Author Topic: A Noob's 75 CB550 Cafe Project Thread ------- Stick a fork in it... ;-)  (Read 209542 times)

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Offline doug_id

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Re: A Noob's 75 CB550 Cafe Project Thread
« Reply #150 on: February 08, 2007, 06:15:56 AM »
Thx WJL.......If the thing actually starts and runs ok you will here me whooping and hollering from your house.  ;)   ;D
« Last Edit: February 08, 2007, 06:29:54 AM by doug_id »
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Offline bill440cars

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Re: A Noob's 75 CB550 Cafe Project Thread
« Reply #151 on: February 08, 2007, 08:10:28 AM »


          Doug, that sucker is getting more fantastic looking all the time!! :o 8) When you get ready to fire it up, let me know and I'll open the front door to see if I can hear you when the motor starts up. ;D ;D

          You are doing a great job and, as stated by others, have every right to be proud of your efforts.

                                                             Later on, Bill :) ;) 
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Offline GoatBaSS

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Re: A Noob's 75 CB550 Cafe Project Thread
« Reply #152 on: February 08, 2007, 09:17:02 AM »
Ya eesss Good! Vewy Vewy Good! Inspiring or dejecting depending on which side of the pole i am. :D
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Re: A Noob's 75 CB550 Cafe Project Thread
« Reply #153 on: February 08, 2007, 02:31:02 PM »
I predict a nomination of your bike to the BOTM-poll as soon as you get it finished.
Anyone want to bet against my prediction?

Cheers
Dan

Offline doug_id

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Re: A Noob's 75 CB550 Cafe Project Thread
« Reply #154 on: February 08, 2007, 02:58:17 PM »
I predict a nomination of your bike to the BOTM-poll as soon as you get it finished.
Anyone want to bet against my prediction?

Cheers
Dan

Oh man the pressure!!   ;) 

Does it have to be running to win ???   May be the most expensive piece of garage art in history...... :-[

Exhaust arrived along with new throttle cables and petcock....I be busy tonight  ;D
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Offline doug_id

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off the lift
« Reply #155 on: February 08, 2007, 08:05:37 PM »
I got the new throttle cables, and petcock installed and then attached the tank and seat......Time to take it off the lift and let it stand on its own   ;D

After having it on the lift for so long I can't believe how small it looks and feels with the wheels on the floor  :o :o.   I think I am very glad I went with the drag bars and not the clubmans.  I took the new hagon shocks off and put the stock shocks back on for now.  I went ahead and ordered a taller pair of hagon shocks (13.25in) as the stock length ones I bought are just not gonna work with the bar I welded around the back end. 

PM me if you would like to buy the original pair of hagon shocks......brand new never off the lift.   I paid $179 + tax and shipping for them.   I will sell for $145 + shipping.  I have them packed and ready to go.

Also started installing the exhaust system as well.

few pics........



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Re: A Noob's 75 CB550 Cafe Project Thread
« Reply #156 on: February 09, 2007, 01:09:31 PM »
Will look cool with them peashooters on  8)

About your rearshocks, it might be a good idea to keep the "old" Hagons until the longer ones are fitted and you have checked for any clearance issues.

On the 750 they bolt straight on, but it´s really tight between the swingarm and the 4-4 exhaust.

You also want to check drivechain clearence so that the chain doesn´t rub against the top of the swing arm.

Also remember that you might have to slacken the drivechain a bit more then with standard lenght shocks.

You might also experince some probs with your stand as they tend to get a bit on the short side....

Keep the updates coming!

Cheers
Dan
« Last Edit: February 09, 2007, 01:12:18 PM by DME »

Offline doug_id

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Re: A Noob's 75 CB550 Cafe Project Thread
« Reply #157 on: February 09, 2007, 01:28:21 PM »
Will look cool with them peashooters on  8)

About your rearshocks, it might be a good idea to keep the "old" Hagons until the longer ones are fitted and you have checked for any clearance issues.

On the 750 they bolt straight on, but it´s really tight between the swingarm and the 4-4 exhaust.

