Topic: 75 CB550 Pull-Shock Cafe

[Mypenname]

What is that linkage connected to?

i wanted a clean look and fit the shifter linkage behind the factory engine cover. I made a stainless linkage rod that snakes beside the chain that is attached to custom linkage that a made for the shifter rod.

[tshrey]

So many great ideas I'm going to steal for my build! 

[Mypenname]

Its been a busy week at work so not a lot of time to play with the CB550 project. 

I made up the custom linkage and pivot arm for the rear brake. Still need to add a return spring and mount for the brake light switch.

[Mypenname]

She is naked! 

[Mypenname]

Small update. Mounted the motogadget rear indicators. I decided to recess the led indicators into the frame, took a bit of work that involved machining some 7/8" bar stock to hold the indicators, drilling the frame and welding them into place.





Started working on the rear pod. It still need some more metal finishing work but it is almost complete.

[innovativems]

Very nice work!


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[Mypenname]

I hope you'll have sufficient clearance under full compression of the rear to avoid contacting that light with the tire-

I can pre-load the shock quite a bit but I am thinking of raising up the rear suspension a bit if it causes me clearance issues.

[Mypenname]

A 17" rear wheel with a modern profile too would add to the clearance. Its really nice fabrication work all throughout.

The 17" wheel might be a good option. I will have to look into that one.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Nice fab work. I like the recessed M-Gadget rear indicators.  Are you thinking of running 17" wheels front and rear?

[Harald F]

nice fabrication   and a really cool project running the pull shock.

[Mypenname]

Thank you for the compliments 

I am not sure the the wheels yet. I have currently have 19" front and 18" rear.

I started on the mounting pan for the M-unit blue and starter solenoid  tonight. I need a place where the m-Unit Bluetooth signal will pass through so the fiberglass seat pan should do the trick.

[greenjeans]

This build is really looking great.   I'd consider staying with the 18" & 19" combo for ground clearance.  And, that size combo seems to look more natural with the vintage look of the 55 frames/motor.   Your fab skills are killer - you work for a shop or just naturally skilled.  So many nice touches and details.  Really like how you have the turn signals inset into the rear hoop.
Subtle.  Can't wait to see this one finished.  What are you going to do with paint ?

[Mypenname]

This build is really looking great.   I'd consider staying with the 18" & 19" combo for ground clearance.  And, that size combo seems to look more natural with the vintage look of the 55 frames/motor.   Your fab skills are killer - you work for a shop or just naturally skilled.  So many nice touches and details.  Really like how you have the turn signals inset into the rear hoop.
Subtle.  Can't wait to see this one finished.  What are you going to do with paint ?

Thank you greenjeans

With the shock being located under the frame, I think ground clearance is going to be an issue with 17" tires so I think I will be staying with 19" & 18" tires.
 
I have some industrial manufacturing background but most of what I know is self-taught over the years, I like to work with my hands and learn new skills but unfortunately I don't do fabrication as my daily job. This is my first bike project that I am building in my personal shop and I find it a fantastic way to unwind from the day

I am still working on that paint but I am thinking of going with a light coloured frame. I like clean raw mechanical look.


 

[mscuiletti]

Like what the others have stated, great fab work. Looking forward to future updates!

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

You could also go with 18" wheels front and rear.  That would not create rear taillight clearance but it would give you some better rubber choices.

[tshrey]

What is that linkage connected to?

i wanted a clean look and fit the shifter linkage behind the factory engine cover. I made a stainless linkage rod that snakes beside the chain that is attached to custom linkage that a made for the shifter rod.

Wanted to ask you a question about this - did you have the shifter rod machined for splines way on the inside or how does you linkage grab the shift rod?

[Mypenname]

I have been very busy over the summer so unfortunately I haven't had a lot of time to work on the bike.

I wasn't happy with the rear ride height so I decided that I would like to have adjustments for the rear ride height so I made up a bell crank adjuster for the rear shock.
This required me to redo quite a bit of work on the work on the rear swing arm but allows for a ton of adjustment of the ride height and pull shock geometry.

First I machined up some simple bell cranks out of some 1/2" aluminum.



Machined up a 16mm adjusting bolt out of stainless that would screw into the end link 



Has to do quite a bit of modifcation to the rear swing arm to add mounting points for the bell crank and end link adjuster









Doing a little work on the exhaust today.