Author Topic: Patina Hyena - 550/650 674cc Hybrid Cafe Build  (Read 384267 times)

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Offline DaveBarbier

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Re: Patina Hyena - Dave's '78 CB550K Cafe Build Thread
« Reply #600 on: July 19, 2015, 04:44:40 PM »

Hows the stoppping power? Twice as good braking with two calipers?


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You know, it's kind of hard to tell. It's definitely improved, but I don't know if it's twice as good. I honestly can't really remember how it felt before. I do see myself delaying my braking more because of an increase in confidence, though. The mod was definitely worth it, but I just don't know by how much.

Offline P.abrera

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Re: Patina Hyena - Dave's '78 CB550K Cafe Build Thread
« Reply #601 on: July 19, 2015, 04:50:43 PM »
What MC/bore size did you end up going with?


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Offline DaveBarbier

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Re: Patina Hyena - Dave's '78 CB550K Cafe Build Thread
« Reply #602 on: July 19, 2015, 06:07:26 PM »

What MC/bore size did you end up going with?


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I stuck with the 14mm. I have an adjustable lever on my Nissin and I set it to the farthest position away from the handle. Lever feels great. Smooth pull and gets solid as a rock.

Thinking of doing dual disc?

Offline P.abrera

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Re: Patina Hyena - Dave's '78 CB550K Cafe Build Thread
« Reply #603 on: July 19, 2015, 06:13:40 PM »
Goin for it. Have a 2nd rotor (im using a kz rim/rotor) sitting around, a 2nd braided line, and caliper arm and pads. Still keeping my eyes peeled for a decent caliper body. Little unsure if the stock 14mm MC can make the most of dual calipers though.


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Offline DaveBarbier

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Re: Patina Hyena - Dave's '78 CB550K Cafe Build Thread
« Reply #604 on: July 20, 2015, 03:38:37 AM »

Goin for it. Have a 2nd rotor (im using a kz rim/rotor) sitting around, a 2nd braided line, and caliper arm and pads. Still keeping my eyes peeled for a decent caliper body. Little unsure if the stock 14mm MC can make the most of dual calipers though.


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Oh right, duh. I forgot talking about line splitters the other day with you. I have a caliper body you can have with shipping but I was having a hard time getting the bleeder to seal up so not really a good option. I had to get a new reproduction body from David Silver Spares. Cost me $60 and was well worth it. But since you're in the Philippines no idea what shipping would be to you.

I know quite a few other guys on here that use the 14mm with no issues. I think it's more due to preference. If I jam on the brakes it feels like I could easily lock the front wheel. That's good enough for me, ha.

Offline P.abrera

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Re: Patina Hyena - Dave's '78 CB550K Cafe Build Thread
« Reply #605 on: July 20, 2015, 06:16:45 AM »
I may look into the DSS repro kit as well. At least you know what youre getting. New piston and seals are likely with any used OEM calipers off ebay anyway, youll end up spending the same in the long run to get it running right. Was considering the 18 mm CB repro MC from them too, but getting more and more good reports with a 14mm pushing a dual system satisfactorily, may just stick with what i have. 

Hurry up withthe 650 already!


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Offline DaveBarbier

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Re: Patina Hyena - Dave's '78 CB550K Cafe Build Thread
« Reply #606 on: July 20, 2015, 06:18:45 AM »
Been taking the train into NYC for the past weeks for freelance work and I'm thinking of riding to the train station. It's free parking! It's a nice new station with cameras everywhere so I feel safe leaving my bike there for the day. But I want to get a cover and a fabric wrapped chain (they have cemented in posts for MC parking). I'm looking at a few covers but I want one that fits my bike well being a small cafe. Should any street bike cover work? Are there some specific to the cafe scene of these bikes? Any that won't melt if they hit my exhaust? I'm not looking for protection from weather, just something so people don't see what it is.

Any decent chains you guys like that aren't too expensive? What length should I be looking into?

