Author Topic: Cary, NC CB550  (Read 7972 times)

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Offline c_packer

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Cary, NC CB550
« on: March 20, 2008, 07:26:59 PM »
Picked up this running (with 07 tags??!!)bike that had not been registered since 1983 from local Craigslist for 400.00 It had a lawn mower ignition switch, all of the cables were broken except clutch, carb #3 was missing the bowl drain screw and was not getting fuel, leaky forks with major road rash and rust, the wiring harness was jumped out with cut pieces of wire, it had 3 30 amp fuses that would blow constantly, the tail light was not functioning, the signal lights were all rusted and shorted, Oil pan had 1/4" of sludge inside and 1/2" underneath, no front brake caliper, tank was RUSTY! The exhaust pipes were the ugliest loudest POS ever, no side covers, battery was completly dry, no air filter, no key for the seat lock or forks. All of those items have been delt with Carbs rebuilt, tank lined with Kreem, oil pan scrubbed and sealed tight, bought a 77 F for parts stole a few nuts & bolts, the forks (changed seals and installed gaters) the gaters come from a dirt bike but look good. got the fuse block from the 77 mine was melted real bad. I changed oil & filter, installed new plugs, new fuel lines, all new cables came with the 77, caliper from 77 misc wires and turn signals from the 77, new air filter, new bulbs, the turn signal buzzer was disconnected and still works the signal relay was missing i got an electronic one from Autozone, the 77 was 2 prong mine is three?? Got to tear down cylinders and replace gaskets. Will post more pics later.
« Last Edit: October 21, 2008, 12:11:43 PM by c_packer »
I'm a creep, I'm a weirdo. What the hell am I doin' here? -Radiohead-

Offline neil young

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Re: Cary, NC CB550
« Reply #1 on: March 21, 2008, 02:19:28 PM »
turned out nice. 8)
rattle can?
if so watch out for gas spillage on the tank :'(
1972 CB500 k1
1974 CB550
1977 cb 550
82 suzuki GS 750tz.......16  valves  baby
2008 Triumph Scrambler

fixahonda

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Re: Cary, NC CB550
« Reply #2 on: March 21, 2008, 03:51:05 PM »
Wow, that turned out really nice. Lots and lots of work it seems like.

When I saw Cary, NC and CB550 I thought it was going to be my old one. I just moved to PA from Raleigh recently, but sold my 550 to a young kid in Cary last year. All of that time, I never met anyone interested in older bikes beside that one guy that bought my bike.

kevio

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Re: Cary, NC CB550
« Reply #3 on: March 25, 2008, 07:31:04 PM »
Hey I just moved from Cary. I'm actually still selling my townhouse there.  Anyway, looks like you did a great job. I love the orange paint.

Offline c_packer

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Re: Cary, NC CB550
« Reply #4 on: March 28, 2008, 08:35:47 PM »
Thanks for all the comppliments and suggestions. I was taking a little trip to fill the tank and just open her up and I got the srtangest sensation. My shins and feet were getting a stinging wet feeling. So I pull it over at the Harris Teeter and shooy! Oil everywhere! I blew the head and cylinder gaskets. A guy I met named Sushi in Raleigh told me to try tightening the bolts up a little just to get me through the season, but I then found 2 broken studs and 1 broken off hesd bolt. So here is where I'm at now Complete teardown....
I'm a creep, I'm a weirdo. What the hell am I doin' here? -Radiohead-

Offline c_packer

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Re: Cary, NC CB550
« Reply #5 on: March 28, 2008, 08:42:39 PM »
Two days into it...
I'm a creep, I'm a weirdo. What the hell am I doin' here? -Radiohead-

Offline c_packer

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Re: Cary, NC CB550
« Reply #6 on: March 28, 2008, 08:51:42 PM »
Three days...
I'm a creep, I'm a weirdo. What the hell am I doin' here? -Radiohead-

