Topic: CB550 Cafe Interceptor - Gentleman's Roadster

[Syscrush]

Glad to hear that you're happy with the upgrade.

[calj737]

Thanks, Jimmy. I was more curious about Paul's prior conversations and whether you might actually see a voltage drain improvement. I'm sure with LEDs you're already pretty low, but was Erie curios where/when the charging drains came in.

BTW, I forgot you posted elsewhere you don't own a DMM...

[scottly]

Interesting I had to run 65 pilot jets to get decent idle with the Pamco ignition and as soon as I fired it up with the C5 it was puffing black on throttle blips. Had to open up the air screw a full turn until I could change the pilots to 60.

Interesting that you had to re-jet after switching ignitions? IIRC, after Fatmatt replaced his failed Power Arc with a new one, he also suddenly developed "carburetor" issues? 

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Very nice, Jim. All this talk of ignition systems has me wondering about my next one.

[FunJimmy]

Interesting I had to run 65 pilot jets to get decent idle with the Pamco ignition and as soon as I fired it up with the C5 it was puffing black on throttle blips. Had to open up the air screw a full turn until I could change the pilots to 60.

Interesting that you had to re-jet after switching ignitions? IIRC, after Fatmatt replaced his failed Power Arc with a new one, he also suddenly developed "carburetor" issues?

Maybe we're hooking them up wrong. I'd better check where I put the green wire.
It's is supposed to operate the tach but if hooked to the carbs, could have a very different effect. 

At any rate, I've gone down one pilot jet size so the C5 ignition is already paying for itself in fuel savings and reduced GHG emissions. Good for the wallet and good for the environment. Can you say that with any other performance upgrade?

[754]

Yup, my Webers usually got better mileage than stock carbs..

[scottly]

Now that you mention it Frank, my 836 with Webers typically gets better mileage than what most 550 owners report.

[FunJimmy]

LED signal lights are great at night but are usually to small and to dim to perform well in daylight.
Here's a quick video of the Eagle Eye LED signals with a Joker Machine LED tail light.

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[calj737]

Proof! There is a Ghostrider!!!?? I saw it on the Internet, it must be true-


Those look brilliant, pardon the pun. Just helped Devin wire up a bike he's doing, and his recessed LED hoop light is unreal bright too. That Joker light has a great shape/look for a classic enough light, and still have modern performance. Really nice, FJ, really nice!

[akabek]

LED signal lights are great at night but are usually to small and to dim to perform well in daylight.
Here's a quick video of the Eagle Eye LED signals with a Joker Machine LED tail light.

Not a valid vimeo URL

That video is too quiet Jimmy.  You need to add the sound of an idling bike...

[Syscrush]

LED signal lights are great at night but are usually to small and to dim to perform well in daylight.

This is often exacerbated by the use of ballast/load resistors in parallel with the signals to make the low-draw LEDs flash at the correct rate.  For others reading this and planning a swap to LEDs, you absolutely must use an electronic flasher in place of the old-fashioned relay to get the full brightness from your LEDs.

[FunJimmy]

For others reading this and planning a swap to LEDs, you absolutely must use an electronic flasher in place of the old-fashioned relay to get the full brightness from your LEDs.

Excellent point. Thanks for mentioning it.

[Syscrush]

Excellent point. Thanks for mentioning it.

I'm happy to save others the heartbreak I experienced after that evening "fixing" my too-fast flashers...

[FunJimmy]

Still sorting out the CR26 jetting since installing the C5 multi-spark ignition.
I've gone one size leaner on the pilot jets and the needles so far and the bike it running great.

Interestingly I started logging the trip distance vs number of litres of fuel over a few rides and the fuel consumption data is pretty interesting.

CB550 Interceptor (4 ride total) 419.7KM = 44.86L (9.36 KM/L)
                                        vs
Ducati 999R (4 ride total) 701KM = 49.66L (14.12 KM/L)

At this rate I can make a pretty strong economic argument justifying the Ducati purchase.
I wonder if Laura would see the value in me having another?

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Still sorting out the CR26 jetting since installing the C5 multi-spark ignition.
I've gone one size leaner on the pilot jets and the needles so far and the bike it running great.

Interestingly I started logging the trip distance vs number of litres of fuel over a few rides and the fuel consumption data is pretty interesting.

