Topic: Jakal cb550 project

[Darren Jakal]

Some more "I'm a cheap bastard" mock-ups. This time lights.

These are off the front end of the bike, and I do like their shape. Might be a bit wide, but I'll probably go with what I have. I noticed that these have only one wire compared to the original rear lights, so I'll have to sort that.

Anyways, cheers, dj

[Darren Jakal]

I'm looking into new handlebars and it is kind of overwhelming when you start to get into it. I’m making a list that goes from the most extreme aggressive racer body position to the most opposite laid back position possible using the normal cb550 foot pegs (I want to do cool things like hand shift when I’m on the rear pegs – just kidding, but that is cool).

So, the list will start with clip-ons and end with ape hangers (I might not get that far as I’m looking for a pretty neutral hand position - almost inline with the top of the triple but with the right bend for my wrist). Comments are welcome as to what would be the natural progression of handlebar body positions going from most aggressive to most laid back.

The List of Handlebars (I have found so far)

Clip-ons (including Terozzi adjustable, different heights and types)

Tommaselli adjustable Condor Clubmans

Clubmans (high and low versions and maybe more)

M Bar (Norman Hyde)

Broomstick (straight)

Drag Bars (zero, low and high)

Sport-Tourer

Renthal Street (maybe different heights)

Superbike

Euro Bars

Daytona Touring

Tracker

Speed-Bar (seems to be several types of “speed-bar”)

CB 400

And so on and on and ... (I can always update later)

Here are some pictures just to make it interesting. I might have to try a few out before I decide for certain.

Cheers, dj

[firebane]

I will be looking to pick up a set of biltwell tracker bars or converting to fat bars and then having more choices.

[Stev-o]

I bought a few "pairs" of handlebars trying to get the right ones on various bikes.
Turns out I prefer super bars on most bikes, although I went with the M bars on my 550F and club mans on the Park Racer (had to fit within the fairing)

I like that picture of the hand shifter, is it a Yamaha?

[Darren Jakal]

Yea, I'd like to try a few different ones including a tracker, super bike and M bar along with a Sport-Tourer.

The hand shifter is on a Suzuki (if I click the picture it becomes larger).

Cool, take care, dj

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

You might want to check out Tommaselli adjustable Condor Clubmans.

[Darren Jakal]

You might want to check out Tommaselli adjustable Condor Clubmans.

I'll add them to the list. Cheers,

[Darren Jakal]

It's been a bit cold to work in an uninsulated SeaCan so I'm doing some bike projects in the shop where it's warm. I have a strange love for a fairing on a CB (Stev-o's Park Racer comes to mind) and I found a bike that has the aesthetic I'm kind of going for. I do think a bike should be a little bit dirty and I've now found that the Japanese have a name for the beauty of imperfection; wabi-sabi (this seems to be a popular sentiment amongst certain bike types and I've decided to go with it as I'm a #$%*ing cheap bastard and this seems to fit that bill).

Anyway, here is a bike owned by a famous actor made by Raccia. I love the fairing and want to make something similar, so in that regard I decided to make a way to mount a half fairing (attached to the frame and not the forks). I'm trying not to alter the bike too much (I did cut off the seat hinge and lock although) so I'm trying this harness thing. It's dam solid for first fit, but I've not tested to destruction (ha). Anyway still having fun with this thing.

Cheers, Darren

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I think that's the bike Mike LaFountain made for Ryan Reynolds.  Great sheet metal fairing and tank.

[Darren Jakal]

That's the one. Found it looking for fairings on Honda CB's.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Airtech Streamlining makes one in fiberglass, but aluminum would be amazing.

[joeyvans]

Airtech Streamlining makes one in fiberglass, but aluminum would be amazing.

Don - Do you know which airtech half fairing others have adapted to CB550's? There are quite a few options, but none specific to 550's.

Like Darren, I am considering one for a future build, but don't want one that is too large or too small, aesthetically speaking.


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[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Airtech Streamlining makes one in fiberglass, but aluminum would be amazing.

Don - Do you know which airtech half fairing others have adapted to CB550's? There are quite a few options, but none specific to 550's.

Like Darren, I am considering one for a future build, but don't want one that is too large or too small, aesthetically speaking.


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None of them are designed specifically for a CB550.  http://www.airtech-streamlining.com/vintage/vintagefairingshalf.htm
I would call up Airtech and ask them which models are best suited (fitment-wise) to a 550 and equally important whether their fairing stay kits will work with the 550.  You might also want to ask Steve-o about the mounts on his Park Racer fairing.  http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,156311.0.html

[Darren Jakal]

Hey thanks for the options Fan!

Part of what I want out of this project is to try some different ways of making things. I've not done a lot of aluminum forming (more machining) and I want to try and make these things myself (and I don't like working with fibre glass).

I'm looking at flow forming right now. It's a "more time than money" build and I have some aluminum and an old air chisel I'm going to make some hammer ends for and give it a go.

Below are only experiments in aluminum forming using a hammer and some wooden forms.

Final parts yet to be determined as I'm still experimenting with flow forming.

