Author Topic: A Noob's 75 CB550 Cafe Project Thread ------- Stick a fork in it... ;-) (Read 209775 times)

doug_id · « **Reply #550 on:** April 02, 2007, 05:49:08 PM »

Quote from: chrisf on April 02, 2007, 05:00:50 PM

I love what you did with the front fender. Do you mind if I copy it?

--Chris

Sure......you ok as I haven't filed a patent quite yet.

doug_id · « **Reply #551 on:** April 02, 2007, 05:54:00 PM »

Quote from: kine8282 on April 02, 2007, 05:27:31 PM

Doug,

Great to see that you got your scoot on the road! I've been busy with my own 550 (not even close to looking at nice as yours) and noticed that you added a chrome housing trim to your BCR tail light...where did you get that? Did that mine looks unfinished and I really liked how yours turned out. Also...what lengths do you have on your thottle and clutch cables? I have drag bars on mine too and would like to cut my research time if you don't mine.

Bike looks awesome man

Yea it is sooooo nice to be riding finally. It is a hoot to ride.

I picked up the chrome taillight from Carpy. http://www.cb750cafe.com/parts.php?id=49

I had to do some minor mods to get it installed......let me know if you order one and I will pm you some pics of what I did. Yea, I think it looks nicer than the plain one.

Hmmmm if memory is correct I went 27.5inchecs on the throttle cables. At that length they are still a little on the long side but work fine. I just wanted to make sure they were not to short.

Doug

andy750 · « **Reply #552 on:** April 03, 2007, 05:40:04 AM »

Hey Doug, bikes looking great and some nice riding pics there. All your hard and persistent work has certainly paid off - I was definitely impressed by your patience!! enjoy your bike!

cheers
Andy

edbikerii · « **Reply #553 on:** May 26, 2007, 07:48:48 PM »

Wykdtron: My cylinder head cover broke in exactly the same spot as yours. I must have broken it when I changed the head gasket. I had a spare from a parts bike sitting around, so decided to use that. When I examined the cover, it had been broken in exactly the same spot as well! Some previous owner (of my parts bike) had welded and machined the area flat again. Hopefully, he did a good job, because I reinstalled the cover tonight. Tomorrow I'll adjust the tappets and then see how it all holds together.

Doug_id: Did your replacement finally seal your oil leak? Did it ever quiet down?

Quote from: Wykydtron on February 28, 2007, 07:03:23 PM

Whew! You lucked out. Heres mine, mirror image, look how similar the break is though. I highlighted the cam followers. I think the one TT is referring to as galling is the intake rocker for #1. I may be wrong but Im sure he'll be back to specify.

doug_id · « **Reply #554 on:** May 28, 2007, 07:06:30 AM »

Quote from: edbikerii on May 26, 2007, 07:48:48 PM

Doug_id: Did your replacement finally seal your oil leak? Did it ever quiet down?

Hi,

Yes, the new cam cover and gasket did fix the oil leak

I am not sure on the sound. Until I can hear one myself that is in good tune and running condition I guess I will consider mine to be normal. I will be checking the valve clearance again soon just to make sure everything is still fine there.

Good luck,
Doug

edbikerii · « **Reply #555 on:** May 28, 2007, 07:11:38 AM »

I'm afraid my welded replacement might still be leaking.

I just cleaned the engine off again, and will re-apply foot powder spray when it dries.

I'm sorry I couldn't tell too much from your video with respect to the engine noise. It just isn't definitive enough via computer speakers. I'm happy you managed to solve that leak, though.

Beautiful bike, by the way. Have you gotten many miles in on her since?

Quote from: doug_id on May 28, 2007, 07:06:30 AM

Quote from: edbikerii on May 26, 2007, 07:48:48 PM

Doug_id: Did your replacement finally seal your oil leak? Did it ever quiet down?

Hi,

Yes, the new cam cover and gasket did fix the oil leak

I am not sure on the sound. Until I can hear one myself that is in good tune and running condition I guess I will consider mine to be normal. I will be checking the valve clearance again soon just to make sure everything is still fine there.