Offline flatlander

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Re: Patina Hyena - Dave's '78 CB550K Cafe Build Thread
« Reply #607 on: July 21, 2015, 08:51:34 AM »
are you sure about this?
it's surprising how well bikes under a cover can blend into their environment so that casual onlookers don't even notice them. but in a public, open parking space where it's obvious what's there? i wouldn't like the idea. even if it's not stolen or should that happen, can be tracked with the cameras... if any damage happened to it i wouldn't be too happy.
personally, if i was doing this type of commuting i'd get some beater bike for this purpose. but your view may be different.

there are covers where the sides are heavy canvas which won't melt from the exhaust. i have one of these, but don't know if they're available in your neck of the woods: http://en.tenkateshop.com/1-verheul-motorcycle-cover-normal-58-900

Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: Patina Hyena - Dave's '78 CB550K Cafe Build Thread
« Reply #608 on: July 21, 2015, 12:55:09 PM »
I commute by light rail, and park my truck in a covered lot. There is a sheriff's office in the parking structure, but I am not confident enough in cameras to thwart theft.  A 550 can be lifted into a truck by two strong men or wheeled by one on a ramp.  If you consider doing this, I would use a brake disc lock on the front and a cable lock on the rear wheel.  I would also use a cover that breathes so you do not get any moisture trapped under the fabric of the cover.  I would be okay doing this with a beater literally parked next to the sheriff's office, but not any of my nicer vintage bikes.
1975 CB550K1 "Blue" Stockish Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=135005.0)
1975 CB550F1 frame/CB650 engine hybrid "The Hot Mess" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,150220.0.html)
2008 Triumph Thruxton (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,190956.0.html)
2014 MV Agusta Brutale Dragster 800
2015 Yamaha FZ-09 (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,186861.0.html)

"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)

Sold/Emeritus
1973 CB750K2 "Bionic Mongrel" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132734.0) - Sold
1977 CB750K7 "Nine Lives" Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=50490.0) - Sold
2005 RVT1000RR RC51-SP2 "El Diablo" - Sold
2016+ Triumph Thruxton 1200 R (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,170198.0.html) - Sold

Offline RAFster122s

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Re: Patina Hyena - Dave's '78 CB550K Cafe Build Thread
« Reply #609 on: July 21, 2015, 05:07:57 PM »
Covers make theives curious.  Once they decide they want it, then it is merely mechanics of disguise and escape to work out. I would want a fergetaboutit level of chain that is so heavy they aren't going to compromise it quickly & excellent Disc lock. I would consider using these same deterrent at home. What's to prevent a pair from tracking you home and taking it there?
Check out the attachment when you hook up to ensure that it has not been messed with...
Ensure that your bike theft coverage is sufficient for the investment.
Then be prepared if it disappears to back up your claim.

It is just a bike, it could be replaced theoretical.
Emotional attachments have no value to your insurance company.
That's what will hurt the most.

David
David- back in the desert SW!

Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: Patina Hyena - Dave's '78 CB550K Cafe Build Thread
« Reply #610 on: July 21, 2015, 10:02:14 PM »
Well Dave,

My 650 donor motor has its issues, too.  Got the head off and found 2 stripped screws.  This is not this motor's first rodeo - it's been apart before.  It's a good thing I purchased two spare heads and a spare set of cylinders.
1975 CB550K1 "Blue" Stockish Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=135005.0)
1975 CB550F1 frame/CB650 engine hybrid "The Hot Mess" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,150220.0.html)
2008 Triumph Thruxton (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,190956.0.html)
2014 MV Agusta Brutale Dragster 800
2015 Yamaha FZ-09 (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,186861.0.html)

"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)

Sold/Emeritus
1973 CB750K2 "Bionic Mongrel" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132734.0) - Sold
1977 CB750K7 "Nine Lives" Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=50490.0) - Sold
2005 RVT1000RR RC51-SP2 "El Diablo" - Sold
2016+ Triumph Thruxton 1200 R (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,170198.0.html) - Sold

Offline DaveBarbier

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Re: Patina Hyena - Dave's '78 CB550K Cafe Build Thread
« Reply #611 on: July 21, 2015, 11:10:33 PM »
You guys are scaring me! Ok, maybe leaving my bike at a train station isn't a great idea. It's funny though, I regularly see three other bikes there with no locks, covers and even helmets just hooked on the handlebars. A newish BMW street bike and a couple cruisers of some kind.