Cheers, dj

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I like the duct sidecovers your formed.  Do you know if having the air still versus directing air into the intake area will have a positive or negative impact on the carburetors?

Handforming an aluminum fairing is challenge.  I'm looking forward to what you develop.

My friend did an aluminum fairing for a Yamaha R6 a year ago.

[Darren Jakal]

Not sure of the effect on the carbs, but this is what sits on top of the air box. I think with all the box and filter + plenum (sp?) in the way it won't make a huge difference. We'll see.

Thanks for the interest, and that fairing your friend made is fantastic!

Darren

[Stev-o]

Airtech Streamlining makes one in fiberglass, but aluminum would be amazing.

Don - Do you know which airtech half fairing others have adapted to CB550's? There are quite a few options, but none specific to 550's.

  You might also want to ask Steve-o about the mounts on his Park Racer fairing.

Unfortunately, I have not been able to positively identify the fairing on my Park Racer. But my best guess is it is a Dunstall, but cant find a positive match.

Here are some really cool fairings...

http://www.stephenbottcher.net/fairing/

[Darren Jakal]

Great fairing page Stev-o!

Cheers, dj

[Darren Jakal]

I decided I want a half fairing (frame attached) so I’ve been going through the process of mocking up my riding position (I’m using standard foot pegs and determining handlebar type) and trying to figure out how to mount the fairing to the frame with minimum frame modifications.

The issues that I’m dealing with are:

The front brake hose routing. A fairing mount that extends out the front of the steering tube will interfere with the conventional cb550 brake hose as the bike is steered. I think I can get around this with a longer loop of brake line that connects to the brake light switch with a 90 degree bango bolt (see mock up below). I need new brake lines so getting a special one ok with me.

Almost all the fairing I have seen (and like) also use clip-ons or clubmans. This may be the way to go but I’m thinking that I might be good on a Sport-Tourer bar or the Norman Hyde M bar.  I’m looking for a handle bar that allows two comfortable riding positions. One body position that is more upright using straighter arms and a low body position with elbows flexed. The fairing would need to be made with room for the handlebars, hands and more importantly the brake master cylinder.

I’m still working on where to put signal lights and mirrors. If I can build these into the fairing I will.

If anyone has a frame mounted fairing on a 550 I sure would like to see how it is mounted.

Below are mock-ups only. These are not real handlebars, just trying things out.

Cheers, dj

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Not a 550, but Stev-o's Park Racer uses a frame-mounted half fairing.

[Darren Jakal]

Yea Fan I'd like to see some more pictures of the Park Racer mounts (I have seen a few that are in Stev-o's build thread).

Does the 750 have the same front brake hose routing as the 550?

cheers, dj

some more idea

[Darren Jakal]

I'm glad I went back to where I bought this bike as the old guy that sold it to me had found this lamp and housing (I think the lamp itself is toast) that I can work with. The original headlight bucket is trashed and so I figure why not make a fairing?

Scrounging, I'm pretty good at it. I found this piece of aluminum that someone had made round with a few holes in it. I was able to make a centring jig to get it on the rotational table to true it and then put a bunch more holes in it. I'll use it a mount for the lamp housing and to then mount the whole thing to the frame. I put lots of holes to also use it to support the actual fairing frame as I figure it out.

I've got lots of things going, but they need to move along in synch so I'll have a bunch of things done all at once, but that won't be for a while (more time than money).

Later, dj

[firebane]

I'm glad I went back to where I bought this bike as the old guy that sold it to me had found this lamp and housing (I think the lamp itself is toast) that I can work with. The original headlight bucket is trashed and so I figure why not make a fairing?

Scrounging, I'm pretty good at it. I found this piece of aluminum that someone had made round with a few holes in it. I was able to make a centring jig to get it on the rotational table to true it and then put a bunch more holes in it. I'll use it a mount for the lamp housing and to then mount the whole thing to the frame. I put lots of holes to also use it to support the actual fairing frame as I figure it out.

I've got lots of things going, but they need to move along in synch so I'll have a bunch of things done all at once, but that won't be for a while (more time than money).

Later, dj

Isn't it nice that the -20 weather is gone and warmer weather coming to spend more time with the bike lol. It was nice last night getting out and being able to do some work without freezing off the gonads.

[Darren Jakal]

Yea, firebane the warmer weather has been nice, but I'm still not working in the SeaCan. I can load the frame into my van and haul it into the shop on weekends where it's nice and warm with all kinds of great fabrication tools. Just can't do engine work in here. Not equipped for gas and oil and such.

Looking forward to seeing more of your ride!

[Darren Jakal]

I worked on the bracket to support the lamp and fairing.

I got ahead of myself on this project and removed the steering head races to replace with tapered ones, and I want to powdercoat before I put the races in, but I want to finish the body work before I powder coat - #$%*. This makes mocking up for body work fitment not easy. I'm trying to figure out exactly where to put the headlamp.

However I'm being gentle as to not bang up any high tolerance surfaces as there are no bearings or races in the head stock in the pictures. Trying to work it all as a finished whole, so things will move back and forth on this one.

Take care, Darren