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

[doug_id]

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

I have some extra exhaust gaskets so I think I might loosen everything up a bit and see if I can coax it in a little straigher.   Yea.....the headers should turn a nice color.

I am not sure on baffeling.  I think Benjie's web page some something about fiberglass but not sure.   I will try to get a pic for you looking down into the tailpipe.  I will also get a flashlight out and take a look with that.

Doug

[Jugghead]

I agree with you and DME  about the off centered angle of the number one header.  I think (and this is un unexperienced opinon) thaat that pipe should be in there more straight.  If you go back and look at the pic benji sent you of the mounted on one of his bikes i think you will probably see that it is in square to the engine.
That bike looks great and may just change my mind about how I feel regarding cafe styling!
Great work!

[doug_id]

took off the #1 header pipe and installed it back and was able to get it centered better in the collar.....From the looks of it now it made a good seal with the gasket.   

Tried to take some pics of the interior of the pipe.....looks like about 8in or so into the pipe is some perforated metal.......I guess that is the baffling or ??

[doug_id]

oh yea....it feels fast even standing sill.....hehe!   

[WJL75]

Nice pics....now fire it up!!!

[SClay115]

I think out of the whole thread, that picture is the best. Been following this as much as I can, amazing job BTW. And I can't wait until I can tuck onto my project bike and make engine sounds, and I know you did.  The anticipation of riding it is killing me, I'm sure it's gotta be awesome being on it when it's so close to completion.

Steve

[lassenc]

Nice, pipes, where do they come from?

Personal opinion, rear sets! Looks great and will give you a better seating

[chung]

You can insert something into the headpipe and tweak them around a little bit to get a better fit at the head. (wooden closet rod ect)
It's pretty easy on a single walled pipe.

[doug_id]

I think out of the whole thread, that picture is the best. Been following this as much as I can, amazing job BTW. And I can't wait until I can tuck onto my project bike and make engine sounds, and I know you did.  The anticipation of riding it is killing me, I'm sure it's gotta be awesome being on it when it's so close to completion.

Steve

Raaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiineeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeer Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeer!    

Yep.....made some engine noises.....my son thought I was pretty strange....course he thinks that most of the time   

[doug_id]

Nice, pipes, where do they come from?

Personal opinion, rear sets! Looks great and will give you a better seating

Hi,

Benjie over at http://www.benjiescaferacer.com/index.html   made them.

Yea, I have a pair of used rearsets off an RC51 that I plan on putting on eventually. 

[doug_id]

Nice pics....now fire it up!!!

Liftoff is scheduled for sometime next week! 

[mikeb4]

Hey Doug, super job on the bike!  I have been away awhile and just read through all the threads....very well done!

Just a tip on the front brake switch, you can use a pressure switch that simply replaces the banjo bolt at the master cylinder and PRESTO!  brake light switch without any clutter.  Here is a auction number to one on eBay, just cut and paste the number in the search slot- Item number: 140083683183.  It will just plug in to the same terminals the original switch did in the headlight.

I am using a double banjo version on my CR750 build due to the dual disc brake GL1000 front end I am using. 

Keep up the great work!  can't wait to hear how she sounds!    Mike

Finally got new wheel bearings in front and back wheels so am in the process of getting those put back on now.     I am thinking the extra long brake line I have will reach the master cylinder ok.   I decided to bypass the middle piece that signals the brake light.  I always slow with both front and rear brakes so the rear sending unit should be fine by itself.   I will also be painting the metal pipe black once I get the brake line bled.  The light surface rust on the chrome rims cleaned up pretty nicely using fine steel wool.  I will also wax them to hopefully slow down the rust from returning.

Few pics......

[doug_id]

Hey Doug, super job on the bike!  I have been away awhile and just read through all the threads....very well done!

Just a tip on the front brake switch, you can use a pressure switch that simply replaces the banjo bolt at the master cylinder and PRESTO!  brake light switch without any clutter.  Here is a auction number to one on eBay, just cut and paste the number in the search slot- Item number: 140083683183.  It will just plug in to the same terminals the original switch did in the headlight.

I am using a double banjo version on my CR750 build due to the dual disc brake GL1000 front end I am using. 

Keep up the great work!  can't wait to hear how she sounds!    Mike

Hi Mike.....thx for the tip.....I am using a used master cylinder off of a more modern bike........and I just realized it has two conectors on it for the brake light....doh!    

Guess I need to open up the headlight bucker again and make those connections.

[bill440cars]

        Doug, I don't know what else to say, that hasn't already been said. So I'll just "DITTO" the comments that others and I have already said. Now, what I want to know is, What is your NEXT project gonna be, when you wind this one up? Bike builds are kinda like potato chips, aren't they?
"You Can't Eat Just One" (You Can't Do Just One Build?)     Well, I guess this case is different because this bike is just so Fantastic Looking that maybe it should count the same as 2 builds!

                                                   Later on, Bill

[Tim.]

gotta add to the compliments - nice bike.  in my opinion, the best possible choice for a decal on the tank would be the ol' style Honda logo.

