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Offline jamesk

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77 cb550f project moving forward
« on: October 06, 2017, 12:15:19 PM »
Well I got the 550f I picked up for $1300 put back together and running sweet. No oil leaks! Turned out it was leaking at the head gasket, rubber head seals, shifter seal, clutch lifter seal, and kick starter seal....  Starting the process of giving it a newer look while maintaining the spirit of the bike and I started with some bars and grips.

Picked up some low rise black super bike style bars with some black aluminum and rubber grips. I really like the look of the super bike bars but I still need to notch out the lower part of the turn signal switch housing to allow the wiring to exit under the bars. 

I picked up some other goodies that I'll install over the next week or so including a new black headlight with internal turn signal LEDs and black aluminum mounts, bar-end billet mirrors, and smaller turn signals for the back. Also going to chop the fenders and decide what kind of tail light to get. Stay tuned!

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Offline jamesk

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Re: 77 cb550f project moving forward
« Reply #1 on: October 06, 2017, 12:19:50 PM »
Here's the old setup for comparison.  Those grips... ;D

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Offline Sprocket75

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Re: 77 cb550f project moving forward
« Reply #2 on: October 06, 2017, 12:33:31 PM »
Nice bike! Looks clean...  Let me know how the headlight install turns out, been looking at one of those myself for a current build.
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Offline BomberMann650

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Re: 77 cb550f project moving forward
« Reply #3 on: October 06, 2017, 12:37:02 PM »
Put a set of those grips on my pals gsxr.  Was a little disappointed to find out the bar-end "weights" were molded into the grip.  Making them useless on the throttle side  :P
You'll be better off with the new mirrors.
Have fun customizing!
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Offline calj737

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Re: 77 cb550f project moving forward
« Reply #4 on: October 06, 2017, 01:08:55 PM »
Drill a hole in the bars, run the wires internally exiting under the bar clamp instead! That cockpit looks really nice now  :D
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"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of it's victim may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated, but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." - C.S. Lewis

Offline jamesk

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Re: 77 cb550f project moving forward
« Reply #5 on: October 06, 2017, 02:29:32 PM »
I'll definitely post up some pics and review of the headlight once I get it on.  It should look pretty good and I like the idea of having no actual turn signal hardware hanging off the front. 

By the way, I've now named this bike orangejello (pronounce "oh-ron-ja-low")  ;D ;D  If you are a key and peele fan, you know where I'm coming from!

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Offline jamesk

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Re: 77 cb550f project moving forward
« Reply #6 on: October 06, 2017, 02:32:05 PM »
Quote from: BomberMann650 on October 06, 2017, 12:37:02 PM
Put a set of those grips on my pals gsxr.  Was a little disappointed to find out the bar-end "weights" were molded into the grip.  Making them useless on the throttle side  :P
You'll be better off with the new mirrors.
Have fun customizing!

I noticed the same about these grips.  The end caps are completely worthless.  Luckily I'll be tossing the caps when I put the mirrors in.  Overall, the grips were still a good deal for less than $10 shipped!
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Offline jamesk

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Re: 77 cb550f project moving forward
« Reply #7 on: October 06, 2017, 02:44:47 PM »
Quote from: calj737 on October 06, 2017, 01:08:55 PM
Drill a hole in the bars, run the wires internally exiting under the bar clamp instead! That cockpit looks really nice now  :D

I thought about doing that but it seemed like too much of a hassle.  The right side controls already had the relief in them for exterior wiring (must have been replaced at some point) so I decided to just stick with external wiring on both sides.
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Offline Killer Canary

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Re: 77 cb550f project moving forward
« Reply #8 on: October 06, 2017, 03:01:52 PM »
Are those Krator aluminum bars?
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Offline jamesk

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Re: 77 cb550f project moving forward
« Reply #9 on: October 06, 2017, 04:13:33 PM »
Quote from: Killer Canary on October 06, 2017, 03:01:52 PM
Are those Krator aluminum bars?

No they are from 2fastmoto via eBay. I believe they were less than $30 but seem nice quality. Powder coated steel I believe.
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Offline jamesk

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Re: 77 cb550f project moving forward
« Reply #10 on: October 06, 2017, 04:15:28 PM »
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Offline Killer Canary

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Re: 77 cb550f project moving forward
« Reply #11 on: October 06, 2017, 05:49:27 PM »
I'm chuffed about these.
Fairly close to 400f bars (my all time favourite) but cheaper.
https://www.amazon.com/Handlebars-Krator-Components/s?ie=UTF8&page=1&rh=n%3A404714011%2Cp_89%3AKrator
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If it's worth doing at all it's worth over-doing.
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Offline jamesk

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Re: 77 cb550f project moving forward
« Reply #12 on: October 08, 2017, 02:47:44 PM »
It's a rainy day here in Cincinnati so no test drives for me but things are starting to look a little better on the front end at least. I swapped the headlight with the new one that has led turn signals integrated into the lens.   I'll say that the housing is cheap plastic but the trim ring is metal. Lens is poly. The whole setup was less that $30 so what can you expect... Takes an h4 bulb which is nice.

Also put on some bars end mirrors that I really like as well as some smaller and more sleek rear signals. Still have the enormous stock tail light for now while I figure out what I'm doing with the rear fender. Here is some updates pics.

