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

[Roach Carver]

trash hung up between the needle and seat

[TwoTired]

Block the throttle wide open (not from the bores) and carefully push out the emulsion tubes next to the slide needles.  They come out the main jet hole.  Clean the small holes in that tube before reassembly.  Also, replace the orings on the main jets, unless the ones you have are completely resilient.  Same for the o ring on the float needle seat if you are removing that.  Basicaly replace any old oring you disturb with dissassembly as they won't reseal.  If you haven't already, remove the slow jet a verify light will pass through them.  If there is any crud builup behind th slow jets, make sure you clean that passageway, too.

Cheers,

[bill440cars]

         Doug, I just got through going through your progress from the start up until now and I can honestly tell you that you went past the Noob stage a long time ago.! The bike of yours is an incredible build. It is so fantastic. All the detailing and features of the bike just set me back! I have to ask about your tires. I think I recognized them as Dunlops and then I think I saw the Dunlop name on one of them . To me, they look similar to the K70s of old. If you don't mind, exactly what are they and where did you get them? I won't be rude and ask how much they cost. You keep up the good work and I promise, we'll keep watching.

                                                      Later on, Bill

[doug_id]

Block the throttle wide open (not from the bores) and carefully push out the emulsion tubes next to the slide needles.  They come out the main jet hole.  Clean the small holes in that tube before reassembly.  Also, replace the orings on the main jets, unless the ones you have are completely resilient.  Same for the o ring on the float needle seat if you are removing that.  Basicaly replace any old oring you disturb with dissassembly as they won't reseal.  If you haven't already, remove the slow jet a verify light will pass through them.  If there is any crud builup behind th slow jets, make sure you clean that passageway, too.

Cheers,

Thx for the tips TwoTired.   I will do that.   I will need to find some replacement o-rings.....not sure my rebuild kits came with those or not.

Doug

[doug_id]

         Doug, I just got through going through your progress from the start up until now and I can honestly tell you that you went past the Noob stage a long time ago.! The bike of yours is an incredible build. It is so fantastic. All the detailing and features of the bike just set me back! I have to ask about your tires. I think I recognized them as Dunlops and then I think I saw the Dunlop name on one of them . To me, they look similar to the K70s of old. If you don't mind, exactly what are they and where did you get them? I won't be rude and ask how much they cost. You keep up the good work and I promise, we'll keep watching.

                                                      Later on, Bill

Hi Bill,  Good eye on the tires....they are dunlop K70's.

I got them from American Motorcyle tire.   Not sure if they are the cheapest around but I have purchased from them a few times and always had good service.

Link.... http://www.americanmototire.com/  then do search on k70 to find them.

Thx for the compliment on my project.....I am trying.  Been soooooo damn cold here (idaho) the last week or so I haven't wanted to be in the garage.......guess in a way it's a good thing as it forced me to start working on the carbs in the basement which I have been putting off.   

Doug

[bill440cars]

          Hey Doug,
 
                    Thanks for the info and the link to the tires. I've always been partial to the K70s and Pirelli had a tire that was similar, back in the day, also. I'm with ya on the cold stuff. I don't know if it's cause I'm getting soft or just getting older, but it gets harder for me to get interested in doing much of anything, if I'm cold. I'm probably gonna check that tire place out cause I sure do like the K70s and I think they help with the vintage look also.  Thanks again and keep up the good work, when you can.

                                                                 Later on, Bill

[doug_id]

          Hey Doug,
 
                    Thanks for the info and the link to the tires. I've always been partial to the K70s and Pirelli had a tire that was similar, back in the day, also. I'm with ya on the cold stuff. I don't know if it's cause I'm getting soft or just getting older, but it gets harder for me to get interested in doing much of anything, if I'm cold. I'm probably gonna check that tire place out cause I sure do like the K70s and I think they help with the vintage look also.  Thanks again and keep up the good work, when you can.

                                                                 Later on, Bill

Sure thing....your welcome.   

I like the look of the tires as well.....hopefully they will be ok on performance.   

It has struggled to get out of the single digits here which is very unusual.   Grabbing cold steel tools and knocking/scraping knuckles just plain hurts at those temps!   

[bill440cars]

         Those K70s worked pretty well back when so, I would think that they'd be fine now. I'm gonna give them a shot myself. Some of these tires I see now days might do the trick but, to me, some just look out of place on an old bike, ya know? Guess it's all a matter of opinion and all.

         Compared to you, we're having a heat wave at 21 degrees. I'm waiting for something, at least, in the 50's or so.

                                                     Later on, Bill   

[doug_id]

Finally warmed up a little here so am back at it in the garage.   Decided to go with an old chrome headlight bucket I got off e-bay instead of the stock black one.  Thinking I don't like the black plastic cat eye turn signals now though.   Will see if I can find some chrome ones I like.   Have the all in one control (minus starter button) on the left and a new clutch perch.  I had planned on drilling the handlebar in order to run the wires but the thing is already so close to the headlight bucket that I don't think I will bother.   I will probably put a starer button hanging off the idiot light cluster somehow.  I like the bar end mirrors but the clutch and brake levers contact them when pulled in.  I will just cut off the end of each lever to fix that.   Then I bought the used master cylinder off e-bay.   It takes up much less room on the bar compared to the stock one and hopefully will provide better braking.

Next I will be trying to connect all the wires in the headlight bucket........ 

Anyway here are some pics..........

[bill440cars]

             Doug,
                       The more I see, the more I like. You keep up the good work and we'll keep on looking
              and admiring.

