Topic: CB550F cafe/racer project continued...

[rlarkin70]

Now that I have my 1976 CB550F restored and running well, I am going to personalize it a bit and make it more into the cafe/racer bike I envisioned...

This is the initial thread on my project: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=26516.0

Now for Part 2, I started by removing the front fender, then chopped the back fender and painted it black. I have the tail light mocked up to make a bracket for it. I thought about doing a solo seat but for now will stick with the 2-up.

I also started work on the instruments. I am going to run tach only, move the starter and headlight on/off switch up to the cluster. It will be basic indicators only: large red oil light, and single green neutral light.

I will post some more pictures once I get the box made, and the indicator lights and switches installed.

Also, there will be some color added to the bike, I'm going to paint some racing stripes. The side covers are being replaced with custom flush ones I am making from sheet metal. I have moved the electrical panel inward, and turned the battery so the posts are facing inside to allow for the fit.

Starting to look more like a racer now. Also on the to do list is replacing the sprockets/chain with new ones, possibly go for some better rear shocks, and get new tires.

-Ron

[wizzy]

thats a pretty sweet gage mock up in the bars, are you reusing the speedo or tach?
it looking pretty good my man

[andyman]

that paint on the tank looks sweet.  Did you do the painting yourself?  What brand/color is it?

[wizzy]

oh......i guess if i read it more closely it tells me that its the tach only....i think i need glasses

[forwheeldrift]

looks good.    keep the pics coming

[rlarkin70]

yeah, it will be tach only and I will probably re-use the stock tach, maybe replace the face with a custom made one.

the paint is just out of a can --- 4 coats of Duplicolor 1634 Low Gloss Engine Enamel. after a couple weeks I rubbed down the finish with some type of soft scotch brite type pad, then waxed it. I like how it turned out too. the "stripes" on there are just some temporary masking lines.

I got a couple 12V lights and LEDs from Radio Shack, and last night I made up the cardboard mockup of the instrument box.  I will be finishing up the real thing this weekend.

[FunJimmy]

Looking forward to seeing it soon.

[rlarkin70]

I have made some more progress. My ambitions and skills are NOT quite up to the same level as others who are working on similar projects (aka FunJummy!) but my philosophy is to make it ride good, look good, and do it on the cheap.

I am working on repainting the tank (colors will be a surprise, but I am trying to make it look like a 70s era GP racer) and have ordered some Avon Roadriders. I also have new front/rear sprockets on order, and a 530 chain. All of those should be mounted and installed within the next week. I am still debating on whether or not to go with some sheet metal side covers, or to go with a simple sheet metal cover over the relocated electrical panel and leave the right side with the battery out in the wind. I like the minimalist look, so leaning towards the latter.

Here are some photos...nothing too exciting, I have the indicator/starter panel and lights mounted, I need to paint it black. Also working on the tachometer face in Adobe Illustrator...thanks to the folks who sent me some templates to work with!

I will continue to post some pictures every now and then..........

-Ron

[FunJimmy]

It's coming along really well. I love the power switches.
Where did you mount the ignition switch?

FJ

[legendary]

rlarkin70,
                your switch panel is awesome.... you have to tell me more. Where is it mounted and where did you buy the covered switch?

Neat idea and nicely done!

[rlarkin70]

thanks guys. I was going for a basic panel...purely functional, and retro looking to suit the overall style of the bike. reminds me of an airplane, or a race care.

I am not decided exactly on the layout, but this picture is close. I may put the ignition key back where it was originally, and move the panel forward and to the left a bit. Or else, put the key on the left side of the frame, similar to my old CB450-K7.

I am using the stock bracket that mounts the gauges to the bike. I may or may not cut it down a bit. I'm measuring to make an L or C shaped bracket to mount to that stock bracket.  the covered switch I got from AutoZone, or Advance Auto...I can't remember which. They sell 12V switches there, toggle type and others. Lights are all from radio shack.

