Author Topic: Hello from Southern California  (Read 11526 times)

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Offline wolf550

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Hello from Southern California
« on: February 16, 2017, 02:56:25 PM »
Hello everyone. Decided to build my first motorcycle back in October 2016 and purchased a 1974 CB550 frame with title from Indiana to bring over here to sunny California.  with a limited budget (no budget at all) I started buying parts. Started with a Shell of Parts from a 1979 CB650. Once it was rolling, i purchased a 1978 CB550 engine and put it in there. Went to local hardware store and bought some wire to make a harness for everything I was going to need on the bike in order to register it. As of January 1st, my motorcycle is officially a California Bike.  But wait, there is more. My bike is by no means a completed motorcycle, but luckily with the cb550 forum I have been able to get the bike to where it is today and be able to putt the bike on down the road for trial and error problems that I have been working out searching this forum.
Current projects on the to do list:
upgrade/replace/fix the charging system components.
Re adjust clutch system after replacing all steel and cork rings (has a drag)
Finish My Fiberglass Seat (did not want to cut anything on the frame)
Top end oil leaks (Think this will end up in a disassembly of the engine to replace with a rebuild kit)

So post a hi and drop some knowledge my way as I will be on here as much as I can searching to get it up and running.

Thanks,

Anthony

I forgot to mention that I have no previous knowledge of motorcycles.
74' CB550 (Sold)
71' CB500/550 (Sold)

Offline 70CB750

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Re: Hello from Southern California
« Reply #1 on: February 17, 2017, 05:48:20 AM »
Welcome!

You can download shop manual from this site. it will help you with your project.
Prokop
_______________
Pure Gas - find ethanol free gas station near you

I love it when parts come together.

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CB750K3F - The Red
Sidecar


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2006 KLR650

Offline Desert-SOHC

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Re: Hello from Southern California
« Reply #2 on: February 17, 2017, 11:02:35 AM »
howdy
90 F350 Lariat CS S/C Dually
90 S&S 11SC Cabover Camper
97 FLHTP (under construction)
11 Ranger S/C 2wd

Offline goldarrow

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Re: Hello from Southern California
« Reply #3 on: February 17, 2017, 03:42:30 PM »
Top end can be disassembled with engine still mounted on frame. 
Life Is Full Of Challenges - And My Backyard Is Full Of SOHC4's

CB550 K0
CB750 K0, K2, K23 JDM, K45, K5
And the little ones z50r, xr50r, st90


750k5 http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=114817.0

Offline MoMo

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Re: Hello from Southern California
« Reply #4 on: February 17, 2017, 05:33:03 PM »
Welcome, seems as though you're doing well for no previous knowledge...Larry

Offline Gene

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Re: Hello from Southern California
« Reply #5 on: February 17, 2017, 05:45:03 PM »
Welcome!  You're in the right place for sure. Where in Southern CA? I'm at the border of LA and Orange Counties.
*1973 CB750K3 (Bow)

Offline Gene

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Re: Hello from Southern California
« Reply #6 on: February 19, 2017, 06:41:54 PM »
Down near Trabuco Canyon Area.

Well, you have some nice riding around there - up in the hills (Cleveland National Forest).
*1973 CB750K3 (Bow)

Offline grcamna2

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Re: Hello from Southern California
« Reply #7 on: February 19, 2017, 06:43:06 PM »
Welcome to the forum wolf550
75' CB400F/'bunch o' parts' & 81' CB125S modded to a 'CB200S'
  I love the small ones too !
Do your BEST...nobody can take that away from you.

Offline Gene

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Re: Hello from Southern California
« Reply #8 on: April 17, 2017, 05:58:10 PM »
Dude, move this to the projects section. You'll get way more response.
*1973 CB750K3 (Bow)

Offline scottly

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Re: Hello from Southern California
« Reply #9 on: April 17, 2017, 07:03:09 PM »
I do not know if it was rebuilt or just not ridden alot cause i did not see alot of build up or sludge etc.
Hey Anthony, the markings on the tops of the pistons mean they are 3mm over-size, so someone has installed a "big-bore" kit. ;D
Don't fix it if it ain't broke!
Helmets save brains. Always wear one and ride like everyone is trying to kill you....

