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

[Little_Horse]

the day they first run again is always awesome. Congrats!

[westondc]

It's alive! After following Shenanigans travel report (which was a great read and adventure) i was hoping to see the CB550 reserected. That bike took a beating and is now looking just as good as the day it set out on the amazing journey. I like the new paint scheme, keep it up!

[Shenanigans]

Thanks for all the kind words!

The motor has strong compression. The PO of the motor claimed it only had 10,000 miles but at first I doubted it because the motor was in rough shape on the outside.

One of my carb hoses is leaking at the T joint between number 3 and 4 carbs, from where the hose meets the nipple. I remember last time I rebuilt these it was a huge battle getting them not to leak. I dont know how but I got hose clamps on both before and this time around. Instead of routing the lines the stock way back though the hole on the carb holder plate  is there any reason I cant just route them straight up from the T junctions? It would make it 1000 times easier to put on and work with. Getting them on now is not a side of the road job like it should be...

[Shenanigans]

Alright, started the bike up today to let it warm up and rev it a bit ran it for about 50 seconds then gave it a good blip of the throttle and I guess I had forgot to clamp down one of the hoses of the oil cooler. Why do I know this? Because when I hit the throttle the line shot off of the oil cooler and sprayed my bike and the roof with oil. At least the oil pump works...

Getting tires and a chain at the end of the week.

[LouB]

Thanks for the chuckle! (laughing with you, not AT you!) If you would have seen what I did last night! Anyway, keep up the good work!

[Little_Horse]

what kind of tire did you decide to get?

[Shenanigans]

Thanks for the chuckle! (laughing with you, not AT you!) If you would have seen what I did last night! Anyway, keep up the good work!

I had not done anything too stupid yet, so it was due. 

Along those lines: a while back I went to kick over my 70 SL125 that had not been run in a long time. Kickstart would not budge, I feared the motor had stuck. So I took out the spark plug and examined it. Then with the spark plug out I kick it over and it shot a stream of water, oil and a little gas right into my face. To this day I have no idea how the cylinder got filled with water. Fuel valve and lines and carbs were all tight and the bike had been stored under a tarp...

what kind of tire did you decide to get?

Diggin' your bike cornandp

I know people say up and down that Kenda is cheap garbage but I like the Kenda challengers. They are cheap price wise and a bit on the softer side, I think they stick pretty well. Rears wear quick. I want to start trying some higher end tires soon now that my bike is bound to be riding tighter with all the handling goodies. Cant wait to see how she rides.

Ordered a shifter seal and got the stainless steel brake lines installed. Main seal seems alright. Tomorrow I am going to do the brake fluid thing. I will get some good photos up tomorrow.

[Shenanigans]

Has anyone routed their carbs like this (in the second picture? Straight up from the "T"? I cant seem to get the fuel line on the T without leaking, So what is the secret to getting these on? I would much rather have them on how Honda intended so how do you guys get these on?

Stock




Any problem with routing them like this?

[Shenanigans]

Little progress, Since I could not really do anything major today I decided to open up my engine cover find. They are a set of still in the box finned points and stator cover. I assume they are from around 71 because the list of bikes only had the 500, as if maybe the 550 was not even out yet. When I open them air from the 70's came out. I wired in the charging system and she charges well, phew. Wrapped up and routed most of the wiring and cables. Put on the stainless steel brake lines, added air fork caps, adjusted and clamped down the clip-ons.. I am still waiting on some cash money to get the tires. I am just going to run the stock pegs for now until I can get the rear sets sorted out. I put the rear sets from a 08 GSXR1000 up for sale in case anyone wants them.

Soo.... clooseee.... 

When she is done, there will be a photoshoot and there will be wheelies 

[Little_Horse]

where did you find those covers?

[hoodellyhoo]

Love that second pic!

[Shenanigans]

where did you find those covers?

Under about 4 inches of dust on the top of a 20 foot shelf in the back of a warehouse at a bike junkyard.  

[Shenanigans]

Love that second pic!

Thanks! I was a little bored, it was a 4 second exposure on my digi cam and I "painted" the bike with a flashlight.

[MRieck]

Has anyone routed their carbs like this (in the second picture? Straight up from the "T"? I cant seem to get the fuel line on the T without leaking, So what is the secret to getting these on? I would much rather have them on how Honda intended so how do you guys get these on?

Stock




Any problem with routing them like this?

That set up shown will foul the carb linkage. Get rid of the automotive fuel and install some high quality motorcycle fuel line with the proper ID.

[000jeremy]

funny, I took a similar photo last weekend:

[moham]

Has anyone routed their carbs like this (in the second picture? Straight up from the "T"? I cant seem to get the fuel line on the T without leaking, So what is the secret to getting these on? I would much rather have them on how Honda intended so how do you guys get these on?

Stock




Any problem with routing them like this?

That set up shown will foul the carb linkage. Get rid of the automotive fuel and install some high quality motorcycle fuel line with the proper ID.

For what it's worth, I agree with Mike's comment. Having a similar issue with the Hybreed using cheap automotive fuel line...