I still have to cut/solder the original wiring so the new lights and switches are functional. I will just use heat shrink and zip ties to neaten everything up underneath. I have it set up as follows:  top left switch is headlight on/off switch. below that is the neutral light. center is the starter...flip cover up and toggle switch up to start. the two red lights are oil. I may move the neutral light over to the right side and put in a blue hi beam light there instead.

For the tach I plan to make a custom gauge face for a 2-to-10 position, which will put the power band and redline in the center of my vision. I'm working on the design in Adobe Illustrator. If you look close you can see the cracked gauge face!!  I dropped it last night and broke that piece off.  But luckily I can just glue it back together and with a new face it will not be noticeable.

Should have some more pictures by next weekend.

-Ron

[bill440cars]

     
        Looking good Ron! Keep us posted with your progress.

     BTW, what does that CB450K7 look like? don't think I've seen that one.

                                        Later on, Bill

[rlarkin70]

I don't have any photos of MY CB450K7, but this is a photo of what it looked like. 450 twin, torsion bar valve springs. fun bike!

I started on the soldering for the new lights and switches. I just need to run the wires for the starter. More to come...

-Ron

[rlarkin70]

Meant to attach this one too...shows how I pulled back the starter wiring, and ran it up to the panel. Just about to solder it now.

Not sure if I mentioned this yet, but although this bike begs for a solo seat, Im going to keep the stock 2-up seat. My wife likes to ride sometimes, and this bike handles 2 quite nicely. What good is a bike if you can't have a girl on the back? 

-Ron

[FunJimmy]

What good is a bike if you can't have a girl on the back? 

Just might be the best line ever posted on this site!

Cheers
FJ

[edbikerii]

What good is a bike if you can't have a girl on the back? 

Just might be the best line ever posted on this site!

Cheers
FJ

+1.  I went back to the stock 2-up seat right after I got divorced!!!

[rlarkin70]

+1.  I went back to the stock 2-up seat right after I got divorced!!!

ha!!!

well, back to the build I guess...  Here is a preview of the color scheme I am going for. I will start the white a bit lower on the tank, and it will be a thinner band. I like the orange since the original bike was a tangerine orange. Just mocking up the paint using painted masking tape, so I can visualize. I start masking/painting tomorrow...

Also check out the new Avon Road Riders. Nice tires!!

-Ron

[FunJimmy]

Looks great!
I love the shorty rear fender! Nice touch.
Sticky tires. Ooooh
Paint scheme looks real cool too.
Nice and original.

[rlarkin70]

The project continues to move along....

The tank is painted, and I really like how it turned out. It looks a bit funky in the picture, but with the seat on and with the new custom side covers it really comes together well.  It definitely gives that 70s-era GP racer look that I wanted. The other picture shows the new sprockets  and chain, and the long threaded bolts I used to move the electrical panel towards the center of the bike. This allows the new side covers to fit flush against the frame mounts.

Other than that stuff I have been doing some other things like: relocating the horn under the seat (to clean up the front end, and give a better view of those sweet 4-into-1 pipes), finishing the soldering of the new switches and lights, ordering and mounting a new tach, and putting new 110 jets into the carbs.

More work this weekend...it should be ready to fire up in about a week or two.

-Ron

[squirley]

Bike looks nice. What size tires did you end up going with?

[rlarkin70]

Bike looks nice. What size tires did you end up going with?

They are Avon Roadriders. 3.25x19 in the front, and 110/90-18 rear.

[edbikerii]

Nice bike, nice tires.  Have you got a shot of the rear wheel with tire mounted?  Good source for those?

Thanks,

Ed

[rlarkin70]

Nice bike, nice tires.  Have you got a shot of the rear wheel with tire mounted?  Good source for those?

