Author Topic: My 550 do over thread. Getting a 650 upgrade (Read 22641 times)

CBGhia · « **on:** January 23, 2016, 06:20:13 PM »

I built my 550 several years ago. There is a thread here somewhere. I bought it from Greenjeans as a rolling frame and finished it up. Here is how it looked when I was done:

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Since then, I have ridden the #$%* out of it. Been on a few of the Godzilla rides and used it to commute some. She has been great.
Recently, I took her to the track and as some of you know, I killed the engine. Locked up during my second session.
Not to fear, I have a 650 engine that is getting a little top end refresh and is going back together very soon.

While I have the engine out, I figure it is a good time to do a few other things. There are some scratches on the frame. I am looking at powder coating it. I stripped most of the bike. Here is how she sits:

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I wanted to add some rearsets, so I spent time working on mounts today.
First, I was going to mount them this way:

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After sitting on it, I have decided that that is a bit too high. I have to bring them down some.
I am thinking more like this:

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I will play with it some tomorrow.

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #1 on:** January 23, 2016, 06:52:53 PM »

looks like you are on the right track...I will follow

CBGhia · « **Reply #2 on:** January 24, 2016, 12:28:43 PM »

Sadly, I am having to work today, so I did not get anything done on the bike.
For fun though, here is a picture of a few other projects being worked on at my friends shop.
My bike is there because his welder is much better than mine.
The crazy thing there is actually going to be a "Woody". There are several other VWs in various states of progress around the yard.

Stev-o · « **Reply #3 on:** January 24, 2016, 01:21:42 PM »

Subscribed. Lookin forward to racing this bike when you are done, Joe!

PS. Thx again for the carbs, my 550 is running great now.

CBGhia · « **Reply #4 on:** January 30, 2016, 06:27:59 PM »

Not a lot more accomplished today. Got the bottom end ready for paint. Have to fix a few chips in the case, next to the ignition area.

I did get the rear-set mounts boxed up and then welded in. I did all the welding except the outside welded to the frame. My buddy Steve is way better than I am at welding, so I let him handle the main part that shows.

CBGhia · « **Reply #5 on:** February 06, 2016, 09:26:48 AM »

About to order powder for the frame. If I went with bronze, like the wheels, would it be too much? Should I stick with grey?

CBGhia · « **Reply #6 on:** February 06, 2016, 06:50:57 PM »

Had 2 chips on the ignition side like this:

My buddy welded it up for me

But seriously, opinions on frame color? Needs to get to the powdercoater, soon.

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 06, 2016, 06:53:50 PM »

if you are not totally sure, why not black?

...imo, grey/silver is the only other frame color that doesn't look retarded

budman · « **Reply #8 on:** February 06, 2016, 08:31:05 PM »

Is that the bike I saw a couple of years at the Harvest Classic?

What color are you going to paint the tank and tail piece?

CBGhia · « **Reply #9 on:** February 06, 2016, 10:05:19 PM »

Quote from: budman on February 06, 2016, 08:31:05 PM

Is that the bike I saw a couple of years at the Harvest Classic?

What color are you going to paint the tank and tail piece?

Same bike. Not changing the tank, tail, or wheels. So, basically, it would look mostly the same as the first picture. Just might be a different frame color. Don't want to go with black. Either grey or the bronze that matches the wheels.

grcamna2 · « **Reply #10 on:** February 06, 2016, 10:18:56 PM »

Nice welding

Stev-o · « **Reply #11 on:** February 07, 2016, 08:58:29 AM »

Charcoal gray gets my vote.

budman · « **Reply #12 on:** February 07, 2016, 09:13:20 AM »

The color of that green primer on that custom VW in your photo would look cool on the frame against the bronze wheels and the black paint.

FunJimmy · « **Reply #13 on:** February 07, 2016, 09:17:09 AM »

Some nice looking welds there.
Those rear-sets still look really high.
Will be interesting to read your ride report.

CBGhia · « **Reply #14 on:** February 07, 2016, 10:36:05 AM »

Quote from: FunJimmy on February 07, 2016, 09:17:09 AM

Some nice looking welds there.
Those rear-sets still look really high.
Will be interesting to read your ride report.

Yeah, I sat on it with them bolted up and they felt ok. I can always make an aluminum plate to adjust it up and down.

I may fire up the old Photoshop to see if I can play with frame colors.

CBGhia · « **Reply #15 on:** February 07, 2016, 03:39:26 PM »

Ok, so I actually have Photoshop, bit I have no idea how to use it LOL Here is a really bad painted frame:

I think I have decided to go with bronze

CBGhia · « **Reply #16 on:** February 13, 2016, 05:12:57 PM »

Got the hoop welded up. Progress is being made!

