Author Topic: 500/550/650's that followed me home (Read 112732 times)

RAFster122s · « **Reply #375 on:** July 29, 2015, 11:59:51 PM »

Very cool. It must make rebuilds go faster when you have built-up motors to pull off the shelf when you get the rest sorted.
The expensive parts of lots of bikes are tires and pipes if you take a liking to BT45s or Avons, etc. They certainly do dent the wallet a bit.
I figure just about any bike I would buy used would need complete tune-up, fluids & filters, tires, agm battery, brake pads, new bulbs all around, and possibly cables to have known good baselines.
cables might be fine with inspection and lube.

rb550four · « **Reply #376 on:** July 30, 2015, 03:01:14 PM »

Agreed. pipes are something I feel I have to save up for, tires not so much....I'm not on a track, I don't push my limits too much
when I ride,and I don't ride as often as I'd like, so an inexpensive tire and fresh tubes are what I do. More change left for engine
parts. Cables always fit in my budget ( yeah, like I have a budget).
Paint... I tried the car parts stores paints to save a little. I usually spend 100 ish a quart for a basecoat I like, then there's the clear
coat..... I try to budget funds and time for paint ,but most times I just feel driven to just go out and get it and do it...so I'll skip lunch
a couple times a week if cash is tight. And I always feel better when a project looks better then when I started. It's a real motivator
to get finished.
I do cut corners on the batteries, every machine had a fresh one. Then every machine had a dead one. So now I swap 3 batteries
around for when I want to run something. Don't need battery in a bike I don't ride.
Then there's always fork seals..., I always did stock head bearing before. the more stock the better... then I tried out some AllBalls,
and found that stock is just stock, it isn't better. Carb kits, always, one spring when I had 12 machines and the gas went rank on all
twelve... I should've bought stock in that company first. Ebc brakes and clutches , every bike gets those.
It can get expensive , I suppose, I choose to ignore the cost cause I 'll only do it anyways, I pay cash , stack the receipts in a
cabinet, and have never added them up. I don't know what I got into them , I don't care, they make me happy, keep me out of trouble,
and I like to work on them. There are worse things in this world to spend time on , for sure.

Stev-o · « **Reply #377 on:** July 30, 2015, 08:31:40 PM »

Very logical, rb. I too, never charge a dime when buying bike parts. Do your bikes get tapered head bearings?

BTW - the stuck motor I had now has the top end off.

RAFster122s · « **Reply #378 on:** July 30, 2015, 11:34:42 PM »

Good news Stev-O.
sound logic, stuff on credit just ends up being a weight around your neck if you don't pay it off promptly. Never buy what you don't have a clear plan or means of paying for...then, you don't have the misfortune follow you.
Paying cash short circuits that problem before it develops.

I hear you on batteries and the like. Time with the motor cycles is therapy for many and they don't realize the mental and physical health benefits it can provide. (If God forbid someone does something stupid and causes you to have an accident. )

I think that the only negative of your bike collection is it is probably thinning the potential 550 owners in your search area. Several of those bikes going to you is far better than some hipster dream of a tracker or brat or cafe bike that ends ip with the bike getting destroyed by their ignorance and in the scrap heap ultimately when their dreams of skills don't measure up to real world.

Enjoy watching your thread, how's that grandbaby?
David

rb550four · « **Reply #379 on:** July 31, 2015, 04:13:31 PM »

StevO, I only started with tapered bearings a couple bikes back...wish I started sooner.
Pics of the top end? Cylinders and rings? Guys who never open up a motor should get a
look at what they are spinning around inside their engines from yet another member, as a
teaching tool for nubes when breaking free engines...This is why it's stuck type of picture tool.

David, The grand baby is doing good, the daughter is doing alright. They are 2 hours away but I've
been going up on Saturdays to build their house, the digging foundation framing, plumbing and making
ready for tomorrow...I get to pour 22 yards tomorrow. Small 24 x24 wide, 24" deep perimeter Alaskian
slab with radiant heat.
This has also been keeping me out of trouble but, eats up the whole day that would otherwise be spent
with the Hondas, but, 14hr days there after busy week , and the summer heat is really kicking my a$$ .
I'll take a break after tomorrow.

RAFster122s · « **Reply #380 on:** July 31, 2015, 07:15:54 PM »

You are a good egg, despite what Stev-0 says.

That's cool that you are helping them build their house. What gift that is!
I presume that the build is going to be super insulated to be very miserly on
energy costs for heating and cooling.
They probably won't begin to really understand the gift with the time and effort
being expended until it is done. The cost savings alone are huge. But, that being
said it is a experience that is highly stressful for a married couple. Probably for
you as well. It is huge effort and I imagine you are pushing for it to be under roof
and enclosed before winter so the inside work can be done.

