Topic: 1974 CB550. Racetech Monoshock. JMR Head. Built Engine. "BLAC"

[BLAC]

Thanks, I'm starting to understand it more.

I have installed 5ohm Dyna coils, Dyna wires, 5kohm resistor caps with resistor plugs.

I also plan to order the Hondaman ignition.

(Side question, I thought I was told to run resistor caps and plugs together with his ignition, does that sound right?)

[BLAC]

This has been a weekend of progress.  The frame is completely stripped, hubs have been cut out and polished, forks have been disassembled and polished (waiting on new tubes to reassemble with), handlebar mounts on the triple have been cut off, front and rear hubs have been disassembled and bearings removed..

I'm sure I'm forgetting stuff, but I have put about 10 hours into it the past couple days, its pretty amazing the number of pieces that make up these bikes 





This is just sanded, no buffing wheel yet 

[calj737]

Good to see people get to work on their bikes. Remember, when you reassemble the forks, the crush washer that is installed on the lower, up into the leg that secures the rod needs to be there. If your stock washer is not destroyed, re-anneal it and re-use it. Else, replace it. A little grey AntiSieze on the threads of the bolt too before installing makes it much better next time to remove. Same for the small drain screw on the side.

[BLAC]

Yep, I actually ordered all new hardware from Race-tech along with the springs/oil/gold valve emulators.

In other news, I have developed a new hatred of polishing metal.... anyone have pointers to speed it up or is it just best done by hand with 320, 400, 600, 800, 1000 grit sand paper.

Im running low on elbow grease..

[joeyvans]

Sure... farm it out. Or, do like I do and don't polish at all. I don't mind having a 10-footer, but I guess if I ever disassemble for a restoration... it will be prudent to polish.


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[calj737]

Degrease it. Bake it. Wipe the grease off again. Glass bead it. Wetland it with 1500, then polish. PITA to make look wonderful. Long live Powder Coat!!!

[Camrector]

I've had great results with a hand held orbital sander, and time.

[BLAC]

Sounds good!  I will keep at it!

I have the bike pretty much pulled completely apart.  Aside from the engine, I'm not sure if there are two parts bolted together anymore 

The amount of time and money I'm going to have into this thing, might as well suck it up and keep sanding 


OH does anyone have a suggestion to where I can get my frame sandblasted (if that is the right blasting that is preferred) in Los Angeles?

[MickB]

Ser, unfortunately elbow grease is the way, the sandpapered you mentioned will give great results, I also use a Dremel with a little polishing pad and it works fantastic.

[GV1390]

The amount of time and money I'm going to have into this thing, might as well suck it up and keep sanding 

Remember when you told me you just wanted to add a couple bolt-ons and keep a low budget? That didn't last long! haha.

[BLAC]

The amount of time and money I'm going to have into this thing, might as well suck it up and keep sanding 

Remember when you told me you just wanted to add a couple bolt-ons and keep a low budget? That didn't last long! haha.

haha yep, I probably have 4k into it at this point 

now I'm just waiting on my seat cowl and rear loop to show up 

[rhodeleon]

I ran into a similar issue with my '76 550. Rebuilt the carbs, put them back on, opened the fuel valve and out comes gas from the T junction between 1 and 2. Disassembled them again to check the float chambers, and it looked like gas was getting into all of them. Adjusted the floats as specified and hit them all with carb dip and tried again, same thing. Bike starts and sounds pretty good, but idk why the hell gas is leaking out. Did you end up finding the root cause/have any guidance on where to go next?

[Camrector]

I'll pm you about my cowl.

[BLAC]

Cool, got things worked out with my cowl.  Should be here in 2 weeks, and I have also made the decision to chop up the subframe and make a new clean one. 

She will be pretty one day!

[Bankerdanny]

Traffic.. how did you know I lived in LA 

I was thinking about finding a stock harness. but I want to minimize and simplify everything on this bike (no horn, no starter, etc etc.  Just the bare minimum to let the bike run)

I wouldn't ride in the city without a horn. Too many stupid people, drivers and pedestrians.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Hah! I was thinking of installing a Stebel Nautilus horn (139dB) on my next build, but it is a heavy sucker.  http://www.stebel.it/stebel/products.asp?IDserie=6&uso=1&tipologia=auto

Does anyone know of a comparably loud yet lighter alternative?

