Topic: 1975 cb550f

[MauiK3]

coming along nicely.
good to see one come back from the brink

[Scott S]

 Leave the exhaust in black ...looks good and the header looks to be a genuine 550F header (with a cone welded on), so it has some value in itself.

[Fezzler]

Leave the exhaust in black ...looks good and the header looks to be a genuine 550F header (with a cone welded on), so it has some value in itself.

Good counsel. 

[Fezzler]

Well, unknown source of lack of sense of urgency to complete continues as does commitment to do it right to the best of my abilities.  Forks and wheels are done and many parts on hand, so progress certainly has the means to accelerate.  Reminder, salvaging someone else's abandoned project.

[Fezzler]

Better late than never?

[Little_Phil]

Step by step and each one looks good.

[RAFster122s]

TrueDisk can surface your disc so it is flat and both sides are parallel. They also offer drilling services for better wet weather brake performance.

https://truedisk.net/

Fwiw

[Fezzler]

TrueDisk can surface your disc so it is flat and both sides are parallel. They also offer drilling services for better wet weather brake performance.

https://truedisk.net/

Fwiw

Good to know!  A++

[Stev-o]

Better late than never?

Absolutely!  And looks great, nice job...

[Fezzler]

Better late than never?

Absolutely!  And looks great, nice job...

Means a lot coming from you.  I procured the bike.  It took me a long time to find someone to weld the hoop on the frame.  I did order parts and got much elbow grease work done but I lost motivation to get on it.  Motivated now.

[Fezzler]

... onward. D-shaped washer time.  Find. Buy.  Or make.

[Fezzler]

I knew I had an extra set somewhere around here.  Bow to the stash!

[RAFster122s]

Make is tough given the thickness, std washers are too thick
Thankfully a member came to rescue having proper thickness washers made up...

[Fezzler]

Make is tough given the thickness, std washers are too thick
Thankfully a member came to rescue having proper thickness washers made up...

Indeed!  Johnnie on the spot!

[Fezzler]

Trying to maintain newly found momentum.  I was going to install more modern, minimalist headlamp brackets but I just like the look of gaiters.

[Stev-o]

... but I just like the look of gaiters.

Agreed, it just a classic look.   

When I was doing a project that I didnt want to stall, I found doing just 1 thing everyday, no matter how small, seemed to help keep progress.

[Fezzler]

... but I just like the look of gaiters.

Agreed, it just a classic look.   

When I was doing a project that I didnt want to stall, I found doing just 1 thing everyday, no matter how small, seemed to help keep progress.

Wise.  Yes.  Even if it is cleaning, finding bolts/washers, or thinking ahead. 

[Fezzler]

SOHC/4 mentor gave me great idea to salvage a stock brace off unusable front fender to rivet a new one on.  I will fill holes (JB Weld?), add hole for speedo grommet, and paint.  On second thought, the holes are uniformly spaces and small, two in front and two in back.  I may just drop a rivet in them.  Once painted, it will look fine.
 

[Fezzler]

Also thinking about rear fender and lighting.  Bullets definitely upfront.  I have a matching set for rear that I am thinking about pairing with a thin light under the fender.  I believe I need to have a license plate light in North Carolina.  The round ones below have that.  Hmmm.

[Fezzler]

I wish previous owner did not remove the clips for the plastic part of the rear fender.  Even with the shorty fender, seems good to install to lessen road grime on engine.  May have to think about alternative, safe, stable, effective way to mount.

Oh, looking below, the farthest crossbar was added by previous owner to attach a racer-style cafe seat and shell.  I added the closest one to attach my seat.  I figured having both would be good for making the frame solid and provide options for attaching the rear fender and something unanticipated. 

[RAFster122s]

Nice work. Are you referring to plastic clip for the plastic liner or metal tabs the clips attach to? Rubber well nuts might be good mounting solution if they trimmed the plastic fender for so.e reason. I haven't had my 550 apart in this area, so forgive me if my assumptions are wrong here.

[Fezzler]

Now I don't know if I would use it or how it would look.  But yes, I am talking about the black inner plastic fender / liner. 

See picture.  On the down tube there are three tabs or clips that secure it in place on both sides.  It wedges in there.  The previous owner removed these.  I have not addressed yet, but will be thinking about if there is an effective way to use without welding on the powder coated frame.   

[Fezzler]

Cheap shorty front fender mounted on factory bracket and getting multiple coats of rattle can semi-gloss black and some clear.  Done.

[Fezzler]

Slow and steady.

[Stev-o]

What tire is that fezz?