Offline c_packer

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Re: Cary, NC CB550
« Reply #7 on: April 04, 2008, 08:09:22 PM »
I am going Cafe! Since I had to pull the motor because of head and cylinder gaskets blew out. I figured what the hey! It was tough threading the control wires through the Clubman bars. Cleaned engine replaced seals and gaskets repainted. Brake cleaner was the only thing that made the grime come off. 6 bucks at the carwash didn't even affect it.
I'm a creep, I'm a weirdo. What the hell am I doin' here? -Radiohead-

Offline c_packer

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Re: Cary, NC CB550
« Reply #8 on: April 04, 2008, 08:20:53 PM »
More pics I am waiting for SS bolt kit and cb400 comstars!
I'm a creep, I'm a weirdo. What the hell am I doin' here? -Radiohead-

Offline c_packer

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Re: Cary, NC CB550
« Reply #9 on: April 04, 2008, 08:33:02 PM »
The heart transplant was a success!!!! Harder to put back than take off??? I could not find a local spot to pick up an inexpensive valve compressor or a loaner from Auto Zone. So I found a picture online and designed my own. I've always wanted a big C-clamp!
8" C-clamp 16.00,
3/4" copper coupling 1.00,
using my kitchen table as a work bench 30.00 (wife and kids Mexican dinner out)!
Not letting any obsticle get in my way PRICELESS!!!
I'm a creep, I'm a weirdo. What the hell am I doin' here? -Radiohead-

kevio

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Re: Cary, NC CB550
« Reply #10 on: April 04, 2008, 09:05:34 PM »
Where did you get your SS Bolt kit from?  I want to order one as well.
Thanks,
Kev

Offline mystic_1

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Re: Cary, NC CB550
« Reply #11 on: April 04, 2008, 10:07:52 PM »
Say, you should do a write-up on how you made that valve spring compressor.  Nice job!

mystic_1
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My build thread:  http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=68952.0

troppo

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Re: Cary, NC CB550
« Reply #12 on: April 04, 2008, 10:29:17 PM »
Say, you should do a write-up on how you made that valve spring compressor.  Nice job!

mystic_1
+1

Offline c_packer

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Re: Cary, NC CB550 SS Bolts
« Reply #13 on: April 05, 2008, 11:50:14 PM »
Ebay seller Stainless Cycle 24.99 + 6.00 shipping for polished 85 piece set. just do a search for them, he has the kits for many other bikes.
I'm a creep, I'm a weirdo. What the hell am I doin' here? -Radiohead-

Offline olds-cool

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Re: Cary, NC CB550
« Reply #14 on: April 06, 2008, 05:23:31 PM »
I think you'll find that the CB400 Comstars run a smaller axle.  At least the 400T rear that I bought does.  Looks pretty good though and it's a shame that you blew the head gasket already.  Same thing happened to me 1/2 way through last season.  It prompted me to do a complete tear down, head porting, 650 cam, maxi-dwell ignition, and cafe the bike.

Offline c_packer

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Re: Cary, NC CB550
« Reply #15 on: April 12, 2008, 10:32:45 PM »
Been really busy lately. I finished the carbs and the parts polishing! I have bought so many SS screws from ACE Hardware they know me by name, they special ordered a drawer for me, Ace is the Place! I replaced top and bottom screws on carbs, polished the brass caps and screws, and did a two tone paint job. I hope they aren't tacky. Aluminum polishing is FUN!! Wet sanding the parts Sucks!

To answer a reply:I haven't gotten to the rims yet, but If thr axels are a dif. size couldn't I change the wheel bearings or what else to make them fit up?
 
