Author Topic: Another project-1976 Honda CB550K (Read 16305 times)

denward17 · « **Reply #50 on:** January 02, 2024, 08:41:42 AM »

Touching up some frame paint today. Had a lot of surface rust where the battery leaked at one time I suppose.

Took a wire brush to it on a drill, sanded and cleaned with dawn dish soap, wiped it off good with acetone, then sprayed all the crevices good with brake cleaner.

This is after 2 coats of VHT, will spray one more coat and leave it be.

BenelliSEI · « **Reply #51 on:** January 02, 2024, 10:30:17 AM »

Looks good! I need to get back to work too!

Mark1976 · « **Reply #52 on:** January 02, 2024, 10:40:47 AM »

Looks pretty good, give it a couple days to allow it to fully setup.

denward17 · « **Reply #53 on:** January 03, 2024, 05:10:23 PM »

Back end complete....moving on to another section...

BenelliSEI · « **Reply #54 on:** January 03, 2024, 05:51:42 PM »

And looking pretty fine. Nice progress!

grcamna2 · « **Reply #55 on:** January 03, 2024, 07:18:29 PM »

Quote from: BenelliSEI on January 03, 2024, 05:51:42 PM

And looking pretty fine. Nice progress!

+1

Mark1976 · « **Reply #56 on:** January 03, 2024, 07:24:36 PM »

Great looking rear wheel, all the chrome looks great as well..l

denward17 · « **Reply #57 on:** January 04, 2024, 10:32:42 AM »

Was going to start on the front end next, forks need to come off.

But I can't seem to find a way to safely hold the front end off the ground whilst I work, so decided it would be easier with engine out next.

So I think that it is what I will do next, take the engine out for a good cleaning and fix some oil leaks. While the engine is out, I feel like I can safely hold the front end off the ground to work there.

denward17 · « **Reply #58 on:** January 04, 2024, 12:34:20 PM »

Had my seat recovered and picked it up today.

Seat cover came from gumtwo32 (Ebay) and looks nice. https://www.ebay.com/itm/153929426581

Hardware and trim from David Silver. Have about $250 in it, upholstery shop charged me $150.

I am pleased with the result.

BenelliSEI · « **Reply #59 on:** January 04, 2024, 01:09:08 PM »

Quote from: denward17 on January 04, 2024, 10:32:42 AM

Was going to start on the front end next, forks need to come off.

But I can't seem to find a way to safely hold the front end off the ground whilst I work, so decided it would be easier with engine out next.

So I think that it is what I will do next, take the engine out for a good cleaning and fix some oil leaks. While the engine is out, I feel like I can safely hold the front end off the ground to work there.

Den….. Always a bit dicey. Here’s my set up. Seat looks really nice!

denward17 · « **Reply #60 on:** January 04, 2024, 01:47:22 PM »

^Hmmm.....nice lift, wished I had one, that would help

exponent · « **Reply #61 on:** January 04, 2024, 02:06:32 PM »

I recommend a lower fork tree cantilever front stand. I had to put two 2x4s under the wheels to get everything high enough.

BenelliSEI · « **Reply #62 on:** January 04, 2024, 03:57:25 PM »

Den….. before the lift I would back the bike into a corner of my garage. Two “eye bolts” screwed into the baseboard about 2’ out from the corner, for the straps. Jack the two by four up with a scissor Jack and slide in a pair of cheap Jack stands or even a set of milk crates. It worked very well and with the straps pulling down and back was totally safe.

Stev-o · « **Reply #63 on:** January 05, 2024, 07:51:21 AM »

Quote from: denward17 on January 04, 2024, 10:32:42 AM

But I can't seem to find a way to safely hold the front end off the ground whilst I work, so decided it would be easier with engine out next.

I use a 4" ratchet strap attached to a large eye bolt screwed into the ceiling joist in the garage, works well.

denward17 · « **Reply #64 on:** January 05, 2024, 08:13:50 AM »

Quote from: Stev-o on January 05, 2024, 07:51:21 AM

Quote from: denward17 on January 04, 2024, 10:32:42 AM

But I can't seem to find a way to safely hold the front end off the ground whilst I work, so decided it would be easier with engine out next.

I use a 4" ratchet strap attached to a large eye bolt screwed into the ceiling joist in the garage, works well.

Yes, I did that as well, and will use it once I get the engine out. My space is limited, it amounts to a 24x24 garage with an extra walled off workshop area in the front being 8x16, which is used up with tool chest and work benches, and of course my working area for the bike. The 750 is stored in the main garage right now.

I'm almost ready to get the engine out, I'm having a hard time getting that top engine hanger bolt out, letting it soak with PB Blaster, will try some heat afterwards. I may need to go buy a bigger hammer to.

denward17 · « **Reply #65 on:** January 05, 2024, 12:22:13 PM »

Went and got a 3lb hammer to help with the hanger bolt, it came out a little while later....finally.

Several soaks of PB blaster and alternating heat cycles directly on the bushing. I also used some big pliers to hold the bushing while turning the bolt to help break it loose, needed a 24" breaker bar.

grcamna2 · « **Reply #66 on:** January 05, 2024, 12:34:11 PM »

Wow ! victory over that thing

BenelliSEI · « **Reply #67 on:** January 05, 2024, 01:41:13 PM »

Well done!

denward17 · « **Reply #68 on:** January 06, 2024, 11:52:05 AM »

Engine out today, and started replacing some of the electrical connectors....parts from Oregon motorcycle parts...

BenelliSEI · « **Reply #69 on:** January 06, 2024, 06:01:03 PM »

Some people on here advocate “leave well enough alone”. I like your approach. Nice work.

Little_Phil · « **Reply #70 on:** January 07, 2024, 01:32:08 AM »

Quote from: denward17 on January 05, 2024, 12:22:13 PM

Went and got a 3lb hammer to help with the hanger bolt, it came out a little while later....finally.

Several soaks of PB blaster and alternating heat cycles directly on the bushing. I also used some big pliers to hold the bushing while turning the bolt to help break it loose, needed a 24" breaker bar.

Had the same problem. Cycles of heat lubricant, time. Surprised I didn't break the cases as I used a small lump hammer on it. Had to drill out one side, then more treatment and it moved a a fraction each heat cycle. But I won.
Well done.

denward17 · « **Reply #71 on:** January 08, 2024, 01:31:08 PM »

Front wheel/old tire off today, bearings out.

Now to clean up the hub and start on the new spokes and rim......and new bearings....

BenelliSEI · « **Reply #72 on:** January 08, 2024, 02:57:22 PM »

Pulling off the old ones is such a pain! You have certainly become a “Jack of all trades”! Well done.

denward17 · « **Reply #73 on:** January 09, 2024, 01:08:01 PM »

Hub cleaned and ready for bearings.....then spokes/rim. Hopefully tomorrow, bearings are in the freezer for install first thing in the morning.

BenelliSEI · « **Reply #74 on:** January 10, 2024, 08:10:10 AM »

Were you able to “save” the retainer? I keep one on the shelves, just in case!

News:

Author Topic: Another project-1976 Honda CB550K (Read 16305 times)