Author Topic: Project Betty  (Read 6316 times)

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Offline Beans

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Project Betty
« on: June 08, 2009, 11:10:24 PM »
Well I figured I should start a project thread for my bobber project since Ive  done them for a few projects I have done but Ive been slacking. well here is a little about the bike.   Its a 1975 CB550f I got the frame and motor and gas tank for free. well actually 4 bucks because I had to pay the bridge toll.  


Well I got her home. got here to bare frame and pulled the head and oil pan off the motor to see how everything was looking. come to find out I needed new piston rings because the 4th cylinder rings where shot. So got new from flea bay.  should have them in a month since their coming from Canada.  Got my forks and triple tree in today they look alright will just need a polish and some new fork oil.  The fork seals seem to be in alright shape their. Sending the frame off to get dipped here in a few weeks to get rid of the stock paint so I have a fresh clean service to weld on my backhalf.   Carbs look to be ok just will give them a rebuild.  Well I will post more pics as I go so here are a few.


























« Last Edit: June 08, 2009, 11:21:11 PM by Beans »
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Offline martino1972

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Re: Project Betty
« Reply #1 on: June 08, 2009, 11:13:49 PM »
Well I will post more pics as I go so here are a few.


awesome pictures....too bad I can't see em.... :D :D :D :D :D




where did you hide em...????
Marti, I want you to know, I like you an awful lot, but guys have said far less and left wearing their drinks on their shirts.
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=36933.0  (my bobber)

Offline martino1972

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Re: Project Betty
« Reply #2 on: June 08, 2009, 11:18:34 PM »
Well I will post more pics as I go so here are a few.


awesome pictures....too bad I can't see em.... :D :D :D :D :D




where did you hide em...????

                                                                         
Got some bobber pictures in my signature here..    ▼▼
Marti, I want you to know, I like you an awful lot, but guys have said far less and left wearing their drinks on their shirts.
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=36933.0  (my bobber)

Offline Beans

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Re: Project Betty
« Reply #3 on: June 08, 2009, 11:25:38 PM »
Yea saw ur build But ive always found this one to be an inspiration.  its on my desktop background to keep me motivated.
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Offline martino1972

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Re: Project Betty
« Reply #4 on: June 08, 2009, 11:27:52 PM »
Yea saw ur build But ive always found this one to be an inspiration.  its on my desktop background to keep me motivated.

That's a sweet little bobber....love the fat front tire.....
Marti, I want you to know, I like you an awful lot, but guys have said far less and left wearing their drinks on their shirts.
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=36933.0  (my bobber)

Offline Beans

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Re: Project Betty
« Reply #5 on: June 08, 2009, 11:41:26 PM »
Yea the fat front tire is what got me to like the bike plus the metal flake paint jobs just makes it stand out.   I can't decide though If I want to run z-bars or apes.   and hopfully after it comes back from being sandblasted I can start on the backhalf.


I kinda like the z-bars.  Their the first ones on the page.   Maybe in a 10" rise.   plus you can't beat 60 bucks for bars.  since it will cost my about 40 bucks to get them chrome dipped if I made my own.

http://www.bitterendchoppers.com/Handlebars.html

« Last Edit: June 09, 2009, 12:36:54 AM by Beans »
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Offline razor02097

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Re: Project Betty
« Reply #6 on: June 09, 2009, 04:33:19 AM »
what kind of gas cap you going to go with?  Or are you going to hide stuff in the tank and run a hidden gas tank?

Great start   8)

Well I will post more pics as I go so here are a few.


awesome pictures....too bad I can't see em.... :D :D :D :D :D




where did you hide em...????

                                                                         
Got some bobber pictures in my signature here..    ▼▼

Martino where are the pics of yours lately!!  I saw orange parts but no full body shots?   :D :D
« Last Edit: June 09, 2009, 04:37:26 AM by razor02097 »
Project Rina

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Offline KB02

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Re: Project Betty
« Reply #7 on: June 09, 2009, 04:55:37 AM »
1978 CB750K Project
2000 Ducati ST2
...and a pedal bike

Join the AMA today!!

My project thread Part I: K8 Project "Parts Bike"
My project thread Part II: Finishing (yeah, right) touches on Project "Parts Bike"

Offline razor02097

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Re: Project Betty
« Reply #8 on: June 09, 2009, 05:14:58 AM »
Why did you weld up the tank?

Read my post
Project Rina

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Offline Beans

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Re: Project Betty
« Reply #9 on: June 09, 2009, 08:33:06 AM »
Its a fluich mount cap the local harley shop has.  Still need to go pick one up but basical it sits flush with the tank and when you need gas you push on the cap ot pops up and you un screw it to get the gas in.  But now that I look at it I might just order a harley tank with that the flush mount cap already installed.  Ill post pics when I get it and maybe a little video to show how it works. Now I'm on the search for some wheels.
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Offline Beans

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Re: Project Betty
« Reply #10 on: June 12, 2009, 10:15:59 PM »
Well started stripping the frame since I had the day off to get it ready so I can start building my hardtail for it.  But haven't decided it I should go with the TCBro's universal hardtail kit or if I should just build my own. Still haven't found any wheels for it yet. Since this guy on ebay won't ship them together and combine the shipping I will have to keep on looking.   Anyone know what wheels will work. can I just go look for some 750 wheels or something. Seen alot more 750 wheels online than anything else for a better price then some wheels I have seen.






