Author Topic: Newbie, this site is to blame.... (Read 3183 times)

abarth595 · « **on:** September 04, 2009, 01:13:43 PM »

Hi all,

This is my first post, I have the funny feeling it won't be the last.

The 'one in one' out policy has been enforced, so the floor space in the garage will see a lovely KTM Duke 2 being replaced by a 1979 cb550. I've always wanted to build a cafe racer and this site has kept my mind racing for years. I'll post a pick of the 'new' bike tomorrow, hopefully she will arrive mid afternoon.

stay upright,

Craig

Thor's Hammer! · « **Reply #1 on:** September 04, 2009, 08:26:48 PM »

Welcome Craig!

I am sort of new here myself, but can't wait to see what your gonna do.

abarth595 · « **Reply #2 on:** September 05, 2009, 10:22:42 AM »

Hi,

The bike arrived today! The weather in Scotland has been awful for the past few weeks (nothing new there), the chap that I bought the bike from braved the weather and rode to my house. This was a surprise as I was expecting to be rolling the bike out of a van. The battery is goosed, but she starts from the kick. The engine sounds ok, but runs occasionally on 3 cylinders, the pic shows a leak. Whether this has something to do with the engine running on 3 remains to be seen.

The bike has a few interesting parts, the bars are seemingly original Triumph USA spec and the rear mudguard is also a Triumph part. The stop light is lovely and I'm going to try and accomodate this into the cafe racer build. She was part of a sidecar outfit, so the front tyre will have to be changed.

All in all I'm delighted and can't wait to get started. The photoshop concept is the kind of look I'm going for. The rain has kept me from working on the bike, so 30 mins in front of photoshop was called for.

Cheers,

Craig

Beans · « **Reply #3 on:** September 05, 2009, 12:56:02 PM »

Welcome man the bike looks awesome love the concept. But yea the sohc bug is killing me got parts all over the garage the wife hates it when she can't get to the washer and dryer to do laundry. Keep us updated.

dusterdude · « **Reply #4 on:** September 05, 2009, 02:01:40 PM »

bwahahahaha,the bug gotcha....lol.

bucky katt · « **Reply #5 on:** September 05, 2009, 02:16:37 PM »

welcome Craig! this site has been a party to MY downfall as well. good to see you here

abarth595 · « **Reply #6 on:** September 05, 2009, 03:59:35 PM »

Thanks for the support guys,

I've just been out to a friends house for dinner. He's big on hot rods and was showing me pics of cars and bikes from various shows he's been to. The workmanship and attention to detail on some of the machines is amazing. I'll post a few pics soon.

C

manjisann · « **Reply #7 on:** September 05, 2009, 04:18:40 PM »

Compared to some of the starts that one looks pretty good! Welcome to the group, my name is Brandon and I'm an addict. I've spent more rebuilding my ride than I did on my car

Brandon

abarth595 · « **Reply #8 on:** September 07, 2009, 02:36:43 PM »

Hi,

A weekend of mixed fortunes has come and gone. After the initial excitement of receiving the bike and dodging the rain drops (pointless task) I decided to take her out on Sunday. hooked the battery up to the charger for a few hours, it battery didn't even take charge. Kicking a reluctant cb550 over is hard work. She did start but when I went to ride away she just died. So I've ordered a new set of plugs and just about to order a battery. Most advice seems to be pointing towards a AGM, these are pricey but hopefully worth it. I'll check the coils once all this is in place.

The other problem is a bad oil leak. The oil is coming out through the gear selection shaft......

The wrenchmonkees.com website is well worth a look, the cb750 is ticking the boxes.

Cheers,

Craig

GoatBaSS · « **Reply #9 on:** September 11, 2009, 01:05:11 AM »

The draw is strong with this one. Let a Duke go.....

abarth595 · « **Reply #10 on:** September 20, 2009, 01:16:45 PM »

yeh, I miss the Duke, great bike and perfect for the roads that are close by.

I picked up a set of lovely cb550 wheels today fitted with almost new set of Dunlop Arrowmax. The new plugs have arrived, battery should come next week and the clip-ons are sitting waiting to be fitted. All of the bits have been bought on ebay, my mate was suggesting that the bike is called cafebay racer. I couldn't go down this route as the bike cleaner was purchased from Hein Gericke! All going well I'm hoping to have her out for a quick ride before the strip-down and rebuild.

