Author Topic: Logan's Reward - CB500 and CB550 Cafe Projects (Read 73371 times)

Maurice · « **Reply #25 on:** May 15, 2015, 08:10:58 AM »

Quote from: CB750 Cafe Racer Fan on May 15, 2015, 07:48:05 AM

No offense, Maurice, but your statement about lithium-ion discharge is completely incorrect. Lithium-ion batteries can sit for a year and if you disconnect the negative terminal, they will suffer little to NO drain. The also seem to charge faster.

Maybe I'm not conveying what I mean. Read up here, disadvantages section. What I mean to say is that battery capacity will degrade over time, used or not. It may degrade faster in certain conditions too. And once it degrades there is no salvaging it. That is the physics of it, now in reality you may be able to keep using them at degraded capacity for quite some time since AH ratings on the CB are overkill.

I personally would not use those, I just see no need for it because most of my bikes are kick-only. And on the bikes that are not I use cheap AGMs that last for years, never use a battery tender.

Again, if money is no object and electric start a must then go for it, ignore my cheap-ass ramblings

Restoration Fan · « **Reply #26 on:** May 15, 2015, 08:27:51 AM »

Hey, I appreciate the responses from each. One of the great things about this forum is the exchange of ideas so thanks to each of you.

Cal, do you have a specific model # you recommend? On Amazon, I'm seeing a bunch of different ones/sizes and I don't mind paying for the Shorai battery tender to go along with the battery. On both of these, size is going to be an issue and I don't want to force the kid into kick start only at this point. We may later decide to go that route but I'd like to have the starter available if he wants to go the electric start route.

mkoski · « **Reply #27 on:** May 15, 2015, 08:41:11 AM »

Quote from: Restoration Fan on May 15, 2015, 08:27:51 AM

Hey, I appreciate the responses from each. One of the great things about this forum is the exchange of ideas so thanks to each of you.

Cal, do you have a specific model # you recommend? On Amazon, I'm seeing a bunch of different ones/sizes and I don't mind paying for the Shorai battery tender to go along with the battery. On both of these, size is going to be an issue and I don't want to force the kid into kick start only at this point. We may later decide to go that route but I'd like to have the starter available if he wants to go the electric start route.

I bet he will want kick-start.

I'm a younger guy and there's just something about a kick-only vintage bike. I think this is because our generation hasn't ever had to kick-start a single thing in our lives. Plus, a well tuned engine that kicks cold and first try is something to behold. AND removing the heavier battery, starter motor makes it faster...

calj737 · « **Reply #28 on:** May 15, 2015, 09:38:34 AM »

Kick Start or Electric start, doesn't matter. I use A2 frame for size constraints. LFX14A2-BS12 You can buy it from CognitoMoto too-

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #29 on:** May 15, 2015, 10:07:37 AM »

Shorai definitely. That model is good or the LFX14A5-BS12 -- fits right into the existing holder.

If size/concealment is your goal, you may go with the smaller A1 form factor (LFX18A1-BS12). It is pricier, but smaller and has more cold cranking amps and amp hours. Note: it is OVERKILL for the demands of the 550, but if you want something tiny, it's a great battery.

Restoration Fan · « **Reply #30 on:** May 17, 2015, 06:09:20 PM »

So I learned something today:
F model 550 frames are even better suited to make cafe bikes than the K model 500 frames. The reason? The F model 550 frame has an extra set of frame tubes that should make mounting the rearsets much easier. It appears that I may not even have to weld anything onto the frame of the F550 frame to accommodate the rearsets when we get to building Logan's bike. I'm sure we'll have to make some changes to accept the rear brake spindle, but I'm thinking that will be easier than welding the cross pieces and then fitting the rear brake spindle onto that.

500 K model frame

550 F model frame

Tews19 · « **Reply #31 on:** May 17, 2015, 07:30:30 PM »

F models have the lower brace for the rear peg but no one makes a direct bolt on rear set for an F. The K model which you have on top has many direct bolt on options. Subscribed and a hell of a dad to do this for your kid!. Check both frames for trueness. Don't make a mistake like I did. Paid 300 to get it powder coated with a bunch of other parts only to find out the frame was garbage.

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #32 on:** May 17, 2015, 07:33:07 PM »

1977-78 550K frames have the same mounts, too.

Tews19 · « **Reply #33 on:** May 17, 2015, 07:36:21 PM »

Cb750 is correct about the 77-78 frames. Also as he said not much of a need to cut the frame.

callmejarob · « **Reply #34 on:** May 18, 2015, 08:01:08 AM »

You went all in did you!? I think Bill is rubbing off on you!

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #35 on:** May 18, 2015, 08:30:29 AM »

They definitely rolled in heavy. Smart strategy though.

Restoration Fan · « **Reply #36 on:** May 18, 2015, 12:31:01 PM »

Quote from: Tews19 on May 17, 2015, 07:30:30 PM

F models have the lower brace for the rear peg but no one makes a direct bolt on rear set for an F. The K model which you have on top has many direct bolt on options. Subscribed and a hell of a dad to do this for your kid!. Check both frames for trueness. Don't make a mistake like I did. Paid 300 to get it powder coated with a bunch of other parts only to find out the frame was garbage.

