Topic: CB550 Cafe Interceptor - Gentleman's Roadster

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I looked at PM, and they do seem like they'd fit, but I absolutely hate the looks of them - and they do so much Harley stuff that I assume they're just not very good brakes.  I would probably trade my 4-piston calipers with the 2-piston ones on my wife's Monster 620 and rock 2-piston Brembos instead.  Maybe that's just prejudice on my part.

Just FYI -- PM brakes are VERY high quality.

[754]

Yeah they sold alot for roadracing, even had  quick release lines. Their Mitchell wheels were very light.
 Their flattrack. Wheels are super light if you can get them. Pricey too..

[Syscrush]

You can probably. Grind at least a mm off your calipers, or space them out.  And bigger rotors moves them out giving more room.

OK, I don't wanna jack FJ's thread too much more here, but since others will likely find this looking for info about fitting modern calipers to vintage Hondas hopefully it's not too bad.

My machinist was planning to take 1-2mm off the caliper as you suggest, but when he disassembled them for final measurements, he found that there just was not enough material on the inboard side to take off any material.  This is a 2-pad, 4-piston Brembo cast caliper with a 65mm axial mount - as used on a bunch of Ducati superbikes.  The 40mm mount ones may be narrower or be able to handle having some material shaved off, I don't know.

[Godffery]

 Would a thinner 4.3mm rotor help?
http://www.vinmoto.org/gallery/v/VinMoto-Garage/album03/Godfferys-Garage-123/Parts+and+service/

[FunJimmy]

Would a thinner 4.3mm rotor help?

Thanks, but I think the rotor I have is perfect.

[Godffery]

Would a thinner 4.3mm rotor help?

Thanks, but I think the rotor I have is perfect.

Oh, this is for your bike?
Sorry I thought it was for Syscrush.

[Syscrush]

Oh, this is for your bike?
Sorry I thought it was for Syscrush.

It's his thread, let's leave it about his bike.

FJ, after looking at every caliper on God's green earth, I'm more and more fond of the one you chose. It's a cool, high-spec, non-ostentatious choice. It really suits the bike overall and it's gonna look great on there.

[FunJimmy]

The caliper mounts on these R6 forks are perfect for adapting the Brembo GP caliper to.

[754]

Can you flushmount the Allen heads or use button heads?  Be cleaner looking..  Nice adaptor forks like that are easy to work with.

[FunJimmy]

Can you flushmount the Allen heads or use button heads?  Be cleaner looking..  Nice adaptor forks like that are easy to work with.

Good suggestion Frank. Maybe I'll recess the Allen heads about half way.
Don't want to thin out the adapter too much.

[754]

 Do you have a 1 inch. Endmill or flycutter? Center over the holes the button heads are going into, and cut a radius into the part that is sloped..then it will match the fork lug better..
 Like the crude drawing....

[754]

 Top and bottom are where you got buttonheads. The middle holes are where your regular Allen bolts are.
 I asked ifyou had small flycutter to use ifyou did not have a big Endmill.

.sorry should told you to click the enhance button, then it looks like this. 

[Syscrush]

That is beautiful. I agree with 754 about somehow lowering the profile of those heads.

[FunJimmy]

Pretty limited shop tools Frank. I've actually got two end mills.
One 1/2" and the other 5/8". I see were you're going now.
Maybe I'll bring it up to Kelowna next trip.

Cheers

[754]

Sure gladly.....if there is a demand for those it would be an easy part to make..

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Some impressive work, FJ!!

[Syscrush]

sorry should told you to click the enhance button, then it looks like this. 

I like that you even put the Brembo logo on there.

[Stev-o]

Some impressive work, FJ!!

+1. 

[Blackfin5]

Another ++1 for having "limited tools."  Looks professionally manufactured.

[PGF550F]

Those caliper mounts look great, I wish I had some equipment and fab skills like that.

Hey FJ What did you do with your stock seat? I have a 550F that came with a random seat that doesn't even bolt up to the bike Do you still have your stock seat? want to get rid of it? 

[FunJimmy]

Those caliper mounts look great, I wish I had some equipment and fab skills like that.

Hey FJ What did you do with your stock seat? I have a 550F that came with a random seat that doesn't even bolt up to the bike Do you still have your stock seat? want to get rid of it?

Thanks. It's nice to have some tools and a warm dry place to fiddle.
You can do a lot if you have the time & patients.

My stock seat was used as the pan for my first generation Cafe seat.
Didn't really work out though. Sorry

[PGF550F]

No worries, just thought I would check. Thanks though, I wont hijack your thread anymore!!

[fastbroshi]

As much as I like this bike, I'm surprised you're still working on it FJ.   Just when I think it can't get any better it does.   I have to get popcorn ready before I read any of your posts.

[RAFster122s]

Those caliper mounts look great, I wish I had some equipment and fab skills like that.

Hey FJ What did you do with your stock seat? I have a 550F that came with a random seat that doesn't even bolt up to the bike Do you still have your stock seat? want to get rid of it?

Thanks. It's nice to have some tools and a warm dry place to fiddle.
You can do a lot if you have the time & patients.

My stock seat was used as the pan for my first generation Cafe seat.
Didn't really work out though. Sorry

You don't suffer from distraction from all the patients begging for a little loving? I think you don't have a garage full or storage shed full of project bikes awaiting your loving attention and skills.  You buy them in nice shape rather than the ecpensive and more time consuming route I seem to gravitate towards.  Granted, your Interceptor is a project build and not some light ttinkering.  I do love it.
It is a matter of staying focused as multitasking has been shown to lower your IQ. (seriously, it has)
I have many patients (CB550K, CX500, S90, CA95, C70) and when I spend time but my bike doesn't turn out that nice...

But, I am trying to be funny and a bit of a word Nazi as you really meant patience, darn autospeller struck again!!!

But,

[FunJimmy]

But, I am trying to be funny and a bit of a word Nazi as you really meant patience, darn autospeller struck again!!!

Oops, I missed that David.

You're right though. The FunJimmy Lab is a rather modest unassuming shack that can accommodate three motorcycles a mountain bike, beer fridge, sterio and an assortment of tools. Perfect for getting away from it all and tinkering the night away.

I'd love to have the space to start another project bike (CR750 comes to mind) but something would have to go and I can't say bye bye to the Interceptor or the other two bikes. Tinkering and refining is a pretty nice way to spend a few hours in the shop with an ice cold beer too.