Author Topic: Trad's Rust and Bones 550 Brat Build: Input on plug readings needed, last page. (Read 25555 times)

Trad · « **Reply #75 on:** February 07, 2015, 09:30:21 PM »

Well, I had a really productive day on this thing. Here is the rear tail light (with power) that I was able to finally restore to this bike. I like working on electrical the least; but man do I like this taillight setup.

The 550K build is taking place in a nice shop with all the power tools I need. This one is in a dim, damp parkade. I'm making the best of it though.

Took apart the entire wiring harness, soldered any connections I thought looked weak and and re-wrapped the entire thing. I really wish their was a before and after. I finished up battery box and was able to get everything to fit, and I mean barely. I really wish I showed a picture of how it looked from the PO; It was a bloody rats nest in there! It looks ok now, not much else I could have done with it all.

You can see my soldered and wrapped connection repair on the rectifier bolted to the bottom of the battery box. It's the white/yellow wire on the far left.

After I had everything re-wrapped and connected I wasn't getting any power at all. Tuns out two of the main connections coming out of the fuse box were hanging on by a thread. I fixed so many connections when I had the loom apart and missed those blatant two. Once I fixed those, BAM! back in business.

I also received my NOS petcock and mounted it on the tank.

Trad · « **Reply #76 on:** February 07, 2015, 09:32:34 PM »

Quote from: GV1390 on February 01, 2015, 01:58:41 PM

What does Harisuluv charge and do exactly to the carbs? Just out of curiosity, PM if you'd like. Thanks!

He takes them completely apart and rebuilds them to like new condition. vapour blasted, polished, new hardware, etc. Whatever jetting you like and it all seems to be done with love. haha.

streak09 · « **Reply #77 on:** February 08, 2015, 05:20:48 AM »

I love the tailight. That is the setup I would like. Do you know where/how the PO set it up?

Bike is looking great. Nice job on the harness and box.

Trad · « **Reply #78 on:** February 08, 2015, 07:30:03 AM »

Quote from: streak09 on February 08, 2015, 05:20:48 AM

I love the tailight. That is the setup I would like. Do you know where/how the PO set it up?

Bike is looking great. Nice job on the harness and box.

Thanks man. I do now since I had it all apart yesterday. Basically it's a regular frame hoop with a recessed groove for where the led strip sits. The recess isn't much, I'd say 5mm. The strip also has an adhesive backing so you wouldn't really need the groove, it just looks a little cleaner. The turns signals are also wired in to the strip and the wires are all running through the upper frame tubing and out just before the electronics box.

AintNoEasyWay · « **Reply #79 on:** February 08, 2015, 09:03:26 AM »

Trad, love the quote on your sig, man!!

Trad · « **Reply #80 on:** February 08, 2015, 09:20:52 AM »

Quote from: AintNoEasyWay on February 08, 2015, 09:03:26 AM

Trad, love the quote on your sig, man!!

It really strikes a cord doesn't it? It was in a PM conversation with Don AKA "CB750 Cafe Racer Fan". He really knows how to string them words together. Hey Don, did you go to poetry school?

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #81 on:** February 08, 2015, 05:48:01 PM »

Quote from: Trad on February 08, 2015, 09:20:52 AM

Quote from: AintNoEasyWay on February 08, 2015, 09:03:26 AM
Trad, love the quote on your sig, man!!

It really strikes a cord doesn't it? It was in a PM conversation with Don AKA "CB750 Cafe Racer Fan". He really knows how to string them words together. Hey Don, did you go to poetry school?

Hahahahaha. No. I was joking about crediting the quote but now it's kind of cool.

Trad · « **Reply #82 on:** February 09, 2015, 08:21:46 AM »

Quote from: CB750 Cafe Racer Fan on February 08, 2015, 05:48:01 PM

Quote from: Trad on February 08, 2015, 09:20:52 AM
Quote from: AintNoEasyWay on February 08, 2015, 09:03:26 AM
Trad, love the quote on your sig, man!!