Offline Gene

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Re: Hello from Southern California
« Reply #10 on: April 20, 2017, 01:41:15 PM »
I do not know if it was rebuilt or just not ridden alot cause i did not see alot of build up or sludge etc.
Hey Anthony, the markings on the tops of the pistons mean they are 3mm over-size, so someone has installed a "big-bore" kit. ;D

"Go-Fast" parts! That is exciting.
*1973 CB750K3 (Bow)

Offline Can550

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Re: Hello from Southern California
« Reply #11 on: April 20, 2017, 02:55:55 PM »
I see that you blocked tach gear opening. Not running a tach ?
How did you close and seal it. I have broken mine and would like to close it until I got one to mount on. Thanks


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Offline Can550

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Re: Hello from Southern California
« Reply #12 on: April 21, 2017, 08:25:06 PM »
Thanks
Will try doing something similar. Have found a guy here who has more than one but is far. Will wait for him to ship. Meantime will close it. Cheers


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Offline jnyrav

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Re: Hello from Southern California
« Reply #13 on: April 24, 2017, 11:04:31 PM »
Hey wolf,

looks like you're a bit ahead of me on the 550 build!

We're both in the same area so maybe we'll touch base at some point..

good luck with your build,

john

Offline Scott S

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Re: Hello from Southern California
« Reply #14 on: April 25, 2017, 03:20:45 AM »
I see that you blocked tach gear opening. Not running a tach ?
How did you close and seal it. I have broken mine and would like to close it until I got one to mount on. Thanks


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 There are plugs available. This guy on DTT sells them: http://www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=22664.0
'71 CB500 K0
'17 Triumph Street Scrambler
'81 Yamaha XS650

Offline Scott S

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Re: Hello from Southern California
« Reply #15 on: April 25, 2017, 03:21:19 AM »
Dude, move this to the projects section. You'll get way more response.

 Agreed! Moving it now....and Welcome!
'71 CB500 K0
'17 Triumph Street Scrambler
'81 Yamaha XS650

Offline BLAC

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Re: Hello from Southern California
« Reply #16 on: April 27, 2017, 02:09:27 PM »
Happy to see another '74 CB550 in SoCal!  Im up in Los Angeles and have a lot of stock parts off of my '74 project. Let me know what you need
If you can't fix it with a hammer, it's an electrical problem... If it's an electrical problem, it's Cal's problem.

*2005 Yamaha R6 (sold)
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*2014 BMW S1000RR (sold)
*2010 Ducati Streetfighter S
*1978 CB550 Restomod Build
*1974 CB550 Monoshock build
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,154614.0.html

Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: Hello from Southern California
« Reply #17 on: May 02, 2017, 12:21:04 PM »
You can get the rotors re-surfaced and even thinned and drilled (for lightening).
1975 CB550K1 "Blue" Stockish Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=135005.0)
1975 CB550F1 frame/CB650 engine hybrid "The Hot Mess" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,150220.0.html)
2008 Triumph Thruxton (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,190956.0.html)
2014 MV Agusta Brutale Dragster 800
2015 Yamaha FZ-09 (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,186861.0.html)

"There are some things nobody needs in this world, and a bright-red, hunch-back, warp-speed 900cc cafe racer is one of them — but I want one anyway, and on some days I actually believe I need one.... Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube. That is why God made fast motorcycles, Bubba." Hunter S. Thompson, Song of the Sausage Creature, Cycle World, March 1995.  (http://www.latexnet.org/~csmith/sausage.html and https://magazine.cycleworld.com/article/1995/3/1/song-of-the-sausage-creature)

Sold/Emeritus
1973 CB750K2 "Bionic Mongrel" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132734.0) - Sold
1977 CB750K7 "Nine Lives" Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=50490.0) - Sold
2005 RVT1000RR RC51-SP2 "El Diablo" - Sold
2016+ Triumph Thruxton 1200 R (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,170198.0.html) - Sold

Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: Hello from Southern California
« Reply #18 on: July 18, 2017, 06:18:53 PM »
What type of oil are you using (does it have mineral content)? What are the condition of your clutch springs and plates?
1975 CB550K1 "Blue" Stockish Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=135005.0)
1975 CB550F1 frame/CB650 engine hybrid "The Hot Mess" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,150220.0.html)
2008 Triumph Thruxton (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,190956.0.html)
2014 MV Agusta Brutale Dragster 800
2015 Yamaha FZ-09 (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,186861.0.html)

"There are some things nobody needs in this world, and a bright-red, hunch-back, warp-speed 900cc cafe racer is one of them — but I want one anyway, and on some days I actually believe I need one.... Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube. That is why God made fast motorcycles, Bubba." Hunter S. Thompson, Song of the Sausage Creature, Cycle World, March 1995.  (http://www.latexnet.org/~csmith/sausage.html and https://magazine.cycleworld.com/article/1995/3/1/song-of-the-sausage-creature)

Sold/Emeritus
1973 CB750K2 "Bionic Mongrel" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132734.0) - Sold
1977 CB750K7 "Nine Lives" Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=50490.0) - Sold
2005 RVT1000RR RC51-SP2 "El Diablo" - Sold
2016+ Triumph Thruxton 1200 R (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,170198.0.html) - Sold

Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: Hello from Southern California
« Reply #19 on: July 19, 2017, 06:50:35 AM »
castrol 4t 10w40
Changed the clutch friction plates and steel plates along with the springs. All are EBC brand.

changed oil couple of times since test riding in past few months. it had black oil when I bought the bike.
first month only rode around neighborhood a few times before oil was dark. the second month changed/ rode around neighborhood a few times. drained and still has that gold brown look so far.

Did you replace the springs when you changed the plates?
1975 CB550K1 "Blue" Stockish Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=135005.0)
1975 CB550F1 frame/CB650 engine hybrid "The Hot Mess" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,150220.0.html)
2008 Triumph Thruxton (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,190956.0.html)
2014 MV Agusta Brutale Dragster 800
2015 Yamaha FZ-09 (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,186861.0.html)

"There are some things nobody needs in this world, and a bright-red, hunch-back, warp-speed 900cc cafe racer is one of them — but I want one anyway, and on some days I actually believe I need one.... Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube. That is why God made fast motorcycles, Bubba." Hunter S. Thompson, Song of the Sausage Creature, Cycle World, March 1995.  (http://www.latexnet.org/~csmith/sausage.html and https://magazine.cycleworld.com/article/1995/3/1/song-of-the-sausage-creature)

Sold/Emeritus
1973 CB750K2 "Bionic Mongrel" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132734.0) - Sold
1977 CB750K7 "Nine Lives" Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=50490.0) - Sold
2005 RVT1000RR RC51-SP2 "El Diablo" - Sold
2016+ Triumph Thruxton 1200 R (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,170198.0.html) - Sold

Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: Hello from Southern California
« Reply #20 on: July 19, 2017, 11:12:53 AM »
Well, that eliminates 2 of the most common variables.

I assume you installed new OEM springs.  How many plates did you use in your stack?
1975 CB550K1 "Blue" Stockish Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=135005.0)
1975 CB550F1 frame/CB650 engine hybrid "The Hot Mess" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,150220.0.html)
2008 Triumph Thruxton (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,190956.0.html)
2014 MV Agusta Brutale Dragster 800
2015 Yamaha FZ-09 (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,186861.0.html)

"There are some things nobody needs in this world, and a bright-red, hunch-back, warp-speed 900cc cafe racer is one of them — but I want one anyway, and on some days I actually believe I need one.... Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube. That is why God made fast motorcycles, Bubba." Hunter S. Thompson, Song of the Sausage Creature, Cycle World, March 1995.  (http://www.latexnet.org/~csmith/sausage.html and https://magazine.cycleworld.com/article/1995/3/1/song-of-the-sausage-creature)

Sold/Emeritus
1973 CB750K2 "Bionic Mongrel" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132734.0) - Sold
1977 CB750K7 "Nine Lives" Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=50490.0) - Sold
2005 RVT1000RR RC51-SP2 "El Diablo" - Sold
2016+ Triumph Thruxton 1200 R (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,170198.0.html) - Sold

Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: Hello from Southern California
« Reply #21 on: December 07, 2017, 05:26:25 PM »
How is that foot peg position?  It's pretty far back. What is your height?
1975 CB550K1 "Blue" Stockish Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=135005.0)
1975 CB550F1 frame/CB650 engine hybrid "The Hot Mess" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,150220.0.html)
2008 Triumph Thruxton (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,190956.0.html)
2014 MV Agusta Brutale Dragster 800
2015 Yamaha FZ-09 (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,186861.0.html)

"There are some things nobody needs in this world, and a bright-red, hunch-back, warp-speed 900cc cafe racer is one of them — but I want one anyway, and on some days I actually believe I need one.... Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube. That is why God made fast motorcycles, Bubba." Hunter S. Thompson, Song of the Sausage Creature, Cycle World, March 1995.  (http://www.latexnet.org/~csmith/sausage.html and https://magazine.cycleworld.com/article/1995/3/1/song-of-the-sausage-creature)

Sold/Emeritus
1973 CB750K2 "Bionic Mongrel" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132734.0) - Sold
1977 CB750K7 "Nine Lives" Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=50490.0) - Sold
2005 RVT1000RR RC51-SP2 "El Diablo" - Sold
2016+ Triumph Thruxton 1200 R (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,170198.0.html) - Sold

Offline JoeCooley

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Re: Hello from Southern California
« Reply #22 on: December 23, 2017, 10:02:09 PM »
Cool little video bro. That thing is loud!

Where in socal are you? I'm in SD. We should get a bunch of socal guys together someday. Maybe a bikes and coffee..? We have a coffee shop called Cafe Moto here. Maybe a little meet could be setup this spring...
« Last Edit: December 24, 2017, 08:00:29 PM by JoeCooley »
Joe in San Diego - Quick Cyles
78 CB750K 836cc Highway Racer - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,162264.0.html

Rickman CR750 Restoration (SOLD)

Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: Hello from Southern California
« Reply #23 on: January 01, 2018, 08:28:03 PM »
Thnk yu sir!
Bikes and coffee sounds like an awesome idea for South CA!
Up in Trabuco Canyon Near the national forest.
Might need a little time while I figure out a new item on the to do list dealing with oil pressure light.
decided to start rebuilding other engine and almost ready to fire up!
we will see

You have some decent neighborhood roads for testing.
1975 CB550K1 "Blue" Stockish Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=135005.0)
1975 CB550F1 frame/CB650 engine hybrid "The Hot Mess" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,150220.0.html)
2008 Triumph Thruxton (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,190956.0.html)
2014 MV Agusta Brutale Dragster 800
2015 Yamaha FZ-09 (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,186861.0.html)

"There are some things nobody needs in this world, and a bright-red, hunch-back, warp-speed 900cc cafe racer is one of them — but I want one anyway, and on some days I actually believe I need one.... Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube. That is why God made fast motorcycles, Bubba." Hunter S. Thompson, Song of the Sausage Creature, Cycle World, March 1995.  (http://www.latexnet.org/~csmith/sausage.html and https://magazine.cycleworld.com/article/1995/3/1/song-of-the-sausage-creature)

Sold/Emeritus
1973 CB750K2 "Bionic Mongrel" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132734.0) - Sold
1977 CB750K7 "Nine Lives" Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=50490.0) - Sold
2005 RVT1000RR RC51-SP2 "El Diablo" - Sold
2016+ Triumph Thruxton 1200 R (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,170198.0.html) - Sold

Offline jgger

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Re: Hello from Southern California
« Reply #24 on: January 01, 2018, 10:46:33 PM »
How is that rear brake working out pushing on the arm instead pulling? Does it hop or change if you hit a bump? Are you not running a brake light either?

I'm not bagging on you, just never seen one set up like that.

"The SOHC4 uses a computer located about 2-3 ft above the seat.  Those sometimes need additional programming." -stolen from  Two Tired

The difference between an ass kisser and brown noser is merely depth perception.  Stolen from RAFster122s