I'm a creep, I'm a weirdo. What the hell am I doin' here? -Radiohead-

Offline c_packer

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Re: Cary, NC CB550
« Reply #16 on: April 21, 2008, 01:19:23 AM »
Can anyone identify the exhaust parts I have pictured? I am missing #3 header. All I know is maybe Jardine NOS. Also I want one of these tanks I saw on a bike on Ebay I'll attach a picture. The seller descibes it as an alloy race tank.
I'm a creep, I'm a weirdo. What the hell am I doin' here? -Radiohead-

Offline c_packer

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Re: Cary, NC CB550
« Reply #17 on: May 03, 2008, 07:40:41 PM »
New pics, Ihave been tinkering late in the evenings after my 2nd job so I haven't had much time to post updates. the cb400 wheels went without a hitch. I used about a 1/2" spacer on the right (used the inside of an old bearing and thinned it on the grinder til it fit) and a couple new bearings. The front took an 1 1/4" of spacing and the bearings fit the axel. I have added some Led lights to the front fairing. They are automotive windshield washer sprayer nozzels that the teenagers put on there Honda low riders. And the tail light is two sets of automotive grille marker lights one set of twenty for marker and one set of tweny for the brake for a total of fourty Leds to make me more visible. The missing #3 exhaust pipe was the only thin so far I had someone else do. Yhe muffler guy chopped up some other pipes I had and Frankensteined them together. As of yet I need to change the shifter oil seal, adjust and sync the carbs, get a new front tube , get a plate and an inspection then I can ride!!
« Last Edit: October 21, 2008, 12:15:51 PM by c_packer »
I'm a creep, I'm a weirdo. What the hell am I doin' here? -Radiohead-

Offline c_packer

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Re: Cary, NC CB550
« Reply #18 on: July 20, 2008, 08:57:55 PM »
New pictures of my progress. I haven't been at it much since my condo's HOA reported me for having my bikes on the property. Evidently Motorcycles are not allowed on the premises. I have installed '02 cbr954 rearsets, velocity stacks, electronic ingition, and cafe' seat. Right now my biggest problem is the main seal damage caused from the o-ring chain the previousowner installed. The chain rubbed through the seal opening up a huge oil leak. My buddy calls me Exxon Valdez.

Will I have to crack the cases to replace the seal or not?

Fix the leaks, paint the body work, and install dual front brakes and forks from a '75 Goldwing then this puppy will be done!
I'm a creep, I'm a weirdo. What the hell am I doin' here? -Radiohead-

Offline c_packer

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Re: Cary, NC CB550
« Reply #19 on: July 22, 2008, 08:20:15 AM »
Okay decided not to use the Goldwing forks, cause of the amount of work involved. now I am looking for a stock caliper to install on the right fork.
I'm a creep, I'm a weirdo. What the hell am I doin' here? -Radiohead-

Offline c_packer

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Re: Cary, NC CB550
« Reply #20 on: September 02, 2008, 05:07:52 PM »
Okay I have another installment of the cafe transformation. New NGK irridium plugs, Velocity stacks, paint and bondo, electronics and battery relocation, sealed battery upgrade, new tires with hand painted white letters, new chain, new rear sprocket, and alot of cleaning.
I'm a creep, I'm a weirdo. What the hell am I doin' here? -Radiohead-

Offline c_packer

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Re: Cary, NC CB550
« Reply #21 on: September 02, 2008, 05:11:29 PM »
More pics I was in a show in Raleigh, NC on the 30th and got rave reviews, I felt bad 'cause I am still not finished.
I'm a creep, I'm a weirdo. What the hell am I doin' here? -Radiohead-

Offline c_packer

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Re: Cary, NC CB550
« Reply #22 on: September 02, 2008, 05:13:57 PM »
Pics at the show
I'm a creep, I'm a weirdo. What the hell am I doin' here? -Radiohead-

Offline c_packer

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Re: Cary, NC CB550
« Reply #23 on: September 02, 2008, 05:25:08 PM »
I have changed the looks of my bike three times now. It is my first bike and I just can't make up my mind yet! I'm a 34 yo kid when it comes to my Honda!
I'm a creep, I'm a weirdo. What the hell am I doin' here? -Radiohead-

fuzzybutt

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Re: Cary, NC CB550
« Reply #24 on: September 02, 2008, 07:50:37 PM »
they wont let you keep your own motorcycle on the property? thats a load of bs on their part. i'd fight that if i was you mate. GREAT looking motorcycle by the way. i hope mine looks half as good when i finally get it done