Topic: CB550 Cafe...DONE! (Pictures and now video)

[Ecosse]

a most excellent set of wheels! new england autumn provides a nice backdrop too. 

botm indeed!

[Sheik Yerbouti]

stunning bike. The video was good too.

Edit:

How are those frame clamps working out for rearsets? Pretty strong?

[Gorms]

Thanks guys!

botm indeed!

I read up on the rules and apparently I missed it this year as December is for bike of the year.  Keep me in mind come January though.  And thanks for the Youtube comment, Ecosse.

[Spikeybike]

wish my neighborhood was ever that quiet  

i've always loved that "Mac + pods" sound on a 550 .. good stuff

[Gorms]

How are those frame clamps working out for rearsets? Pretty strong?

Yes actually suprisingly strong.  Jumping on them might get some movement but standing on them or using them as they are intended, they are more than adequate.  I figured early on though that if they moved on me, I would just drill through the clamps and the fame and put a self tapping screws in there.

[fletcha221]

Great Stuff! Is the tank and tail section from BCR? the finish quality is amazing! You did a really great job with this! In only 6 months? WOW!

[SKTP]

How does the front brake line not rub on the tire? I am doing a dual front brake conversion and would love to run the lines like that, (with a non-stock fender) but I figured the rubbing would be an issue...

Awesome job...

[Zaipai]

You would not happen to have another gas tank for that thing laying around collecting dust?

[Salmonser]

I'm also interested in the clamps for your rearset setup. I cut a lower link, from some suzuki suspension linkage i had around, to make my exhaust hanger. And said to myself, "there's got to be something like this already.

[Zaipai]

I'm also interested in the clamps for your rearset setup. I cut a lower link, from some suzuki suspension linkage i had around, to make my exhaust hanger. And said to myself, "there's got to be something like this already.

That's really a nice hanger tho.. Looks clean and like it should be there.. Good job improvising.

[Gorms]

The frame clamps are three piece units by "Drag Specailties" from Dennis Kirk.  They work very well but I cannot take credit for the application.  I believe the first to use them was Greg from Ohio Cafe Racers.  A few others have gone this route as well.

[Bill/BentON Racing]

NICE,we'll get you in Jan.BOTM,just watch out for the bobbers! ,Good job,all looks good if caught in rain you might want some type of guard in front of your rear tire!,Bill

[Zaipai]

Can you make the video public? It wont let me watch it unless were on each others friends list, it says its a private video..

Thanks!

[Do0ki3 PWNS]

looks great!

[Gorms]

I made the video public again.  I changed it because I was going to make a different one and thought you were all done looking at this thread.  Thanks for the compliments!

[Dead Bound]

NICE!!!!!

Thanks for the video.  Everyone should get around to doing that. 

[Ryan 550k]

I made the video public again.  I changed it because I was going to make a different one and thought you were all done looking at this thread.  Thanks for the compliments!

Oooohhhh.  I'm glad you changed it back, Iwatched it a third time

[greenjeans]

Very clean.  Job well done.

Thanks for the video, photos & most importantly, inspiration.

[fevah]

Rides really well now that I've got the carbs jetted right.  Ya I'm definately in for that ride.

What did u need to do to the jets. Ive got a 500 that runs like a bag of dicks with a 4-1 and pods, 110 mains and needle clip moved 1 notch.

Your bike looks sick, cant believe you turned it from that pile to a gem

[Gorms]

What did u need to do to the jets. Ive got a 500 that runs like a bag of dicks with a 4-1 and pods, 110 mains and needle clip moved 1 notch.

I can't comment on the 500 carbs from a different year.  My 77 has "lean burn" carbs set up differently than previous years.  I can tell you I went up .15mm in jet sizes from #90 to #105 and raised the needle from the 2nd notch down to the 3rd.  Idle micture screws and out 2.5 turns and slow jets are stock.

[Zaipai]

I found your video on youtube.. Nice bike, really nice!. Is that that stock rear rim and what Rear tire is that? Did you use a Jell Battery?