Also would it be a good idea to weld up this point on the bike where the 2 bars meet for better strength or will it be strong enough?   I just don't want the frame to fall apart once put a hardtail on it.




I will post more pics later still working on some stuff and trying to find wheels and get cash for the hardtail kit.
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Offline moham

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Re: Project Betty
« Reply #11 on: June 12, 2009, 10:43:08 PM »
I know there's guys on here that have done the hard tail and can advise. You might also check the hondachoppers site for some info...I'm holding out hope that I can find an Amen Savior frame for my next project: K0 big bore bobber.
78 750K-The Ocho
74 550-The Cherry Picker
70 750K0 motor-Dick in a Box

Offline Beans

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Re: Project Betty
« Reply #12 on: June 12, 2009, 10:50:28 PM »
The hardest part I have found is finding wheels. every place I called has no wheels and if they do they want a but load for them or shipping is out ragous.
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Offline MCRider

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Re: Project Betty
« Reply #13 on: June 13, 2009, 07:45:32 AM »
Well started stripping the frame since I had the day off to get it ready so I can start building my hardtail for it.  But haven't decided it I should go with the TCBro's universal hardtail kit or if I should just build my own. Still haven't found any wheels for it yet. Since this guy on ebay won't ship them together and combine the shipping I will have to keep on looking.   Anyone know what wheels will work. can I just go look for some 750 wheels or something. Seen alot more 750 wheels online than anything else for a better price then some wheels I have seen.

snip


Also would it be a good idea to weld up this point on the bike where the 2 bars meet for better strength or will it be strong enough?   I just don't want the frame to fall apart once put a hardtail on it.

snip

I will post more pics later still working on some stuff and trying to find wheels and get cash for the hardtail kit.
That joint is routinely welded by those of us for performance purposes. You should weld the vertical seams of the joint but not the bottom horizontal part. Like this:

Apologies for lack of focus. I'm not sure why but people who specialize in frame modifications say so. You're not doing it for the same reasons I would, but strength is strength.

On yours, you can see those factory rivet heads and that's all holding that joint. It can only get looser.

As to wheels you're in a pickle. Anything you get used will only be partially usable. You could get used hubs OK but the spokes and rims will likely be trash. New spokes and rims, even with used hubs you're looking at $300 to $500 a wheel.

A complete used wheel, with brakes and everything is likely $150 but probably require disassembly and reconditioniing, bearings, plating, powdercoating and or polish for additonal $150+ each.

We've all been there.
« Last Edit: June 13, 2009, 07:54:25 AM by MCRider »
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"Sometimes the light's all shining on me, other times I can barely see, lately it appears to me, what a long, strange trip its been."

Offline Beans

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Re: Project Betty
« Reply #14 on: June 13, 2009, 04:50:42 PM »
Well Info for the day.

Well was driving home and the wife calls me and says hey you got some package from canada WTF did you buy?  I told her its my piston rings for the bike.   I get home open the package and well it was my piston rings I got  off ebay.  Only draw back is its for one cylinder not all 4 like I thought it would be.  the ebay add said I have a set of piston rings for a cb550 so I bought them since cylinder 4 was shot. but only got a set for one piston.

 Im pissed what should I do? Will just changing the bad piston rings be ok or should I go and get a new set of rings for the whole bike?  was planing on putting the top end back together tonight  but looks like I will have to wait enless it will be ok I just put the one in and run it. the others seem fine but the 4th piston rings are shot.  Hope you guys can help me out.   

Also found a set of wheels for my bike just waiting on some cash and I can call the guy and pick them up.   The guy lives down in LA been talking to him off and on or a few weeks about some cb550 wheels he has and well he said If I wanted since im in tracy to save on shipping he will shipp them to his parents house and I can just pick them up their. seems fair to me. saves me money on shipping and saves him time to take them to ups and have them pack them. he said he will be visiting them soon too and he can drive them up and meet me at my place with the wheels since its on the way.   so now im working on getting the cash together since I need the wheels and front brake stuff.
Keep it shinny side up.

Offline Beans

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Re: Project Betty
« Reply #15 on: June 13, 2009, 09:57:33 PM »
Well sitting here in my garage and got some work done.  Stripped more of the frame and welded up that rivit point on the frame should hold up pretty good. Been emailing a guy in La off and on all night about some wheels just waiting to see about shipping cost since the wheels are at a good price.