You also want to check drivechain clearence so that the chain doesn´t rub against the top of the swing arm.

Also remember that you might have to slacken the drivechain a bit more then with standard lenght shocks.

You might also experince some probs with your stand as they tend to get a bit on the short side....

Keep the updates coming!

Cheers
Dan

Thx Dan,

Good points......The shock issue is the reason I haven't put on the new chain yet.   I guess I should hold onto the shorter shocks just to be safe. 

I am getting so close to being done I can taste it....lol....think I need fight the urge to rush things and continue to make sure I do things right.
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Offline doug_id

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Re: A Noob's 75 CB550 Cafe Project Thread
« Reply #158 on: February 09, 2007, 01:32:33 PM »
SWEET!  Good choice on the pipes.  Looks like somethin off an old Commando or something along those lines.  The bike is awesome.  Period.  But I think the tank needs something, perhaps a black or red Honda wing emblem on the sides of the tank?  Take it or leave it.  Keep the pics comin.

What are you doing for a fork brace?(probably missed that in an earlier post)

Thx.....yea the pipes are going to look sweet on the bike I think.

Not sure what else I want to do in terms of graphics.  I have some black widow decals that I was thinking of putting on either side of the tank or on the side panels.   Probably wait til everything is all put together and then stand back and evaluate cosmetics. 

Doug
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Offline WJL75

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Re: A Noob's 75 CB550 Cafe Project Thread
« Reply #159 on: February 09, 2007, 01:38:14 PM »
Freakin sweet.
wjl75

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Offline doug_id

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Re: A Noob's 75 CB550 Cafe Project Thread
« Reply #160 on: February 09, 2007, 02:01:37 PM »
yeah....that sounds like a good idea....the silver of the tank kind of blends into the engine.....a black edge along bottom of the tank would seperate them better.

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Re: A Noob's 75 CB550 Cafe Project Thread
« Reply #161 on: February 09, 2007, 02:53:51 PM »
If it was my choice I´d go for something like these decals.

The "Norton"-styled lettering would look great together with those peashooter silencers.

The pic is from Carpys site and he sells these for 30 bucks a pair.

I would try to make a lighter looking, less bold version of the same style as these exact ones look a bit too chunky for my taste.

Unfortunately it not my bike so I don´t get to choose  ;)

Cheers
Dan
« Last Edit: February 09, 2007, 02:55:44 PM by DME »

Offline doug_id

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Re: A Noob's 75 CB550 Cafe Project Thread
« Reply #162 on: February 09, 2007, 03:01:10 PM »
If it was my choice I´d go for something like these decals.

The "Norton"-styled lettering would look great together with those peashooter silencers.

The pic is from Carpys site and he sells these for 30 bucks a pair.

I would try to make a lighter looking, less bold version of the same style as these exact ones look a bit too chunky for my taste.

Unfortunately it not my bike so I don´t get to choose  ;)

Cheers
Dan

Ooooooh those are sweet looking!   Ding ding ding.....winner!    8) ;D
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Offline bill440cars

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Re: A Noob's 75 CB550 Cafe Project Thread
« Reply #163 on: February 09, 2007, 03:08:44 PM »

               Boy Doug, That bike is looking Super Cool. I'm wanting to go black with polished edges of the
      fins and maybe polished bolts on my motor. But your motor sure makes me a bit unsure. :-\

         I have to decide to do it like Doug's or Jim's

             

         
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Offline WJL75

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Re: A Noob's 75 CB550 Cafe Project Thread
« Reply #164 on: February 09, 2007, 03:10:22 PM »
I just bought a set in white.  I think it looks pretty good, and it was really easy to apply.
« Last Edit: February 09, 2007, 03:15:49 PM by WJL75 »
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Offline doug_id

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Re: A Noob's 75 CB550 Cafe Project Thread
« Reply #165 on: February 09, 2007, 03:16:45 PM »

               Boy Doug, That bike is looking Super Cool. I'm wanting to go black with polished edges of the
      fins and maybe polished bolts on my motor. But your motor sure makes me a bit unsure. :-\

         I have to decide to do it like Doug's or Jim's

Decisions decisions...... :-\

I like both looks.....I am worried about how my engine paint will hold up.   I have not been able to cure it yet.  I am hoping it will cure when/if the engine gets up to operating temp........but time will tell....it may all wash off the first time I try to clean it...... :o
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Offline bill440cars

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Re: A Noob's 75 CB550 Cafe Project Thread
« Reply #166 on: February 09, 2007, 03:25:51 PM »
I just bought a set in white.  I think it looks pretty good, and it was really easy to apply.

