Author Topic: documenting my cb550 build (Read 48460 times)

Bob Wessner · « **Reply #150 on:** April 30, 2006, 10:26:09 AM »

Hey, thanks Bill.

I should also add, that I may ask how something was done knowing it may not be anything I might do, or try. I just find some of the modifications folks are doing here, either mechanically, or esthetically, very creative and clever and my curiosity gets the better of me.

paulages · « **Reply #151 on:** April 30, 2006, 10:36:38 AM »

that's a pretty good tutorial on how to pound the hell out of a gas tank and make it look good. however, it is leaving out steps 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14...

10) have a few more beers.
11) break out and apply the body filler.
12)sand body filler to desired shape/plane. have another beer.
13)after oversanding the body filler, add more body filler to correct.
14)finish with glazing putty, which will sand to porcelain-smooth, but not before revisiting steps 11-13 and wanting to throw your gas tank off of a bridge.

note: numbers 11-13 are a numerical anomoly, repeating possibly infinitely, without actually becoming more "steps."

i'd post a close up picture of mine, but then i'd show the hack of a paint job i did. it'll get painted nice when i get back from tour in 6 weeks.

Bob Wessner · « **Reply #152 on:** April 30, 2006, 10:41:53 AM »

What! Number 11 through 14 are to be completed with no more beer?!

paulages · « **Reply #153 on:** April 30, 2006, 10:59:31 AM »

see #12. with associated repetitions of this stage, you should probably have to insert a sub-number somewhere to go buy more beer.

bill440cars · « **Reply #154 on:** April 30, 2006, 12:23:28 PM »

Quote from: Bob Wessner on April 30, 2006, 10:26:09 AM

Hey, thanks Bill.

I should also add, that I may ask how something was done knowing it may not be anything I might do, or try. I just find some of the modifications folks are doing here, either mechanically, or esthetically, very creative and clever and my curiosity gets the better of me.

Exactly, I totally enjoy reading the procedures of most everything on this site forums, because
it's very interesting and, like Bob said, He may not do or try it (Me too) but likes to hear it. For
example, the knee inserts in the gas tank. I think it's very cool idea and adds a nice touch to the
tank and the bike but, I didn't think I'd try it myself (afraid of trashing a good tank) and the more
I read about it and the different views and ways of describing it makes me curious. I think it's a
great touch for a bike, especially a cafe racer style. You guys keep these custom features coming.
Later On, Bill

ProTeal55 · « **Reply #155 on:** April 30, 2006, 07:10:48 PM »

I plan to buy a spare tank to try my wack at banging in knee inserts. I am sure it can be done, just alittle
timid about taking a hammer to my tank. Atleast the tank on the bike at the momment.

rt · « **Reply #156 on:** May 01, 2006, 03:09:34 AM »

Paulages: ooops, you're right, I left out steps 10 to 14. Seems I got stuck in a strange time-loop centering around step 9

The actual paint-job will be done in one go with the seat/rear-assmbly I'm doing at the moment (work permitting, that is). At this stage I relocated my original taillight backwards to the top of the upper frame connecting bracket, shortend an old seat bench and started to form a new mild steel tail section (I only used this old seat bench base, because I want to re-use the foam - yes, at the ripe age of 45 I do care for my bum...). As I like the 'clean look', I decided all electrics will be hidden underneath the bench/rear hump (the battery will be abou the only standard part remaining in that area - mounted on a bracket just above the swing-arm axle) and the old cleaner box will be replaced by K&Ns. With the side covers off that'll provide a nice 'see-through' look.

bill440cars: I'm sure you're married to my wife's sister

(she calls my Project 'The Pig' or 'Racing Pig'...). It seems, our good Ladies don't see our struggle as what it REALLY is: unselfishly preserving important milestones of our motoring heritage for our descendants.
My wife even suggests it's just a cheap excuse for a couple of pints with the lads... Tssss.

ProTeal55: it surely helps to practise with a spare tank. On the other hand you might as well directly start with steps 9/10. Depending on how often you repeat those steps your timidity using your standard tank will rapidly dwindle.

cheers and happy banging,
Ray

cbjunkie · « **Reply #157 on:** May 01, 2006, 09:22:21 AM »

i'd like to caution you all against performing step nine in a poorly lit space...unless of course you plan to leave three beers at the entrance to your shop area to be consumed before subsequent design review.

enforcer · « **Reply #158 on:** June 06, 2006, 08:16:32 PM »

Hey guys,

I am working on knee inserts myself and have been following along with this post. Tomorrow I hope to put on my last layers of Bondo and then use some spot putty.

