Topic: 76 cb550k, from clapped out trike to two wheeler. new pics 1/25/10

[byfbo]

Our big laser is a 3000w trumpf 2530.  It has a soft pierce setting.  It doesn't blow the hole, it just pulses till its through then it pulses around the hole.  It reduces heat affect and has a cleaner hole.  It takes forever but its the only way to get a small hole in thick steel.  We have a customer that makes decorative railings for homes.  All of his parts have many small holes for steel cable.  When he orders 1/2 parts, sometimes it could take 20-30 hours for a full sheet to cut. 

[joec3613]

I am working on a 74 CB550 myself. I'm not going into the motor and I am trying to keep the cost at $1000. The bike was only $250 so $1250 total. Not sure if I am going hard tail yet...... Like you, I'm just working on it little by little. Good luck!

[byfbo]

Thanks a lot!  Good luck for you too.  Mine was free, and I forget exactly how much money I've spent so far, a little less than 500 I think.  I'm goin to a bike graveyard tonight and get everything else I need.  There is a 550 sitting in the corner I can have what I want off of it for 100 bucks!  So I'm gonna rape it, with no lube......  Anyway good luck, just take your time and don't get in a hurry.  There are a lot of things I just don't have any experience with, but asking and listening always help out.

[byfbo]

Ok so I was working on a fun little side project while waiting on stuff, and I wanted to make a new cover for the generator side of the bike.  The original was toast.  So I took some measurements, and drew up the cover and laser cut a test out of 20 gauge cold rolled.  Then I figured I would add the Japanese imperial battle flag to it for fun.  So I drew that up.  I used a few very expensive specialized tools to round out the cover

an oxy acetylene cover

and a carved out stump..... very high end.....
Then I sent the whole thing over to our laser marker and put the design on and this is what I got




When i get around to making the actual piece i will make it out of 18 or 16 gauge 304 stainless, I will hand swirl the steel, then mark the part.  Will probly put some clear over it also.  Anyways just a fun little diversion!

[Industrial Cafe]

I think I'm in love with you.
...er. I mean. um...

[byfbo]

Why thank you.... I really love all the holes you......well I dig all the holes you drill into parts....umm
Speaking of holes.... when I get my rotor this evening Im gonna try to draw up a hole pattern, and see if I cant just put the rotor in the laser and have it do all the hard work for me.....  But seriously, it must be time consuming putting all those holes on your bike

[Industrial Cafe]

drilling holes, filing, sanding, and polishing Is my zen garden.
 I drill all my junk with an 18v Dewalt.  I wish I had a drill press... or a fancy star wars laser.

I think I'm going to sell my holy parts and re-drill with a different pattern

[byfbo]

that star wars laser isnt all that fancy....  its past its prime and I have to fix it a lot.  it does a great job when its runnin fine. 

[Industrial Cafe]

it's better than my AA pointer.

[byfbo]

No doubt.  Nothin like tryin to be custom though.  If anyone is interested here's a video of our laser engraver working.  Its what I used to mark my cover.  Well the first part of the video, the one marking the toyota logo on seat backs is our wood engraver, the second machine marking knife blanks is what i used.

[Industrial Cafe]

RAD.

[Industrial Cafe]

I wonder what would happen if you put vinyl on the wood engraver if it would burn a design into the material. i guess you'd have to turn the ...power? down.

[byfbo]

it would work, but it will give off a toxic gas as it was vaporized.  Best way to cut vinyl would be to use something like this
http://www.signwarehouse.com/vinyl-cutter.html   The programming would be similar but the gantry would just have like a razor knife in it instead of an ink cartrage

[Industrial Cafe]

toxic schmoxic I'm smoking a Naugahyde cigarette right now.

     I was thinking along the lines of etching a pattern into it- kinda like branding a cow.

sorry to hijack the thread.

[byfbo]

There are galvo lasers that do that, for leather, fabric and most textiles.  We have been looking at one.  The best part about it is that you can draw your design and put a gray scale on it, and the laser power will be light for the light colors and grade up to full power for the dark colors so you could get gradiants its really cool.  There is a laser for just about anything, except vinyl.  Strangely though you can cut galvanized steel with a laser and not get gassed.  You have to cut it with nitrogen.

[Industrial Cafe]

huh, that's really interesting. wish I had one. what ru going to school for? maybe I'll go for the same thing.

[byfbo]

A long time ago I was a music education major at FSU, but that was another time in life.  Everything else I do has come from learning the hard way.  The best school ever...

[byfbo]

I put up a post in the regular discussion board about a problem I think I have, if anyone can look at it and either give me some advice or call me stupid I would appreciate it..... well I would appreciate the first part not so much the second!

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=62069.0

[byfbo]

Over the thanksgiving break I went to a local bike graveyard.  The place had a lot of 550's there.  There was one that was all original but the handlebars, and the only thing missing was the side covers.  He told me I could have what I want off the bike for 100 or the whole bike for 200.  I only wish I had the place to keep another bike.  Then he tells me just take the whole bike home, get what you need, and bring the rest back. 

the bike

what I took.... whole front end, new drive sprocket cover, rear wheel and brake, and exhaust.

the rest.... I had talked myself into paying for the whole thing, then I was told I need to move where I'm working on it, so now I defiantly have no place for it and I'm not paying for storage.  So with a sad heart I'm taking it back, but with the understanding that when my current project is done...... I will get another one!
I now have everything I need except for tubing and a homemade frame jig...and minor stuff.

[Industrial Cafe]

Ive seen worse bikes restored... what was it doing in the junkyard?

[byfbo]

I have no idea.  I think they let it part out so cheap because its been sitting there so long.  The tag was last registered in 1987.  I would just assume its sat there at least that long.

[byfbo]

Ok so I figured out my kickstart shaft problem.  I just didn't have the shaft spun into its proper position.  Got it all sorted out.  Got my earl pan on and the engine has been flipped right side up.  Pretty soon I will be putting the pistons back on, then the cylinders.  After that I still need to paint the head and up, then re install them.  Should have everything back together in short order!

[KRONUS0100]

you want to part with that headlight?  i could use it for my 81 gs1100E.   mbrizfam590@iendeavor.com

[byfbo]

nope think I will keep it, I need it for this bike.

[byfbo]

Ok nothing new to report havent been able to work on bike.  I have been drawing up parts for the bike at work though here are a few.

my new dummy light cover, will make out of 20 ga stainless and laser etch details on

my new gauge faces, will make out of 20 ga stainless and laser etch details on, the numbers and lines in the "redline" on tach will be inverted.

my initial idea for gauge bracket.  Will add key switch hole when i figure that part out.  the line is temporary since i make mock ups out of cardboard its for creasing the cardboard.

and my current idea for a tag mount.  Dont know what kind of tail light yet cause thats too far into the future.  I need to stop day dreaming and work on the bike.  Ive picked up leather working and hope to be covering my own seat when Im done.  Ive drawn up something that i will post when Im done.

Stay tuned.....