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

[DaveBarbier]

By the way, Don, I'm super excited to see what your numbers are on the dyno. Our motors are going to be identical, possibly with different carbs. Remind me again which exhaust you're doing? The RRR Hindle like me?

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

You could probably go with 29s with a MReick 650 head.

Even with a Mike Rieck (note: ie, and not ei) head, 29s are not very streetable.  This was Mike's recommendation to me.  The 29s are great for going flat out, but will likely suffer at the lower end.  This bike is being built as an aggressive street ride, so Mike recommended the 26s or a similar sized CV carb if one could be found.

I'm not sure how 26s are set up stock, spacing and jets, but they will likely need some adjustment in both respects to work with the 674cc machine.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

You could probably go with 29s with a MReick 650 head.

MReick recommended 26's for me with the same 2.5 stage port. I love the .5 by the way, haha. He recommended that because I wanted a more streetable bike with a more stable idle. No doubt the 29's would scream more in the top but you sacrifice idle and putting around.

Yep.  Pretty much the same set up as yours (674 kit, Stage 2.5 port).  I have the Megacycle 126-20 cam and I think you are running the later 81-82 head.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

By the way, Don, I'm super excited to see what your numbers are on the dyno. Our motors are going to be identical, possibly with different carbs. Remind me again which exhaust you're doing? The RRR Hindle like me?

Yes.  The Stainless Hindle 4-2-1 from RRR/Kemp. 

[DaveBarbier]

You could probably go with 29s with a MReick 650 head.

MReick recommended 26's for me with the same 2.5 stage port. I love the .5 by the way, haha. He recommended that because I wanted a more streetable bike with a more stable idle. No doubt the 29's would scream more in the top but you sacrifice idle and putting around.

Yep.  Pretty much the same set up as yours (674 kit, Stage 2.5 port).  I have the Megacycle 126-20 cam and I think you are running the later 81-82 head.

I'm doing the same cam, this'll be fun.

[joeyvans]

Upon completion, you boys should meet in the central states and drag these bad mothers!


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[grcamna2]

Upon completion, you boys should meet in the central states and drag these bad mothers!


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[Camrector]

Gotcha! I bet Megacycle is wondering why the rush on 126-20s!

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Upon completion, you boys should meet in the central states and drag these bad mothers!


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Or find some great windy road -- like the Malibu canyons, Tail of the Dragon, Angeles Crest or the Black Hills to tear up.

[DaveBarbier]

Upon completion, you boys should meet in the central states and drag these bad mothers!


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Or find some great windy road -- like the Malibu canyons, Tail of the Dragon, Angeles Crest or the Black Hills to tear up.

Nah. Then we'd be testing rider ability and I have zero skill. :|

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Upon completion, you boys should meet in the central states and drag these bad mothers!


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Or find some great windy road -- like the Malibu canyons, Tail of the Dragon, Angeles Crest or the Black Hills to tear up.

Nah. Then we'd be testing rider ability and I have zero skill. :|

I'm sure you'd do just fine.

[calj737]

Hey, Rockingham is only 14 days away... Bring them down and run them on the 1/4 mile 

[DaveBarbier]

Hey, Rockingham is only 14 days away... Bring them down and run them on the 1/4 mile 

Haha, would be fun

[MRieck]

Gotcha! I bet Megacycle is wondering why the rush on 126-20s!

[RAFster122s]

Bump for update...

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

My buddy doing the fab work just got diagnosed with cancer (3rd time), so I am not pressuring him to hurry up my fab.  Right now, I am finishing up compiling all of the rest of my parts. Just about there except for wheels (Buchanan's), tires, carburetors and shocks.

[FunJimmy]

My buddy doing the fab work just got diagnosed with cancer (3rd time), so I am not pressuring him to hurry up my fab.  Right now, I am finishing up compiling all of the rest of my parts. Just about there except for wheels (Buchanan's), tires, carburetors and shocks.

So sorry to hear this Don. Sending positive thoughts.

[RAFster122s]

Don, sorry to hear about your friend. Hope he beats it again.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Thanks guys. I hope so, too.

[joeyvans]

Don - Curious how Jay is doing?  I think I recall that you mentioned his last scare turned out to be non-cancerous.  Is he back at work on your bike? 

How are things coming along on this beast?

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Don - Curious how Jay is doing?  I think I recall that you mentioned his last scare turned out to be non-cancerous.  Is he back at work on your bike? 

How are things coming along on this beast?

Jay is doing well.  The detected growth in his lymph nodes was abnormal, but thankfully not lymphoma for the 3rd time!

Jay and I have been too busy screwing around with our new Thruxton R bikes to get back on the Hot Mess frame mods.  Shame on me! We've each been too preoccupied modding the new bikes.









I'll get back to the Hot Mess.

[joeyvans]

Good to hear that about Jay.

Thruxton R's, ay? Never seen one in person, but they look damn good (and fun) in pictures. I really like the new Street Twins too.

I take it you decided against an FZ-09? Or did you grab one of them too, you dirty dog?


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[Bigsam302]

That's good to hear! How is that Thruxton treating you? They are some sweet bikes. I see a bunch of them down here.

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[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I take it you decided against an FZ-09? Or did you grab one of them too, you dirty dog?
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We'll have to see.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

That's good to hear! How is that Thruxton treating you? They are some sweet bikes. I see a bunch of them down here.

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The Thruxton is very smooth. It handles MUCH better than the RC51, but obviously lacks the grunt of that beast. The trade made sense because the RC was becoming less comfortable to ride. Superbikes are for youngsters like you!!