Author Topic: Seeley 519  (Read 46311 times)

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Offline jaguar

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Re: Seeley 519
« Reply #50 on: January 31, 2015, 04:09:25 AM »
Jag,

Do you have any idea what the average age of the members is?
27?

Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: Seeley 519
« Reply #51 on: January 31, 2015, 07:39:26 AM »
I'm not completely sure, either, but I would think much older - at least for the members with more posts under their belt.  30 is NOT old by measure of most people into vintage motorcycles   ;)
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 01Thomas

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Re: Seeley 519
« Reply #52 on: February 01, 2015, 02:08:04 AM »
subscribed.
I'm also in the process of rebuilding my Seeley Honda and will start a rebuild thread pretty soon.
1971 Honda CB750 Four K1 [Engine: CB750E-1113521 / Frame: CB750-1113838]
1977 Seeley Honda CB750F (F1) [Engine: CB750E-2551214 / Frame No: SH7-655F]

'96 Yamaha YZF750SP & '81 Moto Guzzi SP1000 & '80 Moto Guzzi 850 LeMans II & '82 Bimota KB-3 [Frame No 49] & '66 Ducati 50 SL/1 & '53 Miele K-50 & '38 Miele 98

Offline SF

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Re: Seeley 519
« Reply #53 on: February 01, 2015, 07:31:26 AM »
Subscribed! Nice to learn about the specials. Jaguar happy bday...I turned 40 on the 30th, nice to have a day in the winter to get some garage time and nobody can say no to ya!  ;)
92 wr250 sold
98 zx6r sold
04 zx10r
73 cb350 twin
75 cb550f
75 cb550f
72 r5c
rgid springer bobber project

Offline jaguar

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Re: Seeley 519
« Reply #54 on: February 01, 2015, 02:58:35 PM »

Got some wheels for the bike.  Well if you are quick on your feet you will see that these wheels are in the introduction post.  Some stuff is going a little out of order, but should still be fun.


When I was back home for thanksgiving I was cruising the local CL and stumbled across some Lester wheels for a SOHC CB750.  I am not only a HUGE fan of these wheels, but had really wanted to find a set for the Seeley as many of the bikes that were built used them.  Was able to find out that Seeley offered Lester wheels, and a few other “options” when buying parts/bikes from him.

For those that don’t know Lester was a wheel maker “back in the day” they offered mag wheels for a number of different bikes.  While I do not know production numbers for sure, it does seem that they made more wheels then say Henry Abe, Shelby, or the like.  They are not full race wheels like Haytashi or Kimtab, instead they were more or a performance street wheel.  My plan is to actually weigh them to see if there is any savings or not.  To be honest I just really like the look.  Lester made 19in and 18in front wheels.  Would love to run a 18in front, but those don’t come up often.  For the rear the option was an 18in or a more chopper like 16in rear wheel.  The 18 inch rear is much more sought after.  These are OEM replacement wheels and were produced for the K bikes with a rear drum and the F bikes with a rear disk.  If you come across a rear drum wheel check the casting for the number 20200, that indicates a SOHC CB750 fitment.  The size will be stamped into one of the spokes.

Front wheels are different for the K and F bikes in the same way the OEM wheels are.  All factory brake parts bolt directly to the Lester wheels in the same manor as the original wheels.  You need to make sure you get the right wheel for your application. 

The 69-76 K bikes run a 6 bolt front rotor and can be seen in this Lester.


The 77-78 SuperSports have a 5 bolt front rotor.  You can not run a 6 bolt wheel on a 5 bolt bike or the other way around. 


I will be running dual discs on the Seeley.  This conversion is done exactly the same as if I was running the stock wheels.

Because it is fun to place parts near each other and pretend it is a whole motorcycle


I really do like these wheels, have used them a few times.
My CB/CR750 project has a set.  These are the latter wheels with triple discs.


Had a K1 project that I was doing a few years ago.  Told you it was fun to pile junk near stuff to make it look like a bike.