The idea about the thread should be a FAQ sticky. (Sticky means that it is at the
top of the thread section permanently.)

Glad the daughter and granddaughter are well.

Restoration Fan · « **Reply #381 on:** July 31, 2015, 07:27:20 PM »

Quote from: rb550four on July 31, 2015, 04:13:31 PM

I get to pour 22 yards tomorrow. Small 24 x24 wide, 24" deep perimeter Alaskian
slab with radiant heat.

Which side of the slab will contain the garage which will eventually hold the pink 550 for the granddaughter?

RAFster122s · « **Reply #382 on:** July 31, 2015, 07:57:14 PM »

Did you see the pink and white 450/4 that MoMo built for a breast cancer raffle? Something like that might be a tasteful scheme to consider.

rb550four · « **Reply #383 on:** August 02, 2015, 08:38:10 AM »

David , I do try to catch as many projects as possible, usually new guys's stuff , so if they have questions I can help
them with.... I figure the more expierenced guys don't need the help so often I skim past them (sorry MoMo) because
they know what they are doing and don't necessarily need input.... I'll have to track that thread down.
The pour went off well, some of my crew came with me for extra hours, then wouldn't accept the money. Said it was
a gift to the grand daughter....what a great bunch of guys.
Got home and caught an hour on the engines.

rb550four · « **Reply #384 on:** August 02, 2015, 02:20:55 PM »

Went to a flea market today. For years I've been searching for those oversized professional grade cookie sheets. I found them today.
My wife was so happy..."Are you taking up baking again? Oh good, everyone has been asking me about it for years."

Why that's just what I had in mind Honey.

Sure.

Stev-o · « **Reply #385 on:** August 02, 2015, 02:55:56 PM »

Ha ha, good one rb. Guess you could bake some Powder on those cookie sheets!

RAFster122s · « **Reply #386 on:** August 02, 2015, 05:27:14 PM »

RB, might end up hurting if he baked powder coat in his wife's oven. I'm told it
can leave a taste and nobody wants to taste PC in their food.

If you want to bake some stuff, powder coated, yourself, pick up an old oven
to powder coat in...

David

RAFster122s · « **Reply #387 on:** August 02, 2015, 05:37:12 PM »

RB, so, been thinking about your granddaughter's first motorcycle. Honda Cub 50?
Sent note to MoMo about the cancer bike paint scheme and your thread link.
So, pick up a project bike and rebuild the motor. It can be a fun diversion if you like
diversions, as long as it isn't something that turns into a Honda 50 obsession.
Unless you are flipping them. Some people find it lucrative money if they choose wisely.
The monkey/cub bikes are cute and lots of RVs enjoy having them.

People put silly power on them sometimes.

David

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #388 on:** August 02, 2015, 07:37:32 PM »

Cub or a Trail 70/Monkeybike/Chappy

rb550four · « **Reply #389 on:** August 02, 2015, 08:38:59 PM »

My neighbor has one of those she wants to sell me, small, step through, yellow with what looks like
white splash guards up the frame for the riders legs. It's in nice shape...but I suspect it was a stolen
bike many years ago. I remember her late husband told me some kid pulled into the yard with it and
asked if he could leave it there, he looked nervous....never picked it up. Don't need the headache.
I found an extra hour tonight honed 1 set of jugs and put some fresh rings in the unknown history 550
engine .
Still haven't decided what to do about the other one, the cylinders were stained but not pitted.This was
a rebuild that got flooded before the exhaust ever went on it, was never started, and the rings are free,
look brand new after a good cleaning, I'm wondering if it would be kosher to hone the jugs and slip those
rings back in it? I'm really on the fence about this, I do have another 4 sets of rings for it but it seems like
a waste to change them out.

RAFster122s · « **Reply #390 on:** August 02, 2015, 10:14:52 PM »

I think I would flush the cases a few time and check fluid for anything in the fluid.
Strain it through a couple coffee filters. Then see if you keep getting materials and
if you are then I would want to have it hot tanked or ultrasonic cleaned.
Same for other motor components with passages that are not staight shots.

Rings, light hone and reuse them. Worst case you rebuild it later if compression or
performance is down.You can only do so much and then trust your efforts were enough.

Custom paint your granddaughter a toy motorcycle made of wood. Paint her first tricycle and bicycle.
You could even make a motorcycle like bicycle to plant the seed. Use honda clutch perch for one of the brakes.
Work with her on balance excercises and fun. It improves memory studies show.
balance beam, climbing walls and trees, things like that that make you think ahead and use decision and
physical challenges help memory and retention.

