Author Topic: The Lost Socket Garage (Read 56227 times)

Scott S · « **Reply #225 on:** August 17, 2018, 11:03:14 AM »

I've also been wrenching on the SR500.
Since the forks are a little too pitted for my liking, I picked up a set of ~'82 XS650 forks. Externally, they're the same as the SR forks. These come with adjuster caps. I fully disassembled them, cleaned everything and installed new oil and seals.
Since I don't plan on pulling the engine, painting the frame/bodywork, etc., I just removed the old clear coat, gave them a light brushed/satin finish, and cleared over them again.
The XS650 is about 50 lbs. heavier than the SR. I kept the XS springs and added 170cc of 15wt fork oil. Hopefully, that will give me a nice, firm ride and be nearly stock (for an XS, anyway).

Scott S · « **Reply #226 on:** August 17, 2018, 11:20:23 AM »

I picked up a Winning brand exhaust for only $75. I'm told that this is essentially a Kerker and his ex-wife hated the name and changed it after she acquired the company in a divorce.

I pulled the baffle and removed the burnt up packing....

...and polished up a lot of the yellowed/blued areas of the exhaust.

Before:

After:

I cleaned up the baffle and wire brushed the end cap. I sprayed it with some high temp semi-gloss black and installed new packing.

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #227 on:** August 17, 2018, 11:38:00 AM »

Where do you find the time!?

Scott S · « **Reply #228 on:** August 17, 2018, 12:21:35 PM »

Some people fish, some people golf.... I wrench. It's what I do for fun.

RAFster122s · « **Reply #229 on:** August 17, 2018, 05:01:14 PM »

Nice work Scott! What kind of cleaner do you use on painted areas? I have an exhaust with oil baked on with dirt between the pipes and I do not want to scratch up the chrome with steel wool. Suggestions?

David

MoMo · « **Reply #230 on:** August 17, 2018, 05:13:53 PM »

I am at work and cannot view any of your recent work

Scott S · « **Reply #231 on:** August 17, 2018, 05:33:50 PM »

Quote from: RAF122S on August 17, 2018, 05:01:14 PM

Nice work Scott! What kind of cleaner do you use on painted areas? I have an exhaust with oil baked on with dirt between the pipes and I do not want to scratch up the chrome with steel wool. Suggestions?

What kind of painted areas?

For chrome, I use 0000 steel wool and a variety of cleaners and polishes. Try hitting the grease with Simple Green and water first. Flake off big chunks with a popsicle stick or something hard plastic....a cut up credit card?
I have quite a few chrome/metal polishes. The best thing for it is plain old elbow grease. Scrub until your fingers are black and aching.

RAFster122s · « **Reply #232 on:** August 17, 2018, 07:39:11 PM »

Would engine cleaner hurt the chrome? I have used simple green concentrated at 80% level with popsicle stick equivalent and plastic tools. It was pretty bad between tubes at front when they come together , 4-2-2 exhaust. I don't even plan on using them...they are going to be sold but the header pipes are not as nice as the universal slip one. Think I am going to use a hole saw at an angle in drill press to curve oak stick scraper to pipe diameter and see if that can scrape some off. Might use a torch to see if some heat will help.

MoMo · « **Reply #233 on:** August 17, 2018, 07:51:29 PM »

Quote from: MoMo on August 17, 2018, 05:13:53 PM

I am at work and cannot view any of your recent work

Home now, good stuff, Scott....Larry

Scott S · « **Reply #234 on:** August 17, 2018, 08:05:01 PM »

Quote from: RAF122S on August 17, 2018, 07:39:11 PM

Would engine cleaner hurt the chrome? I have used simple green concentrated at 80% level with popsicle stick equivalent and plastic tools. It was pretty bad between tubes at front when they come together , 4-2-2 exhaust. I don't even plan on using them...they are going to be sold but the header pipes are not as nice as the universal slip one. Think I am going to use a hole saw at an angle in drill press to curve oak stick scraper to pipe diameter and see if that can scrape some off. Might use a torch to see if some heat will help.

Engine cleaner shoudnt hurt it. It's mostly kerosene in a can anyway.

Scott S · « **Reply #235 on:** August 23, 2018, 01:44:16 PM »

Fitted a GSXR 1100 fender to the Katana forks for more of an old school look.

Scott S · « **Reply #236 on:** August 23, 2018, 01:46:12 PM »

Finally got the correct manifolds to fit the BST-36 carbs to the 750 head. These are used on GSXR1100's and Bandit 1200's.

Scott S · « **Reply #237 on:** August 23, 2018, 01:51:07 PM »

The filters are a tight fit to the frame, but the motor goes where the motor goes. There's no way to tilt it forward or move it down anymore. The mashed part won't be visible once the tank is on.

And speaking of the tank, I'm going to have to raise the back slightly. The petcock would foul the filter otherwise. I'll probably trim off that small ear on the end of the lever for more clearance, too.

And come up with some sort of bracket here to lift the tank slightly.

Once I get that sorted, it'll be time to pull the engine and get it on the stand for detailing and a tune up, and to get the frame and swing arm painted up.

RAFster122s · « **Reply #238 on:** August 24, 2018, 08:16:55 PM »

Too bad the filter hits, I hate it when things like that happen, but they do not make application specific fitments like this.
Glad you got the manifolds that you needed.
David

Scott S · « **Reply #239 on:** August 25, 2018, 03:39:20 AM »

I'm looking into some Pipercross or RamAir foam filters. The Suzuki guys like their performance vs. K&N's And they might be a bit more forgiving for frame and petcock clearance.

