Author Topic: CB500 Rigid (Read 8334 times)

jreich · « **on:** June 18, 2008, 05:50:42 PM »

Just got done painting the wheels and hubs, and re-assembled the engine today

Got the DOM in today as well, so hopefully I can get to bending and finish her up soon!

Using a 1936 Ford spare tire cover for the rear fender, and will be using an old sportster tank. Both will be painted in this color: http://www.tcpglobal.com/kustomshop/hrf223.aspx

I'm teaching myself how to pinstripe, so if all goes well, I will use orange and white pinstriping on the tank and the fender

Am also having a round oil tank rolled up and capped, in which I will store the electrics excluding the coils.

Using some other British odd's and end's as well. Quite excited to get her together

Cheers

JD

troppo · « **Reply #1 on:** June 19, 2008, 01:59:30 AM »

I`m not a big fan of hardtails, but i am a fan of good metalwork.
Your engine looks very nice, should be a stunner when she`s in a finished bike.
Lets see some pick of the custom metalwork your doing, i love the idea of using an old ford spare tyre cover as a rear guard.
Pics man, we need more pics

Hush · « **Reply #2 on:** June 19, 2008, 04:37:06 AM »

Looks quite pretty, ouch are hard tails as uncomfortable as they sound to ride long distances on?

troppo · « **Reply #3 on:** June 19, 2008, 04:49:59 AM »

Think about it hush, no suspension apart from the tyre and if your lucky a couple of 2 inch springs under the seat

bill440cars · « **Reply #4 on:** June 19, 2008, 07:19:29 AM »

Quote from: troppo on June 19, 2008, 01:59:30 AM

I`m not a big fan of hardtails, but i am a fan of good metalwork.
Your engine looks very nice, should be a stunner when she`s in a finished bike.
Lets see some pick of the custom metalwork your doing, i love the idea of using an old ford spare tyre cover as a rear guard.
Pics man, we need more pics

I'm with troppo on this one.

Not much on actually having a bike with no rear suspension (I'm just not up to that), but gotta say this is looking and sounding interesting.

Take care, Bill

jreich · « **Reply #5 on:** June 19, 2008, 08:45:04 AM »

Hey Guys,

When I began the vision for this bike (about a year ago; Obviously my mind has been working my than my hands!), I decided that I wanted to create something simple that paid tribute to some of the old choppers, but even moreso to some of the first Indians, BMW R32's, Triumphs and the like; only with a SOHC!

For me, rigid entails simplicity....and with simplicity sometimes comes discomfort. Most of the rigids that you see these days aren't the most utilitairan vehicles out there, but they certainly take a person back to a simpler time. That is partially why am using old ford parts, cloth covered wiring, old tattered bates seat and hopefully a paintjob that pays tribute to some of the old hot-rods out there. I think that it will be a good mix of past and present.

This is the first build that I have posted step by step on the forum, so I am excited to get your feedback (both positive and negative). I'll post more pictures as I proceed!

troppo · « **Reply #6 on:** June 20, 2008, 12:10:57 AM »

You definately have a point on the simplicity side of it, no shocks or swingarm to worry about and you can move the engine forward or backwards (depending on your frame mods) with few or no hassles. Some of the old indians had rear suspension as did many other vintage bikes but i guess the hard tail is considered a classic look. I took a mates hard tail harley for a ride a couple of months ago, 40 km`s of SA roads and i thought i`d need my spine removed from the seat by the time i got back to his place, this bike is real basic, hardtail and no sprung seat

Looking forward to more posts and pics as you progress mate
Cheers
Troppo

bill440cars · « **Reply #7 on:** June 20, 2008, 08:20:02 AM »

You know, just because I'm not much on the ride of a "Rigid", doesn't mean that I can't appreciate one like you are building and I'd certainly not hit on a person's choice of style either. I mean, I'm wanting to "eventually" build my 77' CB550 "Cafe Style" and I'm not even sure just how much of that riding position (that a Cafe requires0 that I'll be able to handle, with the shape my back is in. I guarantee that your build WILL be watched by many and admired as well.

jreich · « **Reply #8 on:** June 20, 2008, 09:56:01 AM »

Thanks much Bill; I've noticed in most all of your posts, you always have something positive to say about pretty much anyone's build (whether or not it jives with your personal preferences).
I know that on this build I am learning quite a bit about metal work, and having a lot of fun with this project so far...It is so rewarding to take a bike that is beyond repair and completely rebuild it from the ground up.

My friend Sean has been teaching me good metalwork and fabrication techniques. He rebuilds old Scouts for a living: http://www.anythingscout.com/ Needless to say, he also has a passion for putting new life into old machines.

On a side note from my project, here is his current build:

Old police spotlight:

Solo shock with dampeners

Half of the 1936 ford spare tire cover for the fender and a nice custom goldflake pleated seat and an old peanut tank:

Custom clip-on's

We are already acquiring parts for our next build...have a plunger rear end from an Amen Savior frame, an old T120 tank, and a ribbed fender from a 1930's Triumph...we are thinking cruiser style with matching 16" tires. More on that later!

Have a good one
JD

bradweingartner · « **Reply #9 on:** June 20, 2008, 04:57:44 PM »

hey, is that a monoshock I see in there??

jreich · « **Reply #10 on:** June 20, 2008, 06:57:10 PM »

Quote from: bradweingartner on June 20, 2008, 04:57:44 PM

hey, is that a monoshock I see in there??

