Topic: cb550 hydraulic clutch project?

[geoluv]

I use this thing to commute sometimes and the manual clutch hurts my hand/arm after a while in traffic.  I've slicked up that cable real good, adjusted it properly (i think), it still sucks.  I don't know if the HD springs are in it or what. The hydro clutch conversion seems pretty straight forward and cheap.  Its a shame no one makes a pre made cover with the mounting surface for the cb500/550 since they make one for the cb350.  I want to finally do all the maintenance I've been putting off for two years, 650 cam, porting, etc. but I priced out the hydraulic clutch conversion at under 50 bucks so I'm going to do it along with a bunch of other maintenance before it gets warm.  I got a cb500 clutch cover from eBay for $16 shipped:) then just need the caliper and a hose and the lever, all cheap. 

I want to mimic what this guy did:
http://www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=26406.0

All the pictures aren't accessible from that thread but you can see all the pictures here:
http://s26.photobucket.com/user/bakkejan/library/CB550f

just machine it flat with holes, use liquid gasket, extend pushrod and you have it.  Im just going to use nylon nuts instead of that ring thingy he made with threaded holes.  I might weld on little tabs to hold the nuts in place on the inside so you can tighten them from the outside. What slave cylinder and master do you think would match the bike the best?

A picture from that guys project for reference:

[Steve_K]

I have a 76 550 myself and I found that some hydraulic clutch bikes vary with lever effort.  96 SS Ducati(hard) any Japanese bike much easier.  Unless you have an old injury, is it possible to rotate the clutch lever perch?  You could be on the right track with heavy duty springs.  With the cable and perch lubed and routed correctly and it is a hard pull, I would pull the cover and lube the pivot arm in the case.  I can not recall if oil or grease would be right pick to lube.

PS 500 and 550 clutches are different.
Steve

[geoluv]

Read the thread I linked from do the ton.  Clutch covers are interchangeable and people use the cb500 cover when doing the hydraulic conversion because it eliminates the lever hole which you no longer need from going hydro

[geoluv]

Bump.  About to try this on my buddy's bridgeport at his work. 

[Godffery]

 I just came across this old post, so I'm wondering how the project turned out?
I've built a few of these for a number of bikes (CB 500, CB550, Cb750, KZ650/750) and always like to see other approaches.
Also currently designing one for a CX500.