Topic: The Hot Mess - 1975 CB550F1 Frame/1981 CB650 Engine

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I decided to pull the trigger on it.  I'm using a Motogadget Chronoclassic Dark on the 750 but this bike is meant to be a little more restrained cost-wise.

[Retro Rocket]

I was going to use a brand new set of stock gauges I've had hiding away for years, but with the 41mm forks i'm using i have no speedo drive, that gauge might be a good option...

[FunJimmy]

Electrical will likely be Motogadget M-Unit, buttons, lock and a Koso TNT-01 Gauge

Nice looking gauge Don, but I'd prefer an anolog speedo with or without digital tach.

Have you compared or considered the Legendary GPS speedo?

http://www.dimecitycycles.com/4-inch-chrome-with-black-face-legendary-motorcycles-electronic-gps-speedometer-tachometer.html

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Hi Jim,

Yes, I looked into the GPS meters.  That unit is a quality meter, and the GPS provides a very accurate speed measure.

I guess I fall into the other side of the spectrum in preferring both an analog tachometer and having the tachometer as the predominant gauge.  I've had the same stock with my RC51 (with a digital sweeping tach) and GSXR750 (analog tach), and with my aftermarket meter on my 750 Nine Lives bike (with a sweeping digital tach).  The unit I used is an Acewell -- not nearly as upscale as a Motogadget Motoscope but similar in metering features.

_12_zps6f61f832 by Donald Leonhardt, on Flickr

imagejpg8_zps3df0720d by Donald Leonhardt, on Flickr

Having used these, I find I prefer an analog tach.  I don't mind speed being a static digital number measurement.  I like the look of the Motogadget Motoscope (like a consumer light version of a Motec), but wanted to get away from the digital tachometer sweeping band.  The Motoscope Mini is cool but just too small for me.

With my new 750 project (Bionic Mongrel), I kind of went all out and sprung for a Motogadget Chronoclassic Dark. 

msc_chc_10k_de_pol_bezel_800_zpsqk83icd6 by Donald Leonhardt, on Flickr

I got a good deal on the Motogadget meter (Black Friday sale) for $529, a year or so ago, but I couldn't bring myself to paying that much again on this project.  For about 1/3 the cost, I thought I'd give the Koso meter a shot.  My friend Jay has installed a handful of them on bikes with no issues, so for $181, it was a very cost-effective solution.

You can get the GPS unit to have the analog tachometer be the primary/predominant measure, but (for me) if I am going to spend $400 on a meter, I might as well go whole hog and buy another Motogadget.

[FunJimmy]

Thanks Don. That's great feedback.
I've been considering the Motogadget for quite some time and nearly pulled the trigger but I read that a magnetic pick up was required to measure speed. I don't really have a good pick up location if this is true. Thoughts?

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Yes.  I did a magnet pickup on my 750.  It's easy enough to tap onto the brake rotor and the pickup sensor on either the caliper mount or fork leg.

[MessnerMoto]

I like the look of no gadget/gadget Put I know you have to have one... Maybe one day you will be able to buy helmet with some kind of integrated display. Like pilot helmets.... Something like this http://www.skully.com

[calj737]

Thanks Don. That's great feedback.
I've been considering the Motogadget for quite some time and nearly pulled the trigger but I read that a magnetic pick up was required to measure speed. I don't really have a good pick up location if this is true. Thoughts?

Install the magnetic sensor under the side cover with the magnet on the front sprocket bolt. Attach a small tab on the underside of the cover with the sensor suspended in it. Wiring runs with Oil and NEU up to the gauge. Deadly accurate, hidden, and no fuss.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Thanks Don. That's great feedback.
I've been considering the Motogadget for quite some time and nearly pulled the trigger but I read that a magnetic pick up was required to measure speed. I don't really have a good pick up location if this is true. Thoughts?

Install the magnetic sensor under the side cover with the magnet on the front sprocket bolt. Attach a small tab on the underside of the cover with the sensor suspended in it. Wiring runs with Oil and NEU up to the gauge. Deadly accurate, hidden, and no fuss.

Oh, I DO like that!!

[knottedknickers]

Install the magnetic sensor under the side cover with the magnet on the front sprocket bolt. Attach a small tab on the underside of the cover with the sensor suspended in it. Wiring runs with Oil and NEU up to the gauge. Deadly accurate, hidden, and no fuss.

NEU?

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Install the magnetic sensor under the side cover with the magnet on the front sprocket bolt. Attach a small tab on the underside of the cover with the sensor suspended in it. Wiring runs with Oil and NEU up to the gauge. Deadly accurate, hidden, and no fuss.

NEU?

I believe Cal was referring to the neutral sensor switch.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

No substantive update while I am awaiting headwork from the machinist, but . . .

This Sunday September 27th, I will be suiting up and riding my black 750 Nine Lives bike in the Distinguished Gentleman's Ride to raise money for the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

Why?  Prostate Cancer kills 1,300 men each day!  It can be detected and treated effectively if caught early.  The Prostate Cancer Foundation helps to fund research, helps patients in treatment and promotes awareness. 