Yeah, very interested to see how it rides!

jreich · « **Reply #11 on:** June 21, 2008, 06:49:40 PM »

For those of you that have asked, here is a closer picture of those clip-on's before paint

Have a good one

bradweingartner · « **Reply #12 on:** June 21, 2008, 08:50:27 PM »

I've always thought about the monoshock idea. My theory was that the swingarm wasn't beefy enough to take it though! Hope it works out for you though. Let us know how it holds up.

jreich · « **Reply #13 on:** June 26, 2008, 04:53:42 PM »

Got the rear-end bent up and welded together:

Still trying to decide on the tank....any suggestions?

Started lacing up the wheels, but they are coming along slowly....bought a spoke kit off of fee-bay to lace a 16" drop-rim to a 750 hub. The guy said that it would also work for a 550 hub, however all of the outer spokes are 1/4" to 1/2" too long....going to have to give that some more thought, unless someone else has laced up one of these and has suggestions...

Here is the spoke kit I bought: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=007&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&viewitem=&item=170227903908&rd=1

Have a good one

chopstar500 · « **Reply #14 on:** June 27, 2008, 12:33:54 PM »

Dude - you need to switch your image hosting account to Photobucket - the Imageshack stuff is slow as balls and has a ton of pop-ups! Just an idea. I can't ever look at your pics cause its sooooo damn slow.

Ecosse · « **Reply #15 on:** June 27, 2008, 12:42:03 PM »

Like the paint/ stripe combo you chose!! Should be a stunner.

jreich · « **Reply #16 on:** June 27, 2008, 06:15:17 PM »

Quote from: chopstar500 on June 27, 2008, 12:33:54 PM

Dude - you need to switch your image hosting account to Photobucket - the Imageshack stuff is slow as balls and has a ton of pop-ups! Just an idea. I can't ever look at your pics cause its sooooo damn slow.

Thanks man...I never click on my own pictures, so didn't realize that Imageshack was so sketchy!

I'll get em on photobucket

Cheers

jreich · « **Reply #17 on:** June 27, 2008, 06:19:11 PM »

Ahhh...much better...thanks for the tip chopstar

bill440cars · « **Reply #18 on:** June 27, 2008, 07:23:20 PM »

Quote from: jreich on June 20, 2008, 09:56:01 AM

Thanks much Bill; I've noticed in most all of your posts, you always have something positive to say about pretty much anyone's build (whether or not it jives with your personal preferences).
I know that on this build I am learning quite a bit about metal work, and having a lot of fun with this project so far...It is so rewarding to take a bike that is beyond repair and completely rebuild it from the ground up.

My friend Sean has been teaching me good metalwork and fabrication techniques. He rebuilds old Scouts for a living: http://www.anythingscout.com/ Needless to say, he also has a passion for putting new life into old machines.

On a side note from my project, here is his current build:

Old police spotlight:

Solo shock with dampeners

Half of the 1936 ford spare tire cover for the fender and a nice custom goldflake pleated seat and an old peanut tank:

Custom clip-on's

We are already acquiring parts for our next build...have a plunger rear end from an Amen Savior frame, an old T120 tank, and a ribbed fender from a 1930's Triumph...we are thinking cruiser style with matching 16" tires. More on that later!

Have a good one
JD

JD, I DO appreciate the kind words. L may not really appreciate a particular style or brand of bike, but I CAN (and DO) appreciate the work that you all put into any particular build and some of the things you all come up with too! Like, I never have been able to feel comfortable with the "Clip Ons", but I really like those that you made for your build!

jreich · « **Reply #19 on:** July 25, 2008, 06:41:07 PM »

Have a couple updates on this build that I thought a few of you might like to see

Finally got everything mocked up, tore back down and painted. I decided at the last minute, to try a different paint scheme than I originally had in mind. Needless to say, the feedback I have gotten thusfar has been quite varied. It's definitely one of those "love it" or "hate it" looks.

Still need to put on the carbs, wire everything, and complete some of the finishing work such as bending up a sissy bar and bending up some additional exhaust tubing so that I can mount the single trumpet exhaust.

I hand bent a false oil tank where I will put all of my electrics (excluding the coils) once I rewire the bike.

I got some almost invisible flexible led strip lighting that I will use for my turn signals, which I am excited to wire up.

I could bore you all with all of the other steps and sub-projects, but I didn't take pictures of each, and I know that is what we all crave for!

Enjoy....cheers, JD

martino1972 · « **Reply #20 on:** July 25, 2008, 09:17:31 PM »

looks badass.....nice...
what's your ground clearance?

i made a rigid with no springs under the seat,don't worry,it's not too bad to drive,i feel more bumbs and stuff but mostly at lower speed,at higher speeds you hardly notice them...

jreich · « **Reply #21 on:** July 26, 2008, 04:19:04 AM »

Thank ya...glad you dig it

The ground clearance ends up being right around 3". I did some testing and took measurements with the bike at several different angles prior to bending up the rear end, as to copy the clearance I might have when taking a corner. I determined just how low I could go, and still have enough clearance for it to be safe.

We'll see if all of the testing in the "shop bubble" will apply itself well to the real-world....

Have a good one

olds-cool · « **Reply #22 on:** July 27, 2008, 06:19:32 PM »

Lookin good and almost there.

fuzzybutt · « **Reply #23 on:** July 28, 2008, 08:14:21 PM »

is that duplicolor "brilliant blue"from the paint shop systems line of products? i ask as my frame looks just like it colorwise.

jreich · « **Reply #24 on:** July 29, 2008, 06:06:48 AM »

It sure is! Have you decided what color you will be painting your tins?

It turned out a bit more "brilliant" than I initially intended it to be, but it is really growing on me.

With a few coats of clear, it seems to be holding up pretty well thusfar, considering it is a rattle can job.

Have a good one
JD

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Author Topic: CB500 Rigid (Read 8334 times)

troppo

troppo

troppo

martino1972

fuzzybutt