Good luck,
Doug

bill440cars · « **Reply #556 on:** May 28, 2007, 08:36:15 AM »

Hey Doug,

Been wondering how that 550's been treating you, haven't heard much since your bike got the BOTM. Hope the bike hasn't gotten a bit uppity since the BOTM thing!

My 550 project has slowed up to accommodate the 750/sidecar & the parts scrounging for the CB77 Super Hawk. You take care.

Later on, Bill

doug_id · « **Reply #557 on:** May 28, 2007, 08:56:26 AM »

Quote from: bill440cars on May 28, 2007, 08:36:15 AM

Hey Doug,

Been wondering how that 550's been treating you, haven't heard much since your bike got the BOTM. Hope the bike hasn't gotten a bit uppity since the BOTM thing! My 550 project has slowed up to accommodate the 750/sidecar & the parts scrounging for the CB77 Super Hawk. You take care.

Later on, Bill

Hi Bill,

No, the 550 is still treating me well and running great....I have been out on a few vacations over the last month so have not been riding it as much as I would like. Finally got a new battery for it. I will just be putting a trickle charger on it every week or so to keep the charge up. Also going to try increasing the spark plug gap a tad since I have the dyna-s with the 3ohm coils.

Good luck with your super hawk project!

Doug

bill440cars · « **Reply #558 on:** May 28, 2007, 09:56:02 AM »

Quote from: doug_id on May 28, 2007, 08:56:26 AM

Hi Bill,

No, the 550 is still treating me well and running great....I have been out on a few vacations over the last month so have not been riding it as much as I would like. Finally got a new battery for it. I will just be putting a trickle charger on it every week or so to keep the charge up. Also going to try increasing the spark plug gap a tad since I have the dyna-s with the 3ohm coils.

Good luck with your super hawk project!

Doug

Good to hear that you and the bike are doing well.

LOL with your ignition deal.
On the Super Hawk deal, thanks, I'm hoping to make a decent runner out of it. Anything would be better than it is right now.

Later on, Bill

mmtsquid · « **Reply #559 on:** May 30, 2007, 10:56:31 AM »

Hey all - another noob here!
Just bought my first bike - 77 CB550K with 2800 miles on it. PO had cleaned the bike up somewhat, but I really don't care for the color (I'll post pics later). Bike didn't run, but because of the fine advice on this site, I was able to get the carbs off and cleaned, and put back together.
And holy crap, it runs!
Not perfect, lots of tuning necessary, but I'm so proud!
I have a question relative to the air pods I see installed on this bike - I really like the look, and I understand you get a slight performance gain, but what holds the carbs up now? Is it just the front rubber pieces that hold it in place, or is there something else keeping them steady?

doug_id · « **Reply #560 on:** May 30, 2007, 11:13:25 AM »

Quote from: mmtsquid on May 30, 2007, 10:56:31 AM

Hey all - another noob here!
Just bought my first bike - 77 CB550K with 2800 miles on it. PO had cleaned the bike up somewhat, but I really don't care for the color (I'll post pics later). Bike didn't run, but because of the fine advice on this site, I was able to get the carbs off and cleaned, and put back together.
And holy crap, it runs!
Not perfect, lots of tuning necessary, but I'm so proud!
I have a question relative to the air pods I see installed on this bike - I really like the look, and I understand you get a slight performance gain, but what holds the carbs up now? Is it just the front rubber pieces that hold it in place, or is there something else keeping them steady?

Cool.....congrats!

Yep just the rubber boots....more than strong enough to hold them in place.

Doug

mmtsquid · « **Reply #561 on:** May 30, 2007, 11:39:23 AM »

Great! I'll order some of those immediately - uh, what kind are they and where did you get them? (I know that info was posted, but this is a VERY long thread!)

doug_id · « **Reply #562 on:** May 30, 2007, 01:15:53 PM »

Quote from: mmtsquid on May 30, 2007, 11:39:23 AM

Great! I'll order some of those immediately - uh, what kind are they and where did you get them? (I know that info was posted, but this is a VERY long thread!)