It really strikes a cord doesn't it? It was in a PM conversation with Don AKA "CB750 Cafe Racer Fan". He really knows how to string them words together. Hey Don, did you go to poetry school?

Hahahahaha. No. I was joking about crediting the quote but now it's kind of cool.

Got to give credit where credit is due.

Trad · « **Reply #83 on:** February 09, 2015, 09:19:13 PM »

I cut the Renthals down to 26 inches and mounted them up. I like these way better now that they're narrower. I also put in a bunch of new Honda screws and stainless allen-head bolts into the engine. I still need to do the clutch cover. Grey anti-seaize was used, I didn't forget.

I really cleaned up the bike and actually dig how everything is now mechanically dialled in with lots of new shinny bits, yet the frame and engine have chipped paint and a roughness to it. It's a cool contrast, ratty but dialled at the same time. I think it'll really come together once the carbs are back from James and the seat and tank are mounted. I can't wait to see how it looks.

Maurice · « **Reply #84 on:** February 10, 2015, 05:49:32 AM »

Impressive... Nice photo skills too.

Are the coils upside down and flipped around? Not that it wouldn't work but my OCD mind was thrown on a loop there.

I'm still on the fence about those pipes. The real deal breaker is having a bunch of exhaust gaskets around each time the oil filter needs to come out... But my MAC pipes, after less than a season, already look like turds it's not funny.

Oh and try and fit the crankcase breather on a longer pipe, preferably away from the tire. It IS going to oil up the area where it sits, don't ask

Problem is it does it slowly but surely.

Trad · « **Reply #85 on:** February 10, 2015, 08:37:41 AM »

Quote from: Maurice on February 10, 2015, 05:49:32 AM

Impressive... Nice photo skills too.

Are the coils upside down and flipped around? Not that it wouldn't work but my OCD mind was thrown on a loop there.

I'm still on the fence about those pipes. The real deal breaker is having a bunch of exhaust gaskets around each time the oil filter needs to come out... But my MAC pipes, after less than a season, already look like turds it's not funny.

Oh and try and fit the crankcase breather on a longer pipe, preferably away from the tire. It IS going to oil up the area where it sits, don't ask Problem is it does it slowly but surely.

Maurice,

Thanks man.

Yep, the coils are flipped backwards. The ignition wires are less visible this way with the tank on. Nothing hanging in front.

Yeah, at first having to keep on hand all the extra exhaust gaskets got to me too. I’ve been running these 4-1 pipes with no oil filter access for so long you get used to it and it becomes no biggie. The black ceramic pipe has grown on me and I think I’m going to keep it on this bike. I do have another Carpy pipe that’s raw steel that I’d sell for less than this one. It’s in great shape with a couple little scraped and dings on the underside. My first 550 was super LOW.

You’ve had oil mess issues with the breather filter there? I’ve never noticed and have been mounting them like this for the better part of 6 years. I actually used to leave it open without a filter back in the day.

GV1390 · « **Reply #86 on:** February 10, 2015, 09:41:41 AM »

Ugh, looks so minty-fresh!

I'm jelly.

Come finish my build.

kthanks!

Trad · « **Reply #87 on:** February 10, 2015, 10:18:17 AM »

Quote from: GV1390 on February 10, 2015, 09:41:41 AM

Ugh, looks so minty-fresh!

I'm jelly.

Come finish my build.

kthanks!

It looks less minty-fresh in real life. haha. Thanks man.

Maurice · « **Reply #88 on:** February 10, 2015, 10:59:36 AM »

Yes my 550 (and 750) do create an oily mist that eventually coats the carbs. It takes a while to make a mess, but if I ride the bike often it's noticeable as it attracts the dirt (bonus is it keeps the rust at bay).

Is the exhaust stainless?

Trad · « **Reply #89 on:** February 10, 2015, 01:49:56 PM »

Quote from: Maurice on February 10, 2015, 10:59:36 AM

Yes my 550 (and 750) do create an oily mist that eventually coats the carbs. It takes a while to make a mess, but if I ride the bike often it's noticeable as it attracts the dirt (bonus is it keeps the rust at bay).

Is the exhaust stainless?

