Topic: 1973 Cb500 poor boy chop

[Gurp]

For me the shop is just going to be temporary. I'll be putting got in the attached garage only until I can build a 18x30. The space in the garage is going to become a 4th BR. For the first while at this house the ole lady and I will be sleeping on the couch in the living room. It will cut the garage down to a 7 by 27 utility room.

I can't build the bedroom until I get a garage built to house my tools and bikes though... lol

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[Kelly E]

Try to build a 24' x 36' x 9' clearspan shop. If there's one thing I know, always build the next size bigger than you think you need. Do your best to make it happen, you can thank me in a few years. I went from working in the dirt out of a yard shed to a 20' x 20' uninsulated garage with one 20amp circuit. Better than the dirt. Then I built a 24' x 36' pole building with 9' clearspan and and 16' x 9' roll up door on the gable end. We insulated and installed a wood stove for heat. We also installed a 200amp service with outlets every 4' down both walls and across the back with no more than 4 outlets on each circuit. We even wired it so the first light switch turned on three 4' dual tube fixtures down each side and the stereo. Plus we got a 15" x 3 1/2" x 24' beam for free to support an 8' loft with 2'x6' floor joists, 3/4" T&G subflooring and no posts across the rear gable end of the building. I had a few thousand pounds of parts stored up there.

It was hog heaven until my wife found our current house with a 30' x 48' stick framed shop with 12' 6" ceilings and electric forced air heat. Well at least the furnace was there, there was no plenum or distribution ducts. The power wire came out of a hole in the side of the furnace with no cable clamp and disappeared under the cover panel of the 200amp service panel that we replaced because it was partially melted down from someone growing weed in there and overloading circuits. Barnacle Bill and I built the rest of the heating system from the plenum up after we built utility and storage rooms at the back of the bay with the 8' roll up door. Now I'm really in Hog Heaven.  I have the thermostat set at 69°F all winter long.

I'm guessing that you don't want to move again since you just got a great property. I know that you are like me with several projects going at once plus some work on other people's stuff. Will you be putting 2 roll up doors on the long side or a 16' door on the gable end? With the 16' door on the gable end you can add lean to roofs down both sides for project and equipment storage and a inside loft at the back for storage with a work space under it.

I've learned all this after setting up 3 shops with the help of my buddy. We use old kitchen cabinets and solid core doors for bench tops. I'm currently converting the two rows of five 8' dual tube flouresant fixtures to direct wire LED's. We have one row of five fixtures done so far and the change is huge. Lighting is really important to doing good work.

[WhyNot2]

We use old kitchen cabinets and solid core doors for bench tops. I'm currently converting the two rows of five 8' dual tube flouresant fixtures to direct wire LED's. We have one row of five fixtures done so far and the change is huge. Lighting is really important to doing good work.

Can you post pictures on how you are converting those lights?

[Gurp]

Now that's a Shop!!!!
Unfortunately space limits by build space.
I have 18ft width to work with. I may be able to go up to 40ft in length though. I see a great deal on a 18x21 garage on marketplace used for 1500. I may jump on that and rent a bobcat to lever the area.

Then I can always buy a carport to expand later. I was really happy to get 3 acres of space but it's mostly all hillside. I have one spot that later I can build a second garage but that will require a lot of digging. If I get the 18x21 going next year I can avert my focus to a bedroom so the ole lady and I aren't sleeping on the couch.

I would love to dig down on that spot reinforce the hillside and build a 30 x 40 spot but that's far out of my time-frames and What I can afford.

As the bread winner of the household with 4 kids. I feel fortunate now that I thought I had enough to be able to put myself in the position to purchase this home and know that I'll be able to build a garage for myself.

Here's to big dreams of a big shop and more bikes!


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[Alan F.]

I think more than a few of us are watching your hard work, progress, sacrifice, and accomplishment with pride.

[Gurp]

I think more than a few of us are watching your hard work, progress, sacrifice, and accomplishment with pride.

Alan I greatly appreciate that sentiment buddy

Just trying to do right for my little ones, and possibly enjoy the time a bit myself.

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[BenelliSEI]

We use old kitchen cabinets and solid core doors for bench tops. I'm currently converting the two rows of five 8' dual tube flouresant fixtures to direct wire LED's. We have one row of five fixtures done so far and the change is huge. Lighting is really important to doing good work.

Can you post pictures on how you are converting those lights?
[

I’m doing this too. My lamps are ancient 8’ fluorescent fixtures. Twin 8’ bulbs, single pin. The conversion is easy. The LED replacements run on direct 110 V current. I pull the ballast and connect the wire(s) at one end to black (power) and the other end to white (neutral). The fixture is grounded and I left that connected. Insert the lamp and flip the switch. Mine came from Amazon.