They are uni pod filters.....I picked mine up from dennis kirk...

http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/product_catalog/Product.jsp?skuId=30814&store=Main&catId=413&productId=p30815&leafCatId=41302&mmyId=9297

I am still running a little rich with them on my bike but that is most likely due to partially clogged emulsion tubes in the carbs. Every other tank or so of gas I have been adding some seafoam to hopefully help clean those tubes out a tad. Can you tell I don't want to pull my carbs again

GL!
Doug

doug_id · « **Reply #563 on:** May 30, 2007, 01:18:59 PM »

Quote

Yo Doug! Glad the bike is treating you nicely, god knows it owes it to ya.

Quote

Hi Wykydtron!

Yea she is treating me pretty good right now.....enjoying the ride

I did notice that the paint on my tank is wearing thin where my knee's rub against it. Looks like the @#$@ place that painted my tank only put 1 coat on when I told them I wanted at least 2....

This goes to show if you want it done right do it yourself.

I will probably pull everything off and repaint in my garage this fall before it gets to cold.

You getting some riding in??

Doug

kuyarico · « **Reply #564 on:** May 30, 2007, 01:21:59 PM »

Do a search on Pods. They may be more trouble than their worth. That being said. I have them on both of my bikes, a 78 550K and a 76 750 F. The 550 runs amazingly well while the 750 doesn't like the pods too much. It's been an excercise of patience in the art of jetting and carb tuning.

dagersh · « **Reply #565 on:** May 30, 2007, 02:12:16 PM »

Doug,

You should look into using a 3M invisible bra at the friction areas. It is virtually invisible and will do a great job prtecting the paint from wear. It can be cut to any shape,a nd just goes on with some very dilute detergent and a squeegie. My buddy just put it on his Porsche, and it works great.

Gersh

greenjeans · « **Reply #566 on:** May 30, 2007, 02:24:14 PM »

I did notice that the paint on my tank is wearing thin where my knee's rub against it. Looks like the @#$@ place that painted my tank only put 1 coat on when I told them I wanted at least 2....

Doug, I'd take the tank back to the guy and have him spray some coats of clear on it before you wear through it... he shouldn't have to do much but scuff it and shoot some more clear.... saves you the trouble. Have him load it up with several coats.... He should do it for next to nothing (for free if he has any sense of customer service)

mmtsquid · « **Reply #567 on:** May 31, 2007, 05:27:31 AM »

Doug - your bike is AMAZING!
While I love the cafe style, I'm planning on using mine as a daily driver, so I probably won't get nearly as radical as you have. HOWEVER, there are definitely some ideas I want to steal from you!
Like the paint on the engine - looks great, and a relatively inexpensive (in money, not sweat) way to add some wow to an old bike.
My question is, did you take everything apart and paint individually, or mask all of the openings and paint as a unit?
What kind of paint and where did you get it?
How long should it be baked?

Sorry if some of the questions seem stupid, but I'm as green as they come..........

doug_id · « **Reply #568 on:** May 31, 2007, 05:41:40 AM »

Quote from: mmtsquid on May 31, 2007, 05:27:31 AM

Doug - your bike is AMAZING!
While I love the cafe style, I'm planning on using mine as a daily driver, so I probably won't get nearly as radical as you have. HOWEVER, there are definitely some ideas I want to steal from you!
Like the paint on the engine - looks great, and a relatively inexpensive (in money, not sweat) way to add some wow to an old bike.
My question is, did you take everything apart and paint individually, or mask all of the openings and paint as a unit?
What kind of paint and where did you get it?
How long should it be baked?

Sorry if some of the questions seem stupid, but I'm as green as they come..........

Hi and thx...

Actually, if you look at the bottom of page 1 of this thread you will see how I painted the engine and what I used......also there are many other threads here about engine painting with tons of great info.

Try the search function.....it is your friend.