Cheers,

Craig

abarth595 · « **Reply #11 on:** October 05, 2009, 01:01:26 PM »

Good news, the bike runs and stops! It doesn't excel at either, but at least she's going again.

The strip down started on Sunday, not much progress other than tank, side panels, air box etc. The wiring is a rats nest, I'll certainly be looking at a replacement harness and possibly some new controls. The pics aren't the best, sorry.

Stay upright,

Craig

articblue · « **Reply #12 on:** October 06, 2009, 11:47:25 AM »

Awesome, well getting a bike that's 'running' as a start is a big plus.
At least you know it'll run well again after some TLC.

Good luck and looking forward to your build.

le_sterls · « **Reply #13 on:** October 06, 2009, 01:43:32 PM »

Quote from: abarth595 on September 05, 2009, 10:22:42 AM

Hi,

The bike arrived today! The weather in Scotland has been awful for the past few weeks (nothing new there), the chap that I bought the bike from braved the weather and rode to my house. This was a surprise as I was expecting to be rolling the bike out of a van. The battery is goosed, but she starts from the kick. The engine sounds ok, but runs occasionally on 3 cylinders, the pic shows a leak. Whether this has something to do with the engine running on 3 remains to be seen.

The bike has a few interesting parts, the bars are seemingly original Triumph USA spec and the rear mudguard is also a Triumph part. The stop light is lovely and I'm going to try and accomodate this into the cafe racer build. She was part of a sidecar outfit, so the front tyre will have to be changed.

All in all I'm delighted and can't wait to get started. The photoshop concept is the kind of look I'm going for. The rain has kept me from working on the bike, so 30 mins in front of photoshop was called for.

Cheers,

Craig

The bike running on 3 cylinders may be attributed to a carburetor problem, or god forbid a valve problem, if I were you I'd check out the carbs ASAP, best of luck, I too own a cb550, and just recently got it running, and realize that fixing a "small" kink in something can more than often feel hopeless, but overall, I'm very excited to see what you do with the bike.

abarth595 · « **Reply #14 on:** October 20, 2009, 06:43:30 AM »

Hi,

some major news....my wife gave birth to a beautiful baby girl on Sunday morning, that put the wiring strip out on hold! Mum and baby are doing really well and my 3yr old daughter is totally excited.

The bike will no doubt be left alone for a few weeks, the attached pic isn't a tease (stripped down in the dark!), it was taken when I had time. The clip-ons and new wheels have been fitted, purely to see what they look like. The exhaust, front brake, rear brake link bar(?), chain guard have all been removed. Next on the list is the wiring and then the major task of removing the engine.

Stay upright,

Craig

Alan F. · « **Reply #15 on:** October 20, 2009, 07:03:26 AM »

That's great news Craig, many congratulations! I wish you and your family all the best!

I like that picture also, it has some mystery to it but it's a great look.
Maybe you could shrink it down and upload it as your avatar image?

Operator · « **Reply #16 on:** October 20, 2009, 09:49:08 AM »

Abarth, where in Scotland are you from?

abarth595 · « **Reply #17 on:** October 20, 2009, 10:54:04 AM »

I'm originally from Broughty Ferry, just outside Dundee. I now live near to Glasgow.

Cheers,

Craig

GoatBaSS · « **Reply #18 on:** October 21, 2009, 05:15:36 AM »

Congrats! Get some Sleep!!!

CBGhia · « **Reply #19 on:** October 21, 2009, 06:49:44 AM »

Congrats on the new kiddo! Looks like you are really out numbered now. Get one og those girls into bikes quick!

If you are not replacing the plug wires, snip off 1/2 in or so and reattach the plug ends. It made a big difference on my bike.

Operator · « **Reply #20 on:** October 21, 2009, 07:41:35 AM »

Congratulations on the new baby!! Too bad you can't run a bike on Estrogen

In all seriousness, enjoy it, you only get one shot and you'll appreciate the time spent with the kids. The bike will wait

News:

Author Topic: Newbie, this site is to blame.... (Read 3183 times)