Author Topic: 81 cb650 Hardtail (Read 4448 times)

Mcwilliams570 · « **on:** September 02, 2014, 01:30:23 PM »

Hello all picked this bike up a few months ago just for a quick flip got a really good deal on it. Everyday I had to push the damn thing out to work on my other bikes and figured why not try to build one of these.

How I got it. I stripped the paint off wanted to see the welds and such.

Playing around with ideas. Pretty much ignore everything on it for right now. The only stuff that will be used right now is the frame, a 550 engine and a 550 front end. I went with the 550 engine cause gotta have a kickstarter on a bike like this right

and went with the 550 front end cause its shorter than the 650 and I wanted a lower stance on the front.

A little bit of a problem lol I have the frame stripped down and took it to a guy yesterday to fix the rear axle holders.

I think for this project I want a drag bike type look but for it to look like a old Honda.

Matt

rb550four · « **Reply #1 on:** September 02, 2014, 05:54:57 PM »

Is that the 550 fishing bike rims and tires on that frame? Does that mean that the 550 that you've worked so hard on is back to project status too?

Mcwilliams570 · « **Reply #2 on:** September 03, 2014, 12:34:08 PM »

Hello RB that 550 project was shelved for now I wasnt happy with the exhaust so put it on hold. I stripped it down boxed it all up and stored waiting to get the exhaust done the way I want it. That is the tires and front end from that project wont be using the tires though just what I had around hated the comstar rims lol.

Matt

Mcwilliams570 · « **Reply #3 on:** October 16, 2014, 05:01:59 PM »

Finally got the frame back from the guy that was going to fix it. I gave him a old 550 swing arm he cut the keepers off and welded them onto the frame. After talking with Cal I am not sure this is going to work but will see. Putting this project and the 750 project on hold for a bit. I am getting transferred to Savannah Georgia for a few months then to South Carolina where we will buy a new house. Any imput would be appreciated on the work that has been done on the axle holders.

Matt

rb550four · « **Reply #4 on:** October 16, 2014, 06:22:40 PM »

That's kind of interesting but I'll bet he didn't understand what you wanted.
I would guess that he was supposed to cut the entire rear axle tabs out of the old swing arm, cut the questionably welded 650 tabs out of the frame, then weld the 550 tabs in the place the 650 tabs occupied.... and tighten up the frame welds around the tabs thus ensuring a stronger frame than it had, is that right?looks like he welded the 550 tabs onto / along side of the 650 tabs making the axle short....and only one run of weld,hmmmm, but it looks like he can weld
I have a Sh1tty swingarm or two around here I can send you if you wanted to give him another shot at it.

Stev-o · « **Reply #5 on:** October 17, 2014, 06:00:45 AM »

Why did Cal say it wouldn't work?

calj737 · « **Reply #6 on:** October 17, 2014, 06:30:30 AM »

Stev-o, it has to do with the fact (as RB mentioned) the axle holders are welded to the "inside" of the frame tubes. That prevents the ID from holder to holder being wide enough to use both side spacers and center the wheel. McW has it in the frame, and "really" close, but it puts his left side hub VERY close to the axle holder and he has 0 space to move it any further left if necessary.

Also, as RB mentioned, the method the welder used is NOT how I would do it, nor recommend. I would have welded the axle holder within the center of the tube, notch the tube, and weld fully its circumferences. A single pass bead between a flat surface and round tube is NOT a great practice. Will it hold? Probably. And given this bike will see very little riding, its probably just fine. But NOT the way it should have done.

This is not a criticism of McW in any way. He had to farm out the work, and this is whats been done. He and I just couldn't get arranged for me to grab the frame and do it properly for him (he lives north of me by about 4 hours thru the WORST traffic this side of LA). I love the guy, but seriously, WDC, Baltimore, Dover and Wilmington traffic; not so much!

But, if he can't get it right, I will run up there (or after he moves down there) and grab it, cut it off, and fix it for him properly. Cant let my pal ride around unsafely

Stev-o · « **Reply #7 on:** October 17, 2014, 06:59:21 AM »

Got it, thanks for the explanation. I have 0 experience when it comes to custom swing arms and I've always stuck with stock.

calj737 · « **Reply #8 on:** October 17, 2014, 07:07:28 AM »

Well that whole contraption is a hardtail frame jalopy thingy.

But that's the kind of guy McW is; hard tailed, pony tailed, and leather wearing ruffian. His loitering about on an honorable vintage SOHC site is all about his parole program...

Stev-o · « **Reply #9 on:** October 17, 2014, 07:57:41 AM »

Quote from: calj737 on October 17, 2014, 07:07:28 AM

Well that whole contraption is a hardtail frame jalopy thingy. But that's the kind of guy McW is; hard tailed, pony tailed, and leather wearing ruffian. His loitering about on an honorable vintage SOHC site is all about his parole program...

Know what you mean, dont know how he landed that beautiful wife?! Must be a good "salesman"!

calj737 · « **Reply #10 on:** October 17, 2014, 08:18:05 AM »

She told me, "He's hung like a church mouse but open-minded enough to let her shop liberally at her favorite department stores". What's better than that?

