Author Topic: 1974 CB550. Racetech Monoshock. JMR Head. Built Engine. "BLAC" (Read 187893 times)

BLAC · « **Reply #175 on:** May 19, 2016, 11:42:10 AM »

Quote from: calj737 on May 18, 2016, 05:20:08 PM

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 · « **Reply #176 on:** May 19, 2016, 01:36:26 PM »

Quote from: ser1992 on May 19, 2016, 11:42:10 AM

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 · « **Reply #177 on:** May 19, 2016, 02:08:47 PM »

Quote from: CB750 Cafe Racer Fan on May 19, 2016, 01:36:26 PM

Quote from: ser1992 on May 19, 2016, 11:42:10 AM
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 · « **Reply #178 on:** May 19, 2016, 03:21:59 PM »

Quote from: ser1992 on May 19, 2016, 02:08:47 PM

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 · « **Reply #179 on:** May 19, 2016, 09:26:04 PM »

Quote

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...

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #180 on:** May 20, 2016, 08:50:21 AM »

Some sage perspective.

I commute daily on the 405 Freeway in Southern California -- basically a crawling parking lot in places. I see ALL kinds of shenanigans every day from cagers and motorcyclists. Some of them really make me cringe, like lane-splitting (legal in California) at about 60-70 mph with traffic crawling at 5-10 mph (NOT LEGAL and damn unsafe). I see cars cut off motorcyclists multiple times a day. Every so often, I will see a motorcyclist retaliate (flipping off the cager, whacking the mirror, kicking the car, etc.). I've been cut off by someone not seeing me or (worse) seeing me and wanting to stay ahead of me. I've had drivers veer into my lane and see their eyes bulge when they actually look and see me in the lane they are closing off -- and they keep merging so I grab a handful of brake or worse yet they flip me off.

As Cal said, it WILL KEEP HAPPENING. Avoid an accident, avoid an unnecessary fight. Wait and pass. I will try to remember the same.

BLAC · « **Reply #181 on:** May 20, 2016, 01:37:10 PM »

I agree it wasn't the last option I had, but there is definitely a switch that can click over when you have those "you put my safety in danger just because you're a lazy #$%*" moments. I hope he taped up his mirror and was more thoughtful when running people off the road in the future. (im usually a very nice person

)

joeyvans · « **Reply #182 on:** May 20, 2016, 02:14:42 PM »

Oops... sorry to take this thing off topic with my 'hooligan' post. Even though, I was the clown that posted that bit about armored knuckles and car mirrors... I have never done it nor do I condone it. But to be honest... even more off topic.... I can't even flip the bird to anybody out on the road. IF I flip some idiot driver the bird, and they take offense to that and contact the authorities and maybe make up a story stating that I brandished my gun instead of flipped them the bird... I may lose my concealed weapons permit and be charged with a crime. Or... even if they are honest to authorities and tell them I flipped them off... I could possibly be charged with a crime. Not a good idea to provoke an altercation whilst carrying concealed. Lots of responsibility comes with these permits. I know Cal and I have discussed this before, but with great rights come great responsibilities. BTW Cal... just re-certified for another 5 years last weekend.

Anyways... tough call on the horn. I do tend to agree with Cal's opinion on the matter. Also, my horn is pretty worthless. Don... that is a pretty sweet horn you located, even if only for a conversation piece. I would be interested to know if there is a lighter option out there.

Have a good weekend, fellas... and keep up the great work, Ser!

Kyle

BLAC · « **Reply #183 on:** May 20, 2016, 02:21:03 PM »

No worries!

Random question for the group, does anyone have extra D-shaped spacers that are used in the upper triple tree? Or know of a place to buy them (or have the thichness dimension so I could make some)? It looks like they are NLA from Honda.

I just realized my bike didnt have any in there, and one of the bolts had a standard head size... someone has been in here before.

Stev-o · « **Reply #184 on:** May 22, 2016, 10:06:28 AM »

The D washers are .090 thick, fairly easy to make....

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=72765.0

BLAC · « **Reply #185 on:** May 23, 2016, 12:16:09 PM »

Awesome, thanks for the info, I didnt want to pay $20 for two washers...

No worries Cal! You are right on that one

BLAC · « **Reply #186 on:** June 01, 2016, 01:05:47 PM »

long story short... Cliff is the man! I worked with him over email with terrible sketches and vague descriptions of what shape I was looking for and he NAILED IT.

Take a look at this beauty which is currently on its way home to LA!

Camrector · « **Reply #187 on:** June 01, 2016, 03:11:32 PM »

Boom!

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #188 on:** June 01, 2016, 04:06:16 PM »

Very nice work. I like that crown at the very edge of the seat hump. Cliff has some skills!

BLAC · « **Reply #189 on:** June 01, 2016, 07:55:18 PM »

I have ben thinking about paint schemes... but this thing is too pretty to cover up! I;m thinking about using the brushed aluminium as a secondary color under some clear coat.

Lots of work to do before that call gets made.

In other news, I had TNK make me some fork tubes and those came in today as well!

riverfever · « **Reply #190 on:** June 01, 2016, 08:50:50 PM »

Man that seat is hot looking.

BLAC · « **Reply #191 on:** June 01, 2016, 09:51:56 PM »

Quote from: riverfever on June 01, 2016, 08:50:50 PM

Man that seat is hot looking.

Thanks man! I'm getting nervous that I won't be able to do justice to all of these parts coming in

BLAC · « **Reply #192 on:** June 05, 2016, 12:29:44 PM »

The time has come to finally start putting some stuff together. First up, RaceTech springs and gold valve emulators, TNK fork tubes, and new fork seals.

For these fork seals, which side is up? They have springs on both sides with the main difference being one end on the inside is a little tighter than the other.

Bankerdanny · « **Reply #193 on:** June 05, 2016, 01:51:28 PM »

I believe that it is labelled side down.

BLAC · « **Reply #194 on:** June 05, 2016, 02:59:07 PM »

That makes sense as it would put the tightest part of the seal at the top

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #195 on:** June 05, 2016, 07:05:45 PM »

Good choice on the RT parts...I just treated my bike to those and the results are fantastic.

BLAC · « **Reply #196 on:** June 05, 2016, 07:43:01 PM »

I have heard great things, and am very excited to try them out someday :p

I wrapped up the polishing and THINK I have everything installed correctly. I will need to setup the pre-load once the bike is together, and I THINK that is what the bag of 8 washers + PVC tube that came in the box is for...?

I filled the 15wt fluid about 6.5" from the very top of the tube (bottomed out, no spring, with emulator)

Stev-o · « **Reply #197 on:** June 06, 2016, 07:43:14 AM »

Quote from: Bankerdanny on June 05, 2016, 01:51:28 PM

I believe that it is labelled side down.

Lettering is up. BTW - I use the old seal to install the new. [or use a large socket]

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=77109.0

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #198 on:** June 06, 2016, 11:04:47 AM »

Or a piece of PVC pipe and a rubber mallet hammer.

BLAC · « **Reply #199 on:** June 06, 2016, 12:42:54 PM »

hmm... #$%*.

Do you think i will be ok reusing them if I can pull them out and flip them? They went in pretty easy so I dont think i would damage anything getting them out..

News:

Author Topic: 1974 CB550. Racetech Monoshock. JMR Head. Built Engine. "BLAC" (Read 187893 times)