The thing is a Honda, not a Norton (no offense intended), and it looks like a Honda race bike, just without the 3/4 fairing.

http://www.m3racing.com/products/decal1.html

[DME]

gotta add to the compliments - nice bike.  in my opinion, the best possible choice for a decal on the tank would be the ol' style Honda logo.

The thing is a Honda, not a Norton (no offense intended), and it looks like a Honda race bike, just without the 3/4 fairing.

http://www.m3racing.com/products/decal1.html

Good call, Tintin 
You´re right, I would also prefer the Honda-wing over my earlier suggestion.
Would look great 

Cheers
Dan

[doug_id]

        Doug, I don't know what else to say, that hasn't already been said. So I'll just "DITTO" the comments that others and I have already said. Now, what I want to know is, What is your NEXT project gonna be, when you wind this one up? Bike builds are kinda like potato chips, aren't they?
"You Can't Eat Just One" (You Can't Do Just One Build?)     Well, I guess this case is different because this bike is just so Fantastic Looking that maybe it should count the same as 2 builds!

                                                   Later on, Bill

Thx much Bill,

Well, I still have a fair amount of work to do on this one   .  Even after I get it running I will need to give it a thourough tuneup at least.  I ordered a morgan carb tool to help with the carb sync.  I will probably have to play with the jetting though I dread the thought of that  .  Also I need to adjust valves and I have a dyna S I want to install to replace the points, etc.  Then trying to figure a good way to mount those rearsets.  Also I need to check the alignment of the wheels if I can figure that whole process out. 

I would like to do another rebuild at some point if my wallet can take it......I think for the rest of this year though I just want to RIDE..   

[doug_id]

gotta add to the compliments - nice bike.  in my opinion, the best possible choice for a decal on the tank would be the ol' style Honda logo.

The thing is a Honda, not a Norton (no offense intended), and it looks like a Honda race bike, just without the 3/4 fairing.

http://www.m3racing.com/products/decal1.html

Hi TinTin,

Yea that is a good looking sticker for sure!   I already ordered a set of the others however.  I really like them as well.  Have to see when I get them on.  Not trying to hide the "Hondaness"  of my project just that the Honda in the old english style font really appealed to me.      England was the birthplace of the whole cafe style right?

Doug

[doug_id]

Well, following the advice given by ohiocaferacer in this thread..... http://www.tonup.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1284

I am trying to mount some RC51 rearsets on my CB project.   I might have to do so drilling the the passenger peg mounting bracket to get it to work as there is not enough room on the frame rails to attach both of the frame clamps.

Does anybody know what the piece is called that clamps down on the shift rod in this picture.  I need to find 1 of these on dennis kirk but don't know what to search for.



Thx!
Doug

[DME]

Dont know if you can find that piece somewhere.
If you dont you can always buy a used stock shiftpedal, cut it to desired lenght and use that instead.

Cheers
Dan

[SClay115]

Well, following the advice given by ohiocaferacer in this thread..... http://www.tonup.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1284

I am trying to mount some RC51 rearsets on my CB project.   I might have to do so drilling the the passenger peg mounting bracket to get it to work as there is not enough room on the frame rails to attach both of the frame clamps.

Does anybody know what the piece is called that clamps down on the shift rod in this picture.  I need to find 1 of these on dennis kirk but don't know what to search for.



Thx!
Doug

Are you talking about the lever that actually attaches to the shift rod on the the transmission side? If so, I saw this on either another forum or another thread. But usually those levers are aluminum, and soft, I believe(my CB350 is) the shift selector is steel. You might see where I'm going with this. Deal was, get any lever, just something that is close, or smaller than the 550 shaft. Drill out the lever so it just barely doesn't fit, and well, for lack of a better word, hammer it on there, it will basically spline itself.

Now, I'm not sure if this is a good way, or the best way, just one that I've seen. And is what I'll probably be doing on my CB project, as finding a lever for that trans shaft might be difficult. And if the rearsets from a modern sport bike come with that lever, then why not try to use it. But like DME said, you can use the stock lever, just have to fiddle with it.

Steve

[Roach Carver]

I cut up a stock shift lever. it is steel and the correct spline for the trans. I would be leery of hammering an aluminum one on and just tightening it. I have had bikes where the shifter was loose and over a period it can put some wear and slop on the setup.My 2 cents is to get the right one and be done with it.

[doug_id]

Thx everyone,

Yea chopping the existing shift lever sounds like a plan.   Cheap and easy to get another one if it doesn't work out.

Doug

[SClay115]

I cut up a stock shift lever. it is steel and the correct spline for the trans. I would be leery of hammering an aluminum one on and just tightening it. I have had bikes where the shifter was loose and over a period it can put some wear and slop on the setup.My 2 cents is to get the right one and be done with it.

Yeah like I said, not my idea or have even tried it...So just wanted to make that clear. That is all.

Steve

[doug_id]

Finally the exhaust clamps I needed to put the other side of the exhaust on arrived...yeha!   

Also the taller shocks (13.25in) came in as well....I think that height wil be perfect.  The clearance above the bike tire is much better and the center stand still works. 

Some pics.........