Topic: 76 CB550 Cafe build

[grcamna2]

The plates are the Barnett thin racing(red?)clutch plates? I know they're set up to give holeshots and I noticed them chattering if I tried to do easy street riding & smoothly let the clutch out like I did with OEM stock clutch plates.
Try taking-off with a lot of power and see what they do,and power-shift through the gears:I think you'll find the chattering will go away.. I like running OEM or Vesrah plates(comparable quality to OEM for less $)for street riding.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I had some slipping with my 836-kitted 750 (ported head, cam, CRs), on hard-load acceleration it would sometimes slip and the revs would run away.  I seemed to fix it by moving to heavy duty springs.  I mitigated the pull with a ball-bearing clutch perch.

[tshrey]

I certainly didn't buy racing plates on purpose, I thought I just got a regular replacement kit.  That doesn't me I didn't, maybe that is the issue.  Hopefully this all goes away tomorrow when I get the new clutch basket, it is supposed to have stock plates in it.

[tshrey]

I had some slipping with my 836-kitted 750 (ported head, cam, CRs), on hard-load acceleration it would sometimes slip and the revs would run away.  I seemed to fix it by moving to heavy duty springs.  I mitigated the pull with a ball-bearing clutch perch.

You happen to know which perch you got?

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I had some slipping with my 836-kitted 750 (ported head, cam, CRs), on hard-load acceleration it would sometimes slip and the revs would run away.  I seemed to fix it by moving to heavy duty springs.  I mitigated the pull with a ball-bearing clutch perch.

You happen to know which perch you got?

Pro-Taper universal.

[flatlander]

i'm very happy with my 7 OEM plates and OEM springs. easy and smooth to operate yet strong enough for anything. brent uses a similar setup in his race 550 that, if i remember, has about 70hp? compared to that my street 550 has a mere 56hp and i have no issues or concerns with that clutch.

[tshrey]

The weird chatter sensation was definitely from not having the circlip home.   After that fix I haven't had any issues.  The 78 full stock basket is coming UPS today, so I'll swap that tonight and see how different it feels.

[tshrey]

So the 78 basket feels lighter and more progressive than what was in my bike (before it was very on/off). It also is quite a bit quieter when sitting in neutral with the clutch engaged.

[grcamna2]

So the 78 basket feels lighter and more progressive than what was in my bike (before it was very on/off). It also is quite a bit quieter when sitting in neutral with the clutch engaged.

Did the 78' clutch hub come with some fiber clutch plates ?

[tshrey]

It said it was all stock. So I used the friction disks and steel plates that it came with.

[tshrey]

Just straight up riding the bike now.  Zero oil consumption, did a compression test and got 175 across the board so everything is as healthy as I can measure.  The noise from the valvetrain though is something else.  Now that I have the cone engineering muffler on it, from the seated position the ticking is almost the loudest sound on the bike.  I do no think it is an exhaust leak, used new copper gaskets the last time I put the exhaust on and can't hear or feel any leaks.  The stethoscope test would say the noise is coming from the camshaft end cover on the left side; I have no indication of the ovalling that can happen to these older covers and the valves are all in spec and stay in spec.  I've had the valve cover off several times and see no indication of something amiss.  I made a video, but camera mics just kind of suck.  If I had to pick a frequency range for the sound itself I would say that it is the same sound as when you wiggle the rockers (side to side, perpendicular to their rocking).  Maybe a rocker paddle is a little uneven and it pushes the rocker to one side?

At this point I guess I should just ignore it and ride   Anyone have any thoughts?



Video at the following link:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/kjXNQox4HFwTEMtn6

[grcamna2]

The muffler you have on there sounds nice and quiet. 
The valve train sounds normal to my ears.

[tshrey]

Thanks for both inputs 

I had a cager pull out in front of me today and while the single modern disk is a lot better than what was on there I'm going to stick the second rotor and caliper on the front.  Let's just hope it doesn't make the noodle frame fold when I come down on the binders hard.

[tshrey]

I had some slipping with my 836-kitted 750 (ported head, cam, CRs), on hard-load acceleration it would sometimes slip and the revs would run away.  I seemed to fix it by moving to heavy duty springs.  I mitigated the pull with a ball-bearing clutch perch.

You happen to know which perch you got?

Pro-Taper universal.

This here for the win.  Every old motorcycle should switch to this perch.  Clevis to pivot point is closer than stock (more leverage and engagement point is expanded a little) and the bearing pivot makes it silky smooth.  I have to powder coat it to match my brake side but I love this lever (and it was cheap).

[grcamna2]

I had some slipping with my 836-kitted 750 (ported head, cam, CRs), on hard-load acceleration it would sometimes slip and the revs would run away.  I seemed to fix it by moving to heavy duty springs.  I mitigated the pull with a ball-bearing clutch perch.

You happen to know which perch you got?

Pro-Taper universal.

This here for the win.  Every old motorcycle should switch to this perch.  Clevis to pivot point is closer than stock (more leverage and engagement point is expanded a little) and the bearing pivot makes it silky smooth.  I have to powder coat it to match my brake side but I love this lever (and it was cheap).

tshrey,you have a link for it ?

[RAFster122s]

Amazon link for it...
https://www.amazon.com/Pro-Taper-Profile-Clutch-Perch/dp/B007AEREI0/ref=asc_df_B007AEREI0/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309798558622&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8046883346506970758&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9030256&hvtargid=pla-571119716116&psc=1

[tshrey]

Actually the one above is the expensive one.  I wasn't sure it would help so I didn't want to spend the money on it.  I got the 'sport' one:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HF6FJYM?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

For $30 it is fantastic.

[grcamna2]

Actually the one above is the expensive one.  I wasn't sure it would help so I didn't want to spend the money on it.  I got the 'sport' one:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HF6FJYM?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

For $30 it is fantastic.

Does the 'Sport R' model also have a sealed ball bearing lever pivot ?  Looks good for a street bike application also.

[tshrey]

No, it has a brass bushing on the pivot. But I only know because I looked it up, it certainly feels like the perfection of a bearing when in use.

As a side note, I've decided to sell the intake/engine/exhaust and convert this to electric. The drivetrain is in the for sale section of anyone is interested.

[scunny]

You Are doing what ? 

[wolf550]

can wait to see it!
I was thinking about that with the wifes 350 but she said no.
I had the idea after seeing youtuber convert his 350 twin and the guy on ebay who converted his 500 and was asking 8000 for it.

[tshrey]

Just as I really got into a good groove with aluminum welding I ran out of gas... womp womp

Airbox will be done soon, very curious to see how much it can cut down the intake noise.

[grcamna2]

Just as I really got into a good groove with aluminum welding I ran out of gas... womp womp

Airbox will be done soon, very curious to see how much it can cut down the intake noise.

Beautiful work tshrey 

Will you be using it on this bike if you're going with electric motor propulsion ?

[tshrey]

Electric is the next step.  Until I get the drivetrain sold I'm going to keep making the bike better and riding it.

[tshrey]

A good aluminum TIG welder I am not.  I was having a hell of a time getting the venturi welded to the airbox.  After consulting with our resident guru, Cal made me realize I was using way too little current.  Second inlet goes on today, should be able to get it installed tonight and give it a test.