[RAFster122s]

The Nautilus is a nice one but it is bulkier than stock. It can fit in the stock location but I decided to make a thicker mount bracket to handle the weight and haven't finished it.
It will get attention. I got hooked on air horns running a Hella unit in my '66 Volvo 122S. The higher pitch got attention.
No one can claim they didn't hear you.
I guess you could go crazy and mount a train horn on the front  above the fender if you wanted a horn to make people jump even higher.

[BLAC]

I wouldn't ride in the city without a horn. Too many stupid people, drivers and pedestrians.

I am thinking about hiding it up under the fuel tank, but then again I dont plan on having any buttons on the handlebars.. well see.

[calj737]

If no buttons in the handlebars, then where will you position the KILL switch?

I never use a horn, in a car or on a bike. It's my opinion that honking a horn on a bike tends to cause the would-be car/driver to freeze and stop dead in their tracks, right in my way. I'd prefer to get off the throttle, steer behind their path, and then ride away. I've seen too many bike accidents where the bike T-bones a car that has pulled out and the bike has blown the horn, and whammo!

Just my opinion. Being in the "right" legally doesn't keep you alive.

[RAFster122s]

Sometimes I will use a horn if it looks like the driver is going to make the turn ahead of me. That way if I'm wrong it might just prevent them from making the move, whereas if I'm right they will have done the deed a little faster I hope or know they are doing it.  People can't judge the speed of motorcycles I think...they often think they are slower than they actually are, not perceiving the speed as easily. Some drivers cut it very close even with cars.

Daughter hit a car that darted in front of her while she was braking to stop for a line of cars and the guy was totally in front of her and she was cited for hitting him.  Not cool but, it is the law.  Jerks out there everywhere.

David

[BLAC]

If no buttons in the handlebars, then where will you position the KILL switch?

I never use a horn, in a car or on a bike. It's my opinion that honking a horn on a bike tends to cause the would-be car/driver to freeze and stop dead in their tracks, right in my way. I'd prefer to get off the throttle, steer behind their path, and then ride away. I've seen too many bike accidents where the bike T-bones a car that has pulled out and the bike has blown the horn, and whammo!

Just my opinion. Being in the "right" legally doesn't keep you alive.

Im thinking somewhere under the seat pan.  Not set on anything yet.

I agree with you on the horn, and for all of the other uses like "merging into my lane without seeing me", that's what I use the 4-1 horn for =)

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I agree with you on the horn, and for all of the other uses like "merging into my lane without seeing me", that's what I use the 4-1 horn for =)

On a bike, the only time I use the horn is when people don't see me and are merging into my lane, but they never hear it anyway, so I just have to move to save my bacon.  It would be nice to have a "wake up, a-hole!" horn for that purpose.

[BLAC]

I agree with you on the horn, and for all of the other uses like "merging into my lane without seeing me", that's what I use the 4-1 horn for =)

On a bike, the only time I use the horn is when people don't see me and are merging into my lane, but they never hear it anyway, so I just have to move to save my bacon.  It would be nice to have a "wake up, a-hole!" horn for that purpose.

I think the best thing would just be a loudspeaker paired up to an in-helmet microphone.  That way you could tailor each expletive to the situation at hand 

[joeyvans]

I think the best thing would just be a loudspeaker paired up to an in-helmet microphone.  That way you could tailor each expletive to the situation at hand 

And don't forget your riding gloves with armored knuckles. Great for removing car mirrors without the aid of hand tools.

[BLAC]

And don't forget your riding gloves with armored knuckles. Great for removing car mirrors without the aid of hand tools.

Honest to god, the first week I had my old R6 here in LA (moved from Oregon) a guy signaled and started coming over into my lane (two lane road).  I was almost right at his window so I had no idea how he didn't see me, as I was honking he turned and made eye contact with me, and continued to squeeze me toward the center median!  So I sent him to the Ford dealership to buy a new side mirror...