Topic: 500/550/650's that followed me home

[rb550four]

So I was on the right track. Good , I like that much more than a common cafe.

The t shirt lint turned out to be minor, I think that I can compound it out, and if not, well repaint the next time I can get to it. I expected this to be a weekend project.... forgot about a  friend's memorial I had to go to, which turned out to be a less than sober evening ...so although some progress was made, the body paint won't be done this season.
 This is where it's at now.

 I was going to clean up the carbs and set it up for the winter. I have some rebuilts on the shelf that could get me inside my weekend project time deadline, I think I'll use them , and leave a note to myself to sync them in the spring, that way it's ready for winter storage.

[rb550four]

The weekend project took all weekend, and I still need to make rear axle spacers but , it's done. Although I didn't put the chrome fenders back on, I'm still reasonably satisfied with the way it looks. I think.

[Tews19]

Looks good RB! Reminds me of a dirt bike for some reason..

[rb550four]

It must be that stinkin' Saddleman seat cover. I heard they were the best seatcover to get other than stock....so I got one and put it on. I hate 'em, makes any bike look like a dirt bike! 
looks like I need more 2 stroke oil, no wheelies, doesn't jump for $hit....gotta get rid of that Saddleman.

[Stev-o]

Looks good rb. What's the plan with this one, a keeper?

[Tews19]

Hey RB quick question. If you had to tear apart a 550 engine.  Can you clean it and get all fresh gaskets in and running in the same day? Also how many of these have you built?

[rb550four]

Stev-o , This was the semi chopper I built a few years ago that I grew out of, it needed to get back closer to stock. She's a good ride. Keeper? I have never sold a (SOHC) bike , aren't they all keepers?

Tews, 1st question, not so quick answer. It depends what is wrong with the engine. It takes me 2 days after I cleaned the outside of it, if I have all the parts, and the valves (takes me 5 hrs to do the head) , bearings, and pistons are perfect.... maybe 16 + hrs (or a whole Saturday) if I don't rebuild carbs , a few hrs more if I have to paint it.
 Have done a motor over a weekend before but haven't had it running in 2 days because I usually paint the frame since the engine is out of the cradle. I don't buy pretty bikes and they are rebuilt painted, polished ,ready to ride in 2 or 3 weeks depending how late I stay up.
 I find that I am always rushed for time, lately it is just easier to rebuild a 500 or 550 when I have the time and leave it on a shelf for the next project.
To clarify , Top end only ....for sure. Split the cases and paint...20 hrs. It would be in the realm of possibilities if the rest of the machine was good.It would be a long day.
   2nd question answer: Between the 500's and 550's .......24, I had to do 5 of them a second time after Hurricane Irene.

[rb550four]

Reread the last post.... sounds showy, needs explanation:
   When I have a project I don' eat, I don't take breaks, I don't talk to people and sometimes put in 20 hrs in a day,can't sleep. I am focused only on the project, I have to get it done... that's how I'm wired, can't help it. Otherwise I am perfectly normal.
    Point 2 : I have been doing 500/550 for a few years, so they are very familiar to me.
    When I collected Ford 1 tons...I had a driveway full of them, rebuilt them all, couldn't get enough of them either. So I have a habit of over collecting the same item. Again, that's how I'm wired.
  The last post was not intended to sound showy , I'm not that way, so please don't see it that way. It was just honest answers from my time in the garage.         Thank you
   

[Stev-o]

Ain't braggin if it's true!  So you rebuilt 24 500/550's and you never sold one??


I sell my bikes after rebuilding if I need funds for other parts or bikes.

[rb550four]

Haven't sold a one, just can't bring myself to  do it.

                              Maybe I am a hoarder?

[Stev-o]

Haven't sold a one, just can't bring myself to  do it.

                              Maybe I am a hoarder?

So you still have all 24?!   Yes, hoarder!

[rb550four]

Hoarder. It just sounds so dirty.
 Perhaps," collector "would be softer word for this behavior. I know there may be other collectors here.
That sounds better already.

[Stev-o]

A co-lekt-whore. Interesting choice of descriptors, RB. 

Watch it Cal....I resemble that remark!

[seanbarney41]

between rb and Ekpent must be like half the sohc4's left in the U.S.      ...this thread rocks by the way

[Stev-o]

between rb and Ekpent must be like half the sohc4's left in the U.S.      ...this thread rocks by the way

Add Ricky Racer to the list.....check out his Mother Lode thread. 

[rb550four]

It's a rainy Saturday and I have half the day off, what to do? Parts inventory says it's time to set up the spares shelf.
3 500 and 2 550 engines to rebuild... not enough time for that
4 racks of carbs to clean.....well a clean rack or 2 would be nice just in case
Tear down the stock 650, needs a visual freshening up....I need a whole sunny weekend for that.
Looks like it's carbs.... I have one rack broken down and soaking, the second rack is being disassembled and the honey bunny wants to go out for dinner, it's a shame she isn't good with carbs.