CB550 Interceptor (4 ride total) 419.7KM = 44.86L (9.36 KM/L)
                                        vs
Ducati 999R (4 ride total) 701KM = 49.66L (14.12 KM/L)

At this rate I can make a pretty strong economic argument justifying the Ducati purchase.
I wonder if Laura would see the value in me having another?

Economies of scale?   

It sounds like the C5 is making your 550 more fuel efficient though!

[calj737]

and you still like the C5 from a performance perspective, FJ? I ask because I just ordered it for my 500 build with CR-26s so I'll be paying close attention to your jetting setup as a starting point. Then I will head to a dyno armed with your info, and some extras for optimum tuning.

[FunJimmy]

and you still like the C5 from a performance perspective, FJ? I ask because I just ordered it for my 500 build with CR-26s so I'll be paying close attention to your jetting setup as a starting point. Then I will head to a dyno armed with your info, and some extras for optimum tuning.

I love it Cal.
I've previously had the Dyna and Pamco units and from a performance perspective, this is the best ignition I've used.
BTW, what's you CR26 jetting now?

[calj737]

None. Still not installed. Waiting to get my motor buttoned up (today or monday) then work on the frame. Hope to have it fired up this summer 

[scottly]

Still sorting out the CR26 jetting since installing the C5 multi-spark ignition.
I've gone one size leaner on the pilot jets and the needles so far and the bike it running great.

Interestingly I started logging the trip distance vs number of litres of fuel over a few rides and the fuel consumption data is pretty interesting.

CB550 Interceptor (4 ride total) 419.7KM = 44.86L (9.36 KM/L)                                       

If I did the math right, that is only about 22 MPG? I averaged 51 MPG over 760 miles on the 2013 relay with my 836cc, Weber carbed, Gerex fired bike. What was the mileage with the Pamco?

[FunJimmy]

If I did the math right, that is only about 22 MPG? I averaged 51 MPG over 760 miles on the 2013 relay with my 836cc, Weber carbed, Gerex fired bike. What was the mileage with the Pamco?

Three of the four tanks are with the Pamco ignition.
Not a big difference to report with the C5 yet.
Pretty piss poor though.

[seanbarney41]

My '91 Chevy Caprice ex cop car got the same mileage   it weighed 4200 pounds and had a 5700cc engine ...I generally expect 45 mpg out of a bike.  My stock 550 only got 39mpg.  22mpg on a bike?  Does the tank leak?

[calj737]

You're also using CR-26 carbs which are not fuel misers. Any chance the speedo/odometer gearing is off? Done a GPS comparison for calibration?

[bwaller]

Not to rub salt in your wound Jimmy but that is poor mileage indeed. Especially considering the engine's not a worn out heap.

Deb's 591 gets over 50 (CDN gal) but she maybe isn't as hard on the throttle!

If it runs well who cares, just buy Petro Can stock. 

[RAFster122s]

Anodized and assembled!

Nice!

You like the black finish...
I think you should have finished them in that blue that was on your calipers, the bike's "Fung Sheway" is all off with that missing...
Adding that much black to the bike just won't do... 
Do it again...   

[RAFster122s]

You're also using CR-26 carbs which are not fuel misers. Any chance the speedo/odometer gearing is off? Done a GPS comparison for calibration?

My Garmin 220 reads slower than my TomTom Via 1505M. My 2000 vintage Ford Crown Victoria (unmarked Police Interceptor package) reads low above 50 mph running Goodyear Eagle GT2s (couldn't afford the $140-160/tire original Goodyear GA? Z rated cop car tires that wear quickly).
These suck in the snow and complain before they break free on dry ground but can be tail happy on wet pavement when pushed hard. I love the sure footed flat cornering, just like I had tuned my Volvo 240 sedans with Bilsteins and heavier springs and a bigger front sway bar, strut braces, etc.
But, I would run dedicated snow tires on the Volvo when I lived in Ohio...so, here in TN I'm traction challenged when snow falls as the Goodyear tires are awful in snow. Could be the 245 tire size having a small factor and the 4400 pounds as opposed to a 195 tire with 2900-3200 pound car.
With new Autolite Iridiums I'm getting 20-22mph on highway in the Crown Vic when I don't tap the ponies on the 4.6L too much. Otherwise I'm lucky to see 17mpg. Thirsty Cop car...but it will move traffic and move down the highway at a good clip.

Not sure what a stock 550 will get, imagine 39 could be possible. I'm looking at a worn cam cover, egg shaped rocker shaft holes...
650 cam awaiting install after I source a '77-78 cover inexpensively...