It's a mild steel pipe. I can get you some pics if you'd like.

hellraiserDLX · « **Reply #90 on:** February 14, 2015, 04:52:08 PM »

Nice setup bud! Im in for some bmx video links. Been riding my whole life Too. I skate more these days but its all a very similar love for me. Post them youtube vids!

P.abrera · « **Reply #91 on:** February 14, 2015, 06:21:55 PM »

Rust and bones eh?

This is looking a lot better than that

nicely done

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

callmejarob · « **Reply #92 on:** February 15, 2015, 02:01:26 PM »

Love both of your builds, AND THAT HEADLIGHT!

Could you show me some more shots of that taillight? I was going to order the one from Cognito Moto that looked like that but can't justify spending that kind of coin for something I can do myself.

Trad · « **Reply #93 on:** March 14, 2015, 11:35:19 AM »

Alright, little update on this bike. My carbs are back from James (Harisuluv) and again, like the set on my 74, these turned out really well. I will be setting these up on the bike next week along with the new tank and get it back running. After that I'm going to pull the exhaust, drop and clean the sump; oil and filter change with Roltella T and a bit of extra ZDDP. Then that's it for this bike for the season.

Should be smooth sailing but I don't like to speak too soon. I haven't dropped the sump yet and we all know the kind of mysteries I could find. haha.

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #94 on:** March 14, 2015, 12:20:58 PM »

James does great work, doesn't he!

Trad · « **Reply #95 on:** March 14, 2015, 07:22:21 PM »

Quote from: CB750 Cafe Racer Fan on March 14, 2015, 12:20:58 PM

James does great work, doesn't he!

Yeah, they are spotless now. I can't wait to see what a difference this makes in running performance.

If anyone is curious on what jetting/card setup I'll be running with the Uni pods and 4-1 to start.

-78 550 PD Carbs
-110 mains, 42 slows
-Needle clip lowered one notch
-idle mixture screws turned 1.5 out after seated fully

Trad · « **Reply #96 on:** March 28, 2015, 02:10:48 PM »

Got the intake manifolds mounted up to the newly rebuilt carbs. Also oiled up the Uni pod filters. Always a sticky messy job.

Going to mount these up and try to get the bike running again tomorrow afternoon.

CB550 F PD Carbs by tradart101, on Flickr

CB550F PD Carbs 2 by tradart101, on Flickr

Filters to Oil by tradart101, on Flickr

Trad · « **Reply #97 on:** April 06, 2015, 08:21:08 PM »

What a day on Sunday!!! (FYI the photos get larger when you click them)

1) I removed the starter and installed one of the 2 Tach plugs that I got from Frank. The other ones's the "race" version and it's going on the 74. Perfect fit, thanks again pal.

Tach Plug 2 by tradart101, on Flickr

2) I installed my newly rebuilt carbs with all new hardware, boots and o-rings.

Carbs 1 by tradart101, on Flickr

3) The bike is 99% finished! I finished up the electrical and made sure everything worked and that I had proper spark on both 1-4 & 2-3; All is perfect. The tank and seat are on, I just need to put in all the fuel lines, attach the choke cable and fill it with gas! I can't wait to see how it runs now. I prefer the blue tank to the black, SO STOKED! This bike's super clean, like you could eat off it but it's still got lots of age in the chipped paint on the engine and such. I'm really liking the contrast with the Pristine tank, and other bits. This will be my everyday bike, and I couldn't be happier.

550F 1 by tradart101, on Flickr

550F 0 by tradart101, on Flickr

550F 2 by tradart101, on Flickr

FunJimmy · « **Reply #98 on:** April 06, 2015, 08:27:03 PM »

Looks ally nice Trad. Sapphire Blue is my favorite Super Sport colour.
Looking forward to a post ride report. Enjoy!

hellraiserDLX · « **Reply #99 on:** April 06, 2015, 08:28:43 PM »

There you go bud! Nice work. I bet it feels so good

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Author Topic: Trad's Rust and Bones 550 Brat Build: Input on plug readings needed, last page. (Read 25555 times)