Topic: 1975 cb550f

[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?

[RAFster122s]

Looks like a Firestone tire

[Fezzler]

SHINKO Super Classic 270 front; Classic 240 rear.

[Fezzler]

Center stand installed.  Swing arm installed with new brass bushings and new shock bushings. 

(BTW, I follow SohRon's Assembly Manual posting as closely as possibly.  His approach worked great for my '71 cb500 build.)

[Stev-o]

SHINKO Super Classic 270 front; Classic 240 rear.

Cal will love those!

[Oddjob]

Commonly known in the UK as "Ditch Finders"

[Stev-o]

Commonly known in the UK as "Ditch Finders"

HA!  Thats funny....

[Fezzler]

Commonly known in the UK as "Ditch Finders"

HA!  Thats funny....

 


We had the same commentary earlier in the thread.  That said, I do appreciate the input.

[calj737]

SHINKO Super Classic 270 front; Classic 240 rear.

Cal will love those!

Yup. Why put all the time and effort into fixing up a bike, riding it, and not downgrade its handling and braking. Seems rational to me.

Chris, Chris, Chris…

[Fezzler]

SHINKO Super Classic 270 front; Classic 240 rear.

Cal will love those!

Yup. Why put all the time and effort into fixing up a bike, riding it, and not downgrade its handling and braking. Seems rational to me.

Chris, Chris, Chris…

"For everything to be consummated, for me to feel less alone, I had only to wish that there be a large crowd of spectators the day of my execution and that they greet me with cries of hate."

The Stranger - Albert Camus

[Stev-o]

SHINKO Super Classic 270 front; Classic 240 rear.

Cal will love those!

Yup. Why put all the time and effort into fixing up a bike, riding it, and not downgrade its handling and braking. Seems rational to me.

Chris, Chris, Chris…

"For everything to be consummated, for me to feel less alone, I had only to wish that there be a large crowd of spectators the day of my execution and that they greet me with cries of hate."

The Stranger - Albert Camus

"Though you drown in good intentions
You will never quench the fire
You'll give in to your desire
When the stranger comes along"

The Stranger - Billy Joel!

[Fezzler]

SHINKO Super Classic 270 front; Classic 240 rear.

Cal will love those!

Yup. Why put all the time and effort into fixing up a bike, riding it, and not downgrade its handling and braking. Seems rational to me.

Chris, Chris, Chris…

"For everything to be consummated, for me to feel less alone, I had only to wish that there be a large crowd of spectators the day of my execution and that they greet me with cries of hate."

The Stranger - Albert Camus

"Though you drown in good intentions
You will never quench the fire
You'll give in to your desire
When the stranger comes along"

The Stranger - Billy Joel!

Ha! Love it!  And Stev-o, you had to rat me out to Cal!  Thanks!  Have a great Thanksgiving everyone.

Fez

[HondaMan]

Can I coax your thoughts toward a bigger taillight?
Last week, in my Explorer, I almost rear-ended a biker here because he had installed an LED rear taillight that was nearly invisible on BRAKE when the sun was behind us both. It was similar to the flat, curved one you show above.

[calj737]

Can I coax yours thoughts toward a bigger taillight?
Last week, in my Explorer, I almost rear-ended a biker here because he had installed an LED rear taillight that was nearly invisible on BRAKE when the sun was behind us both. It was similar to the flat, curved one you show above.

Seems like a better remedy is to not drive in front of you.

[Fezzler]

Can I coax yours thoughts toward a bigger taillight?
Last week, in my Explorer, I almost rear-ended a biker here because he had installed an LED rear taillight that was nearly invisible on BRAKE when the sun was behind us both. It was similar to the flat, curved one you show above.

Seems like a better remedy is to not drive in front of you.

So sorry to hear about your near miss.  Thanks for the suggestions and counsel.  I greatly appreciate it and will give it just consideration as I proceed.

It's going to have a light the length of the rear fender that is about an inch wide plus two larger-sized bullet style lights in the rear working in concert as well. 

Also, I don't plan to ride this at night, in the rain, or on curves. I will only ride on smooth newly paved roads, never above 35 MPH, or on populated roads, and in full riding gear. 

I will likely sell shortly after completed. 

 

[Fezzler]

Trying to get one or two things done everyday.

- Painted headlamp bucket black and installed new lamp and hardware.
- Cut to size and installed rear fender temporarily. Holes will be filled, will be painted black and light installed under rear fender lip.
- Worked on fitting and eyeballing. 

It's come a long way from the mess I started with.