Author Topic: Logan's Reward - CB500 and CB550 Cafe Projects (Read 73030 times)

knottedknickers · « **Reply #200 on:** August 16, 2015, 08:38:14 AM »

Quote from: Restoration Fan on August 16, 2015, 06:47:27 AM

LOL, well I brought her home to adjust the clutch because it still didn't feel quite right. But I made up for it this morning and took her out for about a 20 mile ride. That's the longest I have gone on her so far and I'm going to do the same again this evening. After which, I will have about 60 miles on her and I'm going to do an oil change and move to Bel-Ray 20W50 oil. (*hoping I can get yet another oil debate going *)

I tried stirring the 'oil can' a few days ago with a discussion of Lucas 'Hot Rod & Classic Car' oil. Apparently, it's got 2100 ppm zinc in it. I'm just wondering if that's too much... Do you know how much the Bel-Ray has?

Restoration Fan · « **Reply #201 on:** August 16, 2015, 08:47:14 AM »

Quote from: knottedknickers on August 16, 2015, 08:38:14 AM

Quote from: Restoration Fan on August 16, 2015, 06:47:27 AM
LOL, well I brought her home to adjust the clutch because it still didn't feel quite right. But I made up for it this morning and took her out for about a 20 mile ride. That's the longest I have gone on her so far and I'm going to do the same again this evening. After which, I will have about 60 miles on her and I'm going to do an oil change and move to Bel-Ray 20W50 oil. (*hoping I can get yet another oil debate going *)
I tried stirring the 'oil can' a few days ago with a discussion of Lucas 'Hot Rod & Classic Car' oil. Apparently, it's got 2100 ppm zinc in it. I'm just wondering if that's too much... Do you know how much the Bel-Ray has?

According to this study, it has 1235 ppm. Here's a pretty interesting paper that does a study on American motorcycle oils. They test viscosity, zinc and/or moly ppm, etc. They have a Lucas Oil High Performance Motorcycle oil in the test but not the one for Hot Rod & Classic Cars. Apparently the 2100 would be at the upper end of the spectrum but there are a few in the study with higher ppm's.

http://americasoil.biz/files/g2156_A_study_of_Motorcycle_Oils.pdf

Restoration Fan · « **Reply #202 on:** August 16, 2015, 08:53:16 AM »

Quote from: calj737 on August 16, 2015, 07:59:01 AM

Mist it with guide coat, Ron. That's the cats pajamas for perfect surfacing.

Cal,
What brand of guide coat do you use? Is it a Bondo product? And where do you buy it?

calj737 · « **Reply #203 on:** August 16, 2015, 10:50:54 AM »

http://www.autobodytoolmart.com/sem-guide-coat-black-aerosol-38203-p-15977.aspx?gclid=CL_cwo-VrscCFYUXHwodH3YAdw&kpid=20040

I get it from a local auto paint supplier

Restoration Fan · « **Reply #204 on:** August 23, 2015, 02:16:09 PM »

Made a lot of progress on the 500 this weekend. Engine is painted and back in the frame. Swingarm painted and back on and triple tree is painted. All Ball bearings are all ready but I'm waiting on Bill Benton to back from Rockingham where he's busy kicking a bit of drag racing butt on his 750. Once he gets back and I can borrow his tool for putting these in, I'll go ahead and attach the trees, forks and wheels.

Now for the questions:
WHO was the masochist who designed the #2 and #3 cylinders on the 500 to be so small that a deep well socket won't fit inside the hole? So therefore, HOW do you get the spark plugs in & out of those cylinders?

Regarding plugs, the ones that came out of this 500 were NGK D7ES plugs. Are these what you guys run in the 500s and 550s?

oldhatt45 · « **Reply #205 on:** August 23, 2015, 03:35:32 PM »

Ron,
When I was actively working on Fiberglass Boats and getting parts of them ready for paint, my Mentor told me to grab any old Spray bomb type black paint. He generally used Rustoleum cause it was super cheap. LOL
His explanation for the "guide coat" was, all you are looking for is high spots and low spots. You don't spray on a coat like you are trying to cover everything, you just want enough so you can see where the highs and lows are. It's all going to get sanded off anyhow.
His approach worked like a charm for me, anyhow. Just some insight and not meant to get people running for their Popcorn. LOL

And PS, the engine and frame are looking really good!!!!!
Oh, and I have no idea why Honda did that with the #2 & #3 spark plugs on the 550!!! But there is a flexible shaft, maybe wire, kid of like one of our control cables only thicker. Maybe you can use something like that to put those plugs in with a thin wall socket?