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #17 on:** February 13, 2016, 05:19:05 PM »

Which year 650 engine are you planning to use? 79-80 head can use 750 carbs.

Any mods planned? Are you just dropping on a stock motor?

CBGhia · « **Reply #18 on:** February 13, 2016, 05:38:47 PM »

I have a 79 650 engine. I have used 750 carbs on a 650 in the past, but I have a really nice set of stock 650 carbs. I just put new rings on and will clean up the ports a bit, but that's about it. No major mods right now. Maybe a set of pistons from dynoman in the future.

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #19 on:** February 13, 2016, 06:08:13 PM »

Quote from: CBGhia on February 13, 2016, 05:38:47 PM

I have a 79 650 engine. I have used 750 carbs on a 650 in the past, but I have a really nice set of stock 650 carbs. I just put new rings on and will clean up the ports a bit, but that's about it. No major mods right now. Maybe a set of pistons from dynoman in the future.

You'll still enjoy a mild hp and torque increase.

CBGhia · « **Reply #20 on:** February 13, 2016, 07:06:12 PM »

Quote from: CB750 Cafe Racer Fan on February 13, 2016, 06:08:13 PM

Quote from: CBGhia on February 13, 2016, 05:38:47 PM
I have a 79 650 engine. I have used 750 carbs on a 650 in the past, but I have a really nice set of stock 650 carbs. I just put new rings on and will clean up the ports a bit, but that's about it. No major mods right now. Maybe a set of pistons from dynoman in the future.

You'll still enjoy a mild hp and torque increase.

Mild? It's like 15 hp

CBGhia · « **Reply #21 on:** February 15, 2016, 01:40:03 PM »

The frame is at the powdercoater!

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #22 on:** February 15, 2016, 03:44:31 PM »

Quote from: CBGhia on February 13, 2016, 07:06:12 PM

Quote from: CB750 Cafe Racer Fan on February 13, 2016, 06:08:13 PM
Quote from: CBGhia on February 13, 2016, 05:38:47 PM
I have a 79 650 engine. I have used 750 carbs on a 650 in the past, but I have a really nice set of stock 650 carbs. I just put new rings on and will clean up the ports a bit, but that's about it. No major mods right now. Maybe a set of pistons from dynoman in the future.

You'll still enjoy a mild hp and torque increase.

Mild? It's like 15 hp

This is why the 650 "mod" is the easiest way to increase 550 performance -- more hp/torque in the stock package weighing only about a pound more. Since the 550 package is so much lighter than a 750, this mod will make you a bike that can keep up with and handle better than a 750. Add a big bore kit, ported head and cam, and you will be in 836 territory.

grcamna2 · « **Reply #23 on:** February 15, 2016, 05:35:45 PM »

Quote from: CB750 Cafe Racer Fan on February 15, 2016, 03:44:31 PM

Quote from: CBGhia on February 13, 2016, 07:06:12 PM
Quote from: CB750 Cafe Racer Fan on February 13, 2016, 06:08:13 PM
Quote from: CBGhia on February 13, 2016, 05:38:47 PM
I have a 79 650 engine. I have used 750 carbs on a 650 in the past, but I have a really nice set of stock 650 carbs. I just put new rings on and will clean up the ports a bit, but that's about it. No major mods right now. Maybe a set of pistons from dynoman in the future.

You'll still enjoy a mild hp and torque increase.

Mild? It's like 15 hp

This is why the 650 "mod" is the easiest way to increase 550 performance -- more hp/torque in the stock package weighing only about a pound more. Since the 550 package is so much lighter than a 750, this mod will make you a bike that can keep up with and handle better than a 750. Add a big bore kit, ported head and cam, and you will be in 836 territory.

Yeah

CBGhia · « **Reply #24 on:** February 16, 2016, 07:33:12 AM »

Quote from: CB750 Cafe Racer Fan on February 15, 2016, 03:44:31 PM

This is why the 650 "mod" is the easiest way to increase 550 performance -- more hp/torque in the stock package weighing only about a pound more. Since the 550 package is so much lighter than a 750, this mod will make you a bike that can keep up with and handle better than a 750. Add a big bore kit, ported head and cam, and you will be in 836 territory.

Yeah, I have a set of cylinders that are not in the best shape, but they can be bored, so they are in the special parts pile. I will work on that in the future.

I look forward to running with the 750's with just the stock 650 engine.

For now, I just want to get this bike back together before Rockers vs Mods in April.

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Author Topic: My 550 do over thread. Getting a 650 upgrade (Read 22641 times)