Author Topic: A Noob's 75 CB550 Cafe Project Thread ------- Stick a fork in it... ;-) (Read 209836 times)

doug_id · « **on:** December 23, 2006, 01:52:14 PM »

Creating a thread to post my "progress". Hopefully somebody might find it useful or good for a laugh.

Many more pictures here..... http://www.flickr.com/photos/doug_goodenough/sets/72157594349938594/

Here is how it looked when I got it home. I was riding it home when the rear tire went flat. I think it has spent a lot of time sitting outside. Only had 7500 miles on the odometer.

more to come.............

doug_id · « **Reply #1 on:** December 23, 2006, 01:57:56 PM »

Now time to get my hands dirty

doug_id · « **Reply #2 on:** December 23, 2006, 02:01:20 PM »

Lots of simple green and scrubbing.......

Got a replacement set of forks off e-bay as these were pretty coroded....

doug_id · « **Reply #3 on:** December 23, 2006, 02:05:12 PM »

Removing the engine......

I took off the manifold bolts on the left 3 cylinderts to make it a little easier.

Wooohoooooo!

doug_id · « **Reply #4 on:** December 23, 2006, 02:10:03 PM »

Used duplicolor high temp paint......I didn't know it needed to be heat cured so not sure how it will hold up until I can get the engine running and hopefully cure the paint that way.

Prep.....

Used chair leg caps from wally world to plug the intake and exhaust ports.

Painted and covers polished....Put on your shades

doug_id · « **Reply #5 on:** December 23, 2006, 02:13:41 PM »

Misc pieces....cleaning, painting, etc......

Cut off seat bracket and chain gaurd mounting points then ground down.

doug_id · « **Reply #6 on:** December 23, 2006, 02:18:16 PM »

New seat and fiberglass tank by Benjie....Great to work with and super product.

here is a link to his web page..... http://www.benjiescaferacer.com/forsale

I had a piece of flat bar bent and then welded to end of my frame to match contour of the new seat....

doug_id · « **Reply #7 on:** December 23, 2006, 02:20:47 PM »

doug_id · « **Reply #8 on:** December 23, 2006, 02:25:43 PM »

I did this myself and was actually pretty easy

Gently laid frame over the engine....

My lil helpers showing me what goes where....

All bolted together and back on the lift....

doug_id · « **Reply #9 on:** December 23, 2006, 02:28:44 PM »

These are new Hagon shocks that I got from these guys.... http://www.davequinnmotorcycles.com/cgi-bin/webc/HAGON_TWIN_SHOCKS.html

I can't get any grease to go into the fittings on the swingarm bolt so I will have to try replacing the fittings.

DME · « **Reply #10 on:** December 23, 2006, 02:31:27 PM »

Looking good, just keep them pics coming

Cheers and merry christmas
Daniel

doug_id · « **Reply #11 on:** December 23, 2006, 02:33:04 PM »

Got the new headlight brackets from these guys .... http://www.mikesxs.com/

Just be sure to put them on before tightening down the forks.....

doug_id · « **Reply #12 on:** December 23, 2006, 02:37:53 PM »

Quote from: DME on December 23, 2006, 02:31:27 PM

Looking good, just keep them pics coming

Cheers and merry christmas
Daniel

Thx Daniel.....if it looks half as good as your bike when I am done I will be happy. It has been a lot of fun so far.

maksuttt · « **Reply #13 on:** December 23, 2006, 02:51:48 PM »

It will be the nice bike in New Year

Good luck in your project and M.C.!

Dougy Dougy Dune Buggy · « **Reply #14 on:** December 23, 2006, 04:57:58 PM »

Thanks for the pix Doug
DWYJ-The "Other" Doug
i got a CB500 & a motor to drop in it, a 550 with under 10,000 that runs fine!
after the new year i'll post pix

jabbadeznuts · « **Reply #15 on:** December 23, 2006, 06:04:36 PM »

WOW!!!

Looks REALLY good so far. I'm in the process of re-painting my tank and side panels over the Christmas break. (I've got a whole MONTH off!!

)

doug_id · « **Reply #16 on:** December 23, 2006, 06:10:29 PM »

Quote from: jabbadeznuts on December 23, 2006, 06:04:36 PM

WOW!!! Looks REALLY good so far. I'm in the process of re-painting my tank and side panels over the Christmas break. (I've got a whole MONTH off!! )

you lucky bastage!

mkramer1121 · « **Reply #17 on:** December 23, 2006, 08:19:40 PM »

For heat curing the engine paint, check with a local powdercoater. The place where I had my frame done said they could bake parts for me free of charge, they just wouldn't do the rattlecan application. Its a thought.

doug_id · « **Reply #18 on:** December 24, 2006, 06:37:34 AM »

now why didn't I think of that

I think if I am careful and don't spill any fuel on the paint I should be ok.......I hope.

doug_id · « **Reply #19 on:** December 24, 2006, 07:03:07 AM »

Thx Wykydtron,

Well, I didn't make it more than a mile from the owners house before the tire blew out on me.....almost wrecked....doh! Was thinking man $200 might have been just to much to pay for this thing....lol. Had to walk home and get my truck and a trailer to get it back. The engine seemed to run nice though for the short time I was on it. I think one of the carbs has stuck floats as there was a pool of gas under the bike. Hopefully soaking the carbs in cleaner for a while will fix that. I am trying to avoid having to do a complete teardown of the carbs.

I have some new tubes and tires for it but haven't put them on yet so I don't know what I will find when I take the old tires off.

Doug

jalfonso · « **Reply #20 on:** December 24, 2006, 07:53:20 AM »

Doug,

Your bike is turning out great! Just keep posting the pictures.

John

ProTeal55 · « **Reply #21 on:** December 24, 2006, 12:27:51 PM »

Quote from: doug_id on December 23, 2006, 02:18:16 PM

I had a piece of flat bar bent and then welded to end of my frame to match contour of the new seat....

Killer project, with great attention to detail !
One question though - aren't you worried about clearance with that piece of flat bar making "love"
to your rear tire ? I don't know if you are planning on lowering the bike or not, thus my question...

doug_id · « **Reply #22 on:** December 24, 2006, 01:21:24 PM »

Quote from: ProTeal55 on December 24, 2006, 12:27:51 PM

Quote from: doug_id on December 23, 2006, 02:18:16 PM
I had a piece of flat bar bent and then welded to end of my frame to match contour of the new seat....
Killer project, with great attention to detail !
One question though - aren't you worried about clearance with that piece of flat bar making "love"
to your rear tire ? I don't know if you are planning on lowering the bike or not, thus my question...

Thx Proteal,

Yeah.... after I got it back and then started looking at others project pics I realized it was going to be closer to the tire than I thought. Not planning on lowering bike so will have to see. Worst case I will grind the flat bar so it tapers down at the very back.

gregwaits · « **Reply #23 on:** December 24, 2006, 03:52:50 PM »

Very nice Doug! I should be so successful in my CB500 rebuild. I have lost momentum on my project!

doug_id · « **Reply #24 on:** December 24, 2006, 05:25:21 PM »

Quote from: gregwaits on December 24, 2006, 03:52:50 PM

Very nice Doug! I should be so successful in my CB500 rebuild. I have lost momentum on my project!

Read this in some post on the board and it has worked for me........Always do at least one piece or procedure a day......I try not to think about all the steps....just the next couple.

So far has worked pretty good for me.

Good luck!

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Author Topic: A Noob's 75 CB550 Cafe Project Thread ------- Stick a fork in it... ;-) (Read 209836 times)