Author Topic: A Noob's 75 CB550 Cafe Project Thread ------- Stick a fork in it... ;-) (Read 212412 times)

bill440cars · « **Reply #25 on:** December 24, 2006, 06:24:53 PM »

Hey Doug,

Great work! Just from what I've seen already, that is going to be one "Fine Looking Ride"
that you will have created. This looks to be just another fine example of true workmanship

meticulously applied by someone who truly believes in what he's doing. Keep up the good work and
I'll catch you later on, Bill

CrisPDuk · « **Reply #26 on:** December 24, 2006, 07:13:33 PM »

Merry Christmas all

Hot damn, with all this attention to detail your 550's gonna look good

Trouble with all these photo's though is, you're making me miss mine. I won't see it again until May

Quick question on the hagon shocks, have you for the stock springing & damping rates, or a bit stiffer?

doug_id · « **Reply #27 on:** December 25, 2006, 06:27:11 AM »

Thx to everyone here for taking the time to answer my many questions past and future

As well as for the compliments and encouragement......

Merry Christimas,
Doug

doug_id · « **Reply #28 on:** December 25, 2006, 06:31:51 AM »

Quote from: CrisPDuk on December 24, 2006, 07:13:33 PM

Quick question on the hagon shocks, have you for the stock springing & damping rates, or a bit stiffer?

Hi Cris, Hmmmm not really sure on the spring and damping rates. The place that I bought them asked me for my weight, riding style, passengers, etc. They probably used that information to dial those settings in on the shocks. I did exagerate on my weight some as I prefer a firmer ride.

They did mention that they have been selling a lot of shocks to CB 550/750 owners.

Doug

BARDAR · « **Reply #29 on:** December 25, 2006, 06:21:16 PM »

Doug if you call yourself a Noob, then that would make me the Ultra-Noob! Your bike is looking great! Mine on the other hand is a poor mans job being rushed. One day it'll be nicer, for now I just want to ride!

Tim. · « **Reply #30 on:** December 25, 2006, 10:44:01 PM »

Sweeeeeet looking project. I love the Tomaselli style headlight brackets. You mentioned needing to get them on before tightening the forks? Another option, although not as good as putting them on the way you did it, is to slice the rubber sleeve so you can get it onto the fork tubes.

Of course to get the original ears off, you need to lower the fork tubes anyhow, but just saying - it is a way around it.

Can't wait to see more pics. The added metal to the frame to match the seat looks awesome. What are you doing for rear signals (what many of us have used those leftover holes in the frame for after removing the rear fender/grab bar etc.)?

doug_id · « **Reply #31 on:** December 26, 2006, 07:14:52 AM »

Quote from: tintin on December 25, 2006, 10:44:01 PM

Sweeeeeet looking project. I love the Tomaselli style headlight brackets. You mentioned needing to get them on before tightening the forks? Another option, although not as good as putting them on the way you did it, is to slice the rubber sleeve so you can get it onto the fork tubes.

Of course to get the original ears off, you need to lower the fork tubes anyhow, but just saying - it is a way around it.

Can't wait to see more pics. The added metal to the frame to match the seat looks awesome. What are you doing for rear signals (what many of us have used those leftover holes in the frame for after removing the rear fender/grab bar etc.)?

Thx Tintin,

Yea, good idea on slicing the rubber that would have made the whole deal easier for sure....they were somewhat hard to get on even lubed up with windex. I just felt kind of stupid after getting the forks on and tightened down then realizing I had to loosen and lower them again....

I have two sets of the real small cat eye turn signals. I was planning on putting them thru the holes that were already in the frame as I have seen others do. But now that the flat iron is welded over the top of them the bolt on the flasher would not be long enough to go thru both layers. Now I am leaning towards drilling a hole on the sides of the seat hump and mount them there. On the front I will probably end up drilling a hole in the new headlight brackets and inch or so back from the headlight mounting hole for the front turn signals. Then drilling two small holes thru headlight bucket for the wires to pass through.

lendog · « **Reply #32 on:** December 26, 2006, 10:56:15 AM »

Wow, that's some inspiring work you got going on! That is a sweet seat/tank combo from Benjie. Can't wait to see the finished product. Good luck and keep the pics coming!

