Topic: 1978 CB550K Restoration?

[rocco]

Hey Guys!

So I picked up this 1978 Honda around June this year, a little late on starting this thread but hey! Better late than never! This is my first ever motorcycle, I finished my learner courses at the end of this summer. I also have no mechanic experience, so this site, the manual and a few local guys have been my saviors thus far. So up to date, I stripped her down to the frame, had that painted a few weeks ago, pulled apart the top end, painted the engine up, hoping to have the surfaces machined and cylinders honed in the next week or so. Today I grinded the spokes off, and now I"m wondering what to do with a rusty rim and whether I should clean them up best I can, or paint em black? Also, I had no luck getting the damn bearing retainers off! Below are some pictures of the build so far, and I'll start updating from here on out!

Any thoughts on what to do with rusted things that hold the headlamp? Can I sand them, self etch primer them and paint em? Seems a shame to get everything else painted fresh and have rusted head lamp holders.
Thanks, Reilly!

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

The advice all depends on whether you want to stay true to your restoration goal or allow modifications.

You can find headlight ears on ebay, CMNSL (expensive) and maybe David Silver Spares (MAKE SURE YOU USE THE UNITED STATES SITE for cheaper shipping) -- depending on the condition you want them.  The 1978 ears are different than the 1974-76 models.  You can also go with after market brackets.  The stock ears had pretty thin chrome and trapped moisture, so it is rare to find originals with no rust.

As for the wheel, you can buy repros on David Silver Spares or used ones on ebay OR buy aluminum rims from Buchanan's.

[rocco]

Hey thanks!

That's why the Restoration has a ? after it haha. I felt as if it was going so well, and now the last few pieces to save the full resto are pushing me to cheaper options :/

[rocco]

Hello,

Can anyone tell me if these brake shoes are good to go? They seem to have quite of bit left on them. I don't know how long they've been sitting or how old they are. Does that really matter?

[MickB]

Rocco the brake shoes aren't expensive $37 on eBay, I'd replace them.

[rocco]

Cheers, thanks MickB!
Figured I should ask, one thing I don't like to cheap out on is basic safety!

As for the drum they rub against? If it has some rust on it, I imagine I can just remove that and it's okay?

[rocco]

Hola,

So I changed the oil seals on the front forks. Curious as to if the seals are supposed to seat this low? When I removed the old ones they were flush against the C-clip.
Also, I'm hesitant to put the drain bolt and 8mm bolt on the bottom back on without new copper/crush washers. Are these washers a one time deal? Should I just order new ones, are they likely to leak?

[calj737]

The copper washers must be annealed if reused. Or replace them.

[gloken]

Hola,

So I changed the oil seals on the front forks. Curious as to if the seals are supposed to seat this low? When I removed the old ones they were flush against the C-clip.
Also, I'm hesitant to put the drain bolt and 8mm bolt on the bottom back on without new copper/crush washers. Are these washers a one time deal? Should I just order new ones, are they likely to leak?

I just did mine for the first time, and mine sat just as low.
Doesn't mean it's right, I'm curious myself.  I can't imagine why it would be an issue though. 

[rocco]

Thanks Calj,

Guess I'll need some more fuel for the torch

[strynboen]

there is some thikker sealings..vho are better/stronger then the most sold ones.
..i got the thin one.( bayed them as a Honda part).and made a nylon spacer to fill up..so the Lock ring fits fine teight..

try to get the thik ones...hope somone can link the right stuff


have you mounted doppel lips sealings???.(..if you have used singel lips sealing it are backverd mounted)

[rocco]

there is some thikker sealings..vho are better/stronger then the most sold ones.
..i got the thin one.( bayed them as a Honda part).and made a nylon spacer to fill up..so the Lock ring fits fine teight..

try to get the thik ones...hope somone can link the right stuff


have you mounted doppel lips sealings???.(..if you have used singel lips sealing it are backverd mounted)

Strynboen, they are the bikemaster brand, are you sure they're upside down? The two sides are very similar.

Sent from my LG-D852 using Tapatalk

[strynboen]

if both side looks simular ..you got it right inn..

[rocco]

haha, hopefully I'm right, i'm was confused putting them in 

[Stev-o]

Typically, the writing is the up side.

[rocco]

Ya stev-o! I actually went rummaging through the garbage to find that I had missed it says "label" on the top side.