Also anyone bought those wheel hoops fromy cycle-x?  Was looking at them and would consider getting them and relacing my hubs to those hoops. Just gotta call them about a price monday.   Would be nice to have some nice chrome hoops to put on my bobber build.

Also tire wise. Does anyone know what the widest tire I can put on the rear and fromt wheel. Would be cool to have the same width tire on the front and rear if posible. Or a little wider then what came stock on these bikes.

Well that's all for the night wil post pics tomorrow of some progress I got tonight and yesterday. 
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Offline MCRider

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Re: Project Betty
« Reply #16 on: June 14, 2009, 05:05:30 AM »
The widest tire is limited by the rim width. On stock rims a 100 front and 120 rear are about it. You can lever a 110 on the front and a 130 on the rear, but they are too wide for the rims and will ride and wear poorly.

If you increase the rim width you'll still be limited to a 110 on front due to fender etc interference, but it will ride and wear properly,  and a 140 on the rear unless you move the brake stay and a 150 should clear, above that you have swingarm clearance problems.
Ride Safe:
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1988 NT650 HawkGT;  1978 CB400 Hawk;  1975 CB750F -Free Bird; 1968 CB77 Super Hawk -Ticker;  Phaedrus 1972 CB750K2- Build Thread
"Sometimes the light's all shining on me, other times I can barely see, lately it appears to me, what a long, strange trip its been."

Offline Beans

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Re: Project Betty
« Reply #17 on: June 14, 2009, 01:28:20 PM »
ok so i wider one will fit just need a wider rim and check for some clearance issues.  well im going to call cycle x monday and see what rim sizes they have and see then measure and check everything a million times before I do it.
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Offline Beans

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Re: Project Betty
« Reply #18 on: June 14, 2009, 07:18:32 PM »
Ok been looking at allot of old school bikes and was wondering if anyone has ever put a harley 21" wheel in the front?  found a nice one cheap on ebay like really cheap the the point its almost a steal the price is so low.   Thought a 21" front wheel and a 18 back wheel would look killer on my bike.  I messaged the guy to see what size axle it takes and the hub witch just currious if anyone had done a 21" front wheel. searched all over and couldn't really find much info.
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Offline Beans

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Re: Project Betty
« Reply #19 on: June 14, 2009, 11:05:39 PM »
Well here are the pics I took of the work that got done the other night. Finished stripping some of the frame and welded up  the down tubes to make it stronger.   Also been thinking about running some drag bars. Me and the brother inlaw have been playing around with the idea since well we got a little less than a year till its needs to be done so we all can ride are bikes in out tux's to my wedding.   Well on with the pics.


Welded and smoothed out the down tube.


also thinking some drag bars mike be the way to go.






Well still playing with the idea of running a 21" wheel up front. looks like it will be the way to do will give it a good look I think.   Well will have more pics later.  just got done ordering some more parts for Betty.
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Offline Beans

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Re: Project Betty
« Reply #20 on: June 19, 2009, 12:18:16 AM »
OK been playing around with some Ideas and since I like to build my own #$%* when I see I can I go for it.   Well went to home depot and got some cheap electrical pipe. 10' for 3 bucks and figured I would play around with some handlebar designs.  got a good deal on some chroming since well a customer wants his wheels re-chromed that the chromer said he would give me a deal on chroming if we did more parts.  Well been playing with some ideas and can't decide if I want to do some drag bars or some cool Z style bars.  









was thinking the drag bars would look good but then I kinda like the Z style bars. But figure since Im getting a deal might just build both for fun so I can see how they look chromed.   Anyone got some ideas or suggestions let me know what u think. im open to new ideas.  


Also some updates waiting on my wheels to get here.  The guy selling the wheels has in-laws in a town 45 minutes from me and is having a friend who is driving up that way drop the wheels at his in-laws house for me to pick up.   Goiing to my dads shop to sandblast the head and some other parts tomorrow.   Hopefully stopping by the steel yard to get some prices on some chromoly tubing to make the bars and see about making and getting some steel for the hardtail.   ill post more pics up later. working on getting a jig built here soon for making the Z bars using a trick I learned from a shop teacher I had in highschool.  
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Offline razor02097

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Re: Project Betty
« Reply #21 on: June 19, 2009, 04:51:35 AM »
The drag bars look pretty badass with that wide tank.  But just my opinion.
Project Rina

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Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: Project Betty
« Reply #22 on: June 19, 2009, 09:42:52 AM »
I like the drag bars -- not so sure about the z-bars.   ::)
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Offline Beans

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Re: Project Betty
« Reply #23 on: June 19, 2009, 11:20:12 AM »
Yea im not sure about them either.  I might just make them for fun and see how they turn out.
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Offline razor02097

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Re: Project Betty
« Reply #24 on: June 19, 2009, 11:25:37 AM »
depends on where you are headed with this project though.  Drag bars look good on pretty much anything.  Tall Z bars take a specific look to pull off.  Very 70's retro though
Project Rina

That is an inconceivably egregious transgression against my rudimentary concordance of socially shunned individuals.