ProTeal55 · « **Reply #33 on:** December 26, 2006, 11:07:40 AM »

Whats the paint/color gonna be on this ride ?

doug_id · « **Reply #34 on:** December 26, 2006, 12:13:08 PM »

Quote from: ProTeal55 on December 26, 2006, 11:07:40 AM

Whats the paint/color gonna be on this ride ?

Leaning towards silver or metalic grey on the seat and tank with maybe a couple of black pinstripes or some kind of graphicl.

Doug

CrisPDuk · « **Reply #35 on:** December 26, 2006, 05:36:11 PM »

Quote from: doug_id on December 26, 2006, 07:14:52 AM

I have two sets of the real small cat eye turn signals. I was planning on putting them thru the holes that were already in the frame as I have seen others do. But now that the flat iron is welded over the top of them the bolt on the flasher would not be long enough to go thru both layers. Now I am leaning towards drilling a hole on the sides of the seat hump and mount them there. On the front I will probably end up drilling a hole in the new headlight brackets and inch or so back from the headlight mounting hole for the front turn signals. Then drilling two small holes thru headlight bucket for the wires to pass through.

Why don't you try borrowing the method JP used on his grass tracker project

http://www.sohc4.us/forums/index.php?topic=16458.0

They look really trick

For my fronts I had a pair of mounting tubes made up with a thread to take the turn signal at one end, and with the same thread as the nuts that hold the head lamp bowl in place on the other, then I put the front turn signals where the big orange reflectors used to be.

doug_id · « **Reply #36 on:** December 27, 2006, 05:32:15 AM »

Quote from: CrisPDuk on December 26, 2006, 05:36:11 PM

Quote from: doug_id on December 26, 2006, 07:14:52 AM
I have two sets of the real small cat eye turn signals. I was planning on putting them thru the holes that were already in the frame as I have seen others do. But now that the flat iron is welded over the top of them the bolt on the flasher would not be long enough to go thru both layers. Now I am leaning towards drilling a hole on the sides of the seat hump and mount them there. On the front I will probably end up drilling a hole in the new headlight brackets and inch or so back from the headlight mounting hole for the front turn signals. Then drilling two small holes thru headlight bucket for the wires to pass through.

Why don't you try borrowing the method JP used on his grass tracker project

http://www.sohc4.us/forums/index.php?topic=16458.0

They look really trick

For my fronts I had a pair of mounting tubes made up with a thread to take the turn signal at one end, and with the same thread as the nuts that hold the head lamp bowl in place on the other, then I put the front turn signals where the big orange reflectors used to be.

Hi Chris....thx for the link and the signal ideas....that sure is a nice looking bike.

Dougy Dougy Dune Buggy · « **Reply #37 on:** December 27, 2006, 12:54:56 PM »

Doug,
I noticed that one of your "Speedline" rocker adjuster covers is missing?? is there a clearance issue or is it just gone?
not to be one to point out the obvious, just curious, i'm going to bead blast mine and clear coat them after
Later,
DWYJ/The "Other" Doug

doug_id · « **Reply #38 on:** December 27, 2006, 02:13:20 PM »

Quote from: DWYJ on December 27, 2006, 12:54:56 PM

Doug,
I noticed that one of your "Speedline" rocker adjuster covers is missing?? is there a clearance issue or is it just gone?
not to be one to point out the obvious, just curious, i'm going to bead blast mine and clear coat them after
Later,
DWYJ/The "Other" Doug

Yeah....I left the one off as I think it will be in the way of the filter I plan to put on the breather tube outlet.

Just a heads up for everyone that if you get the allen bolt kit and try these alternate rocker adjuster covers they don't play real nice together. The taller head of the allen bolts will scrape the side of the covers as they get tightened down.

