Author Topic: 1977 CB550 Yet Another Cafe!! (Lots of pics) (Read 12905 times)

streak09 · « **Reply #25 on:** June 26, 2014, 06:45:53 PM »

That engine looks incredible! Nice work.

-CB-Jamie- · « **Reply #26 on:** June 27, 2014, 12:27:19 AM »

Thanks lads, I've actually done all this work in the last 6 months but I hadn't been updating the thread so I'm actually way ahead of even what's on here. I'm actually about a week away from having it on the road now all going well.

bwaller: I've gotten Hagon shocks and I have plenty of clearance between the tyre and the tube now, I think Hagon's would be about the same length as stock so this info could be handy for others who might want to put in a similar replacement cross piece.

Anyways got Metzeler Lazertec tyres and putting the engine back in the frame.

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #27 on:** June 27, 2014, 08:05:54 AM »

Good idea taking off the pan and filter if you are doing the one-man frame over the motor installation.

-CB-Jamie- · « **Reply #28 on:** June 28, 2014, 01:02:50 AM »

Made a mount for the tachometer as this is all I'll be running along with a bicycle speedo. I also made a brake pedal, little bit more work to be done to this, ill get back to it after

-CB-Jamie- · « **Reply #29 on:** July 03, 2014, 12:12:21 PM »

Painted the headlight bucket, Mac 4-1, Hagons, getting the wiring sorted and a few bits and pieces arrived from DSS.

SF · « **Reply #30 on:** July 03, 2014, 12:57:24 PM »

nice job there

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #31 on:** July 03, 2014, 01:17:23 PM »

Nice, tidy electrical tray.

-CB-Jamie- · « **Reply #32 on:** July 04, 2014, 12:45:45 PM »

Thanks very happy with how it's all turning out so far anyway.

Here's a few more anyway, bar end mirrors and exhaust fitted, LED indicators fitted, mockup of my brake pedal, gold chain fitted and finally my brake pedal all finished including a piece to add a bolt as a stop and a return spring.

Trad · « **Reply #33 on:** July 04, 2014, 01:35:20 PM »

That is coming together nicely. Looking sharp!

Steve_K · « **Reply #34 on:** July 04, 2014, 02:11:30 PM »

A very nice looking job! I like that a lot. As I was admiring your work, I think that the D washers on the the upper triple tree are missing. I know that 76 CB550Ks have them, but I dont know about 77s.
Steve

Ravie · « **Reply #35 on:** July 04, 2014, 06:00:44 PM »

Sweeet build. I need to source a local blaster at some point.. ill ask my boss.

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-CB-Jamie- · « **Reply #36 on:** July 06, 2014, 12:05:30 AM »

Thanks again lads, few more pics to come.
Steve_K your right I didn't realize that they were missing, unfortunately I don't have them at all, I was wondering have people just used ordinary washers instead and does anybody have a rough thickness for those washers?

Here's my tach, new face just ordered off ebay, installed LED's in the face for the pilot lights, installed an LED ring underneath the face, painted the needle with red florescent paint and back together. It looks a lot brighter in the pic than it actually is.

Rough cutout of an exhaust bracket to be smoothed out later.

And got some stainless caliper pistons made by a friend of mine for the grand old price of free

-CB-Jamie- · « **Reply #37 on:** July 07, 2014, 12:05:42 PM »

And here it is the first time starting in about 2 years, sounds OK so far anyway

http://youtu.be/M7qpkHJcaGM

Ravie · « **Reply #38 on:** July 07, 2014, 03:45:31 PM »

Niiiiiice!

I love that clear blue tubing on the carbs. Nice touch.

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arncruz · « **Reply #39 on:** July 18, 2014, 05:16:41 PM »

Jamie,
I was wondering, what primer and paint did you use for the frame and hubs? What paint did you use for the motor? Also, how is it holding up to the cafe rebuild with regards to scratches, chipping, and flaking. Great job by the way. I am doing a similar build and have been following some of your building cues.

Thanks
aRnold

-CB-Jamie- · « **Reply #40 on:** August 03, 2014, 01:21:46 AM »

Arnold - sorry it took me a while to get back, I used an etch primer on everything and the black then is 2K car paint. I have gotten one or two chips on it alright when installing parts but that's my own fault. The motor is painted with Simoniz Aluminum Engine Enamel, this is probably not available in the US I'm thinking??

I ordered throttle cables for a CB400 so they would be shorter to go with the clip ons thinking they would be the same, turns out the actual metal cable sticking out each end is longer, so I was able to pick up a brass cable end that you can just cut off the old cable end and bolt this one on, worked out perfect.

Ignition key mount made, tach mounted, must get new fork tube bolts

-CB-Jamie- · « **Reply #41 on:** August 08, 2014, 01:46:35 AM »

My clutch was sticking so I decided to open it up and just clean the plates when I found this

Got some custom made HEL brake lines

New battery cables using the frame as a ground

Uni Pods

New gear linkage rod made up by a friend of mine

And my license plate which I painted a border onto myself

calj737 · « **Reply #42 on:** August 08, 2014, 05:51:06 AM »

A couple of observations:

The right side brake line needs a retainer wire to prevent the tire from rubbing through the sheathing on the line. It will only take a few miles before you're replacing that lines otherwise...

Your battery NEG needs to be routed to the motor case and between the frame (fully bare metal). Factory route was upper right rear motor hangar bolt and frame bracket. Failure to involve the motor can create charging problems and deplete your battery very promptly. If you opt to not re-route the ground, then you'd best at least remove the paint where you have it. That thin metal bracket is about the worst place to tie into, by the way.

Trad · « **Reply #43 on:** August 08, 2014, 08:44:44 AM »

Quote from: calj737 on August 08, 2014, 05:51:06 AM

A couple of observations:

The right side brake line needs a retainer wire to prevent the tire from rubbing through the sheathing on the line. It will only take a few miles before you're replacing that lines otherwise...

Your battery NEG needs to be routed to the motor case and between the frame (fully bare metal). Factory route was upper right rear motor hangar bolt and frame bracket. Failure to involve the motor can create charging problems and deplete your battery very promptly. If you opt to not re-route the ground, then you'd best at least remove the paint where you have it. That thin metal bracket is about the worst place to tie into, by the way.

Hey Cal, on the CB's I've wired. 2 in total

; I have used that exact place to ground my battery. Albeit I had the area sanded to bare metal for obvious reasons. I have never had a charging or voltage problem. It could be that both bikes had deleted starters and were kick only. Either way, from my experience that spot has worked fine. Do you have a photo of where you grounded your battery on your 550?

Higgey-G · « **Reply #44 on:** August 08, 2014, 11:47:42 AM »

Jamie, how often are you riding the bike and what kind of terrain will you be riding it on? I am asking because I had seen that you purchased the 4 cell Antigravity battery and am considering that for my cb550 (daily use) but was worried about charging problems and problems starting my motor with the small battery due to the starting and stopping in the city that I will be doing.

I was considering AlienMotion, Ballistic, and Antigravity batteries but they are pretty pricey so I will most likely go with a battery box for the cheapo walmart ones tucked under my swingarm.

If anyone has good insight on this specific battery or other Lithium Ion batteries, light shed would be greatly appreciated!

PM if I am hijacking the thread please.

Thanks!

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Author Topic: 1977 CB550 Yet Another Cafe!! (Lots of pics) (Read 12905 times)