                                                           Later on, Bill  

[medic09]

Man, you are giving me one serious inferiority complex!   

NICE WORK, THERE.

[CrisPDuk]

This build just get's better & better

Now I'm really going to have to up my game when my project starts

I'm liking this switch unit a lot, much neater than stock where did you get it?

[doug_id]

Thx everyone for the encouragement.   I am happy with the way things are going on the handlebars.  Not more than a few mm's to spare on the right side with the narrow drag bars. 

Cris here is a link to the switch......  http://offroad.parts-unlimited.com/20/216/2812922?q=2106-0010

I ordered it from my local honda dealer as I don't think these guys sell direct to the public.   

Doug

[doug_id]

wooohooooo......got the wiring working with the new all in one switch with a little help from a friend      Oh man I was dreading that....what a relief!

Now just need to make it all pretty and pack it in good in the bucket.

[doug_id]

Benjie just e-mailed me a few pics of the stainless exhaust system he made for my 550 so thought I would share them.   

http://www.benjiescaferacer.com/index.html

[CrisPDuk]

 

I've been looking at that exhaust myself on Benji's website, but there is some strange stretching effect going on the photos on that site

Looks real sweet in decent pics, I'm wanting one even more now

Whether I can justify paying more for two pipes than I payed for the Bike is a subject I've yet to raise with the domestic authority

Keep us updated on what it's fit is like when you get it, and more importantly, it's sound

[doug_id]

I've been looking at that exhaust myself on Benji's website, but there is some strange stretching effect going on the photos on that site

Looks real sweet in decent pics, I'm wanting one even more now

Whether I can justify paying more for two pipes than I payed for the Bike is a subject I've yet to raise with the domestic authority

Keep us updated on what it's fit is like when you get it, and more importantly, it's sound

Yea, not sure what is with the pics but most are distorted somehow.

I try not to to keep track of how much I am spending on this project......I sleep better that way   

Doug

[WJL75]

Those pipes are exactly what I want on my bike.  I have always liked the pea shooter pipes, but cannot find them anywhere but at his site.  A few weeks ago I was bidding on ebay for a similar set from the 70's, but stopped bidding at $500 figuring that If I was going to spent more, I'd rather get it from BCR.  I am looking seriously at the seat/tank combo that he has for the 550 though.

By the way, your bike is turning out great.  Keep up the quality work.

[bill440cars]

                Cool pipes! They have the Norton Peashooters look. Some of you folks know what I'm talking
         about.

                                                        Later on, Bill

[Dougy Dougy Dune Buggy]

Hey Doug what kind of tires did you use?? i'm trying to find a set of Dunlop Gold Seals or something almost exactly like yours..i have Boranni Rims, 19" front and rear so i'd like different profiles like a 4.10 for the rear and something like a 2.75/3.00 for the front..your
front looks like a Gold Seal?? i'm a ways behind you for sure but as soon as it warms a bit, i'll be out there in mANTOWN as the wife calls it!
Thanks, awesome bike Doug!!
later, DWYJ/Doug

[doug_id]

Those pipes are exactly what I want on my bike.  I have always liked the pea shooter pipes, but cannot find them anywhere but at his site.  A few weeks ago I was bidding on ebay for a similar set from the 70's, but stopped bidding at $500 figuring that If I was going to spent more, I'd rather get it from BCR.  I am looking seriously at the seat/tank combo that he has for the 550 though.

By the way, your bike is turning out great.  Keep up the quality work.

Yeah they are sweet looking pipes......I will post more pics when they arrive.

[doug_id]

Hey Doug what kind of tires did you use?? i'm trying to find a set of Dunlop Gold Seals or something almost exactly like yours..i have Boranni Rims, 19" front and rear so i'd like different profiles like a 4.10 for the rear and something like a 2.75/3.00 for the front..your
front looks like a Gold Seal?? i'm a ways behind you for sure but as soon as it warms a bit, i'll be out there in mANTOWN as the wife calls it!
Thanks, awesome bike Doug!!
later, DWYJ/Doug

Hi Dwyj,

Here is the lowdown on the tires.....

they are dunlop K70's.

I got them from American Motorcyle tire.   Not sure if they are the cheapest around but I have purchased from them a few times and always had good service.

Link.... http://www.americanmototire.com/  then do search on k70 to find them.

Doug

[doug_id]

Put the carbs back on the bike today.   

Not sure I got them seated all the way.   I wigled them and wigled them but I could not close this gap......


I assume the carb bodies should be up tight against the rubber part and there should not be the gap there??
Even if I close the gap I still don't think the pod filters are going to be due to the outer frame rails.   

(update....managed to push them in all the way.....the stinking filters are still to tall.....ah more money!   )

Few more pics........

[CrisPDuk]

                Cool pipes! They have the Norton Peashooters look. Some of you folks know what I'm talking
         about.

                                                        Later on, Bill

I actually thought Enfield rather than Norton when I first saw it, but I suppose it just depends which you grew up drooling over

[bill440cars]

                Cool pipes! They have the Norton Peashooters look. Some of you folks know what I'm talking
         about.

                                                        Later on, Bill

I actually thought Enfield rather than Norton when I first saw it, but I suppose it just depends which you grew up drooling over

            Never saw any Royal Enfields with those type of mufflers and I grew up around the British bikes of the 50's, 60's and up. Only place I saw the "Pea Shooters" were on the Norton Commandos.
Just telling what I've seen.

                                                           Later on, Bill