PLEASE help support my ride (or others) and give by clicking on the link below.

Last year I was in the top 10 for Los Angeles fundraising; I am currently in the top 10 for the world, but need additional support!!  Please give.

Thanks,
Don

https://www.gentlemansride.com/rider/dleonhardt

[knottedknickers]

This Sunday September 27th, I will be suiting up and riding my black 750 Nine Lives bike in the Distinguished Gentleman's Ride to raise money for the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

PLEASE help support my ride (or others) and give by clicking on the link below.

Thanks,
Don

https://www.gentlemansride/rider/dleonhardt

I think you need a .com in the link: https://www.gentlemansride.com/rider/dleonhardt

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Thanks, KK

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Cylinders and head back from machinist and valvetrain assembled.

image_zps8sess6uv by Donald Leonhardt, on Flickr

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I bought a 1979 head in decent shape off fleabay.  The intake ports are definitely lined up differently on the 79-80 heads versus the 81-82 heads.  My initial thoughts are to ship this off to Mike Rieck for some magic, so I can upgrade from the stock CV carbs down the road.



For now, it will get a thorough cleaning, disassembly and stud removal.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

This Sunday September 27th, I will be suiting up and riding my black 750 Nine Lives bike in the Distinguished Gentleman's Ride to raise money for the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

PLEASE help support my ride (or others) and give by clicking on the link below.

Thanks,
Don

https://www.gentlemansride/rider/dleonhardt

I think you need a .com in the link: https://www.gentlemansride.com/rider/dleonhardt

Thanks to those who sponsored me especially form members Cal and Chris.

A whopping 743 riders registered for this year’s Los Angeles Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride, Sept. 27, passing all expectations and raising $114,402 for prostate cancer research in Los Angeles ALONE. The City of Angels placed third in the world – behind rides in Sydney, Australia and London, England – and first amongst US cities, well ahead of New York (4th, $77,845) and Chicago (7th, $46713).
 
The LA event – which took riders from Pasadena City Hall through Hollywood and DTLA to the Ace Hotel downtown – featured three riders in the world’s top ten, including first-place David Mogg ($13,470), third-place Donald Leonhardt ($7,345) and seventh-place Steve ‘Carpy’ Carpenter ($5,520). All three were part of the top team – Rebel Social and Twin Line – which as a group raised $45,799. The United States was the top fundraising country by a mile, with 5,213 riders registered and $838,874 raised.
 
The achievements were well-timed as the LA ride played host to DGR head honcho Mark Hawwa this year. Hawwa conceived the idea for the DGR ‘Down Under’ in 2012 and was originally inspired by a photo of Mad Men’s Don Draper astride a classic bike and wearing his finest suit. It was decided a themed ride would be a great way to combat the often-negative stereotype of men on motorcycles and bring the niche motorcycle communities together. That first ride brought together over 2,500 riders across 64 cities. The success of the event encouraged the founders to consider how it could be used to support a worthy cause. And the rest, as they say, is stylishly-attired history.
 
For 2015 worldwide the DGR has raised $2,224,057 with an incredible 36,863 riders participating.
 
Here’s a photo of the group rolling out of the Pasadena Civic Center.  Yours truly is on the right (between the woman in the red jacket Stacie B. London and the guy in the blue jacket/DGR Founder Mark Hawwa).

image_zpsadwlexte by Donald Leonhardt, on Flickr

[flatlander]

well done and congratulations!

[Retro Rocket]

Looking good Don...

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Thanks, guys!

Well, there is some progress to report.

The machinist bored and honed the cylinders.  The Dynoman 674 kit uses the stock 650 sleeves but this is the max you can go with the stock sleeves.

The Dynoman pistons are a thing of beauty and they are perfectly weight-matched!  Here they are mated to the con-rods.

image_zpsrw8hldcy by Donald Leonhardt, on Flickr

Unfortunately, there was a hiccup.  One of the bottom rings on piston 1 would not go on without a fight going into the cylinder, and in the process caught an edge and got bent out of shape - so it will not fit on the piston correctly.  I'll be calling Buzz at Dynoman for a replacement ring. 

image_zpsquvqng9t by Donald Leonhardt, on Flickr

[calj737]

You're stuck behind a vintage BMW Airhead on that ride? Blasphemy!

It looks like the marker measurements on the pistons is the bore, not the weight?

And thanks for the recap on the ride. You're top shelf, Don 

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Good news.  Buzz/Dynoman is sending me a replacement ring set out right away, so the engine build will not be stalled long. 

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I've been hearing stories of how the 650 had charging system woes, so I swapped out the old stator for a new Rick's Motorsport Electric one.

[RAFster122s]

Are you considering having the pistons coated with high temp reflective coating on top and dry film lube on the skirts?

The 650 has the electrical issues as you mentioned.  Smart move on the stator, I would hppe the quality of the new stator is good for 20 years or more.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I thought about coatings, but decided there had to be some cost limitations.  I went for broke on my 750 motor.