Doug

doug_id · « **Reply #39 on:** December 28, 2006, 07:23:54 PM »

bill440cars · « **Reply #40 on:** December 28, 2006, 09:21:30 PM »

Quote from: doug_id on December 28, 2006, 07:23:54 PM

Oh yeah, nice touch. That is really a cool

detail.

Later on, Bill

kuyarico · « **Reply #41 on:** December 29, 2006, 06:15:21 AM »

I have to chime in here. I think you surpassed the Noob status a while ago. Nice project you got going on in here. I can't wait to see some pics with Benji's seat and tank combo. I was considering the same for my 550K, but my frame and engine aren't clean enough to be worthy of that kind of treatment. Your thread makes me want to strip it down to the frame and do a full resto. Thanks for putting crazy ideas into my head

doug_id · « **Reply #42 on:** December 29, 2006, 06:27:20 AM »

Quote from: kuyarico on December 29, 2006, 06:15:21 AM

I have to chime in here. I think you surpassed the Noob status a while ago. Nice project you got going on in here. I can't wait to see some pics with Benji's seat and tank combo. I was considering the same for my 550K, but my frame and engine aren't clean enough to be worthy of that kind of treatment. Your thread makes me want to strip it down to the frame and do a full resto. Thanks for putting crazy ideas into my head

Hehe....you are so welcome

Noob in terms of my mechanical experience.....prior to this project changing my oil and sparkplugs was about it for me. So this is a mind altering experience.

doug_id · « **Reply #43 on:** December 30, 2006, 03:26:33 PM »

Got new rubber on the rims(stock size) still need to put in new bearings front and back

Also, started putting the wiring back on with new igition switcn, installed center and side stands, and misc painting.........

scunny · « **Reply #44 on:** December 30, 2006, 03:35:17 PM »

love the spray booth

wish you would slow down, you are making my build look pedestrian

doug_id · « **Reply #45 on:** December 30, 2006, 04:07:17 PM »

Quote from: scunny on December 30, 2006, 03:35:17 PM

love the spray booth
wish you would slow down, you are making my build look pedestrian

Yeah it is high tech for sure.

I have it in my garage and leave a space heater running on the parts for 15 mins or so prior to painting....as well as running the paint can under hot water for a while. We are usually in the 30 degree range this time of year.

mcpuffett · « **Reply #46 on:** December 31, 2006, 07:07:27 AM »

excellent Doug , looking cool keep up the good work and keep the pics posted

, mick.

doug_id · « **Reply #47 on:** January 01, 2007, 11:12:07 AM »

Getting close to painting my tank, seat, and side panels.

Here is what I am thinking.

Like the grey on this bike....

Then stick one of these spider decals on either side of the tank and then apply a couple of layers of clearcoat....

http://www.reflectivedecals.com/blackwidow.htm

Maybe also so two narow black pinstriping rows down the center of the tank and the back of the seat as well as a single pinstripe border around the side panels.

Thinking that would look pretty nice

cafe75-550 · « **Reply #48 on:** January 01, 2007, 03:18:00 PM »

Quote from: doug_id on January 01, 2007, 11:12:07 AM

Thinking that would look pretty nice

Well I for one think it would look pretty good!

Nice Duc! Interesting seat on that one...I like how the "hump" is just attached to the back...frame forms the rest? Got any more pictures of that one?

doug_id · « **Reply #49 on:** January 01, 2007, 05:16:39 PM »

Quote from: cafe75-550 on January 01, 2007, 03:18:00 PM

Quote from: doug_id on January 01, 2007, 11:12:07 AM
Thinking that would look pretty nice

Well I for one think it would look pretty good! Nice Duc! Interesting seat on that one...I like how the "hump" is just attached to the back...frame forms the rest? Got any more pictures of that one?

Sorry, I don't. Just a pic I found on Flickr.

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Author Topic: A Noob's 75 CB550 Cafe Project Thread ------- Stick a fork in it... ;-) (Read 212412 times)

lendog