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

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I will take time to go through the whole thread tonight, but right now I am thinking of this very swap. I have a roller '75 chassis all painted up with (I think) a good '77 550F motor installed. I had planned to build a cafe tourer using a Hondaline CBX/V65 style fairing. Then this summer I picked up a clean, ready to ride 550F, so now I have the flexibility to build whatever I want, and I think I want more power in the compact 550 frame without spending a couple grand on major engine work.

I can swap on the Lesters from my 550F and upgrade to dual discs, drop in the more powerful 650 engine then use one of my 2 spare 55 tanks (a '77 F and a '75 K) and install a cafe seat and some vintage hardbags. Voila, Cafe Tourer.

Once winter hits the midwest I will see if I can pickup a complete runner cheap and swap the engine and wiring. Time to set up a MC parts acquisition funds account and start setting some funds aside.

Join the club!

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

After asking Paul Crowe (C5 Ignitions) a bunch of questions, I've decided to go with the C5 kit on this bike. Aside from eliminating the need for CDI boxes (prone to failure in the CB650 bikes -- I now have 2 CDI boxes for sale), the coils have more capacity and create less load (by decreasing the saturation time on the coils.

Next stop, gathering parts and building my wheels.

[tweakin]

I love my C5 ignition on my K1.

After asking Paul Crowe (C5 Ignitions) a bunch of questions, I've decided to go with the C5 kit on this bike. Aside from eliminating the need for CDI boxes (prone to failure in the CB650 bikes -- I now have 2 CDI boxes for sale), the coils have more capacity and create less load (by decreasing the saturation time on the coils.

Next stop, gathering parts and building my wheels.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

The technology behind the C5 makes good sense. I'm looking forward to putting it to use.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Waiting on a new hub for the rear wheel -- then I'll be ordering my Sun rims, spokes (from Buchanans) and tires.  In the meanwhile, I sourced my rearsets and rearset brackets from Devin at Cognitomoto.  I went with the new billet mounts and the universal Tarrozi's. 

I got my C5 ignition from Paul.  Nice looking product and clear directions.

[riverfever]

Waiting/watching to see how the install of the Cognito stuff goes. That's what I'll be doing as soon as I finish the Motogadget install.

[Restoration Fan]

I'm really, really anxious to see how this build looks at completion. 

[joeyvans]

+1 At this pace, the river man might finish quicker than Don.... and that's sayin' something. (Sorry Chris)


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[riverfever]

+1 At this pace, the river man might finish quicker than Don.... and that's sayin' something. (Sorry Chris)


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Damn. I almost think Don should be more insulted than me. 

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I have to own up. I was riding my other bikes all day today. At this pace, Chris aka riverfever, DaveBarbier and maybe even Cal (all of his builds) will beat me to completion.

[calj737]

At this pace... and maybe even Cal (all of his builds) will beat me to completion.

I have 4 kids, a wife, insolent weather,  and several buddies who are all conspiring against me to make sure this doesn't happen.   

[Restoration Fan]

I have to own up. I was riding my other bikes all day today. At this pace, Chris aka riverfever, DaveBarbier and maybe even Cal (all of his builds) will beat me to completion.

Same here.  I put a new starter on Logan's Jeep then I went for a ride on the BMW since it was in the upper 60's and sunny here in Atlanta yesterday.  Ended up riding over to Bill Benton's and getting a new front brake caliper for the 500 though, so technically I DID get something accomplished on the build yesterday.

Of course, I then just went on another ride, right up until 5 minutes prior to the Falcons game.

It's supposed to be in the 60's and 70's this week as well but with high likelihood of rain toward the end of the week so that may get me to park the bike a bit.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

It's true.  When you have year-round riding weather and not much free time, you tend to take advantage of seat time.

[flatlander]

pffff.... it's freezing here and they put salt on the roads. if the ice don't get you then the salt will.

[Tews19]

CB750, its been a while for me but have you posted any pics of how the project stands currently?

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

CB750, its been a while for me but have you posted any pics of how the project stands currently?

Not too many pics of late.

Status:

Engine - rebuild completed (674cc Dynoman kit, Mike Rieck Stage 2.5 head, Megacycle 126-20 cam, hardweld rockers, new alternator, rebuilt starter, Setrab oil cooler, Hindle 4-2-1 exhaust); need to source carburetors

image_zpscdxixbph by Donald Leonhardt, on Flickr

Frame - awaiting alterations (detabbed but awaiting new mounts for oil cooler, electronics pan, rear mount for gas tank and seat mounts, may choose to rebuild subframe rails); sourced Tarozzi rearsets and Cognitomoto mounts; awaiting frame brace

Photo of tank, seat, frame, swingarm
image_zpsbghlukp2 by Donald Leonhardt, on Flickr

Front End - 2012 GSXR600 front with Brembo calipers, Cognitomoto custom offset triple, aluminum front fender, Cognitomoto front hub (need to order Sun rim and spokes)

image_zpsjpiysiex by Donald Leonhardt, on Flickr

Rear End - custom CMR chromoly boxed swingarm (awaiting prototype Cognitomoto disc brake hub - Brembo caliper and rotor sourced; need to order Sun rim and spokes after hub arrives; need to order Works shocks when mock up is ready)

Swingarm (photo from CMR)

image_zps1iwfq0ho by Donald Leonhardt, on Flickr

Bodywork - custom CMR aluminum gas tank, Ian Halcott seat
image_zpsaa60672c by Donald Leonhardt, on Flickr

Electronics - Motogadget M-Unit, M-Lock, Chronoclassic Gauge, switches and lights; C5 ignition

To Do:
Awaiting rear wheel hub to build wheels and mock up/modify frame prior to teardown for finishes.

[bwaller]

Wow, amazing resemblance to Busey Don!

[GV1390]

Looking good! Let me know when you get those Ducati bolt part numbers so I can order a set for mine as well.

[slikwilli420]

Looking good Don! What is the tubing size on that swingarm? Looks like a 1x2 box section. Also looks like tapered bearings in the pivot, is that right?

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Looking good! Let me know when you get those Ducati bolt part numbers so I can order a set for mine as well.

Jeez, GV!   
After I sourced the caliper and rotor, I asked YOU for a source on the bolts.
I guess you want Cal and I to carry you the rest of the way! Maybe we can send you some parts to powerwash over the winter months!

[GV1390]

Looking good! Let me know when you get those Ducati bolt part numbers so I can order a set for mine as well.

Jeez, GV!   
After I sourced the caliper and rotor, I asked YOU for a source on the bolts.
I guess you want Cal and I to carry you the rest of the way! Maybe we can send you some parts to powerwash over the winter months!

YOU gave me the caliper and rotor info without asking technically. It's usually the younger lad carrying the older gents!



You can power wash your own pesky parts! That was awful.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Denial is not just a river in Egypt.   

[calj737]

It's usually the younger lad carrying the older gents!

Yep, usually. Except you don't seem capable of carrying our water you Adolescent Runt 

[GV1390]

It's usually the younger lad carrying the older gents!

Yep, usually. Except you don't seem capable of carrying our water you Adolescent Runt 

Be careful what you wish for, old geezer.

Bourbon > Water

[riverfever]

Denial is not just a river in Egypt.   

I only ask for anonymity.