergonomics a lot on this bike, in some ways that are going to make it harder to ride. In the simplest terms this adjustment of the fork is going to make the bike less stable as you know. 5mm is still a meaningful difference, why not start there?

P.abrera · « **Reply #201 on:** February 24, 2015, 05:48:59 AM »

Yup, makes sense noblehops. Will take that road

Having never ridden bikes of this era in stock form, i have no real point of comparison. Best to start close to factory, i guess.

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P.abrera · « **Reply #202 on:** March 03, 2015, 04:27:05 AM »

Got my carb-to-airbox-to-filter worked out.

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P.abrera · « **Reply #203 on:** March 03, 2015, 05:05:43 AM »

Quote from: calj737 on March 03, 2015, 04:30:41 AM

Interesting idea, Paolo. I wonder if the differing get shaped filters would produce differing results on A/F mixture and volume? Your solution makes me think that even with a pod element, you may be immune, or at least more highly resistant, to rain fouling the carbs while riding. (It does rain in the Philipines a little frequently I'm told)

Most certainly destined to be a fair-weather bike, Cal. What with the lack of proper fenders that will actually catch spray

i picked up the half-stock/half-mod airbox idea from some other members builds ive seen here. Someone actually traded details with a k&n rep who did the math and recommended the filter size used here. The set-up has some mod appeal but hopefully isnt so far from stock settings that it simplifies the A/F tuning headaches of an individual pod set-up.

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streak09 · « **Reply #204 on:** March 03, 2015, 11:13:49 AM »

Very nice work on the air filter. I am going to use similar set-up but with a PVC adapter from the air box to the filter. Did you fab your adapter or find it somewhere?

P.abrera · « **Reply #205 on:** March 03, 2015, 02:12:21 PM »

Quote from: streak09 on March 03, 2015, 11:13:49 AM

Very nice work on the air filter. I am going to use similar set-up but with a PVC adapter from the air box to the filter. Did you fab your adapter or find it somewhere?

Fabricated from stainless. Its a bit overbuilt, but its what i had handy at the time. Made up a gasket from old inner tube and used some gasket maker around the edges fora good seal.

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mystic_1 · « **Reply #206 on:** March 03, 2015, 05:23:17 PM »

Whoa, whoa, wait a minute here.

I just read this entire thread, and I'm going to have to call bull#$%* on this one.

NO WAY is this your first build! You are clearly a master bike builder who is trolling us hard with your incredible ability to transform junk into gold!

Just kidding, but seriously, what you've achieved so far is downright amazing!

Before:

After:

I may have missed it, but can you tell us about your polishing process? You've achieved some great results with that.

Keep up the outstanding work.

mystic_1

sammermpc · « **Reply #207 on:** March 03, 2015, 05:33:10 PM »

Quote

NO WAY is this your first build! You are clearly a master bike builder who is trolling us hard with your incredible ability to transform junk into gold!

Haha! +1 to that! Great photos too.

P.abrera · « **Reply #208 on:** March 03, 2015, 07:45:27 PM »

Haha

thanks mystic_1 , sammermpc I appreciate the positive comments. Bear in mind it took me a good part of a year to get where it is now. With lots of learning along the way.

Basically I just went to town degreasing scrubbing and sanding. After the engine rebuild, it was degreased, scrubbed/bristle brushed before some VHT primer/color. Frame and rims were sandblasted and powder coated. Aluminum parts that could be polished (Side covers, fork lowers, top triple etc) were polished on a cloth wheel and buffing compound after being sanded smooth. I didn't go nuts on the sanding and left lotsa age and character on there. Some parts were sealed with a satin clear coat and others were just left polished. The tank and tail are sanded to bare metal and just have a rattle can clear coat on it for now.

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SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #209 on:** March 03, 2015, 10:57:07 PM »

This is a seriously impressive rescue.

AMD500 · « **Reply #210 on:** March 04, 2015, 04:22:47 AM »

the build is amazing! can't wait to see it finished

P.abrera · « **Reply #211 on:** March 04, 2015, 06:13:34 PM »

Quote from: CB750 Cafe Racer Fan on March 03, 2015, 10:57:07 PM

This is a seriously impressive rescue.

work in progress, bit more work due before i call it "rescued"

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P.abrera · « **Reply #212 on:** March 04, 2015, 06:13:52 PM »

Quote from: AMD500 on March 04, 2015, 04:22:47 AM

the build is amazing! can't wait to see it finished

thanks

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P.abrera · « **Reply #213 on:** March 05, 2015, 04:31:19 AM »

Workin on little details. Free-handing some spacers, replacement torque arm, brackets etc. ...when i grow up im gona get a lathe!

