Topic: My $300 77 CB550F Project

[MauiK3]

Very nice work!
It's no easy task.

[denward17]

Nice looking hub, it does take a while to get that OEM clear off.

[chesterburnet111]

Can you clear coat these hubs? if so, what product?

[chesterburnet111]

You can. But as you’ve polished them, you’d need to scuff them up for a mechanical adhesion for the clear coat. Better to use an aluminum anti-oxidant like Shark Hide.

Who sells it? Also, where is the thread showing the modified triple clamp?

[chesterburnet111]

I took a look at the triple clamps. They are nice but not the direction I want to go with this build. I took your advice and bought that Shark Hide. I also see that you're in VA. I'm going down on a motorcycle vacation to Western NC in early June. On June 6th we're going to head up to Back of the Dragon in Tazwell VA. You should come out and ride with us for the day and lunch. I've ridden it 3 years ago and it is a seriously cool place.

[chesterburnet111]

Not Tail of the Dragon.....Back of the dragon in VA. which is in the area you're talking about. I totally agree, southwest VA and western NC are awesome and I've motorcycle vacationed in that area for the last 3 years.

[newday777]

I've been at this build for 2 years already but having just joined this site, I'm trying to catch up.

I needed to do some more fit out work to use my garage as a shop. I had to run a new heavy duty electric circuit out there. I bought a huge tool box and a laptop so I didn't have to run in the house to look up stuff online and play music too. With 67 year old eyes, I need good lighting and remembered seeing loading dock lights which were bright as the sun. I found a brand new one on Ebay for $85. Works like a charm.

Welcome aboard the forum from southern NH.
Just read through this build. Nice job so far especially the polishing.
I need to get one of those dock lights but I only see them at $138+ now.
Do you have the link for the $85 you got?

[chesterburnet111]

I might have caught one at the right time. I made an offer of $60 and it came back at $80. I just did a search and can't find any less than $138. I'd pay that much for it. it is really excellent. I installed on the garage rafter and I can light up all areas of the garage. Make sure you get the type shown in the link with the 2 single arms and 30 watt as they are the most adjustable super bright. Make them an offer.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/385603789880?hash=item59c7c6e438%3Ag%3AMr4AAOSwdJZjfchh&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA8K7hD8vZ8wEDuZmmlSrJ0D8AcT7viA5wtgFlqkZtNIfNJgYSkg%2BiMQ649eHp1w%2FOBGtyP8XLm4X3XbEnIVJZkTfUZ2dgoPbeVVDTYiyrW9s1VygSGWO7yJCfro9WG5UFjm8ovEmtU9HbuhJCgPNl2PXIeompKo8iNyGpbCIxEJKBfQiu6sUX50hGJYeTW%2B%2BjvqIj%2FGfW3Of5rV09LRxg7ux2X4iFP3EgNunZmRIEAGwk72d%2B15Rp49jsZacOVnQwl2MGMsVvWbRsiyKRiM1NrmLFzHjSGUWVBOMSLqDgP0XHIkRe7jSkQo34MvhLje2RPA%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABFBM6suR8q9j&LH_BO=1

[newday777]

OK. Thanks

[chesterburnet111]

I lost the wheel bearings I bought and had to order new ones and they will be here today. I'm looking forward to putting the wheel together and my first attempt at lacing and truing a wheel.

I have a question that I'm hoping to get answered. I've bought a lot of brand new nuts and bolts but there are still a bunch that I need to clean up. I've seen a video where they get them super hot and quench them in oil that leaves them with a nice blackened finish. Has anyone tried this and does it weaken the integrity of the nut / bolt? Does anyone have any other suggestions. I don't want to install all of these new or refinished parts with ugly gnarly looking fasteners.

[seanbarney41]

Never heard of the quenching in oil trick...but then, blackened hardware does not sound like it it is too far removed from ugly gnarly looking fasteners.

Is all your hardware rusted?  Sure about that?  Try cleaning before you right it off.  I like 0000 steel wool soaked in wd40, then wipe off excess with rag.  Super time consuming but I am always amazed how much nice plating is left on the crustiest of bikes.  If you got solid brown, pitted rust, the plating is gone...if I am not gonna be bothered with replacement, wire wheel it, coat in wd40 and send it.  Yeah, its gonna rust again, but no worse than when you found it.

And then there is more drastic and production oriented methods like re-plating, tumblers, home plating kits, etc....

[denward17]

I usually soak all my screws/bolts/nuts in Evaporust for a few days, then use a dremel with a light abrasive buffing wheel.

They clean up like new...