[rb550four]

Broke down and cleaned 3 racks of carbs last Saturday, the kits came in this week, now have 3 racks ready to go spares, or for the next 3 engines, whatever, they are on the shelf for when they are needed.
 Picked up a nice seat from another member for the 79 650 that was picked up from the junkyard.... and well it's just beautiful (to me) , I'm thinking that this winter will be about freshening up a couple of 650's, getting snowbike ready for the new season, and maybe a couple more 550 projects.
  Last week a guy shows up to the door ,wants to sell a 550, I wasn't home and had a rough week so I didn't contact him about it yet. Meanwhile my wife has asked me like 3 times now "When you going to call that guy about the 550?". That sounds allot like "You should buy that motorcycle" to me , how could I let this woman down? I'll call him tomorrow, I know that'll make her happy.

[rb550four]

   It's been a while since my last post ,  there was this 550 someone stopped at the house and wanted to sell it to me..., of course it sounds like a great idea but, recently I've been reflecting. Reflecting on this condition that I would like to call collecting. It's a very nice, clean word for what is actually happening to me and others here.
 So , instead of calling the guy up , I decided to show a little restraint and possibly get to the point where I can say "no , but thanks for thinking of me". I've been trying hard not to call  him and haven't yet.
  Doesn't that sound like real strength, like we have a shot at beating this thing?
Yeah,  Then I checked my e-mails and answered the 4 other CL posts I inquired about earlier this week.    Real strength. 
   Anyways, to keep myself occupied while not calling this guy and I was reading some posts here instead then came across Tango911's new shop photos,  his shop is the same size as mine, he has a collection but has tons or room...and a bathroom too. It must be time to clean the shop again reconfigure and make some room ( I need more room for...exercise, yeah ,that's it .Exercise , during the long ,cold winter months, instead of being a couch potatoe. That's it alright.)
  So the task started at noon, been hard at it for 7hrs so far and barely made a dent in it. I plan on focusing on this all week until it's finished,   got high hopes.
 I did however hook the trailer to the truck, well, just in case. So far , feelin' strong !

[rb550four]

23 days and haven't bought another bike.
12 hrs cleaning up the shop and I managed to get 2 shelving units squared away.

Got the carb shelf straightened out, the heavy cast parts , all the rear wheels and swingarms in one place, and found a few shopping bags with parts, now all neat and orderly.

now it's just the rest of this place to do

Then it's time to refresh those 650's

[Restoration Fan]

Always enjoy reading your thread.  Learn stuff and your humor keeps me laughing.  Keep on keeping on!

[rb550four]

  Do we have a 12 step program? I think this must be step 2.
Is step 3 the one where you track down the PO s , show them pictures of their old bikes ?

I might need a sponsor. Is that even possible around here?

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

23 days and haven't bought another bike.
12 hrs cleaning up the shop and I managed to get 2 shelving units squared away.

Got the carb shelf straightened out, the heavy cast parts , all the rear wheels and swingarms in one place, and found a few shopping bags with parts, now all neat and orderly.

now it's just the rest of this place to do

Then it's time to refresh those 650's

Speechless.

[rb550four]

cb750cafe racer fan-I know, right?   What a disaster.    It should be looking better soon.
 This is part of step 2, Getting your house in order.

I like this step, I get to touch the shiny parts, and the dirty parts as well.
Oh my.

cal - 6 months ?! That's kind of harsh isn't it? That's like half a year, 182 days depending on leap year.  Is that for purchases only?
     Step 2. Everything runs, so I got lucky there.  Well,  all except for the parts and pieces.
   Q: Am I allowed to continue fondling the parts as I reduce inventory?
   QII: If I assemble the parts , does it count as inventory reduction?
Step 3-  won't even discuss step 3, you're scaring me now...at least you didn't say we might have to sell one or two.

That's a shame about Stev-o's sponsor...backslidin' is one thing, but fake sandcast parts?!

[Stev-o]

Yes, there is a 12-step program. But you're not even close to finishing a Step 1. Gotta go 6 months. Step-2 is reducing the inventory to only things that run. Step-3 we won't even discuss as I don't see you passing Step-2.

Stev-o had a sponsor once. Last I heard, he'd turned his sponsor into an ebay shop peddling fake Sandcast parts 

My 12 step programmed worked, haven't bought a Honda in over 2 months.  It's not fool proof though, I brought home a Kawasaki two weeks ago!

[goldarrow]

I passed step 1, with pride.....but struggling on step 2 so I won't even mention step 3