[rb550four]

   I was happy to give up machines ( at my wife's request) so I could raise my kids and spend as much time with them as I could ....The job took up most of my time and I was away from home for months at a time and worked allot of extra hours so I could only just provide for my family, it always seemed like the right thing to do .  As time went on and the kids got bigger it occurred to me how little quality time we've actually spent together aside from dinner and some conversation before bedtime...I have found that  a few weekends ( when possible)  exploring near by places and maybe spending a night at a hotel together every now and then was like a mini vacation  and kept the family tight. It wasn't until they were well in their teens before we could afford a big vacation together .
   For me , if there was motor bikes in the mix during those times, I am pretty sure those memories that I treasure as a family probably would have never happened or they would be few. Besides being more dangerous than we would like it to be now a days , it's a distraction that can limit you finances if you let it but, can most importantly , it can limit your time and possible positive experiences  that you could be having with the kids. I never said that giving up motorcycles for 20 years was  easy, but for me and the kids it was worth it.
   The day the youngest graduated college was the day I fired up a bike in 20 years and there has been many machines since then. Since that day the kids have grown into adults with their own families and I am pleased to still be a big part of their lives.
   There's some big dreams and hard choices out there to make, and I'm no expert at living,  but I thought maybe I'd share one of my choices with you .

[Gurp]

Luckily my children all seem to love being around the motorcycles. Hopefully one day they will take up my mantle and interest so that when I pass away my estate isn't sold for junk price lol. But like you with so many other obligations on the table I work overtime anytime it's available I haven't actually been in the shop and worked on the bike or even looked at it in weeks other than go in and grab a tool to work on one of the cars or back and forth between our current home and the new home.
Summer rides usually somewhere within a half hour and a coffee or like a cafe lunch for me and the old lady are our version of dates. It seems to be the few bit of quality time that her and I can achieve together.
Well I can't imagine shutting my bike down for 20 years I definitely understand how you came to that conclusion. And as all parents I hope to continue to be greatly involved in my kids lives into adulthood. That as I age they will love to come visit me and bring the grandchildren (hopefully they give me a few). This is one thing that I do love about the forum is while I'm a younger member here at 33 for more than a decade that I have been a member here it's been a great place not only for motorcycle knowledge but for just general life advice.



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[BenelliSEI]

Hey… You gotta do what you gotta do. Like so many others, time for myself came later. You hang in there and have a great Christmas with your Family. All the Best! John D.

[Kelly E]

We use old kitchen cabinets and solid core doors for bench tops. I'm currently converting the two rows of five 8' dual tube flouresant fixtures to direct wire LED's. We have one row of five fixtures done so far and the change is huge. Lighting is really important to doing good work.

Can you post pictures on how you are converting those lights?

I don't have any pictures. I'm removing the ballast, wiring the plunger ends as ground and the fixed ends as power. I have GE LED glass tubes and they ask for a 1amp inline fuse for each fixture.

I have one row of five two tube fixtures done and the difference is already huge. Soon I will buy the LED tubes for the other row and I will issue sunglasses at the door.

[BenelliSEI]

Kelly….. interesting they call for an online fuse. On my single pin lamps I tried turning them around and they work fine. I assume they don’t care which end is power vs. neutral. All my fixtures are grounded back to the panel so I’m going to assume my 15 amp breaker is my protection. The old 4’ fixtures over my bench look dim and yellow. I may have to do a few of them too!

[Kelly E]

Kelly….. interesting they call for an online fuse. On my single pin lamps I tried turning them around and they work fine. I assume they don’t care which end is power vs. neutral. All my fixtures are grounded back to the panel so I’m going to assume my 15 amp breaker is my protection. The old 4’ fixtures over my bench look dim and yellow. I may have to do a few of them too!

We believe that because they draw such a small amount of amps the standard 15 or 20amp breaker in the panel would never blow if there's a problem.

[BenelliSEI]

Kelly….. interesting they call for an online fuse. On my single pin lamps I tried turning them around and they work fine. I assume they don’t care which end is power vs. neutral. All my fixtures are grounded back to the panel so I’m going to assume my 15 amp breaker is my protection. The old 4’ fixtures over my bench look dim and yellow. I may have to do a few of them too!

We believe that because they draw such a small amount of amps the standard 15 or 20amp breaker in the panel would never blow if there's a problem.

Interesting…… They are the last two on the run, so I’ll add one in. Thanks!

[Gurp]

Cleaned up the shop enough to work yesterday. Reinstalled the carbs.

