Topic: CB550K 1974 - Steering safety travel range

[mgzych]

Nah, there's no panacea here.  You _could_ fill the hole in with JB Weld, which is as close as you can come to what you're asking for, but that'll really do exactly zero good here.  The only real solution is to weld in the hole, grind the weld flat, and then re-drill.

I would do two things:

1. Tap your holes, add bolts, and run the existing triple tree just the way it is.
2. Buy a new triple tree, and do the drilling and tapping on it while it's off the bike, and then only install it if you are successful.

This gets you the maximum road time.  The existing tree will probably be just fine like that, the steering stops take very little force in normal operation, so just avoid high-speed tank slappers and it'll be fine.  You'll find it much easier to do the mod on the new tree when it's not on the bike.

The hardest part about swapping the lower triple tree will be replacing the bearings and dealing with the wiring.  Aside from that, since you were planning on replacing the fork seals anyway, it's only a little bit of disassembly past dropping the forks out, to swap out the lower tree.
mystic_1

I may be foolish for even asking, but let's say I actually wanted to venture into uncharted territory (for me) and weld-fill/grind/re-tap. Is that something that someone uninitiated like me could do if I got ahold of the right equipment?  (What's the right equipment?)  Can it be done with the lower triple still on the bike?  Or is that just a ridiculous proposition, especially if I can find the replacement lower triple?

Maybe more realistically...
Who can name some good sources for sourcing the lower triple?  Reputable forum member-seller/parts dealer/eBay, I suppose, in that order?  Do I need to/should I acquire/do anything else while I'm at it if I take it all apart?  Any other tips/tricks I should be aware of?

Thanks for the advice!

[calj737]

if you are not a competent welder, welding cast steel is not a good idea. Its tricky enough to weld as it is, without it being your first "go". Welding while the part is on the bike is "possible" but not always recommended. I would say it depends on which process you use: stick, TIG or MIG. Stick and MIG create a shower of sparks, TIG does not. But, you should always disconnect the battery and Reg/Rec if you do weld on a bike (you're passing heaps of current thru the frame when you weld).

Lots of folks have extra lower triples, I may in fact. They're abundant.

[mgzych]

Thanks, calj737.  I kind of figured as much. I think I'm going to take mystic1's advice and run it like it is, but acquire another lower triple (or maybe 2 so I have an extra for "practice" if necessary) to replace it when I drop the forks to change the seals.  If you have one (or 2) in good shape (I'd prefer to limit my work on it to the drilling and tapping, since that seems to be enough of a challenge right now) that you're willing to part with for a reasonable price, let me know and I'll likely take it off your hands. My bike is a '75 CB550F if you didn't catch that. Are there any differences across years or F vs. K models?  Are 750s the same?

Thanks again!

[calj737]

Same-same. I'll look later to insure its in good condition.