[Gorms]

Yup rims are stock 18/19x1.85 and tires are Avon Roadriders in 4.00 and 3.25.

[JAG]

Great lookin ride bud..

Got a couple of questions for ya if you don't mind

Did you have to change the mount for the tach to run the gauge in the center?

Why is it you don't need a speedometer?

Is there a "how to" on those rearsets? Do you know if that design can be implemented for the 750's?

Where did you get the plate mount from?

And last but not least where did you get that clear gas line from??

[Gorms]

JAG,

To answer your questions...

Yes I fabbed a plate to mount the tach in the center.  It mounts to the bolt holes for the ignition switch (big one with steering lock) and the normal mounting holes on the back of the guage.  Made from simple aluminum sheet with a bend in it to keep the guage as low as possible.

Don't need a speedometer because I am a rebel.  

How to on the rearsets here: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=5724.0  Make sure you get rearsets with the linkage arm pointing up or down.  Not much you can do for actuation with arms that point fore or aft.  Yes they will work on 750's because I think they use the same 1" frame tubes.  The frame clamps come in different sizes so if not, just get the right ones.  You will have to do some tinkering with some spacers and things to get the rearsets out far enough from the frame.  I used bolts that fit through the rearset holes with threaded hexagonal spacers that are used for tensioning or connecting two bolts together.  I also needed some hollow steel tube spacers that fit in the holes in the frame clamps because these holes were much bigger than the bolts to mount the rearsets to them (does that make sense?).  These spacers and tubes I got from Ace/True Value in the parts trays section.

The plate mount I made myself from the same aluminum used for the tach mount.  It was very easy.  I cut a piece in the shape of a "T" with the top of the "T" the length between the bolt holes for one side of the plate and bent this part up.  The leg of the "T" mounts to the bolt that goes through the end of the swingarm to hold the block for tensioning the axle/chain.  I just curved the plate by hand.

The clear (blue) gas line I got from my local bike shop.  Cheapest stuff they had for the carb drains and the only stuff they had for the gas tank.  Woulda bought black for both if they had it.

And from your PM:

Rear turn signals were just flexible LED strips from ebay.  Like these ( http://cgi.ebay.com/Flexible-Waterproof-Car-24-LED-Strip-Neon-Light-Yellow_W0QQitemZ260509071185QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item3ca78cf751#ht_2155wt_1167) but they came with 2 and I got them for $5.88 shipped.  Just rig them up to the correct wires and replace the mechanical flasher unit with a 3 prong electronic flasher from any parts store.  Mounted them by glueing the strips together at the ends and glueing them to the rear hoop under the tail.

No front turn signals.



Hope this helps.

[JAG]

JAG,


How to on the rearsets here: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=5724.0  Make sure you get rearsets with the linkage arm pointing up or down.  Not much you can do for actuation with arms that point fore or aft.  Yes they will work on 750's because I think they use the same 1" frame tubes.  The frame clamps come in different sizes so if not, just get the right ones.  You will have to do some tinkering with some spacers and things to get the rearsets out far enough from the frame.  I used bolts that fit through the rearset holes with threaded hexagonal spacers that are used for tensioning or connecting two bolts together.  I also needed some hollow steel tube spacers that fit in the holes in the frame clamps because these holes were much bigger than the bolts to mount the rearsets to them (does that make sense?).  These spacers and tubes I got from Ace/True Value in the parts trays section.

So you used the same rear sets as mentioned in the How-To (1998-2002 Honda CBR929RR/RC51) and took off the plate with all the holes in it?

I understand what you mean about the actuation concerning the arms, but does this mean Dennis Kirk has both that point up and down as well as ones that point fore or aft?

"I also needed some hollow steel tube spacers that fit in the holes in the frame clamps because these holes were much bigger than the bolts to mount the rearsets to them"

Do you have any up close pictures of this or the rear sets in general, so maybe I can figure this out better.

Thanks for you help.