« Last Edit: October 08, 2017, 03:06:53 PM by jamesk »
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Offline jamesk

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Re: 77 cb550f project moving forward
« Reply #13 on: October 08, 2017, 03:00:43 PM »
Here's a front shot from before for comparison.
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Offline jamesk

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Re: 77 cb550f project moving forward
« Reply #14 on: October 10, 2017, 12:42:09 PM »
So I ended up pulling the trigger on some more parts for the 550f. 

I picked up the custom filter box and deep under seat electronics tray from cognito moto today so I hope to have those by early next week.  Gonna go ahead and pick-up up few jet sizes and cheap pluts to play around with jetting based on a few threads I've read up on.  I already have a solid state rectifier/regulator and blade style fuse box I picked up a while ago for another bike and never used.  Once I get all the electronics moved to the under seat tray and get it all buttoned up, I want to get brat style seat and weld a hoop in to follow the rear profile of the seat.  Getting kind of pumped!  Here's some pics of the goodies I ordered  8)

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Offline BomberMann650

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Re: 77 cb550f project moving forward
« Reply #15 on: October 10, 2017, 12:51:20 PM »
Did cognito send any notes regarding jetting for their filter?  Is the kerker pipe baffled or high flow?  A few plug chops would be cheaper than buying a bunch of different keihin jets.
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Offline jamesk

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Re: 77 cb550f project moving forward
« Reply #16 on: October 10, 2017, 12:56:08 PM »
They didn't say but I'll call them and ask.  The Kerker is baffled and pretty quiet so I assume it has pretty good restriction compared to an open baffle.  I'll post back any info I get from Cognito.
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Offline BomberMann650

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Re: 77 cb550f project moving forward
« Reply #17 on: October 10, 2017, 01:00:54 PM »
A restrictive pipe may save you from jet changes.
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Offline jamesk

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Re: 77 cb550f project moving forward
« Reply #18 on: October 10, 2017, 01:01:40 PM »
Just talked to Cognito and they said with the Kerker 4 into 1 baffled, they would go up two sizes on the main jet to compensate for their filter box.  He said after that, do a plug chop and adjust the needle if needed based on what the plugs look like.  He said the Kerker setup is close enough to stock restriction that it wouldn't typically need any jetting changes just for that alone.  I'll give it a try.  I'm not sure what jets I have in the carbs now so I'll check that tonight (I assume they are stock).
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Offline calj737

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Re: 77 cb550f project moving forward
« Reply #19 on: October 10, 2017, 01:04:51 PM »
Be aware, with that deep electronics box, a new flat hoop, topped with a beat seat, you are headed for tire/seat-hoop conflict. Best do some “measurin’” to make certain before you grab a grinder and welder.
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"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of it's victim may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated, but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." - C.S. Lewis

Offline jamesk

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Re: 77 cb550f project moving forward
« Reply #20 on: October 10, 2017, 01:09:19 PM »
Quote from: calj737 on October 10, 2017, 01:04:51 PM
Be aware, with that deep electronics box, a new flat hoop, topped with a beat seat, you are headed for tire/seat-hoop conflict. Best do some “measurin’” to make certain before you grab a grinder and welder.

Oh! Thanks for the heads up!  I'll look into it before I start hacking. Is it the straight hoops that pose a problem as opposed to the up-swept hoops?
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Offline jamesk

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Re: 77 cb550f project moving forward
« Reply #21 on: October 10, 2017, 01:11:07 PM »
This is the look I was aiming for..

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Offline BomberMann650

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Re: 77 cb550f project moving forward
« Reply #22 on: October 10, 2017, 01:41:25 PM »
Upswept hoops are less of an issue, if stock ride height is maintained.
Firm(er) shocks can be useful to some.
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Offline Bankerdanny

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Re: 77 cb550f project moving forward
« Reply #23 on: October 10, 2017, 01:47:09 PM »
I had that headlight on my 550 for a while, or one just like it. Another member here had it in his garage and gave it to me. I was very unimpressed.

The light was a brighter white, but the pattern was just awful, which totally negated the benefit of the extra light.
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Current: '76 CB750F. Previous:  '75 CB550F, 2007 Yamaha Vino 125 Scooter, '75 Harley FXE Superglide, '77 GL1000, '77 CB550k, '68 Suzuki K10 80, '68 Yamaha YR2, '69 BMW R69S, '71 Honda SL175, '02 Royal Enfield Bullet 500, '89 Yamaha FJ1200

Offline jamesk

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Re: 77 cb550f project moving forward
« Reply #24 on: October 10, 2017, 02:22:10 PM »
Quote from: Bankerdanny on October 10, 2017, 01:47:09 PM
I had that headlight on my 550 for a while, or one just like it. Another member here had it in his garage and gave it to me. I was very unimpressed.

The light was a brighter white, but the pattern was just awful, which totally negated the benefit of the extra light.

I haven't actually had a chance to take the bike out for a ride at night since I installed it because it rained all weekend so I don't have any feedback on the quality of the light yet.  That said, the material seems pretty cheap so it wouldn't surprise me if the beam pattern is garbage.  I'll report back once I take it out for a night ride.
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