Good luck with your project,
Doug

doug_id · « **Reply #569 on:** May 31, 2007, 05:43:30 AM »

Quote from: greenjeans on May 30, 2007, 02:24:14 PM

Doug, I'd take the tank back to the guy and have him spray some coats of clear on it before you wear through it... he shouldn't have to do much but scuff it and shoot some more clear.... saves you the trouble. Have him load it up with several coats.... He should do it for next to nothing (for free if he has any sense of customer service)

Hi Greenjeans,

Yea, good advice.......I will try that....just got to remember to keep my cool and be nice about it.....

Doug

mmtsquid · « **Reply #570 on:** May 31, 2007, 06:05:36 AM »

Thanks Doug!
The pics definitely help!

mrbreeze · « **Reply #571 on:** June 02, 2007, 11:16:32 AM »

Quote from: doug_id on May 30, 2007, 11:13:25 AM

Quote from: mmtsquid on May 30, 2007, 10:56:31 AM
Hey all - another noob here!
Just bought my first bike - 77 CB550K with 2800 miles on it. PO had cleaned the bike up somewhat, but I really don't care for the color (I'll post pics later). Bike didn't run, but because of the fine advice on this site, I was able to get the carbs off and cleaned, and put back together.
And holy crap, it runs!
Not perfect, lots of tuning necessary, but I'm so proud!
I have a question relative to the air pods I see installed on this bike - I really like the look, and I understand you get a slight performance gain, but what holds the carbs up now? Is it just the front rubber pieces that hold it in place, or is there something else keeping them steady?
I thought the same thing about the boots being strong enough and I have been running mine for 2-3 years now but now that I have my front end off and gas tank,I noticed that when you crack the throttle,it does put pressure on the boots and you can actually see them flex a wee bit. I am thinking that over time, it could cause a problem. I am thinking about fabbing up some brace pieces that go between where the filters attach to the carbs and the frame rail above.......... #1-2 carbs to left rail and 3-4 carbs to right rail. I don't think it would be real noticable if done right and the only function would be to brace the carb rack when the throttle is opened.You may want to look closely at yours and see if you have the flex I am speaking of.

Cool.....congrats!

Yep just the rubber boots....more than strong enough to hold them in place.

Doug

doug_id · « **Reply #572 on:** June 15, 2007, 05:36:25 PM »

Finally got my lazy butt in gear and pulled the spark plugs and increased the gap to larger than stock to aprox .85mm since I have the stronger 3ohm coils and a dyna-s ignition. Took it out for a 40 mile ride and ran nice. I noticed it didn't backfire on deceleration like it used to once in a while before. When I got back home I pulled the plugs to check the color and my formerly all black plugs where now 1-3 to 1-2 brown on the ceramic portion.....kewl I say!

. I might try bumping them out tad more and see what happens with that. The weather here is perfect for riding now!

Doug

tente1 · « **Reply #573 on:** July 24, 2007, 05:31:31 PM »

Hi,

I just recently picked up a 1975 Honda CB550F from Ebay and love it. It got some miles on it, took it for a ride and ran like a dream of the condition it was in. Post some pics very soon. I was wondering how did you paint your bike and with what type of paint. I was planning on taking the body to a shop and having it powered coated. Thanks for all the pics and your bike is an inspiration for me to make mine into the vision that I have.

doug_id · « **Reply #574 on:** July 27, 2007, 01:00:57 PM »

Quote from: tente1 on July 24, 2007, 05:31:31 PM

Hi,

I just recently picked up a 1975 Honda CB550F from Ebay and love it. It got some miles on it, took it for a ride and ran like a dream of the condition it was in. Post some pics very soon. I was wondering how did you paint your bike and with what type of paint. I was planning on taking the body to a shop and having it powered coated. Thanks for all the pics and your bike is an inspiration for me to make mine into the vision that I have.

Hi Congrats on getting a CB550.....they sure are a sweet little bike.

I had my tank (fiberglass) and seat painted at a local custom paint shop. Sorry, but I don't know what kind of paint they used.

Good luck with your project!

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Author Topic: A Noob's 75 CB550 Cafe Project Thread ------- Stick a fork in it... ;-) (Read 209775 times)

tente1