Thanks,

Ed

I ended up getting them from the local Honda dealer here in Saint Petersburg, Barney's.  They were a couple bucks more than the cheapest mail order, but there was no shipping charge and they mounted/balanced them for $15 a tire.  I believe it was $73 for the rear, and $65 for the front.  I now forget where I saw them online, but I think I just did a search on Google for Avon Roadrider and went from there.

-Ron

[edbikerii]

Thanks, that looks great.  I'm glad to hear you got a good deal from the local Honda dealer, too.

Thank you,

Ed

[inline4]

Ron:
You have some serious talent and a good eye for details. I look forward to seeing the finished project.
Jim

[rlarkin70]

thanks! but I feel like I am just stumbling through this, and learning a lot along the way. most of this type of stuff I haven't done before, but I'm taking it slow, making mistakes, and then trying again.

case in point: after mocking up the tach on the left, then the right...I have decided to put it right in the middle!  I made a bracket that fits right where the ignition key originally mounted.  I found a piece of metal at Ace hardware for less than $1. I measured the holes on tach and key mount, made a template, cut the piece using a basic scroll saw, bent one part of it to clear the tach cable, filed down the sharp edges, and drilled the mounting holes.

as you can see, I bolted the ignition switch to the right of the tach onto the top-triple mount that used to hold the original speedo/tach bracket. it looks a bit clunky there, so I may move it. Also, I think I am going to scrap the original idea I had with that switch panel, and do something a bit different...along the same lines, but maybe separate the oil/neutral light and the switches. I found the panel I made too hard to mount nicely to the top-triple. I shouldn't have soldered the wiring until after I had it mounted. oh well..live and learn.

-Ron

[FunJimmy]

Ron

I like the tach in the center too. Nice and clean.

When you are cutting out the centre of your bracket for the tach cable, I fould that if I drilled two larger holes at the inside corners it gives enough room to turn a hacksaw blade (or better yet Bandsaw) to cut out the center piece. Finish with a file and it cleans up real nice.

Project looks awesome.

 

[rlarkin70]

Good idea. I have a lot to learn about metal working and fabrication.

I took some photos of the bike today, it really is getting close to being able to ride it again. Tonight I'm going to put the oil back in and change the filter, then it's ready to start for the first time since New Years day.

Last minor items are to fabricate some brackets to mount the oil/neutral lights and start/headlight switches. I also need to put the paint on the side covers and fit them, and mount the tail light. Major work left to do: front brake rebuild.

I also really want to find another stock seat pan and make a solo seat...the bike is just begging for it. Then I can swap out between 2-up and solo seats.

More photos and updates next week.....

-Ron

[KB02]

That's coming out really nice.

[FunJimmy]

That's coming out really nice.

+1 - Nice to see it coming together so well Ron.

Ya, a solo café seat would look great on it too. Someone here has gotta have a seat pan that they would part with.

BTW, show us those side covers you mentioned.

Cheers
Jimmy

[rlarkin70]

Well, the bike is just about finished. I need to replace the ignition switch, it will go to the right of the tach bolted to the top triple. thanks for your help with that Fun Jimmy.  Also I need to rebuild/install the front brake. Eventually I want to get the rotors drilled and put on another MC and dual front disc.  And, more eventually, fiberglass a solo seat.

for now, I just want to RIDE.  I am happy with how it turned out, I found the look I was going for... prototype-racer, everything very minimalist. and yes, some of the switches and lights are held on by cable ties and electrical tape!  The starter toggle has a sheet metal bracket I made, but I then just taped it to the switch and zip tied it. simple looking, and simple to make. again, stays with my vision for the bike. I have seen many race cars with some pretty rigged up stuff. I may make some simple brackets down the road.

So...thanks for following along and commenting. Some really nice bikes out there definitely inspired me. I will post some final photos in a few weeks with the brake on and the side covers done up with drilled bolts and clips, instead of zip ties.

Ride safe,
-Ron

[FunJimmy]

Looks great Ron.
Finally a picture of the side cover that you've been keeping a secret for so long.
That switch should be there soon and then, get out and ride!

Cheers