Author Topic: 76 CB550 Cafe build (Read 91361 times)

tshrey · « **Reply #250 on:** August 27, 2018, 05:52:39 AM »

That would be ridiculous. It's MY force of will keeping it in place

flatlander · « **Reply #251 on:** August 27, 2018, 06:00:06 AM »

well then... i have nothing else to say than: may the force be with you!

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #252 on:** August 27, 2018, 08:20:30 AM »

Use it!

Godffery · « **Reply #253 on:** August 31, 2018, 01:14:07 AM »

This forum is always good for a chuckle!

tshrey · « **Reply #254 on:** September 04, 2018, 10:12:30 AM »

Engine is in the frame, have installed almost all of my ARP 12pt bolts. I did what Cal suggested and ordered some 10mm and 12mm stainless bar stock to make the long through bolts for the back of the engine. They are in the lathe now for thread cutting. Have to powder a couple things yet and then can assemble the front end of the bike. Going to start looking like a motorcycle soon.

tshrey · « **Reply #255 on:** September 07, 2018, 07:31:27 AM »

Can someone tell me if something looks wrong in this pic (GSXR front end)? The first time I assembled the front end I used the thinner washer under the lower steering bearing but I don't remember having to use a washer on top. And I don't remember the bearing cup sticking out this much or the oil seal sitting like this. Could just be I never really looked at it, but I'm about to assemble the front end for what I hope will be the final time and don't want to have to take it apart again.

tshrey · « **Reply #256 on:** September 07, 2018, 08:44:44 AM »

SF · « **Reply #257 on:** September 07, 2018, 11:56:02 AM »

CB stem for CB frame

Cognito sells them

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

tshrey · « **Reply #258 on:** September 07, 2018, 12:36:42 PM »

The all balls bearing kit I used is for a gsxr stem in a CB550 frame. I do not need a cognito stem.

tshrey · « **Reply #259 on:** September 07, 2018, 01:03:18 PM »

Not really the length I'm concerned about, that is easy enough to remedy (I already popped out the lower race and installed one of the washers between the race and the seat). It's more how the top race sits above the neck and the oil seal is just sitting on top of it. It will definitely seal it as is, but it seems like there should be a mushroom-shaped trim piece over all of it just to keep moisture off out of the frame/race interface.

tshrey · « **Reply #260 on:** September 07, 2018, 05:26:09 PM »

So from what I see on other swapped front ends this whole exposed bearing race and oil seal thing seems like that is just how it is...

I removed the upper race, masked off the inside and painted the outside with satin black paint before reinstalling it. I'm going to make myself a cap/cover piece that acts as a washer over top of the spanner nuts and extends cover the top lip of the stem.

tshrey · « **Reply #261 on:** September 08, 2018, 09:16:34 PM »

Got to spend a good portion of the day in the garage. I'm learning that cutting threads is kind of an art form, but I managed to get the two rear engine through-bolts made today.

I took Cal's suggestion of welding the nut on to the upper of the two bolts and then facing it. Looks freaking gorgeous.

Also got some powdercoating done. The breather cover had a web of corrosion too deep to just sand out so I did a trick I learned from my powder guy. Get a nice size pile of aluminum filings and mix them in with JB Weld. The JB will survive the baking and the aluminum matrix will give you enough conduction that you can't see a difference in the finish of the powder.

RAFster122s · « **Reply #262 on:** September 09, 2018, 02:03:37 AM »

Neat tip on the powdercoating and nice work on the bolt, almost looks like Cal did it!

tshrey · « **Reply #263 on:** September 09, 2018, 06:58:47 AM »

You put the collet in the tailstock? I'm having a hard time visualizing what you mean. Any pics? That definitely sounds like a superior way to do it. Hardest thing I had was getting the beginning threads cut, the rod would deflect a tiny bit when the carbide first touches it. I have a shoptask so I have to cut threads in a funny way compared to a true lathe.

tshrey · « **Reply #264 on:** September 09, 2018, 08:09:15 PM »

My facebook feed reported that it was two years ago I uploaded pics of a sad, beat-up CB550 that I brought home on my trailer. I assembled everything that is done'ish' to document my progress. Two years sounds like a lot of time to not have finished a bike, but when I think of everything I've learned, done, fuc!ed up and redone it is a pretty great feeling of accomplishment.

Thanks to all that have helped steer me in the right direction, especially Cal.

tshrey · « **Reply #265 on:** September 11, 2018, 05:13:04 PM »

Was putting some other parts on the bike tonight to figure out what else I have to powdercoart. Put the kickstart lever on and pushed down on it only to feel no engine movement. I could have sworn I checked it before I put the case halves together and it worked right.

Someone please tell me I can access it from below by dropping the oil pan...

tshrey · « **Reply #266 on:** September 11, 2018, 05:46:41 PM »

Nevermind, I forgot I never reinstalled the clutch, just had the cover on. $:-\$

flyinelvis · « **Reply #267 on:** September 12, 2018, 04:22:44 PM »

This is a fascinating build! So it’s taken you a while? It’s well worth the effort. My build will be similar, I’ll be using your build as a reference.

tshrey · « **Reply #268 on:** September 12, 2018, 08:41:50 PM »

And now that I'm putting the clutch in, how tight do the four bolts go in for the cover plate over the springs? Do you tighten them until the plate is pressed all the way against the standoffs they thread into? I'm really not visualizing how the clutch works very well.

Godffery · « **Reply #269 on:** September 13, 2018, 06:03:54 AM »

Quote from: tshrey on September 12, 2018, 08:41:50 PM

And now that I'm putting the clutch in, how tight do the four bolts go in for the cover plate over the springs? Do you tighten them until the plate is pressed all the way against the standoffs they thread into? I'm really not visualizing how the clutch works very well.

Yes, just be sure to tighten them all evenly (A few turns on each bolt till all are flush)

tshrey · « **Reply #270 on:** September 13, 2018, 07:23:58 AM »

Thanks.

Can someone explain how the pressure is release by the clutch cable? In the factory service manual I have (I think it is older and for a cb500/550) it shows a push rod going through the clutch shaft to push out on the pressure plate. That makes sense to me. They must have changed this for 76+ bikes, because my clutch cable is on the clutch housing and pushes in on the center of the shaft and I just can't figure out what is going on.

Also, how does one adjust the clutch? My service manual shows an adjuster mechanism on the left side of the bike and I just have a rod with a nut on it sticking out through the clutch cover.

tshrey · « **Reply #271 on:** September 19, 2018, 06:20:12 PM »

I just replaced my final bolt on the motor with an ARP 12 pt - it was the cam chain tensioner mounting bolt. It then dawned on me that I never adjusted the cam chain tensioner and I have no idea how to do so. I also don't see it in the service manual. Any hints on how to do it?

tshrey · « **Reply #272 on:** September 20, 2018, 08:50:06 AM »

Thanks. I was looking in the engine section, not there. I'm assuming it doesn't matter which TDC I use (1.4 vs 2.3)?

tshrey · « **Reply #273 on:** September 21, 2018, 05:26:36 PM »

Another half a pound saved. Probably need it to make up for all the stainless hardware.

tshrey · « **Reply #274 on:** September 22, 2018, 04:57:29 PM »

Finished the axle today. Put a little fancy on it when I faced it

I'm actually pretty good at threading stuff now that I'm done making everything I need to with threads.

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Author Topic: 76 CB550 Cafe build (Read 91361 times)