Topic: Reviving Shenanigans CB550 Cafe: Phase longest build possible?

[Shenanigans]

You should add a oil pressure gauge to your setup. I picked one up and am going to install it this weekend. Hopefully it will help me prevent blowing it up.

I see you are in Tempe. Any interest in getting a little shop or weekly ride together or something?

As soon as I get the bike back in a working state, sure I would be down. Hopefully it wont take to long. Also yeah, adding an oil gauge is on the list. I always wanted to but never could seem to get around to actually doing it.

I had a little more time and got the bottom end out and split the cases. Lots of smaller metal flakes in the pan and under rod number 4. I dont know what exactly happened (oil starvation?) but number 4 rod is seized to the crank. I am also shocked how much slack was in the primary chain, there had to be a good inch and a half play in it. It had just barley started to eat at the case above the oil line.  I have a spare motor that I took apart and everything looks good. So I will just use that whole motor to rebuild. I cleaned the valves and on it and now I am just waiting on parts.

[Elniniomuchachos]

You should add a oil pressure gauge to your setup. I picked one up and am going to install it this weekend. Hopefully it will help me prevent blowing it up.

I see you are in Tempe. Any interest in getting a little shop or weekly ride together or something?

As soon as I get the bike back in a working state, sure I would be down. Hopefully it wont take to long. Also yeah, adding an oil gauge is on the list. I always wanted to but never could seem to get around to actually doing it.

I had a little more time and got the bottom end out and split the cases. Lots of smaller metal flakes in the pan and under rod number 4. I dont know what exactly happened (oil starvation?) but number 4 rod is seized to the crank. I am also shocked how much slack was in the primary chain, there had to be a good inch and a half play in it. It had just barley started to eat at the case above the oil line.  I have a spare motor that I took apart and everything looks good. So I will just use that whole motor to rebuild. I cleaned the valves and on it and now I am just waiting on parts.

Sweet man. Looking forward to see how this project gets finished up. That 550 ought to be one fun ride when all of the engine work is done to it.

[Shenanigans]

Cleaned and painted the head. Have all the gaskets and parts just looking for a place to punch out my jugs for a decent price. Soon...

[Elniniomuchachos]

Are you planning on sticking with the pods or moving up to something different?

[brettster26]

Other than the stock Airbox, what other options do you have other than Pods? Just curious? 

[Elniniomuchachos]

Other than the stock Airbox, what other options do you have other than Pods? Just curious? 

Well there are higher end pod filters such as K&N. Forum member TinTop makes an "antipod" filter. There are some others too.

[Shenanigans]

Progress is still slow but I got some of the major things out of the way today.

I got the jugs punched out to the pistons and got a decent port job. Also I had to come up with a way to plug the oil lines to the head. Both at the top of the case and the bottom of the head (so oil does not find its way down.) Pluging the oil at the top of the head was easy, just tap the hole and put in half a bolt. The bottom part was not so easy because its shallow and has kind of an odd shape. Another problem is that the oil restrictor also kind of acts like a dowel. So long story short I got a custom plug machined to do both.

So next to do is to paint the bottom end and then have the external oil lines made. I still have to figure out some way to add a restrictor in the external oil lines so I don't rob the bottom end of oil pressure.

[Elniniomuchachos]

Looking good man. I had some trouble with my engine (something entered the number 4 cylinder and raised all sorts of hell) and am saving my pennies for a larger bore build. It's running as of now, but I have a feeling it's going to be closer than I want it to be. Would you mind me asking about how much this new engine has cost so far? I was thinking about doing something  similar to paulages 650/550 crossover, but am still reading up on everything.

-Taylor

[Shenanigans]

As far as the price goes there have been a couple things I have been lucky and got cheap. The ring sets where 20 bucks a pop, gasket set was 65. Over sized head gasket was 40. bore job was 200. Those 2 oil line plugs were 50. The port job was 200. Valve springs 80. I traded a couple of pistons to Soos to machine my 750 pistons. Plus all the little random things like cleaning and paint. I still need to get a 650 cam and external oil lines made.