               That look's really cool and I think DME has given Doug a great idea and they will fit right in with that exhaust system.

                                                        Later on, Bill :) ;) 
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Re: A Noob's 75 CB550 Cafe Project Thread
« Reply #167 on: February 09, 2007, 03:27:34 PM »

               Boy Doug, That bike is looking Super Cool. I'm wanting to go black with polished edges of the
      fins and maybe polished bolts on my motor. But your motor sure makes me a bit unsure. :-\

         I have to decide to do it like Doug's or Jim's

Decisions decisions...... :-\

I like both looks.....I am worried about how my engine paint will hold up.   I have not been able to cure it yet.  I am hoping it will cure when/if the engine gets up to operating temp........but time will tell....it may all wash off the first time I try to clean it...... :o

Does that paint still leave a residue on your finger if you rub on it?
How long is now since you painted it?
Crossing my fingers for it holding up  :)

Offline doug_id

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Re: A Noob's 75 CB550 Cafe Project Thread
« Reply #168 on: February 09, 2007, 03:46:19 PM »
Quote
Does that paint still leave a residue on your finger if you rub on it?
How long is now since you painted it?
Crossing my fingers for it holding up  :)

Well, I try to avoid rubbing it.....but the few times I have it does not seem to come off as much as it did......a good sign I hope.   It has been over two months since I painted it.
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Offline doug_id

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Re: A Noob's 75 CB550 Cafe Project Thread
« Reply #169 on: February 09, 2007, 06:35:24 PM »
SWEET!  Good choice on the pipes.  Looks like somethin off an old Commando or something along those lines.  The bike is awesome.  Period.  But I think the tank needs something, perhaps a black or red Honda wing emblem on the sides of the tank?  Take it or leave it.  Keep the pics comin.

What are you doing for a fork brace?(probably missed that in an earlier post)

Fork Brace?........do I need a fork brace?   This will mostly be an around town bike and local back roads.
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Offline doug_id

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Installing pipes
« Reply #170 on: February 09, 2007, 06:43:21 PM »
Got the first side in.   Note to self:  hang the tail pipe first then attach the header pipes not the other way around  :-[

It is a tight fit down between the sidestand bracket and the engine.  The #1 head pipe went in at somewhat of an angle.  I wondering if that will be a problem or if the gasket will take care of it??.....see the first pic.







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Offline ProTeal55

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Re: A Noob's 75 CB550 Cafe Project Thread
« Reply #171 on: February 09, 2007, 07:22:31 PM »
Looking good !
Joe a.k.a ProTeal55 a.k.a JoeyCocks a.k.a Maker of Friends

Offline Roach Carver

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Re: A Noob's 75 CB550 Cafe Project Thread
« Reply #172 on: February 10, 2007, 05:59:47 AM »
definately a botm. Beautiful.

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Re: A Noob's 75 CB550 Cafe Project Thread
« Reply #173 on: February 10, 2007, 06:36:35 AM »
Nice job Doug, those are sharp looking pipes.

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Re: A Noob's 75 CB550 Cafe Project Thread
« Reply #174 on: February 10, 2007, 07:01:11 AM »
The way that pipe for cylinder no 1 fits looks a bit worrying. Is that absolutely the only way it can be fitted?
Is there any kind of baffeling in those silencers?
Could you take a pic of the "inside" from behind?

The stainless steel will yellow and turn into a golden tone when it gets hot and that will look AWESOME!

Cheers
Dan