Thanks for the advice. And I figure it's the least I can do for him after all the time he put into my bike.
When you say check for trueness, do you mean alignment or rust or something else?

AintNoEasyWay · « **Reply #37 on:** May 18, 2015, 01:25:34 PM »

You may have mentioned it, but I didn't see it. What shocks do you plan to use?

Restoration Fan · « **Reply #38 on:** May 18, 2015, 01:46:06 PM »

On Stella, I'm running the original shocks that were on it. I've yet to bottom it out so I don't know if they're crap or not.

On the 500, I'm also going back with the shocks that were on the 550 frame after soaking them in Metal Rescue to clean off the little bit of surface rust that's on them. That's just purely from a money standpoint though since I intend to flip that bike.

On Logan's 550, I will probably put a good set on it. Possibly Fox or Ohlins...some of it will be determined by the look as well as the ride quality.

calj737 · « **Reply #39 on:** May 18, 2015, 01:55:21 PM »

Hagons, Ikons or Fox. He's got a long way to go before he can ride the difference to warrant a pair of Ohlins... YSS also makes a very good shock/value. Me, I'd go Fox or YSS on a custom sporty ride.

Restoration Fan · « **Reply #40 on:** May 18, 2015, 01:56:10 PM »

Quote from: calj737 on May 18, 2015, 01:55:21 PM

Hagons, Ikons or Fox. He's got a long way to go before he can ride the difference to warrant a pair of Ohlins... YSS also makes a very good shock/value. Me, I'd go Fox or YSS on a custom sporty ride.

I saw Fox shocks on Devin's sites but I haven't seen YSS ones that I can remember. Where do you get those?

calj737 · « **Reply #41 on:** May 18, 2015, 01:58:20 PM »

http://www.yssusa.com

oldhatt45 · « **Reply #42 on:** May 18, 2015, 02:40:48 PM »

Ron,

I just got my brandy new Ikon shocks today. I don't know what your price range is, but, if these Ikon's are as good as my OLD Koni shocks, and you are looking in the $400 - $500 range then Ikon's should be on your list.

Check my build thread for some info on the new Ikon's.

Charlie

Restoration Fan · « **Reply #43 on:** May 18, 2015, 03:02:45 PM »

Charlie,
Thanks for the tip. I already saw those in your build thread!

I'm willing to spend cash if I need to for the shocks. I want to keep it less than 4 digits but I'm willing to spend for quality but I also want it to look good. I was looking at the YSS shocks earlier with the gas reservoirs. I think that look will fit in well with what we're wanting to do on Logan's bike. And since I didn't skimp on purchasing stuff for my bike, I'm going to spend some on his as well.

Besides, I think I got enough parts that I'll be able to sell a fair amount and recoup some of my investment.

oldhatt45 · « **Reply #44 on:** May 18, 2015, 03:22:12 PM »

Ron,

Cool! Just don't skimp on keeping the rubber on the road.

As Hondaman said in his book, the rake and trail on the SOHC 4's affected the handling a LOT, so I just wanted to make sure that Logan is safe!!!

Oh, and is the number 99 going on Logan's bike somewhere???

Charlie

Stev-o · « **Reply #45 on:** May 18, 2015, 03:23:13 PM »

Quote from: Restoration Fan on May 18, 2015, 12:31:01 PM

Quote from: Tews19 on May 17, 2015, 07:30:30 PM
F models have the lower brace for the rear peg but no one makes a direct bolt on rear set for an F. The K model which you have on top has many direct bolt on options. Subscribed and a hell of a dad to do this for your kid!. Check both frames for trueness. Don't make a mistake like I did. Paid 300 to get it powder coated with a bunch of other parts only to find out the frame was garbage.

When you say check for trueness, do you mean alignment or rust or something else?

Checking for trueness means checking that the frame is not bent [from a possible accident]

AintNoEasyWay · « **Reply #46 on:** May 18, 2015, 04:04:30 PM »

Ron, sounds good on the shocks. You planning on using an M unit? Lots of question because I'm just curious how far you plan to go in customizing/upgrading.

Restoration Fan · « **Reply #47 on:** May 18, 2015, 04:27:16 PM »

Quote from: oldhatt45 on May 18, 2015, 03:22:12 PM

Oh, and is the number 99 going on Logan's bike somewhere???

You figured out the surprise! It is indeed going to have #99 on it.

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #48 on:** May 18, 2015, 04:34:09 PM »

A Lorenzo fan?? A great rider but man that guy needs to loosen up!

Restoration Fan · « **Reply #49 on:** May 18, 2015, 04:59:27 PM »

Quote from: AintNoEasyWay on May 18, 2015, 04:04:30 PM

Ron, sounds good on the shocks. You planning on using an M unit? Lots of question because I'm just curious how far you plan to go in customizing/upgrading.

For Logan's bike, I'm thinking M-Unit and M-Button with the triple tree that Cal linked before in the thread.

My only concern is that I REALLY like the CognitoMoto speedometer with integrated tach. But since it's going to be his bike, I'm going to let him choose the gauge setup.

News:

Author Topic: Logan's Reward - CB500 and CB550 Cafe Projects (Read 73371 times)