Sounds like a cub (actually a 50cc step through motorcycle) or c70 passport. Have police run vin to see if it is stolen, craigslist ad you are considering buying.

rb550four · « **Reply #391 on:** August 05, 2015, 07:45:03 PM »

I think I'll try that light hone with the rings for a change....like you say , if it's loosing power I can re ring it, or bore it out and try an big bore type kit. Sounds like a plan for #2 550 engine
#1 550 engine has a light hone ,new rings , a fresh gasket kit and a set of semi gloss black jugs on it tonight . The tranny color is cast iron, the valve level will be cast aluminum after I go through it and change the valve seals,check it's condition and a light lap ,the normal stuff. Above that semi gloss black again with polished tappet covers and polished vented cover. both lower side covers polished...Not very creative at this point, but, I still like the look. This one will be going on my fave orange 500. I have a nice set of early 750 carbs that I want to try out on it' I'm hoping that there will be enough room under the frame , the tank shouldn't be a problem because it's not stock and sits up the spine a little higher leaving the carb area open. They'll be pics when that starts to happen, right now it's just the normal stuff that everyone has seen and done before.
I'm sorry, I don't know why this page is all stretched out, a real pita to read, does anyone know how to fix this or will it get back to normal on the next page?

RAFster122s · « **Reply #392 on:** August 05, 2015, 08:07:21 PM »

I am not sure why it has done that (stretch)...
It is a solid plan. So, execute the plan and get'er done...

Good luck bringing it together.
Hopefully you have a nice cam to wake up the performance.

Stev-o · « **Reply #393 on:** August 05, 2015, 08:08:16 PM »

Quote from: rb550four on August 05, 2015, 07:45:03 PM

I'm sorry, I don't know why this page is all stretched out, a real pita to read, does anyone know how to fix this or will it get back to normal on the next page?

It's that link you posted in replt #400. Yes, it will go back to normal on the next page [or delete that link]

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #394 on:** August 05, 2015, 08:51:16 PM »

I like the color scheme of the motors.

rb550four · « **Reply #395 on:** August 06, 2015, 08:34:11 PM »

Entire top end is painted and back together.
I have to adjust the valves and polish the caps then it's ready to go in the 500 frame.
I just eyeballed those older 750 carbs, the rubbers will have to be larger on the carb end, got to find
an easy, sensible way way to hang carbs in there.It's not critical, I just like the way they look and
would like to use them. It'll probably run like crap and there will probably be some jetting issues.
First things first, right now I'm just too beat to do anything more than think about about it .
Oh, there may be another cycle coming to join the stable. This time it's an 81 Wing. Owner says it
has high miles but it still runs strong and has been his baby for the last 8 years.needs a clutch and
some brake parts. Looks beautiful for it's age and mileage .... Says he'll only sell it if I ride it...great,
I've been looking for a long distance rider for a while. Hope this is it.

RAFster122s · « **Reply #396 on:** August 06, 2015, 09:48:03 PM »

I like the naked Wings more, but...they are a good long distance bike. Just make sure the seat is comfortable or it won't be a good fit.
Do the belts and check the alternator output. Belts are cheap and available at Advance Auto.
Carbs are CVs so, they have to be clean or they won't run well. Lots of small passages in the CV carbs.
It is an interesting bike. Should be easy enough to source what you need for it.

Unless you have head work and cam to take advantage of the 750 carbs, why do it?
It would just be too much carb.

rb550four · « **Reply #397 on:** August 07, 2015, 03:26:18 PM »

Those 750 carbs are just beautiful , compared with other carbs , I just have to try it. Some days I feel that we were all put on this earth to make mistakes, this could be another one. Oh well.

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #398 on:** August 07, 2015, 10:49:22 PM »

rb...not only are the carbs beautiful, the rest of the bike is too...those carbs are simply a pleasure to work with, especially when attached to the rest of the bike

rb550four · « **Reply #399 on:** August 08, 2015, 01:21:29 PM »

The guy at the snowmobile shop told me that he thought K&L made rubber that can be ordered to fit the manifold and the size carbs I wanted to use, so i went there this morning to find out....didn't really work out so I have to find another way to hang these carbs....

Too bad cause this one is ready to take the place of the 500 engine in the bike in the background

Just when I was about to take a wrench to it, a friend of mine showed up in the driveway with his dual sport Kaw wanting to take a ride. Good , I'll give the old girl a last run. She ran really good...almost a shame to put her engine to spare. so I left it in and cleaned the shop, that was something that was needed.

Well, pretty clean.

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Author Topic: 500/550/650's that followed me home (Read 112732 times)