[chesterburnet111]

Oh man..........I've been wrenching on motorcycles since I was 13 and there's still a ton of stuff to learn.

[Godffery]

 Unfortunately cleaning the hardware is only part of the process. If the original plating is compromised, then it will still need to be re-plated.
Chances are you should be able to find a local Zinc platting shop and have them do your whole batch at once.  The one in my area will do every nut, Bolt and bracket from a complete bike, for $30 bucks.  ($60 if I request the extra clear sealer on top of the Zinc)

 Here is an example of the Re-Plated hardware for a set of Carbs:
https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/46624453_493223701185648_2080282884584767488_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=4dc865&_nc_ohc=UjbvXWhe2r8AX88lbY0&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfAEv_XyE6o1UZOvW0KdcmvQd2-l2vfnRwzuTBSZc6RwnA&oe=65EB9B4A

[chesterburnet111]

After 3 weekends, the sanding and polishing of this rear hub is done. It was a lot of work and it's far from perfect. I know some people get them just about perfect. I'm 67 and want to finish this build at some point so this works for me. I lost the new wheel bearings and had to buy a new set. They're in along with a Tusk truing stand. I also have new brake shoes, sprocket, aluminum rim and spokes. I'm going to start putting it together this weekend. I guess I'm going to learn how to true a wheel. The stand was about $90 delivered. I figure someone would have to get over $100 a wheel for it to be profitable.

[denward17]

Looks great from here 

This website might help with lacing:

https://bikebrewers.com/lace-motorcycle-wheel/

[chesterburnet111]

Thanks, I'll check it out

[BenelliSEI]

Go for it. I’ve been doing my own wheels for a while and it is most rewarding!

[chesterburnet111]

I put a preservative finish on the wheels, hub & spokes. I installed the new wheel bearings and laced up the wheel. I have to say that the time spent polishing the hub now seems worth it. I bought a truing stand and now have to teach myself how to true a wheel. It looks pretty cool to me. It's satisfying to start putting this together.

[chesterburnet111]

Thanks to Cal for putting me on to Sharkhide to preserve the finish. I did the hub, rims and spokes and can see using it on a lot of other parts. I'm glad I chose this over trying to clear coat them.

My GF stayed at her daughter's overnight so I decided to treat the hub in my little home office. I don't know why but I never considered how this stuff smelled. It's not a product for in the house. I was worried that the odor wouldn't be gone the next day and that I'd end up tripping from smelling this in a closed area. Fortunately it was ok.

I bought a Kobalt heat gun as it seemed like a good compromise between a real expensive one and Harbor Freight. It heated up the hub so hot that I burnt my finger when I accidentally touched it. A decent tool for occasional use at $49.

[chesterburnet111]

I wasn't sure if I could pull off truing a wheel up but I managed to pull it off and I think it came out good. This always seemed like one of the dark arts. It's pretty amazing that between forums like this and YouTube, it's possible to learn how to do difficult things that used to be learned over years. 

[seanbarney41]

I wasn't sure if I could pull off truing a wheel up but I managed to pull it off and I think it came out good. This always seemed like one of the dark arts. It's pretty amazing that between forums like this and YouTube, it's possible to learn how to do difficult things that used to be learned over years. 

well, yes but...now ya gotta crank 'em out every half hour and if they are not right, you don't get paid.  That is what gets learned over years.  lol

[chesterburnet111]

I watched a bunch of videos showing how to true a wheel. Almost all were dirt bike wheels and every one had a disclaimer that dirt bike wheels don't have to be perfect and that street wheels need to be closer. Mine came out better than the dirt bike wheels in the video but they're not perfect. How close to perfect do they need to be? 

[BenelliSEI]

Good for you, well done! Some guys use a dial indicator and spend a lot of time. I noticed a while ago that when I check wheels I pull off my projects they are often +1/8” out. When I get to 1/16” of run out or “hop”, I call it a day. My bikes run just fine.

Also, ignore the “lump” either side of where the rim is welded together. A few inches either side can be a bit lumpy and there is no solution. When I’ve put +100 miles on a fresh wheel, I usually go once around and pull every spoke a 1/4 turn. Haven’t had any surprises.

Careful when you mount a new tire. Lube it well and make sure it is truly centred on the bead, Check both sidewalls and make sure they are sitting evenly all the way around. Congrats on joining the “I build my own wheels Club”.

[HondaMan]

We used 2mm for the smaller bikes (100cc-ish crowd) and 1mm or less for the high-speed touring bikes back when. The surface of the wheel itself is often out by 0.5mm on the older Japanese versions.