[Shenanigans]

Yeah I was a little frustrated but I got it back on (the RIGHT way) leak free. I have never had trouble with this fuel line but next time I will try the correct lines.


My tires came in today so I will see if I can get them mounted and balanced before the day is done.

[westondc]

Yeah I was a little frustrated but I got it back on (the RIGHT way) leak free. I have never had trouble with this fuel line but next time I will try the correct lines.


My tires cam in today so I will see if I can get them mounted and balanced before the day is done.

thanks for the heads up on the fuel line thickness issue... that will be a step in my final carb cleaning this month.

[Shenanigans]

Left to do.

Chain - waiting for it in the mail.
Swing arm grease zerk. Next trip to the junk yard
Some random nuts and bolts I misplaced - next junk yard trip
The 3 bolts on the alternator cover are stripped. I need to get those out to get the other finned cover on.

As you can see there is some rust on the bare metal on the tank where I clear coated. I must have touched it and having palamar hydrosis that is all it must of took. I will paint the tank again later. When I tighten down the right hand caliper it locks up the wheel. I do not know if its just because the piston is not seated all of the way in or if there is a real problem. I have yet to put fluid in the lines and bleed them to see.

The longest I have run it for is 20 mins but number 1 cylinder seem to smoke when rev'd. I can only hope that a good flogging with fix it. 

[B.O.X.N.I.F.E.]

If you want to leave any part of the bike in bare metal pick up some Gibbs Brand and clean/recoat it every once in a while. It also makes PB Blaster look like soda pop when using it on seized bolts. Some of my favorite stuff. I bought it by the case while I was working on my old Chevy.

http://www.roadsters.com/gibbs/

[greasy j]

If you want to leave any part of the bike in bare metal pick up some Gibbs Brand and clean/recoat it every once in a while. It also makes PB Blaster look like soda pop when using it on seized bolts. Some of my favorite stuff. I bought it by the case while I was working on my old Chevy.

http://www.roadsters.com/gibbs/

i'll second that. it's amazing stuff. wipe it on bare metal it won't rust for months.

also great for stuck bolts, oiling tools, anything metal, I bought 3 cans last time, but it lasts forever. anything you don't want to clearcoat.

also good as a salmon marinade

[Shenanigans]

I think you told me about that stuff before, I have had a link of it saved so I would remember when the time comes around to paint again. I plan on repainting the tank in the next couple months anyway. It sounds like good stuff.

Having a non black frame has really shown me how much black can change things from a aesthetic standpoint.

I CAN NOT WAIT FOR THIS BIKE TO BE ON THE ROAD!!!  Its killing me!! The trail 90 is just not cutting it.

[jph550]

Read your RR on ADV recently. good to see you pushing it. when you make it back to NYC look me up. nice to see you getting the bike back together. you're making good time with all the work. hope the engine is solid. looks really good!

[Kframe]

Nicely done, where to next

http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=31.203405,-46.757812&spn=177.110624,360&t=h&z=1

I think given his penchant for adventure and doing what sounds impossible, he should ride to France!   

I'm not kidding, you can get to a French territory, with a stamp in your passport and everything, in North America.
Well, there are two ferries involved, but still.
Look up St. Pierre and Miquelon, off Newfoundland.  
And when you pass through MN you've got a place to stay.
It would be one heckuva ride, likely more epic than your great ride last year.  
I heard about this destination from one of my Triumph Bonneville friends, and it's in our ten year plan, hopefully.
You're at a place in life you could just up and do it.



-K

[Shenanigans]

Nicely done, where to next

http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=31.203405,-46.757812&spn=177.110624,360&t=h&z=1

I think given his penchant for adventure and doing what sounds impossible, he should ride to France!   

I'm not kidding, you can get to a French territory, with a stamp in your passport and everything, in North America.
Well, there are two ferries involved, but still.
Look up St. Pierre and Miquelon, off Newfoundland.  
And when you pass through MN you've got a place to stay.
It would be one heckuva ride, likely more epic than your great ride last year.  
I heard about this destination from one of my Triumph Bonneville friends, and it's in our ten year plan, hopefully.
You're at a place in life you could just up and do it.



-K

Wow! That's pretty damn cool. I think that is somewhere I must make a stop at. Thanks! What would be the best time of year to ride up there? Another trip will happen, its glued to the back of my mind. To many people have offered their yards and homes to not go. I just have to break in this bike to see if the motor is decent and raise a little money. Maybe I could take my trail 90 across the country and try to raise money to take my 550 across a couple continents 


I have spent 3 days trying to bleed my dual front brakes. First thing was my fault as I had put the fender mounts on the inside between the caliper mount and fork causing it to sit crooked. Then for the life of my could not figure out why the brakes kept locking up. I would take it apart and the brake pad would be cocked in the caliper and I would have to hit it with a mallet to dislodge it. So I took everything apart, the caliper was retracting like normal. Then I looked at the pad and the damn thing has been worn at an angle! I am pretty sure this must be causing my problems...

Anyone have a decent one laying around?