Then the same bike pretending to be a drag racer.  Sadly the K1 never really got finished.  Parted out some stuff when I ran out of space at the inn.  Then traded what was left for a large lathe.



Offline Riceman

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Re: Seeley 519
« Reply #55 on: February 01, 2015, 04:23:58 PM »
Is there much difference in weight between the Lesters and wire spoked aluminum rims?
or any cast aluminum rims for that matter.

Offline jaguar

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Re: Seeley 519
« Reply #56 on: February 01, 2015, 04:47:29 PM »
My gut says no, not really.  Maybe a little, but I dont think it would be enough to really drive you one way or another.  I do plan to weigh the wheels though as a few people have been interested in that.

Idea is that these threads should be entertaining and informative.  If there is anything that pops up, I would love to be able to find answers to interesting questions.

Offline Greggo

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Re: Seeley 519
« Reply #57 on: February 01, 2015, 07:22:30 PM »
I very un-scientifically weighed a stock CB500 set of rims compared to the set of Lesters I was installing and found a weight difference of a pound or two in the front IIRC...can't remember the difference in the rear, but the Lester was definitely lighter, and all that is un-sprung weight.

Offline Riceman

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Re: Seeley 519
« Reply #58 on: February 01, 2015, 08:07:48 PM »
Hope you don't mind me cluttering your thread with some info I found...
basic knowledge but he words it nicely...

"Wheel weight
By Damon I'Anson
Lowering the weight of any part of a bike, sprung or otherwise, will have advantages in terms of acceleration – thrust divided by weight equals acceleration, so either adding power or reducing weight will give a quicker bike. Losing 3kg from a 100bhp, 200kg bike is roughly equal to gaining one extra horsepower.

Should that weight have been removed from a wheel it will have even more effect on acceleration, as power is used in accelerating the rotation of the wheel (along with tyres, sprockets, discs) itself. Any weight saved on these rotating parts, means less power used in spinning them up to speed and a consequent increase in the power left to accelerate the mass of the whole bike."

Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: Seeley 519
« Reply #59 on: February 01, 2015, 08:17:09 PM »
I recently purchased a pair of 19/18 Lesters for my 550 project.  I believe they are slightly lighter than stock.  They are also thinner in terms of the spoke clearance.  I could not mount my AP calipers on my stock front wheel due to spoke clearance but the mag spokes are less wide.
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 scottly

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Re: Seeley 519
« Reply #60 on: February 01, 2015, 08:36:58 PM »
I've heard that Morris wheels are lighter than Lesters, but I can't confirm that. My Morris 19" front, with tire, weighed about 2 pounds more than a K7 front steel spoke wheel with tire. The bare front Morris with the bearing hubs was about 13.5 pounds.
My 18" rear Morris with alloy sprocket and disc brake was significantly lighter than a K7 17" steel spoke wheel with drum brake and a steel sprocket, like 10-11 pounds.
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Offline atm cycles

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Re: Seeley 519
« Reply #61 on: February 03, 2015, 04:23:38 PM »
Jag. I think perhaps your bike was a race bike or track bike. It had a 18" shouldered Aluminum front rim and a 18"x3 did aluminum rear. Had modified forks air adjustable. A geeez electronic ignition. It also last had a k1 engine

Offline jaguar

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Re: Seeley 519
« Reply #62 on: February 03, 2015, 05:34:37 PM »
Jag. I think perhaps your bike was a race bike or track bike. It had a 18" shouldered Aluminum front rim and a 18"x3 did aluminum rear. Had modified forks air adjustable. A geeez electronic ignition. It also last had a k1 engine

The bike was not stamped as a race bike when built.  But I assume it is very possible that it was raced before.
18 front and rear makes perfect sense for this bike.  How were the forks modified?