Something like this http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/261661433758?ul_noapp=true&chn=ps&lpid=82

Charlie

Restoration Fan · « **Reply #206 on:** August 23, 2015, 05:06:35 PM »

Thanks for the input, Charlie. I'm hoping one of the 500/550 guys will chime in with what they use to get to those 2 plugs. I actually have to get the old 2 out of the engine before I can put new ones in. When I pulled the plugs from #1 and #4, they were in pretty bad shape so I definitely need to replace them.

By the way, I've been enjoying following your thread. Looks like you're getting close to having her going if the weather will ever cool down. (One reason I'm REALLY glad that I have my workshop in my basement; it allows me to work on the bikes even when the weather is 100 outside.) The problem I've been having with these bikes is that I haven't had as much time to work on them because I've been out enjoying riding on Stella so often.

Stev-o · « **Reply #207 on:** August 23, 2015, 05:24:45 PM »

Hey Ron....It must have been a very small Japanese engineer that designed the 500 motor!

I would only attempt removal with the OEM Honda spark plug wrench, it works perfect. To install. a 10" piece of flexible tubing attached to the plug works pretty good to get it started.
Here the plug wrench, you may find one cheaper from someone here but this will give you an idea of what you need.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/HONDA-CB350F-CB400F-CB500-CB550-CB750-GL1000-SPARK-PLUG-WRENCH-OEM-NEW-18-/231653919755?hash=item35efa64c0b&vxp=mtr

Restoration Fan · « **Reply #208 on:** August 23, 2015, 05:33:42 PM »

Quote from: Stev-o on August 23, 2015, 05:24:45 PM

http://www.ebay.com/itm/HONDA-CB350F-CB400F-CB500-CB550-CB750-GL1000-SPARK-PLUG-WRENCH-OEM-NEW-18-/231653919755?hash=item35efa64c0b&vxp=mtr

Stev-o,
AWESOME. Thank you for the link. I hit the button and hit the Buy it Now to purchase it but right before I clicked on the button to pay for it, I realized that I have one of those that came in the box of parts I bought.

So I went in and found the tool but it does beg another question: the tool goes down into the hole and onto the plug but it just barely comes out of the hole. There are 2 holes in the wall of the tool that makes me think there is supposed to be some type of handle that fits with this tool.

I'm sure I can make it work but it's low enough that it will be difficult to stick a screwdriver through the hole without marring the paint job on the engine. Am I missing something?

Ron

2strokeTrush · « **Reply #209 on:** August 23, 2015, 07:36:29 PM »

Awesome great progress!

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #210 on:** August 23, 2015, 10:39:25 PM »

Looking forward to seeing you get Logan's runner on the road.

madmtnmotors · « **Reply #211 on:** August 24, 2015, 04:33:51 AM »

Quote from: Restoration Fan on August 23, 2015, 05:33:42 PM

So I went in and found the tool but it does beg another question: the tool goes down into the hole and onto the plug but it just barely comes out of the hole. There are 2 holes in the wall of the tool that makes me think there is supposed to be some type of handle that fits with this tool.

I'm sure I can make it work but it's low enough that it will be difficult to stick a screwdriver through the hole without marring the paint job on the engine. Am I missing something?

Ron

Yes, the two holes are for a "handle" that is simply a straight round rod. A screwdriver will work the same, so if your socket tool is too short then you might try to find a longer one. I have seen them in at least two, maybe three, different lengths.

Restoration Fan · « **Reply #212 on:** August 24, 2015, 04:38:51 AM »

Quote from: madmtnmotors on August 24, 2015, 04:33:51 AM

Yes, the two holes are for a "handle" that is simply a straight round rod. A screwdriver will work the same, so if your socket tool is too short then you might try to find a longer one. I have seen them in at least two, maybe three, different lengths.

Thanks, Wilbur.
Looking at the photo of the one in the link that Stev-o posted, it appeared that it might be longer than the one I have so I just went ahead and ordered it last night.

I have plenty of other stuff to work on while I wait on it to get in. I'm taking it to have new tires put on tomorrow so I'm expecting to have it as a roller by Wednesday and have it ready to start on the wiring and seat fabrication.

madmtnmotors · « **Reply #213 on:** August 24, 2015, 04:50:55 AM »

Quote from: Restoration Fan on August 24, 2015, 04:38:51 AM

Looking at the photo of the one in the link that Stev-o posted, it appeared that it might be longer than the one I have

The description indicates "4-3/4" long"...