Today I went out and put fresh gas in the tank and I stalled the clutch and throttle cables. The Honda replacement cable and the after market throttle don't go together at all... I'll probably have to get another cable made down the road.

The important thing is now it runs
Installed the chain and learned that while I know I have enough cable pull I have no clutch. I'm assuming the plates are sticking. This motor hasn't been on a bike and running in 4/5 years. Maybe 6 now.

Had to relocate the ignition switch again. I just wasn't paying attention when I placed it before or something but it was right in the way of the chain. Lmao.

In the mean time anyone that could idle their bike and give me the temps off their exhaust pipes would be greatly appreciated. I feel like I'm lean off the start.



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[Gurp]

4into1 had Uni brand foam filter material in stock or I go that as I didn't see ITG sheets avail on a quick search. The uni was like the 3rd result.
Ordered idle jets and bushings for maybe the next set of struts.


Going out to the other house for the weekend this evening so this weekend will be working out there. And also bringing the 2 neighborhood kiddos. So I'll be with 6 kids. Going to be a busy weekend for sure.

Monday hopefully back on the bike!

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[Kelly E]

4into1 had Uni brand foam filter material in stock or I go that as I didn't see ITG sheets avail on a quick search. The uni was like the 3rd result.
Ordered idle jets and bushings for maybe the next set of struts.


Going out to the other house for the weekend this evening so this weekend will be working out there. And also bringing the 2 neighborhood kiddos. So I'll be with 6 kids. Going to be a busy weekend for sure.

Monday hopefully back on the bike!
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Wrangling 6 kids sounds exhausting.
I've been using Uni 5/8" green sheet foam to make air filters for the 84' Sabre 700. I cut it out and spray it with K&N filter oil before installing.

[Gurp]

I'll be cutting it to shape and getting it to reattach to my anti-pod frame. I'll have to look up the old anti-pod thread and see if there was any special way it was attached.

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[Gurp]

Anti-Pod thread wasn't as much help as I had hoped it would be. I got it all apart and the the new foam cut. Tomorrow I'll get some silicone based adhesive and epoxy to reassemble the Anti-pod.
When I took the carbs apart the first time again to should have noticed the newer idles in it so now I have a extra set of new idle jets. Charged the battery and bike started 1 kick at about 40 degrees before I took the carbs back off. Still needs some adjusting, High idle off spots through the midrange but the Anti-pod will help the airflow and make them easier to line out.

As soon as I re-foam the AP I'll add the corrected spacers for the 23 front and then mount the forward controls then ill be ready for a test ride!
Then provided I have no major issues, I'll get the evo sportster on the lift to swap and space for the solid rear wheel and going to foot clutch hand shift.
All to hopefully be done by may to start moving into the new house.

[Gurp]

Also today I dropped off my seat to a friend that does upholstery and he suggested I let him recover it "pleaded" which was a upgrade from what i was thinking about! WIN
He's also going to add a bit of foam to the passenger section of the seat for my ole lady since the bike is strutted.

[Gurp]

Well kinda a found update.
The pics from Anti-pod and I took the bike for its first ride. About 15ft to the ground.
Lmfao. Then down the alley both ways and back.

I spaced the front axle and had to move to tank mounts down a bit so the top triple wouldn't dig in still. That needs welded up still but it's all there for testing.
Through a old piece of wood and some shop towels of the rails for the test ride. That's one of my best friends Ed boi on the bike .

Going to start mounting the TC Bros forward controls and figuring out what to do about the brake pivot. These old Kook pipes don't leave a lot of room for the pedal to move. So there will be some additional fab going on with that.

Using a silicone based RTV for the filter cuts. I wasn't going to hold it long enough for it to set up. That's where the zips came Into play. Hoping I have my cuts right so I don't have to order more foam.

Still have the brakes and controls to get done one wore tuck under the rear fender.
And welding up the modified tank mounts.

Oh, yeah and importantly fighting all the motor mounts the rest of the way up in the front.

Currently having a beer happy I got to ride it. I know it's going to be a challenge to ride till I get used to it but so was the 10ft long KZ750b I used to daily. I know most of you guys disagree but it's fun for me.

That's why we are here to enjoy bikes and help each other and this has been a great community for that.





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[Gurp]

Put the forward controls on a s took it around the block easily. Definitely has the flop but I fully expected that.
Not near as bad when I had a place to put my feet.
Lost my brake return spring so back on the lift to wait for that spring and weld up the new tank studs.

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[wolf550]

bike is really coming together!

[Kelly E]

That's serious progress, nice job.

[seanbarney41]

Those Kooks pipes though!