Offline atm cycles

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Re: Seeley 519
« Reply #63 on: February 04, 2015, 03:04:03 AM »
I'll try to take some pictures for you. Looks like seals are pinned. On top of sliders looks like another seal
Portion of sliders with seals was machines and added. So possibly double seals?  Caps are drilled and tapped with nipple to except air. Looks like you would use a needle like inflating a ball

Offline atm cycles

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Re: Seeley 519
« Reply #64 on: February 04, 2015, 06:37:06 AM »
Also had a 550 rear hub and axle

Offline atm cycles

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Re: Seeley 519
« Reply #65 on: February 04, 2015, 06:43:35 AM »
Front had dual drilled disk and what I think must have been 550 calipers and hangers as bult holes are closer together than 750's. Also fork slider,caliper hangers and valve covers are chromed

Offline jaguar

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Re: Seeley 519
« Reply #66 on: February 04, 2015, 06:48:55 AM »
Sounds like relatively standard "back in the day mods" and makes a lot of sense that they would have been done to the bike.

Offline jaguar

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Re: Seeley 519
« Reply #67 on: February 06, 2015, 04:12:45 AM »
Well since I don’t have a garage of my own to work out of I am forced to do small jobs at my apartment and plan the full garage time differently then I normally would.

Figured the best place to start was to fill in one of the missing pieces of the project, the rear axle adjustors.  Interestingly enough Seeley used a similar adjustor type on most of his bikes. 

Here is what I have to work with right now.

The axle parts that are pictured is everything that I have right now.  Everything, save the axle, is alloy and very light.  Can see that it seems to use the stock Honda drum stay. 

The number 19 is stamped into the arm indicating it is original to the frame.


The design that was used is very similar to some of the Ducatis of the time.  The swing arm uses round tubing that has an outer diameter of 35mm.  The adjustor would ride on the inside of the tube and have a cap to pass a threaded rod used to adjust the axle position.  This should be a simple enough piece to make on a lathe.  Will try and draw something up one day at work with the needed dimensions.



When the axle is installed in the swing arm you can see how the adjuster would ride inside the tubes.




Was poking around on the good old interwebs looking for better pictures of the Ducati adjustor types because there are almost no pictures of the Seeley ones and found some images of the adjustors that are used on a Ducati Sport Classic.



Those look like they are a cast part, but the same effect can be made out of billet or any other good block of alloy.

If you look really close at the picture I posted of the Seeley “kit” you can see the adjustors, it is the only picture of the parts I could find.

Did some quick poking around and found some 30mm bar stock that might work well for this.


Offline scottly

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Re: Seeley 519
« Reply #68 on: February 06, 2015, 05:42:59 PM »
The Seeley Honda adjusters are just like the kit pic; simply round slugs with a stud threaded in and a cross hole for the axle. The OD is a close slip fit in the swing arm, and the cross hole is a close slip fit over the axle, and needs to be centered in the slug. The end cap has a step that fits into the end of the tube about .100" deep, IIRC.
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Offline jaguar

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Re: Seeley 519
« Reply #69 on: February 06, 2015, 06:04:59 PM »
Thanks for the picture.
I have some 30mm delron scrap at work that I might try and use to mock up everything.
Dont worry, will make it out of alloy for real.

Offline scottly

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Re: Seeley 519
« Reply #70 on: February 06, 2015, 06:18:54 PM »
What is the ID of the swing arm tube?
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Offline jaguar

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Re: Seeley 519
« Reply #71 on: February 07, 2015, 05:15:15 AM »
31mm I think.
I'll remeasue today

Offline jaguar

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Re: Seeley 519
« Reply #72 on: February 07, 2015, 06:45:15 AM »
just measured.
30.50mm

Offline scottly

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Re: Seeley 519
« Reply #73 on: February 07, 2015, 06:17:55 PM »
It would be nice if someone with a non-running Seeley could measure their adjusters. ::) ;D ;D
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Offline jaguar

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Re: Seeley 519
« Reply #74 on: February 07, 2015, 06:30:35 PM »
Well I have to work on a post with a fair number of questions this week.
Been working on the bike a lot, I'm behind already on updates.
But have come across a few hurdles I could use a hand with already.