Now..... if I can just get spark on that SR500....

Scott S · « **Reply #240 on:** August 30, 2018, 11:39:17 AM »

First, I want to apologize for the pics. My phone sucks and the light in my garage tends to wash it out. It's nearly impossible to get good pics in there. It looks like I used a potato instead of a camera!

I have received a few comments/PM's about the shock and swing arm angle and length on the Katana/550 project. I agree that it's steeper/longer than I would like, but there's a ton of work getting it centered and clearancing for the chain. Many of the pics showed the bike on the lift/center stand and the swinger drooped. I considered a different swinger; GS1100E, Bandit 1200, etc., but at this point I think it would be easier to work with what I have.

I put the wheels back on the bike and set it down on it's on weight. The jack is just keeping the bike from tipping over, not lifting it at all. The shocks are 14" and set on the medium setting. I *still* feel like we could have laid down the shocks a bit more but, as you can see, the shock and swingarm angle aren't as bad as when it was on the center stand/lift and not rear wheel in.

This is workable. And if it just handles too poorly or annoys me too much, I think it would be easier to go with some 13" shocks and maybe even have the chain adjuster slots machined longer and the end of the swingarm cut off a like amount. That would shorten the wheel base, lower the stance and lessen the swing arm angle. All without having to start from scratch.

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #241 on:** August 30, 2018, 12:16:38 PM »

Quote from: Scott S on August 30, 2018, 11:39:17 AM

First, I want to apologize for the pics. My phone sucks and the light in my garage tends to wash it out. It's nearly impossible to get good pics in there. It looks like I used a potato instead of a camera!

I have received a few comments/PM's about the shock and swing arm angle and length on the Katana/550 project. I agree that it's steeper/longer than I would like, but there's a ton of work getting it centered and clearancing for the chain. Many of the pics showed the bike on the lift/center stand and the swinger drooped. I considered a different swinger; GS1100E, Bandit 1200, etc., but at this point I think it would be easier to work with what I have.

I put the wheels back on the bike and set it down on it's on weight. The jack is just keeping the bike from tipping over, not lifting it at all. The shocks are 14" and set on the medium setting. I *still* feel like we could have laid down the shocks a bit more but, as you can see, the shock and swingarm angle aren't as bad as when it was on the center stand/lift and not rear wheel in.

This is workable. And if it just handles too poorly or annoys me too much, I think it would be easier to go with some 13" shocks and maybe even have the chain adjuster slots machined longer and the end of the swingarm cut off a like amount. That would shorten the wheel base, lower the stance and lessen the swing arm angle. All without having to start from scratch.

LOL. When I first looked at your update, I thought, "Scott's going for that Moolighting soft-focus look!"

Wow! You are a machine! The bike is looking good as a roller.

RAFster122s · « **Reply #242 on:** August 30, 2018, 01:53:33 PM »

Powered by a potatoes that camera was...
That is some blurry stuff! What kind and model phone?
Should start a thread with bad cellphone pics, could be funny! Monthly prize for worst.

Good progress on bike!
David

Scott S · « **Reply #243 on:** August 30, 2018, 03:00:08 PM »

And those are the best pics out of about ten. I tried lights on, lights off, flash on, flash off, doors and blinds open or closed. There's just something about the way the outside light comes in that screws up my camera.
P.O.S. Samsung phone. If I didn't dread losing all my contacts and saved stuff I would get a new one. That stuff never transfers like it's supposed to.

Scott S · « **Reply #244 on:** August 30, 2018, 06:34:45 PM »

It's not the lens. If I were to roll the bike outside in natural light, it's all fine.

Scott S · « **Reply #245 on:** September 02, 2018, 05:31:35 PM »

Back in June, I took the CT70/140 to Cyclemania in Charlotte. In addition to winning Best Vintage Modified, it was also shot for a story in Full Throttle magazine.

http://www.fullthrottlemagazine.com/September-2018-Event-Photos/ID/2241/Trail-140-%E2%80%93-Too-Cool-Little-Machine

Scott S · « **Reply #246 on:** September 02, 2018, 05:37:23 PM »

The '73 CB500/550 was featured with a six page spread in this months VJMC magazine, too!

Scott S · « **Reply #247 on:** September 02, 2018, 05:45:13 PM »

Tried to fit the Winning/Kerker exhaust onto the SR500 tonight and the collar won't pull up tight on the head. Or, rather, it will pull up and bottom out before securing the header.
It looks like there was a split collar or ring there, maybe? Similar to Honda exhausts? You can see a bit of discoloration there, and it's about the same size as the ring on the stock header.
What am I missing? Is there a collar or ring available to make this fit?

Scott S · « **Reply #248 on:** September 02, 2018, 05:49:10 PM »

Got the TM36-48 Pumper carb and K&N filter installed.

Scott S · « **Reply #249 on:** September 02, 2018, 06:02:23 PM »

Super Bike bars and 714 grips installed.

MotoLanna headlight ears (picked up CHEAP from eBay), stainless turn signal relocation brackets and smaller signals.

Non-rusty front fender swapped over. FZR rotor and R6 caliper. Just need a new hose made up.

News:

Author Topic: The Lost Socket Garage (Read 56227 times)