My question is: does the Bondo have to cure for a certain amount of time before priming and painting? I would also like to prime and paint tomorrow.

My tank is looking pretty good. I wish I would have been a little more patient with the pounding, because I have had to do a lot of Bondoing and sanding. I didn't read the last couple of pages until today. The list would have helped me out (A bigger variety of hammers and a few more beers). I will post pics soon.

Enforcer

VitaminCB550 · « **Reply #159 on:** June 06, 2006, 09:03:15 PM »

Great thing about bondo is... when it's hard, it's ready!

No seriously. If you can saand it and it doesn't clog your paper, you can do whatever you want.

paulages · « **Reply #160 on:** October 02, 2006, 06:47:41 PM »

finally got a decent paint job and covered my seat the other day. i have to sew in the wrinkles in the back of the cover, but still---not too bad for a hack...

babyfood1217 · « **Reply #161 on:** October 02, 2006, 08:05:46 PM »

It is obvious by looking at that scoot that you are by no means a hack. It looks great!

cbjunkie · « **Reply #162 on:** October 02, 2006, 08:09:48 PM »

man! great - a long time coming and worth every minute!

AR-Guy · « **Reply #163 on:** October 02, 2006, 08:44:44 PM »

WOW

Just saw/found the thread it makes me

with joy

Looks great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

hymodyne · « **Reply #164 on:** October 03, 2006, 04:03:03 AM »

...jumpin on the band wagon and saying, what a fantastic looking bike.

after I finish my dissertation this winter, I'm gonna treat myself to a reabuild of my '72 500

so far I've collected:

Dunstall (original) 1/2 fariing
honda hawk rearsets
rebuildable lowering shocks from a 750
juggs and head for boring
550 overbore kit
new cam chain
modern rectifier/regulator module
4-2 downpipes & mufflers
oil cooler and adapter (thanks terry)

still have to get a new primary chain (thanks bryanj), and other engine bits, clipons ...it goes on and on.

I really like the look of that tank. Mine has a dent in it now, so I may attempt knee inserts this winter as well.

I love these bikes because they allow you tro create new things out of old, over and over again.

hym

paulages · « **Reply #165 on:** June 17, 2007, 03:34:34 PM »

i keep getting PM's asking for more pictures, but haven't had a chance to set up a gallery, so here are a few more in it's current state.

upperlake04 · « **Reply #166 on:** June 17, 2007, 03:44:36 PM »

Tastefully done Mr.P

volthause · « **Reply #167 on:** June 17, 2007, 06:07:40 PM »

yeah... i think i'm going to have to hate you now.

Short Round · « **Reply #168 on:** June 19, 2007, 06:03:09 AM »

Yeah I'm liking you work as well........... Looks Great.................Chris

greenjeans · « **Reply #169 on:** June 19, 2007, 07:41:33 AM »

Thanks for posting that.....my projects have been kinda neglected over that last few weeks....
Alwasys good to see somebody's finished project to kick me in the arse a little.

Well done. white pinstripe on the tank....great little touch

forwheeldrift · « **Reply #170 on:** June 19, 2007, 09:19:10 AM »

it just keeps getting better and better.

i really like the tank badge

martini · « **Reply #171 on:** June 19, 2007, 09:30:26 AM »

Wow! That is a sweet looking machine. Nice job man!

paulages · « **Reply #172 on:** June 19, 2007, 04:13:10 PM »

thanks! wait til i drop the 718 into it...

bwaller · « **Reply #173 on:** June 19, 2007, 05:51:12 PM »

Congrats, good looking ride.

LoopsAndLogic · « **Reply #174 on:** June 19, 2007, 06:28:58 PM »

I like the Autozone 45 degree bend muffler extension

Love that gas tank with the knee indents. I wonder how it would look on my 400f.........

Best of luck

LL

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Author Topic: documenting my cb550 build (Read 48460 times)

rt

VitaminCB550

AR-Guy

upperlake04