Mcwilliams570 · « **Reply #11 on:** October 17, 2014, 03:34:01 PM »

Thanks guys lol. I have never been called a ruffian before but again those mail order brides don't speak very good English damn quick at figuring out door locks though.

calj737 · « **Reply #12 on:** October 17, 2014, 03:41:46 PM »

Ruffian, not Russian! Church Mouse needs glasses

Ruffian = Hooligan

Just polishing up my Englican for Simon.

Mcwilliams570 · « **Reply #13 on:** October 18, 2014, 06:54:10 PM »

Well last day to do some work on the bike before I move.

Picked these up a few months ago had to do a little trimming to get them to fit. I think they look good old school look just need to clean them up.

Everything clears is close but no problem

Here is how it sits now and some thoughts.

-The rear axle holders will have to be redone will take them over to Cal when he can get out of the call center. They might work could be 1 year or 20 years but might fail if that happened to me when I was on the bike I could live with but I usually sell these bikes pretty quick to pay for the next project and if someone else got hurt I couldn't live with that.

-The rear fender isn't long enought you can see how its not covering the bottom of the tire I may not have it sitting right there but pretty close will have to get a longer fender the other thing is this fender is 7 inches wide looks good on a 650 tire but not a 550 tire I am thinking a 5 inch wide one will work.

-The area where the coils sit will have to be cut out the 650 coils are smaller and the 550 coils wont fit in that area.

-That seat is not the one I am going to use just one I had around but I am not sure I am liking how high it sits up it would be on springs but I think sitting on the frame rails might look better.

-The battery would be in the usual place up against the engine by the transmission still trying to figure out where I want the electrical to go. I am thinking of doing a half gas tank or shell of a gas tank and use the right side top rail for mounting the electrical closer to the back of the tank away from the heat. If anyone has any pics of something like that please share with me.

Well that is just a few things that I noticed today easy right lol. Last picture is of the bike that inspired me to do this build. I have never liked hard tails and the such never really paid them much attention to them. When I decided to do this bike I typed in 650 hard tail in google and nothing stood out I typed in hard tail drag bike and came across this bike. I can never do a bike like this don't have 10-15k sitting around but if I can get something close I will be happy.

Matt

ggrant · « **Reply #14 on:** October 22, 2014, 01:55:00 PM »

Coming along real well, i'm liking how it sits

Tews19 · « **Reply #15 on:** October 22, 2014, 09:04:41 PM »

That is the coolest choppa 550 I've seen IMO. The lines seem to flow to the point as if it looks like it came off the factory floor. Louis

Mcwilliams570 · « **Reply #16 on:** October 23, 2014, 04:43:16 PM »

Thanks guys. Well kinda of sucks but put the bikes up for the year. Two more days then getting transferred to Savannah Georgia for a few months then to South Carolina where we will buy a new house and I can start working on bikes again. I am excited and nervous but gotta look at the big picture for my family. If anyone lives around the Savannah area hit me up would like to check out your bikes or help you out with anything you need.

Matt

Stev-o · « **Reply #17 on:** October 23, 2014, 09:14:42 PM »

Good luck with the move, Matt. Pretty sure ChefTuskey (Justin) lives in/near Savanna.

Mcwilliams570 · « **Reply #18 on:** March 20, 2015, 09:48:18 AM »

Well not so much a update on the bike but update on life. I got transferred about 5 months ago to South Carolina and our house in Delaware is finally selling and we just got a house out here. Will be nice to be with my family again and my motorcycles

The time away from the bikes has given me a lot of time to think about where this project is going and that's good lots of ideas. It also made me think that I will probably be selling the 1974 cb750. I just don't have the passion that so many other people on this forum have for the 750 I am a cb550 guy lol. Well hopefully soon will be updating the progress with this project. Just wanted to drop by and say I am still here and ready to go on this bike.

Matt

rb550four · « **Reply #19 on:** March 20, 2015, 11:14:01 AM »

Yay! I thought of your moving/job situation every now and then, the limbo that goes with it, the difficulty of being away from family......much suckage.... I am happy to hear that you and yours are well on the way to being reunited and moving forward.
Looking forward to what ideas you've come up with for the 550's and 650.

Stev-o · « **Reply #20 on:** March 20, 2015, 01:52:44 PM »

Hey Matt..........good to hear the house is sold and family on the way.

Cant believe you want to sell the 750, thought you would sell the SilverWing! [forgot the nickname you gave it?]

Mcwilliams570 · « **Reply #21 on:** March 20, 2015, 04:11:41 PM »

Quote from: rb550four on March 20, 2015, 11:14:01 AM

Yay! I thought of your moving/job situation every now and then, the limbo that goes with it, the difficulty of being away from family......much suckage.... I am happy to hear that you and yours are well on the way to being reunited and moving forward.
Looking forward to what ideas you've come up with for the 550's and 650.

Thanks RB looking forward to being with my family.

Mcwilliams570 · « **Reply #22 on:** March 20, 2015, 04:12:17 PM »

Quote from: Stev-o on March 20, 2015, 01:52:44 PM

Hey Matt..........good to hear the house is sold and family on the way.

Cant believe you want to sell the 750, thought you would sell the SilverWing! [forgot the nickname you gave it?]

THE FLYING TURD..

Mcwilliams570 · « **Reply #23 on:** May 16, 2015, 08:29:36 PM »

Had some time today got the foot pegs on. They are for a honda cr250 took a bit of grinding to get them on just gotta figure out how to mount the spring.

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Author Topic: 81 cb650 Hardtail (Read 4448 times)