Author Topic: 76 CB550 Cafe build (Read 86468 times)

tshrey · « **Reply #325 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 #326 on:** September 11, 2018, 05:46:41 PM »

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

flyinelvis · « **Reply #327 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 #328 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 #329 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 #330 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.

calj737 · « **Reply #331 on:** September 13, 2018, 07:54:54 AM »

Quote from: tshrey 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.

you're referencing the 500 motor, not the 550. The 500 has the clutch cable enter the motor on the left, long pushrod traversing the engine L-to-R to operate the pressure plate. The 550 cable and disc all operate on the R side.

Use care tightening the lifter plate. Equal slow turns on all 4 corners. Don't BREAK the corner tabs!

tshrey · « **Reply #332 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?

calj737 · « **Reply #333 on:** September 20, 2018, 01:53:53 AM »

Page 49 of the Manual
http://manuals.sohc4.net/cb550/owners_manual/OM55074.pdf

tshrey · « **Reply #334 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)?

calj737 · « **Reply #335 on:** September 20, 2018, 09:06:32 AM »

Same same.

tshrey · « **Reply #336 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 #337 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.

tshrey · « **Reply #338 on:** November 02, 2018, 07:40:42 AM »

Two things for today.

First, got the seat back from Mac's Upholstery in Seattle. They are freaking artists. I sent them my bodywork and my seat pan that I made along with drawings and the alcantara I wanted on the seating surface. I could not be happier with what came back.

Second, after multiple attempts to seal the spokes with the 3m tape to make the tire tubeless I decided to got the AllSeal route and it was a success. So now I am doing the final assembly of the rear wheel. The oil seal that fits into the threaded bearing retainer - is there some trick to getting it to fit? I've never had such a tough time pressing in a seal. The retainer opening is 1.2mm smaller than the seal. I tried pressing it in with just an aluminum block covering the seal and the retainer and squeezing it in a vice. It went part of the way in with that method, but I can see the rubber peeling off the edge of the metal beneath on the seal. I know I have the right seal because it has a number on it that matches the number listed in the service manual (35449). I'm going to try it one more time today with a hydraulic press and a bearing press cup that really fits it well. Should I be using grease on the outer surface to help it slide into the retainer?

I will wait the requisite 3 minutes before looking to see Cal answer my question

tshrey · « **Reply #339 on:** November 02, 2018, 07:46:06 AM »

Seal is number 20 in this pic.

tshrey · « **Reply #340 on:** November 21, 2018, 12:59:12 PM »

Exciting day, got my front fender from Cognito last night. Everything in primer this morning, then sanding and color. Clear is going on right now.

Godffery · « **Reply #341 on:** November 21, 2018, 01:17:41 PM »

Nice, but how do you get any work done in a shop that is so clean...?!

RAFster122s · « **Reply #342 on:** November 21, 2018, 06:05:52 PM »

That's his Photoshop...you should see his workshop...

Just kidding Jeff, no clue. A clean shop is the sign of...?

tshrey · « **Reply #343 on:** November 21, 2018, 07:15:00 PM »

Paint is done!

RAFster122s · « **Reply #344 on:** November 22, 2018, 12:23:12 AM »

Nice, you do not mess around... Use heat lamps to harden/cure the paint? I would be nervous about handling it so soon. Is it urethane clear?

David

tshrey · « **Reply #345 on:** November 22, 2018, 11:01:21 AM »

Spraymax 2k, a 2 part epoxy urethane in a spray can. I didn't have to touch any of the surface you can see to put it on the bike, but putting the seat on the tail section did leave a mark in the clear (but the mark is covered by the seat anyway).

I left the garage heat on to keep it 70 in there for 24 hours.

Marissa · « **Reply #346 on:** November 22, 2018, 04:33:42 PM »

Bike is gorgeous so far.

RAFster122s · « **Reply #347 on:** November 22, 2018, 04:54:28 PM »

I agree with Marissa, it is gorgeous. It has came together nicely. Please get it appraised or insure it for stated value so your investment in the build is protected.

Little_Phil · « **Reply #348 on:** November 23, 2018, 02:33:32 AM »

Quote from: tshrey on November 02, 2018, 07:46:06 AM

Seal is number 20 in this pic.

I think that seal goes in the recess of part no 2. And the inner seals against part 6 (spacer) that goes through the center.

Little_Phil · « **Reply #349 on:** November 23, 2018, 02:36:24 AM »

Quote from: tshrey on November 02, 2018, 07:46:06 AM

Seal is number 20 in this pic.

I think that seal goes in the recess of part no 2. And the inner seals against part 6 (spacer) that goes through the center. The retainer center is empty.

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Author Topic: 76 CB550 Cafe build (Read 86468 times)