Stev-o · « **Reply #214 on:** August 24, 2015, 06:32:29 AM »

Quote from: madmtnmotors on August 24, 2015, 04:50:55 AM

Quote from: Restoration Fan on August 24, 2015, 04:38:51 AM
Looking at the photo of the one in the link that Stev-o posted, it appeared that it might be longer than the one I have

The description indicates "4-3/4" long"...

I have two, 1 measures 4.75" and the other 5.5".
I typically use the longer one along with a handled screwdriver...

Restoration Fan · « **Reply #215 on:** August 31, 2015, 06:22:20 PM »

I got the spark plug tool in and it did the job. The one I received is 4 3/4 inches. The one I had was 4 inches. I'm supposing that it was for a 350 or something because I did receive some 350 parts from the guy from whom I bought the engines and parts buckets.

I also bought an exhaust and muffler for the 500, as well as a tank for the 550 from Bill Benton today. The tank is in really good condition (no rust whatsoever on the inside) and has a gas cap on it. The paint is in such good shape that I almost hesitate to remove it and repaint. But there are a few small scratches on it and that's probably going to be the tank that goes on the 550 so I have other ideas than red for it.

I also put a first coat of trial paint on the tank for the 550 but it showed me that there are still 2 small areas that I'm not 100% pleased with. So that coat of paint is coming off and I'm going to re-work those 2 areas to get them right before the tank goes on the bike.

Red tank that will go on the 550

Gray tank with knee indentations that will go on the 500

RAFster122s · « **Reply #216 on:** August 31, 2015, 07:03:52 PM »

Congrats on a nice tank from Bill. Red does attract police a lot.

David

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #217 on:** August 31, 2015, 08:16:56 PM »

That Bill must have a freaking warehouse! I just got my 750F wheel hub/brake today from Bill (THANKS!!!).

The charcoal tank looks awesome. Now quit pussyfooting around and get that sucker running before the weather gets snotty!

Bill/BentON Racing · « **Reply #218 on:** August 31, 2015, 08:59:46 PM »

Ron, looking good. Was good to see you. Glad the parts arrived safe. Lol, my house is my warehouse!!Damn,we created a monster! Ron , you are an inspiration, keep it up. Check these out! Bill

Restoration Fan · « **Reply #219 on:** September 01, 2015, 04:23:57 AM »

Ha, Bill. I have no doubt that you probably have a box of those things. And I agree...it was really good to see you as well. It had been too long.

Don, you have NO idea how vast this man's collection is. Heck, I've helped him unload and/or move a bunch of the stuff and I probably still have only seen maybe half of the things he has. Every time I go over to Bill's house, I'm like a kid in a candy store...always seeing something new or learning something else. And best of all is that Bill is just a really cool guy and an outstanding friend. The guy would literally give the shirt off of his back to a friend. I feel very fortunate to be able to call myself his friend.

Restoration Fan · « **Reply #220 on:** September 01, 2015, 04:31:36 AM »

Do fork boots serve any real purpose other than aesthetics? My forks for the 500 are in really good shape and I'm tempted not to put fork boots on them. Is this going to cause any problems?

Also, I removed NGK D7EA plugs from this 500 motor. Is that what you all recommend to put back in there or should I change to the Iridium plugs?

calj737 · « **Reply #221 on:** September 01, 2015, 05:03:22 AM »

Stay with the NGKs. the 7's are stock

Boots help prevent dust/debris from attacking the seals, but you can use different types, shorter, or just the "cap" that you see on some 750s. Trick is to match the fork upper with a corresponding boot "locking seal" type. That groove on the upper has to have a rubber mate on the boot to keep the boot connected.

Bill/BentON Racing · « **Reply #222 on:** September 01, 2015, 05:18:51 AM »

Ron, thanks for the kind words! CB750F has the little ones, Bill

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #223 on:** September 01, 2015, 06:36:49 AM »

I had aftermarket gaiters on my GL front end that do not use the grooves to mount. Unfortunately, the rubber started cracking after a year in a garage. I pulled them off and stuck with the stock dust cover caps.

Restoration Fan · « **Reply #224 on:** September 07, 2015, 07:51:32 PM »

Does anyone know where I can get one of these? It's the part that screws onto the triple tree stem at the top.

I have two extra ones for the 750 but I apparently don't have one for the 500 or 550 stem.

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Author Topic: Logan's Reward - CB500 and CB550 Cafe Projects (Read 73030 times)