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P.abrera · « **Reply #214 on:** March 13, 2015, 11:32:46 PM »

Sorted my oil cooler plumbing. Lines are an inch longer than i needed though

my fault, mismeasured

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P.abrera · « **Reply #215 on:** March 15, 2015, 02:32:44 AM »

Bit more fab on a sunday. Brass bracket for the cockpit clocks and a rear brake reservoir bracket in SS.

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Restoration Fan · « **Reply #216 on:** March 15, 2015, 05:24:58 AM »

Man, you have some nice fabrication skills. I have really enjoyed your build thread. Looking forward to the finished product.

P.abrera · « **Reply #217 on:** March 15, 2015, 05:56:03 AM »

Quote from: Restoration Fan on March 15, 2015, 05:24:58 AM

Man, you have some nice fabrication skills. I have really enjoyed your build thread. Looking forward to the finished product.

Necessity is the mother of invention...or in this case, fabrication

what i dont have/cant find, i have to make

ends in sight, last few niggly bits i hope. Thanks for the positive comments

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NobleHops · « **Reply #218 on:** March 15, 2015, 06:18:47 AM »

Serious skills. Creativity and craftsmanship are a rare combo is such large amounts. Great job!

P.abrera · « **Reply #219 on:** March 15, 2015, 06:54:50 AM »

Quote from: NobleHops on March 15, 2015, 06:18:47 AM

Serious skills. Creativity and craftsmanship are a rare combo is such large amounts. Great job!

Thanks mate!

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P.abrera · « **Reply #220 on:** March 23, 2015, 05:26:32 PM »

Shortened my cables via DIY solder pot described by blackfin. Remade the cable ends from mild steel rod as drilling through the imbedded cable in the stock cable ends was proving to be a lost cause. "Poisoned" the ends (its a local term used here) in a homemade solder acid frome household grade muriatic acid and zinc clippings and dipped in 50/50 solder. Gave it several good yanks in the vice, seems to have held solid.

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streak09 · « **Reply #221 on:** March 24, 2015, 05:59:53 AM »

I was just researching how to do this! I may pick up a cheap solder pot for simplicity sake http://www.amazon.com/Tenma-DR-7339NB-150W-Soldering-Pot/dp/B008DJRSM8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1427201522&sr=8-1&keywords=solder+pot#Ask. Would probably pay for itself with a few uses when you take into account propane usage. Great job though, especially on the homemade flux/acid.

P.abrera · « **Reply #222 on:** March 24, 2015, 06:56:45 AM »

Quote from: streak09 on March 24, 2015, 05:59:53 AM

I was just researching how to do this! I may pick up a cheap solder pot for simplicity sake http://www.amazon.com/Tenma-DR-7339NB-150W-Soldering-Pot/dp/B008DJRSM8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1427201522&sr=8-1&keywords=solder+pot#Ask. Would probably pay for itself with a few uses when you take into account propane usage. Great job though, especially on the homemade flux/acid.

. Why spend the money if you already have a torch. it'l do fine. Unless of course youre planning on doing a ton of soldering other than a couple of cables. You only need to run the torch for 2-3 minutes to get a little pipe-end bowl hot enough for the solder to melt. I wouldv used a commercial flux if i had some but the acid is what i had handy.

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AMD500 · « **Reply #223 on:** March 24, 2015, 04:56:43 PM »

Hey P.avrera, whats your instagram handle? looks I like your artsy moto pics...want to follow

P.abrera · « **Reply #224 on:** March 24, 2015, 11:12:33 PM »

Quote from: AMD500 on March 24, 2015, 04:56:43 PM

Hey P.avrera, whats your instagram handle? looks I like your artsy moto pics...want to follow

Thanks. Artsy doesnt always fly with everyone

its paoloabrera on IG. Not much more there on the bike than what i share here... Aside from selfies with my kids and pictures of what my wife cooked for dinner. Zzzzzz

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Author Topic: New guy, first build (Read 58276 times)