I think best bang for your buck is to just throw a 650 head/pistons on a 550 bottom end. Something I might do next go around.

[Shenanigans]

It has been a while... I think I am going for the title of "longest time to build a bike"

ANYWAYS...

Motor is almost done, Head was machined and tapped for external oil lines and the passages were plugged at the dowel/oil restrictors and at the head. The CB750 pistons seem to fit.

I still need to figure out exactly how to put some sort of restrictor in the oil lines.

Lots of little stuff. I took down a tach and made a mini bare bones tach using the stock mechanism. I have a 750 Hondamatic rear aluminum rim. I still have to find a front rim to match.

Will the CB550 brakes mount on a CB750K fork leg? I would like to use my nice fork brace with my front end but the fork legs on the bike now are not "high" enough to clear the tire with the brace. I have a set of "higher" fork legs but they are from a 750 and I don't feel like re-finding a set of calipers and disks...

[scottly]

Will the CB550 brakes mount on a CB750K fork leg? I would like to use my nice fork brace with my front end but the fork legs on the bike now are not "high" enough to clear the tire with the brace. I have a set of "higher" fork legs but they are from a 750 and I don't feel like re-finding a set of calipers and disks...

Yes, the 550 caliper will mount on the 750 lower legs. You will have to use the matching 550 rotor. 550 rotors will also mount right on a 750 wheel. In the case of dual discs, the same rules apply regarding the speedo drive and caliper alignment as when using 750 brakes. BTW, the longer fork legs were used on the 750 K7/K8s.

[cheftuskey121]

just spent the last 4 hours reading all of your adventure thread and your build thread here. truly inspiring. people seem to think they cannot just get up and go. we are blessed to have this freedom, but most don't like to leave a comfort zone. reading about your journey literally had me smiling, on the edge of my seat, and filled with emotion. you seriously need to journey more and write more. sorry to hi-jack your thread

good luck with the rest of your build and future endeavors. if you're ever in GA shoot me a message, youll have a place to crash and buddy to ride with!

[Shenanigans]

Thanks cheftuskey! 

I am still alive. For now.

I guess the bike is sort of a roller now. Slowly inching along... Getting the 750 carbs in the 550 boots is going to be difficult. I made some custom intake boot expanders to try and help. I accidentally used some cb750 fork tubes which are a tad longer. It may work out or I might have to switch them out.

The only problem I have is the rear wheel. It is a 17 inch laced to a CB750 hub. It came stock on the early Hondamatics. I really like the 17 inch aluminum wheel (and already got the rubber for it) but was unable to find  sub $100 spokes to relace it to a 550 hub. I have an assortment of spacers and seem to have it centered about right but was unsure if the sproket has any offset. Has anyone stuck a complete 750 wheel in a 550?














Hope all is well with everyone here. I don't have to much time to lurk anymore but I am still riding!

[deafcaferacer]

Sorry to drag this thread out of the dust but I just read your AZ to NY adventure, and holy **** man. Wow.  Just wow.

[Shenanigans]

I think I am, in fact, trying to make this the longest build thread.

The CB750 wheel as a whole will not work on a 550 without major modification that is frankly not worth it. I ended up starting from scratch on the wheels. Stock 550 hubs stripped and powder coated with new bearings and new spokes to new aluminum rims. Unfortunately my stock pipes are too beat up from years of use to use on the bike. I did come across a set of 77-78 pipes in perfect shape so I am stuck with those until I make  my own 4 into 4 mufflers. External oil lines made, tank painted, oil cooler installed, bike wired, carbs and filters installed etc... Only a few things left before she is road worthy.

Also, something something about time flying...

[seanbarney41]

thanks for the update...come back more often

[scottly]

When you get ready to tune that bike, bring it up to Humboldt. I've got a dyno now.

[Cityscapedview]

Any closure on this build?