Offline DaveBarbier

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Re: Patina Hyena - Dave's '78 CB550K Cafe Build Thread
« Reply #612 on: July 21, 2015, 11:11:50 PM »

Well Dave,

My 650 donor motor has its issues, too.  Got the head off and found 2 stripped screws.  This is not this motor's first rodeo - it's been apart before.  It's a good thing I purchased two spare heads and a spare set of cylinders.

Damn! Well at least you have spares. Going to try and remove the stripped screws or just going with the other head?

Offline RAFster122s

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Re: Patina Hyena - Dave's '78 CB550K Cafe Build Thread
« Reply #613 on: July 21, 2015, 11:49:19 PM »
Dave, you have a piece of yourself in this bike, that would not be easy to let go of for many people.  They form a bond with the bike.  It means more than just some appliance that many guys have for a bike.  Those BMWs can be bought,  your bike was built.
So, depending if a motorcycle thief gives it a second thought would be if it is at risk. If they ship it overseas...its gone. Container shipment are they gone through carefully?
Most thieves go after sport bikes and Harleys and cruisers the like.
David- back in the desert SW!

Offline DaveBarbier

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Re: Patina Hyena - Dave's '78 CB550K Cafe Build Thread
« Reply #614 on: July 22, 2015, 04:55:49 AM »
Dave, you have a piece of yourself in this bike, that would not be easy to let go of for many people.  They form a bond with the bike.  It means more than just some appliance that many guys have for a bike.  Those BMWs can be bought,  your bike was built.
So, depending if a motorcycle thief gives it a second thought would be if it is at risk. If they ship it overseas...its gone. Container shipment are they gone through carefully?
Most thieves go after sport bikes and Harleys and cruisers the like.

Yeah I hear you. For me it's a battle of "I don't want to live in fear" vs "it's not worth the risk".

I'm still going to check out those covers and maybe get a decent chain. But might not leave it at the train station. I want to hire security guards just to stand around my bike all day.

Thanks for the info everyone

Offline flatlander

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Re: Patina Hyena - Dave's '78 CB550K Cafe Build Thread
« Reply #615 on: July 22, 2015, 07:18:28 AM »
you need one of these


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Re: Patina Hyena - Dave's '78 CB550K Cafe Build Thread
« Reply #616 on: July 22, 2015, 07:25:22 AM »
The head is off and so are the cylinders. Some rust on the sleeves that will be removed in boring for the 674 kit pistons. 

There is a Harley and a Yamaha (both full dressers) at my train station in Long Beach. The park literally outside the door to a sheriff's office (not even a substation). It you had a situation like this and a heavy cable lock, it might work.
1975 CB550K1 "Blue" Stockish Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=135005.0)
1975 CB550F1 frame/CB650 engine hybrid "The Hot Mess" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,150220.0.html)
2008 Triumph Thruxton (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,190956.0.html)
2014 MV Agusta Brutale Dragster 800
2015 Yamaha FZ-09 (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,186861.0.html)

"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)

Sold/Emeritus
1973 CB750K2 "Bionic Mongrel" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132734.0) - Sold
1977 CB750K7 "Nine Lives" Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=50490.0) - Sold
2005 RVT1000RR RC51-SP2 "El Diablo" - Sold
2016+ Triumph Thruxton 1200 R (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,170198.0.html) - Sold

Offline DaveBarbier

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Re: Patina Hyena - Dave's '78 CB550K Cafe Build Thread
« Reply #617 on: July 22, 2015, 10:04:25 AM »

The head is off and so are the cylinders. Some rust on the sleeves that will be removed in boring for the 674 kit pistons. 

There is a Harley and a Yamaha (both full dressers) at my train station in Long Beach. The park literally outside the door to a sheriff's office (not even a substation). It you had a situation like this and a heavy cable lock, it might work.

Cool, I hopefully will be getting the 674 kit in a couple weeks.

I'm getting a Kryptonite chain lock. The NY noose from Revzilla. It's got good reviews and seems like it's a solid chain. Probably a good thing to have anyway. Don't want anyone taking my 674 for a joyride!


Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: Patina Hyena - Dave's '78 CB550K Cafe Build Thread
« Reply #619 on: July 22, 2015, 11:11:42 AM »
Cool, I hopefully will be getting the 674 kit in a couple weeks.

I'm getting a Kryptonite chain lock. The NY noose from Revzilla. It's got good reviews and seems like it's a solid chain. Probably a good thing to have anyway. Don't want anyone taking my 674 for a joyride!

The 674 pistons look nice. Domed heads with clearance cut-outs for the valves.

I think my head is roached.  I had two spare heads so I should be in good shape to replace the one off my engine.
1975 CB550K1 "Blue" Stockish Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=135005.0)
1975 CB550F1 frame/CB650 engine hybrid "The Hot Mess" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,150220.0.html)
2008 Triumph Thruxton (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,190956.0.html)
2014 MV Agusta Brutale Dragster 800
2015 Yamaha FZ-09 (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,186861.0.html)

"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)

Sold/Emeritus
1973 CB750K2 "Bionic Mongrel" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132734.0) - Sold
1977 CB750K7 "Nine Lives" Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=50490.0) - Sold
2005 RVT1000RR RC51-SP2 "El Diablo" - Sold
2016+ Triumph Thruxton 1200 R (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,170198.0.html) - Sold

Offline DaveBarbier

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Re: Patina Hyena - Dave's '78 CB550K Cafe Build Thread
« Reply #620 on: July 22, 2015, 12:00:43 PM »

Cool, I hopefully will be getting the 674 kit in a couple weeks.

I'm getting a Kryptonite chain lock. The NY noose from Revzilla. It's got good reviews and seems like it's a solid chain. Probably a good thing to have anyway. Don't want anyone taking my 674 for a joyride!

The 674 pistons look nice. Domed heads with clearance cut-outs for the valves.

I think my head is roached.  I had two spare heads so I should be in good shape to replace the one off my engine.

Cool, they must be a more pronounced dome than stock since the compression ratio is going from 9:1 - 10.5:1. But maybe there's more to that than I'm thinking about.

Too bad about the head. My motor looks completely usable. Tranny, crank, etc. all in good shape.

Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: Patina Hyena - Dave's '78 CB550K Cafe Build Thread
« Reply #621 on: July 22, 2015, 12:02:33 PM »
Definitely a pronounced dome shape.
1975 CB550K1 "Blue" Stockish Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=135005.0)
1975 CB550F1 frame/CB650 engine hybrid "The Hot Mess" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,150220.0.html)
2008 Triumph Thruxton (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,190956.0.html)
2014 MV Agusta Brutale Dragster 800
2015 Yamaha FZ-09 (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,186861.0.html)

"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)

Sold/Emeritus
1973 CB750K2 "Bionic Mongrel" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132734.0) - Sold
1977 CB750K7 "Nine Lives" Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=50490.0) - Sold
2005 RVT1000RR RC51-SP2 "El Diablo" - Sold
2016+ Triumph Thruxton 1200 R (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,170198.0.html) - Sold

Offline flatlander

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Re: Patina Hyena - Dave's '78 CB550K Cafe Build Thread
« Reply #622 on: July 22, 2015, 01:50:55 PM »

That could do it. But I was thinking more of this: https://georgiaphotophiles.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/caucasian-shepherd.jpg

that would work. a bit harder to fit in a saddlebag, though.


Offline flatlander

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Re: Patina Hyena - Dave's '78 CB550K Cafe Build Thread
« Reply #624 on: July 22, 2015, 10:47:44 PM »
clearly, you need to give this some thought!